JavaScript Menu, DHTML Menu Powered By Milonic
Go to Home Page
Go to Home Page
Radio Sai Home Page
link_icon
 

 

Sai Medical Camps in Fiji

...Love in Action

By Doug Saunders


To access all the previous issues of Sai Seva, please click here.

For eight decades now, Bhagavan Baba has been inspiring His devotees in every nook and corner of the globe to follow His example of living a life of utter selflessness and compassion, and work towards bringing relief and love to those in pain and poverty. The much talked-about gram seva or rural service projects and the Mobile Medical Hospital of Prashanthi Nilayam are proving to be the epicenter whose ripple effect is spreading across the planet, to far-flung island nations, countries and continents. 

spacer
Sai Seva Fiji

Through a series of well-planned medical camps, the devotees of Baba from New Zealand, Australia, the United States of America and Fiji worked in unison to serve the most neglected and needy patients in the remotest areas throughout the island nation of Fiji, spreading love and light of Baba’s universal teachings in a coup ravaged nation. 

Over 50 medical professionals and many more volunteers worked round the clock to serve 5,000 patients from the 16th of June through the 23rd of June, 2007 and the fuel that kept everyone going was the loving energy of Sai that was felt palpably by those who served and those who were served.

Doug Saunders reports from New Zealand on the Sai medical camp that delivered specialized medical relief to 5,000 needy Fijians across the isolated nation, while drawing medical professionals and volunteers from 4 different nations, to work in unity as Sai’s instruments of selfless love, compassion, consideration and service. 

The report archives the daily accomplishments of the group at a time when Fiji had been through yet another coup, the country’s diplomatic relations with the international community were at an all time low and the political environment was unstable.  Yet the devotees of Bhagavan Baba forged ahead to render service propelled by selfless love and found doors opening for them everywhere.

Welfare services should be free for all. There are numerous people who cannot afford the costs of medical treatment. Doctors should render free service to such persons.

Sathya Sai Baba – Divine Discourse of 3.6.1995

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer
Fiji Islands in the south pacific
 

On Friday, 15 June, fifty health professionals and volunteers from the Sathya Sai Organisations of Australia, New Zealand and the USA met up in Lautoka, Fiji and began preparations for the 7 days of medical camps coordinated by the Fiji, New Zealand and Australian devotees working together in unity and love.

Fiji is made up of a group of 330 islands (of which a third are inhabited) which lie in the heart of the Pacific Ocean midway between the equator and the South Pole, with the majority of the approximately 840,000 population living on the largest island of Viti Levu and about 200,000 residing on the second largest island of Vanua Levu.

The population breakdown is roughly 50% indigenous Fijian, 34% of Indian descent and the remainder is of other races. Fiji has experienced four military coups over the past 20 years which has caused many qualified people to emigrate overseas which in turn has led to the problems encountered today in the remote areas where adequate health care is not easily accessible.

The locations for the camps, particularly in Vanua Levu, were chosen because of poor infrastructure, the remoteness from urban areas with difficult access to secondary level health care facilities. Most of the population on this island live on subsistence plantations under very trying conditions, and the political upheavals over the past 10 to 20 years have added to their woes creating a feeling of helplessness. The medical camps were targeted to benefit those most in need who form part of the following statistic's sad story:

  • spacer
    Sai Seva Fiji
     
    Local Fijian children - smiles in the Sun
    Life expectancy on Vanua Levu is 67 years while in New Zealand and Australia it is 80.
  • Maternal deaths from childbirth on Vanua Levu  are 6 to 7 times higher than in New Zealand and Australia.
  • Infant mortality is 3 to 4 times higher than in New Zealand and Australia.

Fijian Government Supports the Camps

The Sai service teams in Fiji arranged all the sites where the camps were to be held and once again, thanks to the faith that everyone had in Swami’s grace and compassion, doors opened with the permission of the Fijian Government’s Minister of Education and local Headmasters, six of the seven camps were held at schools and one held at Nabuowalu Hospital, with the blessing of the local Fijian District Health Board.

