Fiji family in crisis after medical emergency

BULA Vinaka,

Those of you who know me well, will know I help support a beautiful Fijian/Kiribati family (Monika, Kapasi, Donna & James) who have lived though extreme adversity over the last 15 years.

With the devastating effects of COVID19, initially the loss of all tourism (Monika's main source of income through her dance troop) and now the recent COVID 19 outbreak it's truly heartbreaking......there is only so much I can do financially so I need your help….PLEASE 🙏

A little back story…..Monika lost her husband Wilson, whilst on my watch. He was our Forman on our resort project when we lived in Fiji.

When Wilson died Monika was absolutely heartbroken, as was I, and something I will never forgive myself for....!!! He got a nasty cut on his leg and it got infected....3 days later he died of blood poisoning in Sigatoka hospital. I was in NZ at the time so couldn’t immediately help by paying for his Dr's fee's, plus I didn’t know this injury had happened until after it was too late. It was devastating for the family, as he was the main bread winner.

Monika & Wilson were originally from Kiribati with no immediate family support in Fiji. Unlike the Fijians who can retreat to their village and live in harmony with subsistence living.

Recently.....James her youngest son (14) was out fishing, hoping to catch something for their dinner and stood on a lethal stonefish….somehow he managed to walk up a hill and called for help. Luckily Monika heard his cry and rushed to his help. The ambulance was called and James was rushed to Suva hospital (2.5 hours away).

10 days later and 5 operations later he was finally allowed to leave.  He still can’t walk properly....! He was incredibly lucky to survive this!!

On a routine daily visit to Nadi hospital to dress James wound (they live 45 minutes from Nadi costing approx $40 to do the round trip daily) the announcement was made to lockdown due to the current COVID-19 outbreak....!!!

Luckily Monika had a ‘cousin’ living in Nadi, so she and James went to stay with them as there was no way she could get back to her home.

No money, no clothes, no food.... no nothing......!!! It was very challenging for them to say the least. The money I sent barely was enough to cover their food during this time, let alone their power bill which has now been cut off!!

Monika has never complained, or given up hope that life will one day get better for her and her family. She is the ultimate optimist and her entrepreneurial skills are impressive. She is always trying to think of alternative ways to make some money to survive. She needs a break in this lifetime and I'm hoping together we can do that for her.

Her daughter Donna is training to become an early childhood teacher, she has one semester to go, but can't complete her degree because Monika can't afford the fees, and Donna can't get a job due to COVID19. Again I have helped as much as I can, but it's just not enough.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.....I need your help!

Please can you donate $10 each or whatever you can afford towards food, education and medical expenses to help these beautiful humble people have some sort of life. Your contribution WILL keep them alive.

Let’s just remember folks, this is only 2 coffees or a wine or beer....we live in a privileged world here in NZ !!!

Please please please can you help me to help my Fijian family....🙏

VINAKA VAKA LEVU  Trudi ♥️