Support Leiwaku’s urgent medical treatment

Update: April 3, 2024

Leiwaku's Journey to Healing: A Heartfelt Thanks

We've been deeply moved by the incredible outpouring of support for Leiwaku. Your donations, encouraging words, and prayers have played a crucial role in her journey to recovery.

We're excited to share a major milestone: Leiwaku's Australian visa approval and her acceptance into the Bendigo Health Clinic program. Furthermore, and with thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our GoFundMe community, this week Leiwaku embarked on her trip to Australia. She and her husband Pako arrived in Bendigo on Tuesday. We're pleased to share a snapshot of their departure from Vanuatu, a moment filled with hope and anticipation.

The kindness of our supporters has also allowed us to secure accommodation for Leiwaku and Pako at an AirBnB conveniently located in the heart of Bendigo. This places them within easy reach of the hospital, essential community amenities, and Leiwaku's church, providing comfort and support as Leiwaku starts her treatments.

Leiwaku extends her heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your generosity has opened doors to critical medical treatment that was previously out of reach in Vanuatu. While the journey ahead remains challenging, your support has brought hope and healing closer than ever before.

Thank you for being an integral part of Leiwaku's inspiring journey.

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Leiwaku Noah, a cherished member of our Save the Children Vanuatu team, is often referred to as the heart and soul of our organisation. Her infectious sense of humour, unwavering calmness, and genuine care for everyone around her have left memorable impressions on those who've had the pleasure of working with her, even years after their paths crossed.

With over a decade of service with Save the Children Vanuatu, Leiwaku has become a revered mentor and a fountain of knowledge on development practice, sought after by our practitioners. In her current leadership role with Save the Children, Leiwaku leads the Integrated Early Childhood Development Project which supports children aged 0-5 in Vanuatu to achieve their full development potential.

Above all, Leiwaku's greatest joy is her family. She and her husband have been blessed with four children. Additionally, they have generously opened their home and heart to three other children, providing them with care while their parents work overseas. Leiwaku's family journey, in her words, is a testament to "love, resilience, and commitment to each other and our community. It's a life filled with challenges and triumphs, each moment shaping us into who we are meant to be.”

In late February 2024, Leiwaku and her family were devasted to learn that she has been diagnosed with a severe form of breast cancer. The necessary treatment is unavailable in Vanuatu, and medical professionals have urgently recommended her to seek treatment abroad. The hefty cost of treatment and related expenses (estimated at AUD $55,000) surpasses her family's financial means, and securing government or health funding has proven unsuccessful.

To support Leiwaku's fight against this serious illness, we have established a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her medical expenses and the associated costs for her treatment. We hope our collective contributions can alleviate some of the financial strain and support Leiwaku on her path to recovery.

Leiwaku and her family are immensely grateful for any assistance provided by the wider Save the Children community. In Leiwaku's words, "Your understanding, support, and prayers mean the world to me. I believe strongly in the power of faith and the strength it gives us to face the trials in our lives every day and this belief is what keeps me hopeful and fighting."

Let's rally around Leiwaku and show her that she doesn't have to face this battle alone.