Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was labelled by the children of Methodist Dilkusha Home as their Father Christmas.

The home at Nausori is an orphanage operated by the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma.

It looks after abandoned children and orphans.

On Thursday – Christmas Eve – Mr Bainimarama gave the children their best Christmas present.

He handed them their new 26-seater bus he promised them during the disbursement of Micro and Small Business Grants at Ratu Cakobau Park earlier this month.

One of the children, Archana Reddy, 19, had asked Mr Bainimarama for a van to be used for the home when he visited them at the Park.

The children sang during the event.

“We are so happy and excited about this new bus that we have been blessed with,” Archana  said.

“We have been praying for a long time for this and the Prime Minister granted our wish.

“He is like our very own Father Christmas giving us this big gift,” she said.

The bus cost $129,000.

Archana said the donation was timely because it would be their form of transportation.

“I also want to thank the Prime Minister for coming  down to visit us. This shows he cares for us, especially during this festive season.”

While handing-over the bus, Mr Bainimarama said Archana demonstrated real compassion and concern for other children in the Home.

He said she should be an inspiration to all.

“She didn’t ask for shiny new clothes or toys. Instead, she asked for something to improve, not only her own life, but the lives of those around her. “It is something every child at Dilkusha Home could use. Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is the true spirit of Christmas,” Mr Bainimarama said.