MOTURIKI sisters Ateca and Raijieli Bativakalolo gifted about $1000 worth of physiotherapy equipment to Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM) last Friday, including knee braces commonly used in recovery after ACL surgery.
The sisters, who trace their roots to Naicabecabe Village in Moturiki, Lomaiviti, were born in Japan to a Fijian father and Japanese mother.
Since 2018, they have made it a tradition to give back to communities in Fiji during their visits.
They say the donations are something they look forward to each time they return home.
The pair are continuing their charitable efforts during this trip, with another donation scheduled for a rugby clinic in Kalabu Suva last Saturday.
Raijieli made history as the first Fijian woman to represent the Japan women’s 7s team on the international stage, while Ateca has also represented Japan at the Olympic level.
“We are happy to be giving back to our home country on occasions like this,” Ateca said.
“It’s always exciting to come home to family.”
The sisters regularly travel to Fiji for rugby tournaments, as well as recovery and rehabilitation training.