The Headmasters and staff helped by supplying meals and drinking water for all the team, and this showed everyone working together in unity and love, as they provided a much needed service to those in real need without any expectation of any reward. It was a living example of Swami’s Love in Action.

At approximately 5.30 p.m. on 15 June, the team from New Zealand landed at Nadi Airport on the island of Viti Levu accompanied by 20 cartons of medical supplies that had been supplied free in New Zealand by various groups with no strings attached. A week or so earlier, a team member had traveled to Fiji and had purchased another 30 odd cartons of medicines from a supplier there, all paid for by wonderful Sai devotes in Australia and New Zealand who had once again, opened their hearts and their wallets as they had all seen just how beneficial the camps in 2006 had been.

A volunteer non-Sai group in Auckland gave 600 used spectacles and sunglasses which they had sterilized, sorted, graded and packed. As well as this, the optometrist from Australia brought over 750 sets of brand new spectacles which he had donated himself and they were all given out.

The New Zealand group was traveling light with their personal effects as they knew they would be overweight with the 20 cartons of medicines and medical supplies, but once again, God smiled on them as they checked in at Auckland International Airport as the Airline allowed them to board without any penalties. Also, a few weeks prior to their departure from New Zealand, the military in Fiji had taken over the elected Government with yet another coup!

And as a result of the changed scenario, the new military junta had banished the current New Zealand High Commissioner causing angry exchanges between the two governments. The Australian and New Zealand Governments had then posted warnings on their respective websites, plus on the TV news channels advising people not to travel to Fiji. But with their pure faith in Swami, the teams from Australia and New Zealand ignored this and proceeded as if nothing was out of the norm.

Once they landed, the Fiji devotees in Lautoka picked up the group from Nadi Airport and transported them to the Sai centre where a briefing was held followed by devotional singing and a meal lovingly prepared by the Sai members.

Medical Camp Number One at Raki Raki on the Island of Vitu Levu

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer
Patients waiting at Penang
Sanga School
 

Saturday, 16 June, dawned - a beautiful still day as the team met at the Sai centre ready to board the bus to take them to the first camp. This was to be held at Penang Sanga School in Raki Raki, approximately 2 and a half hours drive from Lautoka out to the western side of Viti Levu. Arrangements were made to pick up the Australian team from their accommodation and bring them directly to the camp.

The local Sai volunteers had left earlier for the camp and when the medical team arrived they were already getting the various rooms that would be used ready, and arranging signs. The team was joined by a dental unit and other medical staff from the local hospital in Lautoka which made it a real multi-country project. As one young non-Sai Doctor from Lautoka hospital said:

“I missed the camps last year and made sure I could come this time and am so happy I have. The unity and love that has been shown here is just amazing and something I would not have thought possible. I only wish that I could have had the whole week off and joined them for the rest of the camps.”

The camp proved to be a learning curve for everyone – especially the team from Australia and the USA, as the New Zealanders had experienced similar conditions in 2006 – but it proved to be extremely successful for the first day together.

 
The team treated over 520 patients for medical-related issues and 100-200 patients were being treated daily for dental-related issues at the first medical camp on the island of Vitu Levu.

People poured in from the surrounding villages, both Fijian and Indian together, and with the volunteers from Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and the USA working hand in hand, it was ensured that the patients did not have to wait too long for consultations or prescriptions. It was a fine and clear day and not too hot which helped tremendously. Also, holding the medical camps at schools proved extremely beneficial as it gave the team plenty of rooms to use for consultations as well as a separate room for the makeshift pharmacy, dental and optical.  
 
The last patient was treated at 6 p.m. and the total seen for the day was over 520. Many prescriptions were issued and a few serious cases were referred to the hospital in Lautoka.

The teams from Australia, New Zealand and the USA worked extremely well together with the local members, and everyone there felt that Swami had been with them throughout the day.

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
Some of the 700 plus patients seen at the camp
 
Penang Sanga School provided spacious facilites

Thus concluded the first day of the combined medical camp and at the de-briefing at the end, all who had taken part felt that the unity and love felt between the team members also rubbed off onto the patients and that a definite need had been filled. A meal was shared at the School, a few devotional songs were sung, and our thanks were offered to Swami for His guidance and His love before we boarded our buses to head back to Lautoka.

