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Give Vinna Life Saving Surgery

  • Tidings of Great Joy - Celebrating Vinnas Successful Health Journey

      28 November 2022
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    Goodness, I feel like I get to bring you tidings of great joy today - such an awesome privilege as we start this festive season.

    You have all played such an important role in Vinna's healing and health journey over many years now. Many of you began your support for Vinna as early as Feb 2017 and now, at the end of 2022, we can officially celebrate the achievement of a full recovery journey for her!

    For the last few years Vinna has been waiting on a final surgery in NZ to remove a metal plate which was temporarily in her leg to ensure its stability as it healed. With covid, lockdowns and border closures, the time between when we originally planned for that final surgery and when she actually arrived back here was a number of years!

    But in late Oct, ROMAC, with help from the Marine Reaches Family Care Center, organised her final travel arrangements and she and her mother, Korina, landed in NZ for their last hospital visit and operation. Vinna is a trooper and after surgery was up and about very quickly, her recovery so positive that she was able to travel back to Port Vila last week after a very brief round trip. During her stay here she was able to catch up with many of her friends and families who have cared for her over the years and we all enjoyed celebrating how far she has come!

    I’d particularly like highlight those who have really made this last leg of the journey possible:

    A huge thank you to Glenys Paton from ROMAC who juggled everything while she was in NZ; hosting her, taking her to appointments and ensuring she got to connect with so many who she has shared the journey with. Glenys said yes to helping Vinna at the very start of this journey and has been an unwavering support from start to finish!

    A huge thank you also to FCC for making their beautiful centre available for Vinna and Korina to stay at regularly over the last few years for necessary medical check ups and routine care, including the extended Vila lockdown. You guys make in-country care and logistics amazingly straightforward - such a blessing!

    And thank you to each of you for your contribution to Vinnas journey - this now not so little girl, is alive and well because of the commitment, care and prayers you have invested in her over the years. I know from the hug I shared with Korina (her mother) on our last evening together that as a family they are sincerely grateful and this gift has touched their hearts in way words can never properly convey.

    Merry Christmas and may you all be blessed with a wonderful festive season with family and friends

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  • Vinna is home for summer!

      5 January 2020
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    Happy New Years and what a great celebration we have to share with you.... in the weeks before Christmas, Vinna was given the all clear by her surgeon... He said her leg is fully healed - ie no longer broken - she has an intact femur for the first time in literally years! He said there was no sign of infection. He said she could go home! This fantastic news brought on tears of joy - best Christmas present ever!

    With such great news, Vinna said a thankful goodbye to her Vila host family, hopped on a plane with Mel (who has been her nurse in Vanuatu throughout this journey), and landed on Tanna, not just for a visit, but to return home to live with her family! I can only imagine what the last few weeks have been like for Vinna and her siblings - it's been two years since she spent a Christmas or New Years with them!

    Vinna will return to NZ in April to have the plate removed, and until then will go to school in her local village; reconnecting with her family, her home, her community and her island identity.

    I'm sure there will be highs and lows as life settles back into a normal routine. I've already heard she is missing the ocean and wants to go swimming - she loves the water so much but lives in an inland village... its not as easy as in NZ, just jumping in a car and heading to a beach or swimming pool. But she'll adjust - she's proven her resilience, courage and determination over this long journey.

    She did well at her school in Port Vila this last year and we will continue to support her with her school fees and access to education either in Tanna or Vila in the future. But for now, this growing girl deserves a well earned holiday with her family!

    This page was started in Feb 2017 ... almost three years ago ... to help a very sick girl access life saving health care. Today we celebrate her full return home!! How incredible! And with such a blessing to celebrate, this will be the last update on this page. Thank you for journeying with Vinna, for your care and love and prayers. As Vinna enjoys being home with her family. we wish you a great summer - may it be filled with the joy and love of connection with family and friends.

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  • Vinna Reunites with Family

      8 May 2019
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    Over the Easter period Glenys (ROMAC) and I had the experience of walking alongside Vinna as she made the journey back to her village to reconnect with her roots … her family.

    These are the notes Glenys made about Vinnas return to Tanna:

    "On Saturday April 29th, 2017 we were given a young small broken girl and together we have returned a strong and healthy – resilient young being.

    Two years is a long time to be disconnected from family, to trust others … strangers … to care for you… and returning was not without what we considered doubts and concerns.

