A wet and windy day in Waiyevo for day two of the eye project. This will not worry the patients who are comfortably housed on the hospital grounds and enjoying great food prepared by Joey Amos and her band of volunteers.
The patients from day one of the Taveuni eye project gathered this morning to receive their discharge papers and this little video shows them receiving their documents (videos thanks to Peter Malden)
And here the patients are showing their pleasure in the traditional Fijian way – by singing!
STORIES FROM TODAY
Vivita Lauvili is from the village of Sawani in the province of Bua on Vanua Levu. If you are interested please feel free to select this link to learn about her wonderful home. It was a great effort to get to the hospital in time for today’s surgery. First by truck from her village at 2am yesterday and then to Natuvu on Vanua Levu and then across on the ferry to Taveuni and finally the minibus trip to the hospital. She said “I didn’t mind the trip. All I want is for eyes to be fixed” And fixed they will be by the super-talented surgeons. Vivita has two beautiful girls and enjoys life gardening and fishing.
Jitendra is very much a local. He lives but a few minutes away in Yati settlement in Waiyevo and came to the hospital today with his mother. He lives with his mother and brother and works as a bowser attendant. Jitendra also suffers from diabetes mellitus which further complicates his eye issue. He wants to work to help support his family but his eyesight limitation makes it very difficult. Hopefully after today he can return to normal duties.
Siokaveti also comes from the village of Sawani in Bua province.Her journey involved trucks, boats and buses. She is quite a remarkable woman. She lives in her home with her husband, with her son, his wife and their 4 children. She also has 2 beautiful granddaughters and 2 handsome grandsons!. Her son supports her family, growing dalo, cassava, tapioca, cabbages and bele. Not to forget the inevitable yaqona! She told me “I had a good night’s sleep on my mattress last night and I am ready to have me eyes fixed” I was very moved by her story.
In your yearly plans please remember to consider 2020 Taveuni Eye Project Funding.
Meresiana also comes from Sawani in the province of Bua on Vanua Levu. She lives with her husband and SIX wonderful children – three boys and three girls. Macainieli, her husband, works very hard growing dalo, cassava, bananas and anything else that improves their diet. She does not suffer from diabetes and this will help her eyesight recovery following today’s surgery.
To finish today’s report, here are some images of other activities around the eye project at Taveuni Hospital.
The Daily Report
| Daily Total | Project Total | Project News |
|---|---|---|
| Cataracts 23 | Cataracts 49 | Arrivals |
| Pterygiums 8 | Pterygiums 13 | Departures |
| Others 2 | Others 11 | Special Visitors |
| Total Operations 31 | Total Operations 62 | Videos |
The Rotary Club of Taveuni, in association with Rotary clubs in New Zealand, Australia and the United States, have made eye surgery for Fiji their primary project for the year. Please visit the Rotary Club of Taveuni here and Rotary International here for more information.