Standing Beside Bob And Becky Through a Medical Crisis
Raising funds to support Bob, Becky, and their four children with basic living expenses during a life-altering medical crisis.
Pongakawa, Bay Of Plenty
Bob and Becky moved to New Zealand from Vanuatu two and a half years ago with their four children — Fredrick (15), Elizabeth (12), Junior (9), and Harrison (3) — on a working visa, hoping to build a safe and stable life for their family.
Over recent months, Bob’s health declined rapidly, with severe headaches and vomiting. In late Jan, he was rushed urgently to Waikato Hospital, where doctors discovered a large brain tumour in his frontal lobes. He has since undergone surgery to remove part of the tumour; however, removing the remainder would have risked damaging vital walking and speaking functions.
The tumor has been identified as an aggressive cancer and now requires urgent and intensive radiation treatment. While the family is deeply grateful to be in NZ with access to expert medical care, there is still significant uncertainty of what the future holds for them.
This diagnosis has left this young migrant family extremely vulnerable. Being far from extended family and without access to many of the social supports available to NZ citizens, Bob is unable to work, and Becky is only able to work occasional days while caring for her husband and children.
Our local community has generously stepped in to provide evening meals, offering much-needed support; but essential weekly costs remain and are a very real cause of extra stress.
Any support, big or small, will make a meaningful difference during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you for your kindness and compassion.
About us
Fruit of the Pacific supports, educates and mentors short term Pacific migrants.
Use of funds
Funds raised will help cover basic living expenses such as rent, power, food, communications, and travel to hospital appointments.
Latest update
Hope for the future... 31 July 2026
Wow, so much has happened since the last update. Here's the short version of a very long few months.
Over the last 6 months, Bob & his family have faced: a brain tumor diagnosis, diabetes diagnosis, debulking surgery, radiotherapy, their house burning down & loss of passports, expiring visas, an immigration appeal, both unable to work, the start of chemo, Bob's cognitive decline, a hospital admission, an MRI read as aggressive terminal regrowth—later reviewed as brain swelling from treatment, needing recovery time before chemo could continue. Through all this, their future in NZ stayed uncertain, with no word yet from Immigration or Vanuatu.
Phew. It's been a wild ride!
But on Wednesday, Bob, Becky & their family flew back to Vanuatu — carrying a little more hope than they had a fortnight ago...
Two weeks ago, Bob was told his treatment wasn't working & he had months to live. Days later, a reviewed MRI suggested it was working, and the side effects would ease with time. Hope.
As departure plans were finalised, a long-awaited letter from Immigration said the whole family could apply for new work/student visas, regardless of Bob's health. Hope.
Then, the day before travel, word came from Vanuatu that their passports could be reissued. Hope.
Thanks to the support & prayers of people like you, the Tafan family's future looks hopeful. They return to Vanuatu to sort their documents, with hope of coming back soon to finish Bob's treatment & build the years ahead as a family.
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