Happy Shaivi Gets New Set of Wheels from Good Samaritans
Nine-year- old Labasa student Shaivi Mishika is a happy girl today knowing that she will be able to move around independently on a wheelchair.
She received her first wheelchair yesterday from a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Being Helping Hands Fiji. Gone are the days when she would sit on a normal chair without being able to move around. Her guardian, grandmother Appalama, 65, was emotional, because it was like a dream come true for the family. Shaivi, a student at the Labasa Special School, is mobility impaired, deaf and mute. Ms Appalama said her 48-year-old daughter is also living with disability. She said this was the first time an NGO came to their aid with diapers and basic food items, in addition to the wheelchair donation. “Often people will ignore us because we are poor,” she said.
“I was surprised when Shainaz Bano of Being Helping hands Fiji came to my doorstep to assist us,” she said.
Ms Appalama looks after her daughter and granddaughter.
With the monthly social welfare assistance to cater for their daily needs, the 65-year-old woman said she banks on good Samaritans to reach out to them.
“With the social welfare help, I am able to support my family, but did not have enough money to buy a wheelchair,” Ms Appalama said.
She said: “I am blessed that I am
still able to look after my family and happy that there are people out there who think about us.”
Being Helping Helping Hands Fiji reached out to the family in Tuatua Labasa in August.
Organisation representative Shainaz Bano said it makes them happy to reach out to those in need.
“Knocking on a needy family’s door is very heartwarming, especially, when coming to know their real stories. A beautiful road often leads to a beautiful destination.”
Ms Bano said with this quote she is able to encourage and motivate the many families she meets as she lends a helping hand to those in need.