11-year-old Faith marks birthday with life-saving surgery

For 11-year-old Faith Kedrabuka, this birthday will forever be remembered as the day she was given the greatest gift of all — a healthy heart and a second chance at life.

Just days after undergoing life-saving heart surgery, Faith celebrated turning 11 surrounded by her mother and the care of doctors at the Sai Prema Foundation’s Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital in Suva. The charity hospital provides free medical care for children, bringing hope to families across Fiji.

Her mother, Letila Kedrabuka, could not hide her gratitude.

“We are so grateful for this opportunity,” she said.
“Faith was admitted on September 16 and had her surgery the same evening. Thanks to the foundation, we are leaving stronger, more positive, and ready for family time. Faith is excited to go back home.”

Faith was one of three young patients discharged this week after successful surgeries performed by a team of specialist surgeons from Greece, India, and Australia.

Two-month-old Vilikesa Niumataiwalu’s mother, Lilivanua Temo, said letting her baby undergo surgery was one of the hardest decisions of her life.
“It was a hard decision to give Vilikesa for surgery, but I thank the Almighty God for giving him the strength to go through it,” she said.

For Maria Radinimatai, seeing her two-year-old daughter Asena recover has been nothing short of a blessing.
“We are blessed to see our daughter healthy and recovering well,” she said.

Through the work of the Sai Prema Foundation, more children like Faith, Vilikesa, and Asena are given not just medical care, but renewed hope and a brighter future.