At first glance, the staff at the Samoa Victim Support Group (S.V.S.G) must have thought they were dealing with an extreme case of domestic violence.
A little girl was brought into the centre with heavy bruising around her eyes. Both wrists were bandaged, with “drip” shunts peeking out.
The truth, however, was far more serious. The four-year old girl was suffering from leukaemia.
In fact this is why Isalei Tua ended up at the S.V.S.G. office on Wednesday morning, brought in by her father, Tatino. S.V.S.G. President, Lina Chang, said he rolled his daughter in puffing and huffing. It looked as if he was hiding from someone.
Indeed, she later found out that Mr. Tua had snuck his daughter out of the hospital because he wanted urgent help so his daughter could be treated in New Zealand. But, as he told the Sunday Samoan, “it’s too late”.
Isalei died around 4pm on Friday afternoon. At that time, Samoa Victim Support Group was in the middle of organising a fundraising event on Facebook to fund a “Birthday Bash.”
Isalei Tatino Tua, of Siumu, was just two days away from her 5th birthday yesterday.
She died in the Paediatric Ward at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital. Her father confirmed the sad passing of his “favourite”.
Isalei suffered from heavy bruising around the eyes, nose bleeds and constant fatigue. “We have been in hospital for three months and that is how long she has been sick for.”
He declined to make any further comments regarding why it was too late for her daughter to be sent to New Zealand for treatment. “I have nothing to say. It’s done and she’s resting now.”
He said that Isalei was his favourite out of his four children. She was the second.
“I will always remember how anything she asked for I would do for her.
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“She is very close to me and this is why I am always here at the hospital – true, there are times she wants her mother (Aliseta) but that is only for a little while.
“Isalei always spends most of her time with me.”
As a result of his daughter falling ill the family had to move from Siumu to Tufuiopa to be closer to their daughter.
On Friday, S.V.S.G.’s Facebook page reported that it’s article has “over 7000 views, over 600 likes and the story has been shared over 100 times in many countries”.
“This would all have not been possible without your support and the blessing of the world wide web.”
Mrs. Chang said they were going to do anything they could to ensure that the child would celebrate her 5th birthday.
“This is my passion; helping these children and so I would do anything to help her.”
When she was contacted again following the girl’s death, Mrs Chang confirmed her passing.
She said that she was going to ask Mr. Tua if he would agree to have the girl buried on her birthday so that the birthday could still go ahead to celebrate her young life. Isalei’s death caught supporters unprepared.
Lydia Betham was at the S.V.S.G. officer around noon Friday. She was there to offer her services at the organising of the birthday bash.
Also there to donate money to assist with the fundraising purpose, Ms. Betham expressed sadness about the young girl’s illness.
She said it was sad she was dying at such a young age. Her being there was to offer her help so to provide the little girl with some happy memories before her death.
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