For the first time at Sai medical camps in Fiji, dental fillings and dental prosthesis were made for patients on site in addition to routine extractions, and an average of 100 to 200 patients with dental complaints were seen daily at each of the 7 camps. The depth of dental services were limited by availability of appropriate facilities which will be rectified in future camps, but regardless of the limitations, the dental services brought joy to the many patients serviced by them with their experience and innovations.

Medical Camp Number Two at Tavua on the Island of Vitu Levu

 
In one day, the team saw over 1,100 patients and distributed 1,600 plus prescriptions at the second medical camp on the island of Vitu Levu.

At 6 a.m. on Sunday, 17 June, the day again dawned fine and clear as we all met at the Lautoka Sai centre ready to load up and travel to our next camp which was to be held at Tavua College, Tavua - a one and a half hour journey to the Western side of Viti Levu. By the time we arrived there was already a large crowd of people waiting to be seen, so no time was spared as we began setting up the rooms so that registrations and consultations could begin.

Again we were ably assisted by the local Sai volunteers and by some of the teachers from the school who had given up their Sunday to work with our people. This day proved to be extremely busy with everyone working to their utmost as the people kept pouring in from villages all around. The Police Department even supplied a local constable to direct the traffic for the day and he did a sterling job and was always smiling and jovial. Swami’s love obviously rubbed off on all!

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
Some of the 1,100 patients seen that day
 
A doctor seeing patients at the camp

Once again we were blessed to have the help of some medical people from Lautoka Hospital and these few extra hands really made a difference as the day progressed, as our makeshift pharmacy came under a lot of pressure to supply the patients’ prescriptions within a reasonable time frame.

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
Waiting for prescriptions
 
A Doctor writing out a medication form

On this day, the team saw over 1,100 people and supplied 1,600 plus prescriptions and even though the team was tired at the end of the day, all agreed that it had been an incredible experience with a wonderful feeling of love and happiness at being able to help those less fortunate than ourselves. An evening meal was shared at the school once we had finished - a short de-briefing and then once again, a prayer and thanks were offered to our Lord Sai for making this day so memorable. Then we boarded our buses for the journey back to Lautoka in preparation for our early morning flights to the island of Vanua Levu the next day.

“It was an incredible experience. Many of the team was meeting for the first time yet they all worked so well together - joined together in unity and Swami’s love and to see so many patients over the past two days was amazing. I am so thankful to be part of this wonderful organisation.”

– Local Camp Coordinator

Monday 18 June – The Preparation Day
 
On this day we traveled to the island of Vanua Levu after meeting at Nadi airport in the morning. We had learned from the trip in 2006 that it was not wise to undertake a medical camp on the same day as traveling, so we had decided to use this day to get to Vanua Levu, ensure all our accommodation at the motel was in order and then spend time sorting out the many cartons of medications that we had brought with us. Once again it seemed as though there were going to be problems at Nadi airport as we turned up with a lot of cartons of medical supplies and with the small planes in use, extra weight was not appreciated.

But, as usual, Swami ensured that everything worked out okay as, after a brief standoff with the check in staff, we were given our boarding passes and departed on the flight to the small Labasa airport on Vanua Levu. As we were a large party, some arrived on a later flight which helped in the transporting of our cartons. By early afternoon all had settled into the motel and then we spent the rest of the day sorting and marking the medicines that would be transported from one camp to another over the next 5 days.

The local Sai people were wonderful and that evening they had arranged a meal for us at a local temple which was much appreciated. Everyone turned in early as the next day was to be a four hour drive to the first camp on this island and we needed to be well rested and refreshed.

Medical Camp Number Three at Nabouwalu Hospital, Vanua Levu

spacer
Sai Seva Fiji
 
On the way to Nabouwalu Hospital, Vanua Levu, a four hour drive

Tuesday, 19 June, the two buses we were to use for transport over the next 5 days were waiting for us in the motel compound at 4 a.m. as we boarded and then departed on the 4 hour journey to Navouwalu Hospital which is out towards the north east end of Vanua Levu.