    However, the most poignant moment unfolded at Whitesands airport in Tanna when Vinna’s sister Elizabeth stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Vinna in pure love and joy – a smile extended across her face as she took in her younger sister – you could see she could hardly believe her eyes … she had most likely thought she would never see Vinna again. She had genuinely missed her and had been looking forward to this day for a long time. Her mother, father, brother and cousin were also in support and equally thrilled to see her.

    This was the beginning of a welcome back that was embraced by the warmth and love of the whole village – a Grandmother and Grandfather – joyous and hugging Vinna in disbelief - and the children calling her name – she was still an integral part of the memory of this community – albeit looking a little different on her return.

    The village celebrated her return both in song and dance – firstly the men chanting and dancing, then the women surrounding the men - their song adding crescendo to the celebration. It was so heartening to see Vinna leap up and be part of this celebration alongside her blood sister and amongst her village sisters. It was clear these were her roots – she was connected in every way.

    The Chief of the village – Vinna’s uncle – opened his korero (tok tok) in his native language and then followed with a speech in faultless english expressing how grateful they were for the healing, the caring and the return of their loved one to them.

    The village offered gifts in appreciation of the work that had been done both medically and in her day to day care while in New Zealand – two live chickens, two large flax baskets of kumara and mats and baskets. These were generous offerings and this was acknowledged.

    My korero thanked them for trusting us with their daughter, thanked them for their patience in the long time that the healing had taken and to let them know that we were not quite there and that she would need to remain in Vila for the next year for regular checks ahead of the final surgery.

    I also responded to a reference to disability by encouraging them to look for the ability in each and every person and not be focussed on the disability. I pointed to Vinna’s leg and said she does not have a disability – she is a whole person with a whole lot of potential ability.

    We were then treated to some kai – generously made for the visitors – and some more personal conversation with the chief and immediate family. Over lunch the conversation also reflected further

    on the words ability and disability. There was also an opportunity to explain using the sequence of x-rays, the status of her leg and the importance of not disrupting the process of healing – reassuring those close to her that the metal plate holding her leg together would come out in about 12-months’ time.

    When it came time for me to leave for my overnight accommodation Vinna was nowhere to be seen – blending in to the myriads of small faces that made up the hope of a new generation of villagers.

    As Vinna has moved back into Ni-van life she has done so standing tall with confidence."

    What a celebration that day and the days following were! Vinna is now settled in Port Vila, awaiting the start of the new school term in 3 weeks time. Please feel welcome to be part of her continued journey on our new givealittle page "Send Vinna to School" https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/send-vinna-to-school

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  • Send Vinna to School!

      12 April 2019
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    Two years ago, with your help, Vinna arrived in NZ, broken, sick and in pain, but with the hope of recovery, thanks to you and all her wonderful sponsors.

    This Easter, she is ready to return home to Vanuatu. She is bright, bubbly, and pain free.

    And with your ongoing help she can continue her education! (https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/send-vinna-to-school)

    Over the last two years she has had at least three surgeries, a bone graft, a leg halo, and a plate fitted to hold the bones together that were once severely broken and infected. During this time of healing, she has been going to school and has learned English, and how to read, write, and do maths. She absolutely loves swimming and has been treated to many wonderful experiences including going to the snow, the zoo, Hobbiton and Rainbow Springs. She has become very much part of Marg and Brunos family and knows what it means to be loved and valued for the fun little girl she is.

    I have seen her grow in confidence and ability. Her future is bright thanks to the investment you have made.

    Now we hope to support her to continue to thrive. When she returns to Vanuatu next week, she is no longer the little Tannese village girl she once was. She is an experienced traveler, with lots still to learn and offer. She is keen to remain in Port Vila and go to an English speaking school and continue her studies.

    We have identified another loving host family, Roger and Cindy, who have 3 ni van children and a school right in their backyard. The school has a NZ teacher and, at this stage, offers level 1 – 4 education (which is exactly Vinnas range). It offers an intimate and attentive learning environment with curriculum and activities Vinna will know and be comfortable with. It is also just a 3min walk down the road to Marine Reaches Family Care Center and the wonderful nurses and team who originally cared for Vinna when she was first found on Tanna.

    To allow Vinna to board, attend school and return to her family on Tanna in the school holidays we need to fundraise at least $5,000/year. We will appreciate both one off donations as well as annual pledges. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated!

