JOSAIA RALAGO
Sixty-five-year-old amputee Sainimili Naisokula had her wish to access proper bathroom facilities granted recently.
Mrs Naisokula, from Nukusa in Macuata, expressed her wish to this basic facility to Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa to her home.
She had her right foot amputated in 2014 because of diabetes and was moved to tears when receiving the Minister and her team at her home.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the Minister for Women would come and visit me in my home, and for that I am so grateful,” Mrs Naisokula said.
“I have access to a wheelchair and I am relieved that the Minister has assured that her Ministry would be funding proper bathroom facilities soon which I am in dire need of.”
At the moment the widower has to roll herself out of the house, in her wheelchair to access the bathroom.
This new bathroom facility would be installed inside the house so it is more convenient for Mrs Naisokula.
She lives with her nephew and his wife, who takes care of her.
Minister Vuniwaqa was ac-companying her Rights Empowerment and Cohesion (REACH) programme team who were touring the district of Udu when she was informed of Mrs Naisokula’s situation.
While addressing villagers of Nukusa, she said the REACH programme was initiated in 2015 by the Government in its efforts to bring its services closer to Fijians in rural and maritime areas, who had had difficulty in accessing them.
She said Nukusa was such a village and availing these services to community members was a main target for this programme.
Minister Vuniwaqa also visited Vunikodi, Nabouono, Nukudamu and Cawaro village in Udu.