THE GOOD SAMARITANS

Nancy Gaunavou, 3, must somehow know the pain and suffering her twin sister, Abigail, was going through.

Even though she chased balloons and played with other children from WOWs Kids Fiji Foundation during Christmas event at the Lautoka Golf Club on Tuesday, she kept coming back to be with her sister.

The youngest of eight children of Aminiasi and Elena Gaunavou of Nawaka, Nadi, the twins gathered with 12 other children with cancer for a special Christmas event.

A teary-eyed Ms Gaunavou related the birth of the twins, the moment they knew something was wrong with Abigail and the reality of how this would change their family routine.

But she was forever grateful to WOWs Kids Fiji Foundation for the encouragement and lifting of their confidence, not only for her and her husband, but parents whose children are suffering from cancer.

Tuesday was a special day brought together by Lautoka businessman and ardent golfer, Raymond Singh, who has been one of the big business tycoons from the west who stepped in to assist the foundation.

This was especially during COVID-19 pandemic when funds were running low and Mr Singh was assisting financially with a promise on Tuesday to donate a further $20,000 in 2024.

The event was also brought together by the Naya Jeevan Church of Surrey, Canada, with Mr Singh’s elder sister, Senior Pastor Eileen Reddy.

Pastor Reddy had looked through the Facebook pages for the Lautoka Gold Club where Mr Singh is the president and saw fundraising events organised for the WOWs Kids Fiji Foundation.

“She contacted me and said she wanted to make this Christmas special for these kids and bought gifts and organised fun events and food for them as well,” Mr Singh said.

An emotional Mr Singh told the parents that seeing the children who suffer from cancer, he promised he would do all in his powers to make their lives better.

“I have assisted many sporting clubs and districts throughout my life and I am now looking forward to continually supporting WOWS Kids Fiji Foundation for the tremendous work they do in making life easier for the children and their parents.

“I call on other businessmen to step up and support this organisation as they rely a lot from donations to help them with their work,” he said.

Mere Williams, a team leader with the foundation, said they were grateful to Mr Singh, and especially during COVID, when funds were hard to come by and Mr Singh donated generously.

Feedback: charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj