‘I love my children so much and want them to become better persons’

Breast cancer patient Luisa Marama, 31, struggles every day to support her two children; daughter Matelita Radinitai, 12, and son Matereti Balewai, 6.

The single mother of Grantham Court in Raiwaqa, Suva, struggles to send her children to school but thanks to the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and Janty Kanvan Limited, who are providing her children with school stationery packs this year.

“I love my children so much and want them to become better persons in their lives,” Ms Marama said.

“Sometimes I wonder what will happen to my children if something happens to me.” she said.

Ms Marama was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and has been receiving monthly treatment for the disease.

Her daughter is in Year Five and her son in Year One; both are attending Pundit Vishnu Deo Memorial Primary School in Raiwaqa.

“I am so happy and thankful to the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and Janty Kanvan Limited for their support,” she said.

For the last two years, the Department of Social Welfare has been supporting her with monthly food vouchers and social welfare monthly allowance.

“Sometimes, I also sell cassava and fish or wash cars to earn extra money to support my children so that they can go to school,” she said.

Line Minister Rosy Akbar said: “The Fijian Government will maintain and continue to improve access to education.”

Meanwhile, Janty Kanvan Limited operations manager, Jigar Khatri said he was happy to be in partnership with the ministry to support the less fortunate school children.

“We will continue to support the needy children in future,” Mr Khatri said.   Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti

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