WOWS Kids Fiji: Caring for Children with Cancer

  • Beyond the Pacific
  • September 18, 2019
  • 1 Comments
Walk on Walk Strong [WOWS] Kids: Caring for Children with Cancer 1st from left is Ms Sina Kami, Co-Founder and Tae Kami’s mum

It was a great privilege, whilst I was in Fiji recently, to be invited to a WOWS Kids tea-party to meet the organisation’s co-founder and staff before visiting children who had been diagnosed with cancer at the local hospital in Suva.

I found it an emotional experience hearing stories and meeting innocent children who suffered or are struggling with terminal illnesses when they should be enjoying the thrills of a young childhood.

The story behind how WOWS Kids came to fruition, the selfless people in the organisation reaching out to help innocent little lives and their loved ones, and the countless generous donors that supply the resources will certainly move your heart towards the plight of this cause.

WOWS Kids Fiji was established in 2014 to fulfil the mandate of the Tae Kami Foundation, a registered charity in Tonga.

Miss Tae Kami was only 15 years old in August 2008 when she passed away due to a very rare form of cancer, being a tumor in her face.

Her dying wish was that her parents would set up a centre to assist children with cancer in the South Pacific region.

The name of the organisation based at 251 Rewa Street in Suva, Fiji, was inspired by a song that Tae wrote called, “Walk on Walk Strong.” I believe the lyrics and song shared below will touch your heart:

For the storm won't last too long,
Walk on, walk strong,
When everything seems wrong,
Hold on, walk on.

Thru the fear and thru the fire,
You'll find the way out,
Thru the pain and misconceptions,
Thru the sorrow and the doubt.
When you look beyond your troubles,
Then you'll figure it out,
You will find ...

That the storm won't last too long,
Walk on, walk strong,
When everything seems wrong,
Hold on, walk on.

She's crying in the corner,
The work's never done,
I'm tryin to explain to her, 
That the victory has been won.

Don't be afraid,
There's peace beyond the rain,
I know ... it'll be okay ...

The pain never lasts,
It's now in the past,
Hold on, walk on.

WOWS Kids is a resource centre, which supports children in their early diagnosis of cancer. Right now in Fiji, over 60 children are diagnosed with the disease and the centre do all they can to transport the sick and their parents and/or guardians to local hospitals.

I learned that the organisation requires around FJD $300,000 (AUS $202,000) per year to cover and provide much-needed services such as transportation, food and hospital costs.

The vision of the organisation is that:

Children with cancer and their families receive appropriate and timely support throughout the treatment and the next stages and are cared and provided for in a loving and compassionate environment by their families, their communities and related institutions.

Ref: WOWS Kids

Visiting children at Suva hospital

If you want to support this foundation, you can do so in a number of ways:

  • Become a volunteer.
  • Become a corporate partner.
  • Take part in WOWS events.
  • Organise your own event for WOWS.
  • Assist with the organisation’s wish list.

For more information, email wowskidsfiji@gmail.com or go over to their website: WOWS Kids. Help a Fijian child in need today.

L-R: Div Damodar, yours truly, Ana Tuiketei, WOWS Kids Staff Member and Rowie Lal

“Sometimes superheroes reside in the hearts of small children fighting big battles,” anonymous.

Beyond the Pacific

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