    To make a donation please copy and paste this link to our new givealittle page:

    https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/send-vinna-to-school

    As before, I will continue to include you in Vinna’s journey, as this now healthy young woman settles in back home and starts to experience all the doors of opportunity now open to her.

    Happy Easter!

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  • Vinna visited Vanuatu for Christmas

      13 February 2019
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    As you know, Vinna has been in NZ quite a long time, much longer than originally anticipated, and the healing process, although going really well, is one that takes patience and careful consideration.

    Late last year it was determined Vinna would need further surgery and plate put in to help the bones fusing in her thigh. So with her stay in NZ extending into 2019 it was decided to return her home as far as Port Vila to reunite and connect with her family, friends and culture over Christmas! It was a bit daunting to begin with, but like the superstar she is, she took the transition in her stride and made friends all over the place with her warm and infectious laugh and smile.

    She is now back in NZ with her host family and has just had her plate surgery and is recovering well. The goal is to return her home at the end of this school term once she's up and going again and then bring her back to NZ a year from now to assess her ongoing healing and mobility.

    As we look at her transition home there are some discussions around an ongoing education fund, seeing she has adapted so well into the NZ education curriculum and enjoyed her studies learning english, reading and writing so quickly... we will keep you posted as this develops.

    May your new year be filled with fruitfulness and joy.

    Kylie

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  • "We're going on an adventure!"

      18 November 2018
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    This week Vinna had a great time celebrating her health journey with a few of her generous sponsors!

    She met up with Paul, Gary and Mark at Hobbiton and they were able to enjoy seeing just how far this young lady has come over the last year and a half (see photo)- she's a bundle of smiles, laughter and energy, able to keep up with the kids and walk most of the way around a 2 hour tour! No mean feat when this time a few years ago she was found in agony, with a life threatening infection, having not walked for over two years.

    We are now in the process of planning a trip home for her for Christmas. She is due another x-ray at the end of November which will determine an ongoing care/recovery plan, but in the meantime her family are looking forward to seeing their little girl walking again and enjoying Christmas together - so it's off on a Vanuatu adventure we go!

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  • Step by step...

      10 August 2018
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    Last week Vinna had an appointment with her Doctor and the Xray looks great with the bone strengthening through her own natural body response.

    Unfortunately she has a significant hip contracture which is the focus of ROMAC's attention at the moment – well Margaret and Vinna’s attention really.

    The hip has been out of alignment for so long it requires work to realign it to enable her to walk with a natural gait again.

    This means heavy artillery exercises over the next 6 weeks with weekly appointments with the physio each Friday to assess progress.

    The exercises are carried out 3 x per day and are painful for Vinna – this is being managed well by Margaret – thank heaven for her skills, experience and commitment in this case.

    Vinna video linked with her family last week – Peter (father), Korina (mother) and brothers and sisters - and they just leapt with joy at seeing Vinna walk unaided and can’t wait to have her back. Margaret said there was a lot of hooting and cheering.

    So many exciting steps in the journey so far and a few more to go before she returns home..

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  • FREEDOM FOR VINNA

      27 June 2018
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    Celebrations are in order - Today is a special and significant day for all of us, but especially for Vinna and her family. It is a day of FREEDOM. Yesterday she underwent surgery to remove the frame her leg has been bound in for the last 9 months. She is now free! Free from pain and free from infection. But more importantly Free to walk, and run and jump and climb like other kids her age.

    Thank you for supporting her to this amazing place, a day was a long time coming, but has been achieved by much love, support, courage, commitment and generosity from many.

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  • It's almost time

      5 June 2018
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    Wow would you believe, Vinna has now been in NZ over a year, and had her leg braced for about 9 months! The good news is her surgeon is now making preparations for the next step in her recovery plan. Over coming weeks, he will be adjusting the screws on the frame so she can learn to weight bear, and all going well, it will be removed in about a months time.

    Meanwhile, she continues her schooling in Hamilton and is really well supported by her NZ host family and other friends who take her for weekend excursions.

    She came away to Pauanui with us for a week last school holidays and thoroughly enjoyed petting horses, beach walks, library visits and pancakes as well as playing with Baby Ezra. We now have a challenge on the table to see who will learn to walk first - Vinna or baby Ezra. She is out to win!

    Many peoples thoughts are now turning to what will happen for Vinna when returning home. ROMAC will be assisting with her transition back to Vanuatu and we are keen to continue to look at ways to support this clever wee girl. One suggestion is to set up an education fund, that will allow her to attend boarding school in Vanuatu and continue the education she has begun in NZ.