By day's end, over 400 people had been treated at the third medical camp on the island of Vanua Levu.
 

We stopped for a brief on-board breakfast on the way and arrived at our destination at approximately 8 a.m. as planned. The bus trip was long, but with bhajans sung as we traveled, the journey seemed shorter. The first part of the trip was on good roads but after one hour we hit the rough gravel roads and this is what made the journey seem to take so long.

The tin sheds that we saw in which poor people were living were sad to see but we did notice that all the children who we saw walking to school on the side of the road were well dressed, and gave us a happy smile and a cheery wave as we passed by. Both races are affected by this poverty which showed up with symptoms of Chronic Pain Syndrome which could be a manifestation of a psychosomatic disorder that is fuelled by the economic and social hardships faced by the people in these rural areas.

On arrival the team set up the allocated rooms as best as we could and then the consultations began. As usual, the Ministry of Health of Fiji was very helpful and welcomed our services, providing the venue of Nabouwalu Hospital for us to use and also providing some staff members to help. We could see that under the existing circumstances, the Fijian health professionals employed by the Ministry of Health were doing a great job in these remote areas serviced by our camps.

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
The Sai pharmacist and local pharmacist
working hand in hand
 
These patients look very contented as they
wait to be seen

At this venue, lunch was supplied by the local Sai volunteers who had traveled with us and they did an incredible job working under some pretty trying conditions. Most of the patients at this camp were of Fijian descent and it was sad when now and then one was found to have a serious health problem that we could not alleviate. In the serious cases, our Specialists wrote letters for the patients and made sure that the hospital in Labasa was informed. The patients came from outlying villages and spent many hours traveling to get to the camp, so it was gratifying to know that at the end of the day, all who had come had been seen by our doctors. It had been decided at the very beginning of the trip that no one would be turned away and that all who came would be seen.

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
People sit in corridors waiting their turn
 
A dental technician at work

At the end of this camp, well over 400 people had been seen, many prescriptions had been given out and the faces of those who had come were a joy to behold as their smiles told us everything. Even though we saw less people than at some other camps, it seemed to be one of the busiest which was probably due to the cramped conditions that we all had to work in.

“It has been so wonderful that your team has been here helping our people. We always have a struggle trying to get enough medicines for our patients and trying to see all the people that come to us so your visit has to me, been obviously organised by God! The patients that I know have commented on just how caring your Doctors and other staff have been to all – that you all have shown compassion and love. I pray that we can have you here when you come again. Please do not leave it for too long."

Chief Medical Officer – Nabouwalu Hospital

So ended the first camp on Vanua Levu, and after our long return bus trip, a shared meal at our motel, a debrief was held followed by a prayer to Swami, a few devotional songs, then everyone trooped off to bed, extremely tired but also happy.

Medical Camp Number Four at Seaqaqa School, Vanua Levu 

Wednesday, 20 June, early in the morning, found us once again boarding our two buses in the compound of our motel. This day, however, it was luxury. The camp was only one and a half hours away so we were departing at 6 a.m. From the previous year, we knew we would get a large number at this camp as our 2nd camp of the trip in 2006 had been held here, so it was good to get there early and set up well in advance.

By this time everyone knew what role they had to play and the setting up of the camps become a lot easier. Even though we were early, people had already begun to queue waiting to register. This area had equal amount of Indian and Fijian patients and once registrations began, efforts were made to ensure that the seriously ill, the elderly, and those mothers with young children were seen first.

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
Doctors seeing some patients
 
500 in all treated that day

The Headmaster of the school was not available on this day but his Deputy Principal spoke passionately with regards to the camp.

“We prayed that you would come back again and here you are. The people from this area still talk about the love and caring that was shared last time and it is happening again today. We thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for your sacrifice in coming here and for your dedication and commitment. Myself, and the staff here still talk about it and just know that God must be smiling on us for this to happen today. Please return.”

The people queued in good humour and in harmony with each other as they waited patiently, and the young children who accompanied some of them were very well behaved and disciplined. Time seemed to go so quickly even though everyone was extremely busy, and at the end of the day our team of medical professionals had seen well over 500 people and given out many prescriptions. Once again, there were some who needed further treatment at Labasa Hospital so letters were written for these people and the local Sai volunteers promised to follow through with this.

