THIS story can be described as a testimony of family love, loyalty and responsibility. A story of two visually impaired sisters whose sense of belonging is underpinned by the existence of the other.

Despite their disability Malti Devi and Sushila Devi find ways to look out for one another.

Malti is the elder of the two and she has been looking after her younger sister ever since their parents passed away.

“Hum chota baby raha jab hamaar mata-pita ke mritue hoi gaye. (Sushila was only a baby when our parents passed away),” Malti explained.

She said, they moved to their aunt’s home soon after their parents passed away. From then on they moved from home to home until they were finally brought to the Valelevu HART (Housing Assistance Relief Trust) home.

Malti has difficulty relaying her childhood experiences as she occasionally breaks down.

“Main andhi hote hue bhi mainne uski badi bahan ki bahut achchii tarah se sewa ki hai. (As her elder sister, I tried my best to take good care of her despite my disability),” Malti said.

The passing of the years have done nothing to diminish Malti’s wanting to take care of her sister.

“I will often take her to the bathroom every morning and also to the kitchen or wherever she wants me to take her,” she said.

Her actions are often admired by other residents and caregivers of the home.

Matron of the home Lusiana Waqa, said, she would often watch them go about their daily business and it was something extraordinary to witness.

“They will do everything together and it really touches my heart the way Malti always tries to take care of her younger sister despite her limited physical capabilities,” Waqa said

Neither the Devi sisters nor the staff at the home know their age.

Of their family, Malti said, they knew of family members but they just did not know where they were.

Despite this, the two siblings living in the HART home at Valelevu continuously inspire residents and staff members on a daily basis of what true family is all about.