Christmas plans have turned into a nightmare for Livai Vuanabotoboto of Naivakacau Village in Tailevu.

His son, Savenaca Bala Selevakarua, 8, disappeared after he went swimming in the river near the village with other children.

Yesterday Police found his body.

Mr Vuanabotoboto said: “We were looking forward to the circumcision ritual for my son this Christmas, and now all the preparations and plans have turned into sorrow.”

Tears rolled down his cheeks as Mr Vuanabotoboto spoke of the ‘unimaginable pain’ he was going through.

“We live in Suva and we came to the village on Tuesday and just yesterday he left us again,” he said.

“This is one of the most difficult and painful times of my life and especially for my wife. We are still trying to come to terms and accept what has happened.”

Mr Vuanabotoboto said: “I was at work in Waila when I was told about the incident. At first I thought it was just a joke, but when I reached the village I then realised it wasn’t.

“I tried to calm myself and be strong and I’m praying God will help me through this hard time I’m facing,” he said.

They had been facing a lot of family problems and challenges, he said.

“I was having issues with my wife lately and what hurts the most is that he is the reason we are still together,” he said.

Mr Vuanabotoboto also said that Savenaca was an average learner, but he hardly missed school.

“We had very high hopes for him and he always told us that he wanted to be a soldier,” he added.

Savenaca was the eldest in the family of four. He was in Year Two at John Wesley Primary School.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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