Although Sunil Kumar may not be able to provide his son with luxury items and fancy gifts, he still puts a smile on his face with the little things that he gives him.

Mr Kumar, a 48-year-old driver of Na­covi in Nadi, sadly lost his wife, Shob­na Lata Dayal in February, last year to a mysterious illness. It left him to take on the role of a mother and father to their 10-year-old son, Shanit Kumar.

Shanit is a student at Korovuto Pri­mary School in Nadi.

Mr Kumar said the one-year process of taking on the challenge was no easy ride, especially when it came to catering for his son’s needs.

“It’s financially difficult to see to his needs, but I try my best to make him happy,” Mr Kumar said.

He said Shanit was constantly talk­ing to him of gifts which he wanted if he worked hard in school.

“My son said to me one day ‘Papa, I will work hard in school so that means you will get my bicycle and snacks’,” he said.

“Hearing this is very emotional be­cause he knows the struggle that I face to make sure that there is food on the table and clothes on his back.”

As other children in the country prepare themselves for a new school term, Mr Kumar has assured Shanit that his gifts would be presented to him, if his commitment towards his school work was met.

Mr Kumar wishes all school children the best for this academic term.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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