The COVID-19 pandemic can cut one off from loved ones, but it can also open up the possibility of forging new friendships.
That’s what Shameem Mukhtar Ali found out as he shared how the Ravetau family in Vunisea, Kadavu came to his rescue when he was stranded there last month because of the movement restrictions.
He said his month-long experience was something he would cherish for the rest of his life.
It started from Vunisea Hospital where Mr Ali was hanging out because he could not travel back to his home in Lautoka.
“I had spent a month on the island and I was waiting at the Vunisea Hospital for many hours and had nowhere to go after the restrictions were announced,” the emotional father said when we caught up with him at his Field 40 home.
“This man, Wise, saw that I had been sitting there from the morning so he came to ask if everything was OK.
“I told him my story, and he invited me to stay with his family until I can travel back to Viti Levu.”
Mr Ali said the family treated him like their own and he did not have to worry about anything during the five-week stay. He said the family showed him a kind of love he had not experienced before.
“Sometimes I will be sitting under the mango tree or lying down in my room and they will make sure to call me so I never miss any meal. “They are a very loving family and I am indebted to the love they showed me.
“I cannot wait for the situation to finish so I can visit them again as they have done so much for me.”
Mere Ravetau said they were humbled and fortunate to have provided Mr Ali with the help he needed.
“He ate what we ate and drank what we drank and we shared whatever little we had in our home,” Ms Ravetau said.
“Our friends and relatives became his friends and relatives and our family became his family.
“We may or may not meet again but we are glad to have shared whatever little we had with him.” Mr Ali returned to his Lautoka home last weekend.
