Thirty children living with Rheumatic Heart Disease from the Cure Kids Fiji received an early Christmas gift as they enjoyed a day out at Tivua Island in the Mamanuca Group.
The children were hosted by VOMO Island and Captain Cook Cruises at their annual ‘Christmas Day Out’ event.
Rheumatic Heart Disease is a serious heart condition that affects 1 in 50 children in Fiji, one of the highest known rates in the world and a leading cause of death for young people. In Fiji, at least 60 deaths a year are attributed to RHD.
In 2014, Cure Kids Fiji began an ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to prevent and control RHD in Fiji through early detection, clinical care, and support and counselling to diagnosed children and their families.
Cure Kids Fiji General Manager Tara Satyanand says the children were able to meet others living with Rheumatic Heart Disease, as well as some of the people who made the programme possible and they would like to thank VOMO Island Fiji and Captain Cook Cruises Fiji for their generosity.
Jennifer Miller from Cure Kids Fiji says many young people living with Rheumatic Heart Disease express feelings of isolation and anxiety but bringing the children together like this allows them to develop peer-to-peer networks for support and encouragement.
The children were treated to a range of activities on the island including a BBQ lunch, volleyball matches against staff and crew, and hours of fun in the ocean.
VOMO Island Fiji also donated $4,500 to Cure Kids Fiji to further the reach of the programme.
