Latest News from Vava'u Island Group, Tonga
3rd April 2008
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Sipelimani Fakaósi
‘Sipelimani Faka’osi of Neiafu lost his leg in an accident a year ago – he is now 14 years old.
Thanks to the generosity of Robert Bass of the Hilltop Hotel and Mana’ia Restaurant he was able to travel to New Zealand and have an artificial leg fitted. There was also a fundraiser at Mana’ia Restaurant on New Year’s Eve which raised over $4,000 to help with his traveling expenses.
‘Sipelimani arrived in NZ on the 18th February 2008 and spent a month having the new leg made and fitted, he then had some intensive physiotherapy to learn how to walk properly again.
He arrived back in Vava’u on the 19th March 2008 accompanied by Scott and Treena Percy from Vava’u Pharmacy and Health Centre. Treena is a NZ trained physiotherapist and will continue with his therapy here. He went back to school on Tuesday the 25th March and is enjoying being just part of the crowd again. He is able to walk without crutches and even played a little soccer last week!
A big thank you to all that have made this dream possible for ‘Sipelimani – especially Robert Bass, Vaasi and Treena – it is really appreciated by all!
Malo ’aupito!
Treena, Spelimani, Pilimilose (mother), Siaosi Fakaósi (father)
Sipelimani at the limb centre practicing to walk with his first leg.
Sipelimani at the limb centre practicing to walk with his first leg.
Sipelimani at the limb centre – he came home with a proper moulded leg that matches his skin colour not this pole.
The group photo shows his Auntie Mele (she lives in Auckland) me with my boys (Josh and Ben) and Karen Wilson (Physiotherapist at the limb centre).
‘Sipelimani with his grandmother.
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