 
The dedicated team had seen over 500 patients by the end of the day, and given out many prescriptions at the fourth medical camp on the island of Vanua Levu.

Some of us were helping our optometrist pack up as he saw his last patient. This was at about 7 pm and as we watched him at work we realised something special was happening. His patient was an elderly Fijian lady who had obviously had problems with her eyes for years and had not been able to read for some time. To travel into Labasa town and purchase spectacles was just not possible for her due to a lack of finances.

So when our optometrist placed a pair of spectacles on her after taking time to test her eyes, and she realised that she could read the writing given to her, her face was a joy to behold as she lit up in a beaming smile. All of us there had tears in our eyes as we realised that it was Swami’s love and compassion working in that room as it had been throughout the day within the whole camp. By this time her family had filed into the room to watch and everyone erupted into laughter as our optometrist then told her; “These glasses are for reading the Bible, not love stories”.  At times like this, there is only one race in God’s eyes – mankind.  

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
The make-shift pharmacy at Seaqaqa School Camp
 
Bhajans with Sai devotees from Labasa

We arrived back at our motel around 9 pm and after a debriefing, a meal and a few songs, we offered our prayers and thanks to Swami and all retired to bed, as the next day was going to be another long bus trip out into the countryside.

Medical Camp Number Five at Waibunabuna Primary School, Lekutu, Vanua Levu

On Thursday 21June, the team was up bright and early to board the buses for the long trip out into the hinterland to Lekutu, where the camp was to be held at the local primary school.  This was another long bus ride of 2 and a half hours and onto some fairly rough gravel roads as well, but once again, with bhajans being sung, it certainly helped to seem to make the journey shorter. 

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
Village house at Waibunabuna
 
A family house in the Lekutu area

We arrived at about 7.30 am and began to set up in a small building. The school was in the middle of constructing a hostel for some of the children who came from many kilometers way. This building was over half a mile away from the main school so we did not disturb the children during their lessons. It was only half way through construction and even though it had been partitioned into small rooms, there was no electricity connected which caused consternation at first, until a local Sai devotee from Labasa suddenly arrived and immediately began to arrange two solar panels he had in his van and connect them up to a large battery. Voila! God once again had sent help! We needed electricity for our pharmacists’ label machines to operate and for their laptop computers, although if it had not been possible to access electricity then we would have found a way to operate regardless.

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
This family is waiting in the shade
 
Young children in the village

This school was in a very remote area and the small rooms in the building were very cramped as the medical team, optometrist, dental unit and the pharmacy crammed themselves in. Also, there were no toilet facilities where we were working but two local families very close by allowed us to use their outdoor toilets, which was great. The school grounds were beautifully kept with manicured lawns and lovely gardens and it was hard to believe that there was so much poverty in the area.

I had a good talk to the School Principal and he told me that the Government only gives a very small grant to cover teacher’s wages and any money needed for maintenance, books, etc. has to be raised from the local community so it is an ongoing struggle to survive. I was deeply impressed with his dedication and commitment to the children to ensure they received an education and his obvious love for his staff that were just as committed. At the end of the day we packed up a box of medicines for him to add to the school’s first aid kit and he was overjoyed as this meant he did not have to worry about where to find the funds for this for some time to come.  

“We were so happy when we were approached by your people from Labasa a few months back asking if they could use the facilities. Our committee voted unanimously to allow you to use our building and we also made up some brochures and sent them out with the children when they went home from school. We heard from last year how lasting the impression the medical team had left and just grateful to God for ensuring that you came here.”

School Principal – Waibunabuna Primary School, Lekutu

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
A doctor from Australia takes a quick break
 
Careful examination of every patient

It was most likely Swami’s grace that on this day we had the least amount of people turn up, as when the team held the debriefing in the evening, many said that they felt they would have really struggled to have seen many more than were seen. Even so, due to the fact that less people came, we still did not leave until 6 pm as most patients came after midday.

