COVID-19 brings family to its knees

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Lewis Biauniceva (front) with his mother Ateca Ravai (left) and sister Brenda Biauniceva and their other family members at their Natokowaqa home in Lautoka. Picture: BALJEET SINGH

Ateca Ravai had no other choice but to make her one-year-old toddler drink lemon-leaf tea because she could no longer afford to buy powdered milk.

The Natokowaqa, Lautoka, family ran out of basic food items last Sunday and has been surviving on leftovers these past few days.

Mrs Ravai lives in a two-bedroom unit with her husband and three children, two elderly family members and three primary school-aged children who were left in their care.

After she lost her retail job at a Nadi store two months ago, the family survives on $100 per month provided by the Social Welfare Department for the three children in their care.

Mrs Ravai said the COVID-19 pandemic had brought a lot of families, including hers, to their knees.

“Giving my little boy lemon-leaf tea is something I never dreamt would happen, he is a baby and needs milk but what can we do, we have no one else to turn to,” she said.

“We have struggled a lot these past few days and what hurts the most is seeing my children suffering with us.

“I just hope things get back to normal soon so I can go back to work and assist my husband with our basic household needs.”

Her husband had just returned to work at an electrical company but is on reduced hours and income.

“All we need are groceries and basic food items for my family, especially my young children.”

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