PM touches hearts with unprecedented visit
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama touched the hearts of Namuaimada villagers in Ra yesterday after making a promised visit to one of Fiji’s sporting heroes Maca Vakalalavanua.
Ms Vakalalavanua, who represented Fiji at the British Empire Games in Perth, Western Australia, in 1962 and the first South Pacific Games in 1963 in Suva, described the visit as a Godsend. “May God bless him, his visit was really God sent and I thank him for keeping his promise,” Ms Vakalalavanua said.
She said after retiring from athletics she settled down with her family in Ra and was now looking after her 45-yearold disabled son.
“It has not been easy for me these past years, having to struggle for survival for me and my son,” she said.
“But just when I thought the world had forgotten me, God really does work in mysterious ways by sending our Prime Minister to visit us and reassure us that help is on the way.”
She nearly broke in to tears during her interview and was thankful to Prime Minister Bainimarama for being true to his word and taking time off his busy schedule to visit her and her family. “Words cannot describe how happy and thankful I am right now to see our Prime Minister visiting ordinary Fijians like me,” Ms Vakalalavanua said. Prime Minister Bainimarama tasked personnel from the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation to deal and sort out the details and requirements that would enable Ms Vakalalavanua to continue receiving her pension.
“Once everything is done, you should be able to have your pension pay in by the next round of payments,” Mr Bainimarama told Ms Vakalalavanua.
He wished her all the best and thanked her for representing Fiji in the international sporting arena, reminding her that his Government had not forgotten about her or many others like her.
Maca Vakalalavanua represented Fiji at the British Empire Games in Perth, Western Australia, in 1962 and the first South Pacific Games in 1963