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
Awaiting prescriptions at
Waibunabuna School camp
 
So many smiles - they have
experienced His love

The local people were extremely happy that we were there and want us to return. At this camp just over 300 patients were seen but some seen had multiple problems and it was a blessing that we had come.

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
Work in the doctors' surgery
 
Singing with local Sai devotees after the camp

We arrived back at our motel tired but again happy and because we were earlier than normal, arrangements had been made for us to visit a local temple by the Sai devotees from the area for some Sai bhajans and a meal. It was a gentle night and all were happy as we then retired to our motel for a good night’s sleep to get ready for the next day. By this time the team was working extremely well together and it felt as if we had all known each other for ages – not just met for the first time on the prior weekend.

“I work as a nurse for one of the Sai Doctors who is from New Zealand, and when he asked if I would like to join him and his wife on these camps in Fiji I was worried at what I would get myself into when I agreed to. I had been pre-warned about the conditions we would find there but only having seen the tourist side of Fiji I had no idea how poverty stricken some areas are – especially where we are going each day. I am a devout Christian and not a Sai devotee but have been absolutely blown away by the love, the caring, the dedication and the commitment shown by all the members of this combined team and can only say that the words of Sai Baba of “Love All Serve All” are entwined within all of these people. To me the teachings of Jesus Christ and Sai Baba are the same."

- A nurse from New Zealand

Medical Camp Number Six at Nadogo Secondary School, Wainikoro, Vanua Levu

Friday, 22 June dawned fine and clear again as we all boarded our waiting buses in the motel compound at 6am. The journey was about one and a half hours from our base and the medical camp was to be held at Nadogo Secondary School which had a school roll of 50% Indian and 50% Fijian children. There was a very tricky small bridge over a stream which our buses had to negotiate at the entrance of the school which proved to be easier coming and extremely difficult when leaving. On our return, all the passengers had to disembark from the bus and then spend almost 45 minutes trying to get across without falling into the stream. With Swami’s help, this was accomplished but not before a few anxious moments had passed.

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
A typical house on the way to Nadogo School camp
 
The plush grounds of the school

Everyone set up the rooms very quickly as even though we had arrived early there was a huge number of people already waiting to register and we realised that we could not waste any time if we were to see all. The Principal and his staff were marvelous. Even though it was a normal school day, we were allocated 7 rooms to work from with the children that normally occupy those rooms cramming into other classes for this day.

 
Over 2000 people were given their registration numbers, and 1100 patients were seen at the sixth medical camp on the island of Vanua Levu.
Sai Seva Fiji
spacer
Mid afternoon at the camp
 

They also allowed some of the senior students to help out and these children proved to be a wonderful asset to us as they knew quite a few of the patients and would help them find the right room and also help them with their registrations.

This day proved to be our busiest day of the whole trip. By midday 1000 plus people had been given numbers and they were still pouring in. Bus loads would turn up at the school entrance every half hour – some from over 150 km away and the facilities were being stretched to the limit. Most people realised that it was going to be a long day and had brought food and water to last but there were still anxious moments as some felt that they would not be seen.

The pharmacy unit, dental unit and optometrist did not stop until late at night as well as the Doctors and in fact, all who were there felt the pressure. But as usual, Swami was there and seemed to ensure that there was no breakdown in communications or with the team morale as all were working under stressful conditions.

“I did not realise just how lucky we are in our comfortable 1st world countries until I came here. I have had tears in my eyes to see the joyous smiles from some of the patients I have helped with their problems, and can only thank Sai for allowing me to be on this journey of love. At first I could only think of how difficult it will be setting up the equipment I have brought but after the first couple of days, everything now seems such a breeze that I just know we have Sai with us at all times.”

- An Orthodontist from Australia

By mid-afternoon over 2000 people had been given registration numbers and as many had to leave in buses departing at a certain time, the team tried to get as many as possible who were in this predicament seen first but, unfortunately, it was an impossible task. There were not enough medical professionals for so many patients. What our team found was that many of the patients needed multiple consultations which caused the lines to stretch even further. We also realised that people were coming from villages miles away as there was a small health clinic in the area but staffed by a nurse not a Doctor.

