Police Constable Savenaca Joape and his wife, Talica Baleikumi, 28, welcomed a second child last Friday, while in lockdown.

The couple’s second child, named Manasa Koroivere, who was born at the Viseisei Health Centre in Lautoka. Their first child and daughter, Grace Faith Vinakaidakuna, was born on May 1, 2020, at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) in Suva.

Early last week the Ministry of Health had put in place strategic plans to lockdown the Lautoka Hospital. Mr Joape was unable to witness both births because he was on duty.

He was able to see his daughter three weeks after her birth. This year, when the containment period in Lautoka started on April 19, he was unable to celebrate his daughter’s first birthday.

He said the pandemic kept him away from the early stages of his daughter and son’s lives. However, he described the moment when he held his daughter for the first time as magical and the happiest moments in his life.

“I always remind myself that this is what I had signed up for and there’s no greater feeling of knowing that when I am away from my girls, I am helping hundreds of people stay safe during this pandemic,” he said.

He is looking forward to the end of the containment period and plans to spend time with his latest addition to the family.

“The first days for a baby is exhausting for any mother and I am thankful that I have a wife who understands and appreciates the work that I do every day,” he said.

He said most frontline workers like Police officers, the military and the Ministry of Health were going through the same scenario – being away from their families for long hours and days during this lockdown. But they one common goal – to stop COVID-19 by enforcing restrictions. The officer is calling on everyone to support them by staying safe.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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