Please help me for heart operation
(Wednesday, July 06, 2005)

A nine-year-old girl is calling for help to have a heart operation at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, this month.

Maria Maramanivosota of Bouma Village, on Taveuni, looked pale as she slowly walked into The Fiji Times newsroom to tell of her agony and of her dad's who can not afford the $15,000 needed for his daughter's life-saving operation.

"I don't feel strong and I can't play like other children my age. My heart is so painful and all the time I worry about what will happen to me," she said, with tears filled in her eyes.

Her dad, Iakobo Vuata, is a farmer and being faced with such situation is a challenge. "It has not been easy for me especially as my wife died in 1999 and I have had to look after my four children alone," Mr Vuata said.

In supporting her dad, Maria said: "I live with my dad and he has looked after me for the past six years. He has been through tough times."

While Maria shared her story, her skin colour started to change, becoming light yellow.

"This happens sometimes and I have to be strong and hide my tears so she won't suspect that anything is wrong," Mr Vuata said.

Maria developed rheumatic heart disease in 2002 when she was in Class Two at Vuna Primary School.

Mr Vuata said it was during the school's annual examination when she started to develop breathing problems.

"So she couldn't sit for her exams and was sent home as she could not breathe properly.

"That was when we found out about the disease. It has not been easy since then because she can't walk long distances or play like normal children," Mr Vuata said.

Maria needs to find $15,000 as the Government has given $10,000.

"I am lucky the Government has helped me with some money. Now, because I can't afford to pay the remainder, I need help. I am not embarrassed to ask for help publicly because it is to do with my life and I still want to enjoy life," Maria said.

She has opened a bank account at the ANZ main branch in Suva with the number 08227672 and Maria can be reached on phone number 3411337.

FROM: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=24291