In future, there must be two camps held in this area so that all can be seen over two days. It was a joy when over 20 senior students at the school realised just how busy we were, and immediately volunteered their services once they had finished their classes and stayed until we finished late at night. The students were from both races and showed everyone that people of all races and cultures can work together in harmony and love. Without them, we would not have gotten through the number of patients we saw even though we missed seeing many. They were given jobs in the pharmacy as well and proved completely adept and reliable once they had settled in. To them it was a wonderful experience of solidarity and unity and they were all extremely happy that they had been part of the camp.

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
Students, dressed in white, who were helping out
 
This queue formed in the early hours

Unfortunately, because of the vast numbers, many people had to leave to catch their buses before we could fill their prescriptions and hand them out and we were left with 3 cartons of prescriptions not collected. The Headmaster assured us that he would ensure that all who had missed their collection would get them as he would be happy to let the villages know that he would be holding them. Since then, we have found out that this has happened and that all outstanding prescriptions have been collected.

“You know, in my practice in Australia, I get so grumpy and sometimes very impatient with some of my patients yet I don’t care or apologise. I only work for 5 hours a day but still moan and groan about my life. Yet here, I cannot believe it! I am standing up and helping people the whole day with only a small 10 minute break for lunch and feel so happy all of the time.”

- An Orthodontist from Australia

The last person to be seen left at 8.30 pm, and by 9.30 pm, we had packed up and boarded the buses ready to leave. Before we did so, we thanked the Headmaster and staff, and the students who had helped and handed the Headmaster a box of medicines for their first aid kit.

“Even though it is sad your people could not see all the patients that came, we fully understand as we ourselves also did not realise that so many would come from so far away. I and my staff thank you very much for your sacrifice in coming here to help our people and feel that today has helped in putting aside any racial differences that may have been emerging between our peoples especially after the recent coup. I know that you will be back next year and we are only too happy to host you again and now realise it should be over two days as the need in this area is tremendous. May God go with you and keep you in the palm of His hand.”   

 - The Headmaster at Nadogo Secondary School

At this camp over 1100 patients were seen, an incredible amount of prescriptions were given throughout an extremely long and busy day, but all who were there felt very happy that they had been part of the team and after a debriefing, and a quick meal back at the motel, we all retired for the night in preparation for the final camp to be held the next day.  

Medical Camp Number Seven at Coqeloa School, Naleba, Vanua Levu

spacer
Sai Seva Fiji
 
Patiently waiting at the Coqeloa School camp

Dawn broke on Saturday, the 23 June as we gathered beside our buses ready to be transported to our final camp approximately one hour away from the motel. There was a tinge of sadness in the air as we began to realise that this was the final camp and that the Australian and USA contingent would be leaving at about 1pm as their flights back to Nadi were departing at 3pm. The New Zealand contingent was leaving the next day.

Over 400 people were seen before 1pm on the first day. The team had only registered approximately 130 people on the seventh medical camp on the island of Vanua Levu.
 

This final camp was held at a very beautiful site, up on a plateau which looked out over cane fields, pineapple, banana, and coconut plantations and beautiful forests. The Headmaster and three of his staff had sacrificed their day off to help us and worked hard as did our Sai volunteers from Labasa who were busy organising water, tea and a light but very satisfying lunch.

Once again, upon our arrival, the rooms were set up early and we began to register the patients who were already waiting. Having these medical camps at schools was an absolute blessing as being able to set up over 7 or 8 rooms made it so much easier. Having the makeshift pharmacy in one separate room helped tremendously as spreading out all the medications took up a lot of room.

People were pouring in and as the Australian and USA teams and one of the New Zealand Doctors were going to be leaving early we felt a slight tinge of trepidation, especially when we looked back at the previous day when a huge amount of people had come in after midday. 

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer Sai Seva Fiji
It was busy early in the morning at the school
 
A well-organised effort where no one was missed

Again Swami smiled on us. Over 400 people were seen before 1pm, then, after the departure of the Australian, USA members and one of our Doctors, we only registered approximately 130 people. It amazes me to no end just how Sai looks after us all without needing to be asked!  It also seemed to be a day when everything went just right and there seemed to no pressure whatsoever.