    As we get closer to a plan for her transition home, I will keep you posted with how you might be able to continue to keep connected with Vinna and her journey.

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  • Merry Kiwi Christmas

      7 December 2017
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    The pohutakawa's are out, the Christmas tree decorated (see photo in the online update) and the hot sun shining - Vinna is now looking forward to enjoying her first Kiwi Christmas with her host family.

    Her mother, Korina, is heading back to family in Vanuatu tomorrow (Sat) to be welcomed home by Mel and Anna from the Family Care Centre. Vinna is staying on in NZ until early next year, while her leg continues to heal and strengthen. She is regularly attending physio but still needs to learn to take weight on her leg and feel safe without her crutches. It's a big step after so many years of non-use and these things take time. She is blessed to have a wonderfully supportive host family & ROMAC there to encourage her with each step.

    She has thoroughly enjoyed school this term and is doing really well. She received a certificate recently at grandparents day for her floral art and a kowhai award for being a focused learner.

    We would all like to wish you each a merry merry Christmas filled with the joy and blessing of family, friends and fun and again thank you for your generosity, which has allowed this wee girl to flourish in so many ways.

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  • Off to School

      27 October 2017
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    With the start of a new school term and the ability to move around pretty well now, Vinna has enrolled in a local primary school and is thoroughly enjoying being with kids her own age. She's into her second week of classes and is enjoying making new friends and learning new words and saying a full sentence. This is the first time Vinna has been to school since her accident many years ago and the opportunity will help her with confidence, knowledge & experience and the ability to reintegrate into school when she gets home.

    Before this exciting new experience, during the holidays, she was able to take a trip to the Bay of Plenty and visit me and our new 2 week old baby, Ezra. She loved having cuddles with him and I enjoyed being able to catch up with her and her mother, having not seen them since the last surgery.

    The surgeon is happy with Vinnas recovery, but it will still be months until she is able to have her frame removed and then there will still be rehabilitation work and physio needed to get her stable & strong on her leg. It is likely she will be staying in NZ until at least the new year (and if she had it her way - much longer still - she loves it here!)

    She is also excited about being able to experience a NZ summer and a kiwi Christmas!

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  • Snow before Surgery

      1 September 2017
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    A couple of weeks ago, Vinna and Korina had the wonderful experience of playing in snow for the first time! Snow is definitely not something you get in tropical Vanuatu, so for a delightful reprieve in between surgeries, Vinna's host family took her for a drive to Mt Ruapehu. Although the weather was not fantastic they had a lot of fun, building snowmen, having snow fights and taking in the whole experience and the wonderful scenery.

    Having become very mobile in her brace and having had sufficient antibiotics to remove any residual infection in her leg, Vinna is now ready for stage 2 of her treatment: another surgery, where she will have a bone graft. It is likely to be a long process post op, with the frame still in place, regular physio and checks for bone growth. Do keep her in your thoughts and prayers, particularly on the 5th of Sept - the date of the operation.

    Next update: post op

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  • Back on Her Feet After Surgery

      16 July 2017
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    Vinna had her first surgery on Tuesday and is already back on her feet. During the 6.5hr operation, the bone infection was cleaned out and a brace is now in place supporting the bones. She is on a long period of antibiotics, which will be followed by a second surgery for a bone graft in late August.

    The great news is, she is incredibly resilient and was about in a wheelchair 20 hrs post op!!! She was walking on crutches by the Thursday and by Friday, confident with everything was discharged from hospital. She is now off her pain medication and today she and her host mother and sister were playing volleyball (Vinna sitting down of course!).

    Frozen, the movie, was on high rotate during Vinnas hospital stay, and her favourite character is Elsa. Her wonderful host mother, Margaret, helps her dress in her favourite blue dress to look like the beautiful princess, and even braids her hair - she truly looks like an island princess here in the NZ winter cold.

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  • Date set for surgery

      21 June 2017
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    Great news - Vinna has been through all of her diagnostic tests and her surgeon has now formulated a plan to save her leg and give her back her ability to walk!

    On the 11 July, Vinna will undergo surgery to clean out the infection in her leg and bone and then re-link the break in such a way that, hopefully, the bones re-fuse/grow back together. She will have an external brace for about 3 months to hold everything in place, which will be hard work, but on the other side of that, she should be able to walk and play again like other children her age.

