WOMEN cancer survivors are not alone and have a safe space to heal, says Self Care Retreat Fiji chief executive and founder Mereane Vavataga.
Mrs Vavataga, 68, started the registered non-government organisation in 2021 to look after women after their hospital treatment.
She said the vision of the NGO was to empower women cancer survivors in their spiritual, emotional, and mental healing.
“We look after women cancer survivors, and the vision of the NGO is to empower women cancer survivors in their spiritual, emotional and mental healing,” she said.
“We take care of the women after their treatment at the hospital. It’s about healing past traumas and healing the wounded spirit. We believe it helps with their physical healing.”
Mrs Vavataga said they had seen a lot of progress in the women since they started.
“We’ve seen a lot of progress with the women, and we’re happy with what we’re doing.”
She said they first encountered the women through a self-care retreat.
“We first come into contact with the women when we take them on a self-care retreat. And usually we go to a five-star, four-star resort. It’s where they can be themselves amongst other survivors.
“To them, it’s a safe space where they can really talk about their experiences.”
She said after the three-day retreat, the program continues at their hub.
“We do mentoring and evaluation. So, we have data for the women to see how they progressed, how far they have come, and whether the program works for them.”
Mrs Vavataga said the hub consisted of an office and a prayer room.
She said the bottom flat was a safe home for survivors.
“The bottom flat is a safe home where we have survivors coming in when things overwhelm them at home. As we all know, after treatment, they still go back home to be a mother, they still go back home to be a wife.
“Even though they’ve been through treatment, sometimes things overwhelm them. So, they have this safe home where they can come and rest.”
Her message to women going through cancer or those who have survived but are struggling is simple.
“To the women out there who are going through the same thing is that you are not alone in what you go through.
“There is this group which you can come to, and it’s a safe space. Because I know we go through what we go through, but we don’t talk about it.
“We have a safe space here where you can come and talk with your other survivors, warriors, and just pour your heart out, and as for the physical healing, spiritual, emotional and mental healing helps too.”
