A 14 year-old boy's dream of becoming a policeman is fading away after he lost the sight in his right eye following an accident in Lautoka three weeks ago.
Kailash Naicker, a Form Three student of Drasa Secondary School, is still bed-ridden with serious injuries to his right leg and arm.
His only hope is an overseas operation that will cost the family more than $20,000.
When The Sunday Times visited the family yesterday, Kailash was lying on a couch at their Vitogo porch with his father by his side.
His dad Sudesh Naicker said family members had pursued every avenue for the much needed funds to send him overseas. Kailash is the eldest of two sons and has not been to school since the accident.
Mr Naicker, who's unemployed since the end of April, said he had exhausted all avenues but had not given up hope.
"This is a huge challenge for me as a father and I will do my best to help my eldest son recover fully," he said.
"My son always wanted to be a policeman and this accident may ruin his life forever."
"It hurts us to see him helpless like this for the past three weeks after a successful primary education.
"We were told by the doctors at the hospital that he would remain like this for the rest of his life."
"But as a father, I will not rest on what the doctors said and I will do all I can to assist my son to fulfill his ultimate dream."
Mr Naicker had Kailash's eye checked by a visiting team of eye surgeons from the United States of America were at the Ba Mission Hospital two weeks ago. To his amazement, doctors told him that Kailash could have his sight back, provided he went overseas for treatment.
He said the eye specialists told him Kailash could have his eye operation in the US.
"This is good news to the family, knowing my son can recover from this disability and continue his education to become a policeman."
"We are pleading to the people of Fiji and to the government to assist us in this difficult time.
"We have nowhere else to turn to and I humbly request any sort of assistance from anyone."
Mr Naicker said his son was getting off a bus in Vitogo about three weeks ago when the accident happened.
"When he was still walking down the last bus steps, the bus moved and my son fell and landed on his right side injuring his arm, leg and eye," he claimed.
"The seriousness of the injury has affected his sight until today. It really hurts us to see that same bus driver is still driving around while my son is now bed-ridden.
"We have lodged our complaints with the police but we are not sure what has been done about the driver," said Mr Naicker.
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said she would have to check with police in Lautoka for an update.
Land Transport Authority chief executive officer Naisa Tuinaceva said the matter was serious and must be thoroughly investigated.
"We need to get to the bottom of this investigation and see the real culprit because this is serious. I have to liaise with our Lautoka officers and see what actions have been taken against the driver," said Mr Tuinaceva.
No comments could be obtained from the bus company nor the driver yesterday.