It was on the 9th of July 2011 when the Lord Almighty blessed me with a cute baby boy, Ronav. Even though I had some complications during my delivery as my baby was overdue, I managed to give birth to a healthy baby. I thank God for protecting me from what I thought I wanted and blessing me with what I didn’t know I needed. Time passed by and I was enjoying my motherhood when suddenly every happiness of mine was shattered away. My son started to get sick. He was just 1 year old. He stopped eating food. His body became weak and fragile. He complained that he was having pain in his chest and was having shortness of breath. He was not able to play, run or do anything. In addition to this pain, I separate from my husband and became a single parent. It was devastating enough to have a child getting admitted to hospital frequently. But to do it alone was overwhelming. I had to survive. It was very tough financially. I worked two jobs. I started at 8am and finished at 11pm. But Ronav’s frequent hospitalisations meant I could not fulfill my responsibilities at work. My salary was being deducted. My bills were growing. I had to pay for rent, pay bills, buy groceries and pay for the frequent taxi rides to the hospitals.

It was overwhelming. But I couldn’t let Ronav down. One day, Ronav became gravely ill. We rushed to CWM Hospital. After tests were conducted, it was revealed Ronav had a hole in his heart and that he was in danger of lose his life. It was as if my world had collapsed. I couldn’t afford to go to New Zealand or Australia and pay over $100,000 for his surgery. I could hardly afford to make ends meet in my day-to-day expenses. I prayed for Ronav with all my heart. I asked God to save him. He did. He sent his angels in the form of Sai Prema Foundation and the surgeons and doctors who saved Ronav. The surgeons had come and we went for heart screening and consultation. They decided that he was a critical patient and needed immediate surgery. When I met the Sai Prema Foundation members and the surgeon Dr. Asish Katewa, I was very encouraged. They gave me a lot of confidence. They were so soft-spoken loving and caring. When Ronav went for surgery, the 5 hours felt like 5 years. I had so many thoughts. The main thought was “will I ever be able to see my Ronav again” God heard my prayers and the operation was super successful one. The surgeons, doctors and Foundation team not only took care of my Ronav but gave me a new life also. I never expected this but this miracle happened. After surgery, Ronav started to live a normal life like other children of his age. Within six months he gained almost 10kg of weight. He is now able to play, run or do any kind of physical activity. The changes that have happened to him after the surgery are unbelievable. This miracle is God’s grace. Ronav and I would not be here if it wasn’t for Sai Prema Foundation. They gave this gift to us and it didn’t cost me anything. It was totally free.

I want to thank Mr. Sumeet Tappoo and Dr. Krupali Tappoo. They didn’t know me from before but they have treated us like family. We cherish their humility and love. I know I am not the only person who was helped by the Sai Prema Foundation but thousands of other people were helped by them. Whenever I see Ronav doing things on his own, a smile fills my face. I had lost all hope. But then God sent his angels – the Sai Prema Foundation. Today Ronav is 10 years old. He is in Year 4 and a class prefect and he can now do everything that he wishes to. He has put on a lot of weight and is fit and healthy now. I want to tell all mothers – there will be so many times you feel like you’ve failed. Don’t ever lose hope. For your child, you are super mom. I Didn’t Set Out To Be A Single Mom; I Set Out To Be The Best Mom I Could Be. And That Hasn’t Changed.

The way Litiana’s surgery happened was a miracle. From the time she was born, Litiana was always unwell and ill. She was down with some sort of sickness and it became difficult for us as a family. In February of 2018, Litiana was laying down one day, crying and unable to say anything. Tears just flowed from her eyes. So we took her to the nearest health centre and from there she was taken to the emergency department at Lautoka Hospital. She was admitted in February and March. The doctors told us that Litiana had heart disease and there was no treatment in Fiji. We could not afford to go overseas. Those were very painful and emotional days as we didn’t have any solutions. The only solution was to pray to the Lord. One day in March, the doctors told us that Litiana is very lucky because there was a team of Heart surgeons coming to Fiji in April. Our prayers were answered! The surgery was done and the Lord saved our daughter. After surgery, Litiana is a normal child now, perfectly healthy. We are so thankful to Sai Prema Foundation. We didn’t have to pay even one dollar for a surgery which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. We are so grateful and so blessed.

When Amayra was 4-months old, she was diagnosed with congenital heart disease. We had no idea about the disease but we noticed changes in Amyara’s body. Her finger nails, lips and tongue would turn bluish-black. At times Amayra would collapse whenever she cried due to lack of oxygen and she was often kept at the children’s emergency ward at CWM Hospital. When Amayra was 8-months old, my husband Ronilesh passed away from a heart attack. He was only 35. It was hard for me after my husband died and Amayra had a hole in her heart. I thought everything was over and I could not carry on with life. Losing my husband is still a shock but I cannot afford to lose my daughter. I was very scared and worried. There seemed no hope. Hospitals in Australia and New Zealand told us that they would have the facilities but they could not guarantee her life being saved. We then came into contact with Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Heart Screening Centre and Dr. Maryanne who helped diagnose Amayra and arranged for the surgery to be done in Sanjeevani India. We departed for India and we were informed about the risks of this journey. I was praying with all my heart. Actually, during the flight, Amayra had a Tet spell – she turned uncontrollably blue and stopped breathing or moving. With the assistance of the doctor accompanying us, she got saved. it’s only the Grace of God we touched down in India. We were able to receive surgery for Amayra at Sanjeevani India. She needed three surgeries. The first surgery was successful as the doctors fitted an artificial tube for oxygen and blood to circulate properly and the other two stages will take place in a few years. Thinking about all that happened to us, look at her today, she is pink, she is happy. We have nothing but gratitude for the entire Sanjeevani family. There is nothing I can do to repay for the life we have all been gifted. She is walking, standing, smiling and is healthy. We received this and we don’t need anything more. Amayra belongs to Sanjeevani as much as to our family. The Sanjeevani Hospital is truly all about love, Divine Love!