“I have been absolutely amazed just how all of us from four different countries have worked so well together without any problems, complaints or hiccups. The unity and love that has been shown between all who have been part of this programme is just amazing to see. I am so happy and proud to have been part of this group and feel that we have definitely filled a need.”  

 - A Senior Doctor from Australia

The morning went quickly as everyone worked hard to get through the registrations and before long we were all gathered to say farewell to our brothers and sisters from Australia and the USA. Tears were shed as we said our goodbyes and soon they had boarded the bus and departed for the airport at Labasa to begin the journey back to their homes.   

Our team carried on working and saw the last patient at 5.30pm. We then spent almost two hours sorting through and packing up the medical supplies we had left ensuring that the school had a pack of supplies for their first aid kit as well.

Dr. Ami Chandran who is Director of Medical Services for the Fijian Government, Northern Division, had this to say as he made a surprise visit to the school in the afternoon.

“This service provided by the Sai organisation has been extremely useful. It is a complimentary service to what we have been doing but due to our resource constraints we are not able to tackle some of the problems on our own and there is very little private sector input in this division. I feel that the services just provided by the Sai organisation in our communities has been a very welcome move and we hope that this will continue. We also hope that we can build on this relationship to provide better healthcare for our peoples. I thank you all very much for you help and input.”  

spacer
Sai Seva Fiji

At 7.30pm we were all packed up and after saying our goodbyes to the Headmaster and his staff we boarded our bus to return to our motel. On this occasion, because we were now a smaller group, we agreed to go to one of the Sai devotees’ houses who had been helping us throughout the week for a meal and some devotional singing.

We had not done this after the previous camps as we felt that with a group of almost 50 people it would be too much strain on the local devotees to have to supply a venue and food each night plus the fact that in most of the nights we did not get back to our motel until quite late. On this occasion, the meal was excellent and we shared some beautiful universal bhajans with our hosts - everyone singing sweetly and softly.

The next day at 11 am, we all flew back to Nadi from Labasa to await our departure to Auckland which was scheduled to depart at 2pm. All of us felt extremely blessed to have had been a part of this exercise but also felt humbled at what we had seen and experienced.

Close to 5000 patients were seen over the 7 days of camps in some pretty remote and rural areas of Fiji where we found that many of the patients had multiple consultations that included medical, eye, dental and gynecological assessments.

We also donated cartons of medicines to the various small health centers that were near the schools and to the local hospitals as these would ensure that patients whom our Doctors had seen do not run out of medications. The Sai people in Labasa ensured that these were delivered.

Sai Seva Fiji
spacer
A beautiful picture to bring back memories, taken by one of the team members
 

Each morning before commencing the camps, we said a small prayer to Swami asking for His guidance and love for the day ahead, and all were in agreement that we had been the main beneficiaries of this service project. We were completely self-sufficient with medications and equipment and all of the team paid for their own airfares and accommodations whilst there.

Also, all the Doctors and volunteers from Australia, New Zealand, USA and Fiji could sense Swami’s presence throughout the whole exercise. Small miracles kept happening that could not be explained as coincidences and it was He who ensured that there were no serious hiccups or insurmountable problems. Swami’s love and compassion touched each and every patient through the care that the Doctors and volunteers allowed to flow through them.

All the people from the four countries involved worked extremely well together in an environment of unity, love, and a genuine desire to ensure that if there were any problems then they could be overcome. It was extremely impressive to see the commitment shown by one Doctor who was over 70 years of age. At no stage did this Doctor slow down or show an eagerness for the camps to be over. This showed just how Swami’s grace helps different people at different times.  Wherever detached love is practiced, all things impossible become possible.

To access all the previous issues of Sai Seva, please click here.

Dear reader, how did you like the article? Did it inspire you in any way? Please share your feelings with us at h2h@radiosai.org.


 
     
link_icon Write to Us at H2H
Vol 5 Issue 10 - OCTOBER 2007
Best viewed in Internet Explorer - 1024 x 768 resolution.