Children admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva were yesterday given an early Fiji Day surprise when Speaker to Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni visited them.

Dr Luveni toured the Children’s Ward mingling with the patients and their parents as part of the Fiji Day celebrations.

Thirteen-year-old Lusiana Vokitani, who is admitted with a fractured arm said she was happy to see the Speaker face to face for the first time.

“I usually see her on TV and in the papers. It’s amazing to see such a prominent figure up close,” she said.

Her mother, Asenaca Vosarauta said seeing the Madam Speaker face to face ‘was like seeing an angel’.

“Last year, my son who was attending Year 13 at Ratu Kadavulevu School was chosen to be a representative at the Youth Parliament,” Ms Vosarauta said.

“We have a photo of him and the madam speaker hanging on our wall at home so when she entered our room today I told my daughter, look it’s the Madam Speaker.

“I even told my son that he was blessed to be in a photo with the speaker.”

Ms Vosarauta said she couldn’t wait to tell her son about the Speaker’s visit when they returned to their home in Naivuruvuru, Verata, Tailevu.

Storm Valentine, whose one-month old baby Braxton Goulding is admitted, shared similar sentiments and said: “It’s a good thing she come and visit the children and this is also the first time for me to see her in person.”

Dr Luveni also presented a gift to the children admitted to the hospital before cutting their Fiji Day celebrations cake.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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