A FATHER who is suffering from diabetes and has lost a leg and wife recently is pleading for help to support his six young children.
Nelson Mwaki, 38, from Small Malaita lost his left leg two years ago after being amputated as a result of this non-communicable disease (NDC) related sickness.
He was first diagnosed with the disease in 2005 and finally in June 2013 medical doctors recommended that one of his legs had to be amputated.
Since then he remains jobless and confined to a wheelchair while undergoing rehabilitation.
Mr Mwaki is currently accommodated at the Rehabilitated Unit within the National Referral Hospital (NRH) while going through assessment before he can be discharged to his home village.
He was the bread winner of his family since getting married in 2000.
He worked for a number of construction firms in Honiara before he was diagnosed with diabetes.
Speaking to the Solomon Star, the desperate father said, he is going through difficulty times and is praying and hoping that one day a Good Samaritan would come to the rescue of his six children namely; Junior Robert Mwaki 15, Nathan Mwaki 11, Michael Mwaki 9, Quinine Joy 7, Mublyn Tanai 5 and Delka Tanai 3.
Mr Mwaki said, living up to the expectation as the father, head of the family and the primary provider for the family has taken a twist to a point of no return when one of his legs was amputated followed by the loss of his wife.
“When my leg was removed in 2013 I still have hopes for my children because at the back of my mind I know that my wife is there to support, help and send our children to school,” he said.
“But not long after, I lost my lovely wife in February early this year after a short illness and this was a blow to us because I’m left without a wife and my six children without a mother,” he added.
“And so the responsibility to look after the children is huge now and I’m struggling to cope with my health problem as well as support my own children.”
As a father and a parent, he wants to see his children grow up to attain good education, good health and have access to other basic necessities in life.
“But now that I’m disable, I can’t do much to support my own children to go to school and meet their needs. To make things worse, my wife, the one that I always trust suddenly left us when we needed her the most,” he said.
Mr Mwaki said, three months on after the passing away of his wife early this year, he tries his best to find ways to invest in his children’s education.
“Knowing that my days are numbered, the best investment is to send them to school so that one day they can be able to look after themselves,” he said.
However the biggest problem he now faces now is lack financial capacity to send his children to school.
“And that is the main reason why I’m appealing for any kind hearted individual, business houses, Christian organizations, non-government organisatons, the government or any aid donor to come forward and help me to support my children in their education, meet their basic needs like food and clothing.”
The father of three girls and three boys said, at the moment he can’t afford to send his children to school because of financial constraints.
“And they are in great need for food and clothing.”
Mr Mwaki said, getting help from his immediate family members is proving difficulty because even his other four siblings who supposed to support him in his struggle with the children were also affected by some unwanted circumstances which left him helpless with the children.
“Of the four siblings one is locked up in jail, the other brother is mentally affected, my other sister is also suffering from diabetes as we speak and another sister already passes on.
“For these very reasons its difficult to get support from my own immediate family.”
At the moment two of his (Mr Mwaki) boys are living with him at the Rehabilitation unit while the other four younger ones are living with an aunt in Honiara.
He said, there are relatives and friends who have supported him from time to time but its only to sustain him and his family for a day or so.
“I do receive financial help from people to which I’m thankful for but this can only last us for a day.”
He said, given the rising cost of living in the city it’s a challenge to get help and support.
Should you wish to support Mr Mwaki and his children, you can contact him on – (677) 7554240.
Meanwhile speaking to the Solomon Star last night Mr Mwaki reminds all parents to watch their health and ensure they provide the right food at home for their families.
“Its important to have a healthy and simple diet.”
He said, diabetes is on the rise and its important for parents and their children to take heed of his advice and changed their eating habit.
“Eat local food and avoid too much sugary food because once you get this disease it would be a big problem for you and your family.”
The father also reminded young parents to take care of their families and prepare for the future.
“I don’t plan to get this disease but because of my eating lifestyle I lost my leg.
“And so its important to prepare for the future and maintain good health.”
By BIRIAU WILSON SAENI & MOFFAT MAMU