    Until her surgery Vinna will continue to enjoy life in NZ. She is getting along extremely well with her host family and their children - being given art lessons by her new sister and getting good at putting her new brother into place when he's cheeky.

    We took her to the zoo a couple of weeks ago, where she just loved seeing so many exotic animals up close. A little girl from Tanna would never even dream of seeing Rhinos, giraffes and monkeys in person, so she will have great stories and memories to share with her friends from home. She goes to the park and loves feeding the ducks. She's also had special visits from friends who have supported her along the way, including a recent visit from Dynamis, the marine reach doctor who first found her on Tanna a year ago.

    Thanks to your donations, we are also able to support Vinna to have 3 sessions of schooling per week, where she is learning how to read and write. Having missed going to school for the last two years, she's thoroughly enjoying these sessions and this will enable her to catch up and hopefully re-join kids her age at school when she does return home.

    Please do keep her in your thoughts and prayers over the coming month leading up to and directing following her surgery. It's quite likely she will be in quite a bit of pain to begin with, and have to navigate learning to move around with a brace and keep the leg infection free. It has the potential to be a challenging time, but with her incredible spirit and a wonderfully supportive mother & host family at her side, I can imagine she'll still burst into that big smile we all know and love.

    PS - be on the look out for an article in the NZ Herald shortly about Vinna and her journey, of which you are all such an incredible part.

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  • All in her stride!

      12 May 2017
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    The last couple of weeks have been huge for Vinna. She's settling into a new home, a new family, a new country, having diagnostic tests & lots of meetings... but judging by the photos (check out photo gallery) - she is taking it all in her stride.

    She's enjoying car rides to pick up her host families children from school, heading off to their hockey games, taking joy in the simple pleasures of blowing bubbles and learning how to draw and paint with the help of her new sister. Vinna's ever radiant smile says it all!

    She's also been incredibly brave - heading off for blood tests, MRI's, xrays and meeting her surgeon. Given what she has faced over the last two years, she has been very courageous, stepping out of her comfort zone, with an inspiring attitude.

    ROMAC have set up a coordinator in Hamilton to take food and care donations for Vinna, Korina and their host family. Please feel free to email me: kylie.fop@gmail.com for more information if you are interested.

    Over coming weeks, Vinna's full care plan will be developed and we can start seeing this precious girl get better.

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  • Welcome to NZ Vinna!

      1 May 2017
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    Saturday, even with all the rain, was a day of sunshine in the hearts of many - it was the day Vinna and her mother arrived in NZ in preparation for the restorative treatment to come.

    Korina and Vinna arrived at the Port Vila airport on the early hours of Sat morning, accompanied by their Family Care Family, Anna and Mel, with whom they had been staying for the last three weeks. Vinna had on a glittery Dr McStuffins bag & a pair of bright pink sunglasses - a few of the many presents she had been gifted at a wonderful farewell/birthday party a few days earlier. While waiting for their departure, some of their to-be hosts family were also at the airport so Korina and Vinna had the opportunity to meet them and be welcomed into the family before they even arrived in NZ, which put them at even greater ease.

    Meanwhile, a few hours later in NZ, Glenys and Geoff from ROMAC and Kylie from Fruit of the Pacific were getting things organised for their arrival - umbrellas - tick, car seats - tick, welcome flag up - tick! After months of fundraising, organisation and logistics, it was such a delight to see Vinna and Korina finally come through those arrival gates!

    The car ride to Hamilton was lots of fun. Vinna has the most infectious and adorable giggle and she ooohed and ahhhhed at everything. Looking out the windows, through the downpour, to be amazed by the big big trucks, the bridges spanning over the motorways, the trains, the buildings - it was all so new, interesting and exciting! But I think the real highlight was a new cellphone that ROMAC have given them to keep in contact with their family. On went the bright pink sunglasses and then came the photo taking & selfies - which had us all giggling!

    Just before our final destination, we stopped in at the Warehouse to get a few more clothes and some shoes for Vinna. She's definitely got a thing for pink and sparkly and went straight for the flashiest (literally flashing) pair of multi-coloured glittery shoes. And the minute they were on - she was off. She's incredibly proficient on her crutches and was thrilled to be on her feet after hours of sitting around in planes and cars.

