Baby Ayat Aisha Ali

Baby Ayat Aisha Ali is fondly known as Ana to her family, a nickname they've bestowed on her in memory of a difficult but joyous time signifying her arrival into this world.

Born to Mr Imran Ali and Ms Sinu Bibi of Kavuli in Tavua, baby Ayat will one day hear the stories of how emergency responders involving Police, National Disaster Management Office, National Fire Authority and Health Ministry Officials and Korovou villagers worked together at the height of TC Ana to get Ms Bibi to safety as flood waters prevented her from getting to the Tavua Hospital to deliver her bundle of joy.

A member of the rescue team was W/Police Constable (WPC) Levitu Salauca who this past week had the opportunity to visit mother and baby at their home.

The 24-year-old officer from Tokou Village in Levuka, Ovalau was deployed to the Tavua Muslim School evacuation Center when she received word of Ms Bibi's request for assistance and she reached out to two nurses residing in the Kavuli area.

“At the Korovou village end, the road towards Kavuli was flooded so we asked a villager nearby to help us get to Ms Bibi".

"The two nurses accompanied by the Korovou village nurse had delivered baby Ayat, but we had to act quickly to get both mum and baby to Hospital as they needed further medical attention”.

Officials from NDMO and NFA were also on hand to assist with the evacuation efforts.

WPC Salauca said she was overwhelmed with a sense of pride and joy in realizing how rewarding the life of service can be.

Since becoming a member of the Fiji Police Force in 2019 her focus was always on giving her best to helping others.

“I was so deeply blessed to be in the middle of such a scenario and to see it with my own eyes the joy a newborn baby brings the parents is just priceless,” said WPC Sala.