Alivereti Vuluma, 60, will now enjoy his new found mobility thanks to the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa,who gave him a wheelchair last week.

An emotional Mr Vuluma of Tamusua Village, Yasawa was filled with joy and the visit by the minister injected him with a breath of fresh air.

Because ever since he was bitten by a shark last year while fishing with his friends,  Mr Vuluma has had to struggle with his daily chores, when moving around with one leg.

The former Blue Lagoon Beach Resort worker was thankful for the timely visit and donation by the minister, which has made a world of difference in his life.

He said he just completed First Aid training at the resort before he was bitten, so whatever he had learned from the training saved him on that day before he was rescued by a helicopter.

Upon handing over the wheelchair, Mrs Vuniwaqa took the time to thank family members of the recipient for the support and for the commitment they have been providing him so far.

The ministry was able to identify recipients through the ground assessment carried out by the Disability Unit under the Department of Social Welfare. 

“This assistance to individuals living with disabilities will ensure that they are actively involved in various individual activities as well as programmes in their communities,” she said.   

Mrs Vuniwaqa  added that supporting and empowering people living with disabilities would greatly assist them with a new lease of life, especially in terms of mobility and visiting their friends and family around the village.

Edited by Percy Kean

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