    After a long days travel, Korina and Vinna were finally welcomed into their hosts house with the love and warmth of a caring Ni Van family. There was a special welcome cake and the hosts two children were ready to embrace Vinna into their home and lives and introduce her to all the fun things kids are privileged to enjoy in NZ. You could feel both Korina and Vinna settle in as their familiar language and culture wrapped its arms around them in what is otherwise a very strange and foreign place.

    As Glenys and I drove away late in the afternoon, we both smiled - the sun was shining bright in spite of the rain.

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  • Vinna Now in Port Vila

      11 April 2017
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    After a wild weekend with Cyclone Cook passing over Vanuatu, it was touch and go whether Vinna and her mother would be able to make their scheduled domestic flight to Port Vila on Monday. After a long wait at the airport on Tanna and many delays, the two finally landed yesterday afternoon, into the warm and welcoming arms of Mel and Anna from the Family Care Center.

    Yesterday Vinna and Korina said their goodbyes to family and community, with the possibility of being away from their home for up to 6-9 months while Vinna receives treatment in NZ. They're traveling to a country unknown, the first time either of them will have ever set foot outside of Vanuatu! It's a huge & barely comprehensible undertaking and it is wonderful that the next three weeks they can stay in the familiar and nurturing environment at FCC. There Vinna will be fed with lots of highly nutritious and strengthening food in preparation for the journey ahead. ROMAC will be supporting them to apply for Visas and get medical certificates to travel.

    Vinna's international travel date is the 29 April and we look forward to welcoming her to NZ.

    We wish Vinna and Korina a beautiful Easter, and celebrate with them this season of the promise of new life.

    (photo - first evening at FCC getting a yummy meal & enjoying the wonderful hospitality of Anna & Mel)

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  • Vinna's Care Plan Confirmed

      13 March 2017
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    This is a very exciting update. As of today Rotary Oceanic Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) have confirmed that they will take Vinna as a patient!

    They have a surgeon in Hamilton who will be treating Vinna pro-bono and have relationships with a raft of service providers from private hospitals to anesthetists to radiology units all willing to donate their resource to her case!

    Vinna and her mother, Korina, are likely to be in NZ for 6-9 months while first the infection is cleared by antibiotics and then her leg undergoes surgery and restorative care to allow her to walk again!

    ROMAC have found a lovely Ni Van family who will host them and will provide for their food, clothing and general expenses throughout their stay.

    It is a huge privilege to be able to work with such an amazing organisation that has so much experience caring for children in desperate need of medical care across the Pacific.

    They are very thankful for all our fundraising efforts as Vinnas case is extraordinary in terms of the damage sustained to her leg and the treatment required to bring restoration. To date through givealittle and a variety of amazing individual donors we have raised over $30,000 to contribute to Vinnas care!

    I look forward to updating you with the next step of the journey - we are expecting her to travel within the next couple of weeks - so watch out for arrival photos of this precious girl soon.

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  • Passports Have Been Issued!

      28 February 2017
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    Awesome news and in record time (for passport processing) - Vinna and her mother now have official passports, a big step towards being able to travel to NZ for the care she needs!

    Today our team at Port Vila's Family Care Center, went to check on the process of the applications (& to dig them out of the pile if necessary), to be greeted with a pleasant surprise - two brand new, freshly issued passports! These precious travel docs will now stay in a safe place in Port Vila ready to accompany a medical visa application in the near future.

    Also, the total cost of the logistics and applying for these fast processing passports was able to be refunded to our team up there today, thanks to all your generous donations!

    We look forward to celebrating more of Vinna's journey to wellbeing with you in the near future.

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  • "Vinna" Gets Her Birth Certificate

      22 February 2017
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    Today Vinna (Fena) was picked up from her village by our friend Joe, and taken with her mum down to the main township on Tanna - Lenekal. Here she was able to apply and receive her very own birth certificate (& where we received the accurate spelling of her name, officially recorded for the first time - Vinna). Vinna then moved on to the passport office, where she and her mum had their ID photos taken.

    After a day of excitement & probably nerves, Vinna has gone home to relax and wonder about this journey she is embarking on, while Joe drove the passport applications to the airport where they were hand delivered to the next flight to Vila.

    All this made possible by your generous donations! Today Vinna is a step closer to her flight to NZ for the care she needs, thanks to you.

    Please feel free to head to our Facebook page where we are able to post more pictures of Vinna on her journey...https://www.facebook.com/FruitOfThePacific/ and we do welcome you to share and celebrate her story with others in your networks so that we can continue to raise funds to support her.

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