An orphan girl yesterday told why she asked Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to give a minibus to Dilkusha for Christmas.

Archana Reddy, 19, of Methodist Church’s Dilkusha Home in Nausori, said: “Mr Bainimarama heard my plea and promised us a minibus to help us since our old one can no longer be used.”

The orphanage had made a number of requests to different organisations but was yet to receive a positive one.

The PM immediately ordered the delivery of a 23-seater minibus as a gift before Christmas.

All this happened at Ratu Cakobau Park on Thursday during the disbursement of Micro and Small Business Grants.

The Dilkusha children had sung the national anthem at the event where the PM was chief guest.

It was during a break from the distribution that Mr Bainimarama walked over to where the children were to spend some time with them.

He asked them, what they wished for Christmas and Archana took the opportunity to say they wanted a van.

Without hesitation, the PM said: “You will get it.”

Archana said they had been praying for a long time for transportation.

“God has answered our prayers,” she said.

“Every day we would pray together as a family for a new van to help us with travelling.

“We never gave up praying because the power of prayer can do wonders if you have faith and believe in God.

“Our prayers had been heard and we give back the praise to God for giving our Christmas gift from the Prime Minister.

“The Prime Minister has shown the example of a good leader through his assistance. May God bless him,” she said.

Ms Reddy said they would always remember Mr Bainimarama for what he did.

“This is a blessing for my brothers and sisters.

“We asked for a van, but now we will get to travel in a minibus from the Prime Minister himself. That is an honour. Years of prayers have finally been heard.

“We were told that the minibus will be handed over to us before Christmas and we are excited.”

Edited by: Maikeli Seru

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