An eight-year-old girl from Naua Settlement in Dreketi, Macuata, has sadly died after reportedly falling from a tree while playing with other children on Tuesday evening. The girl, identified as Vasemaca Dikali, was a Year Three student at Valelawa Primary School. Her parents, both working as sugarcane laborers in Seaqaqa, had entrusted her care to relatives to ensure she could continue her education.
Her mother, Queenie Ligamamaca, shared the heart-wrenching moment of receiving the news while she and her husband were working in the fields. “I was told she was playing with many other children around 5:30 PM when she fell while climbing a tree,” Ms. Ligamamaca said. In a desperate rush to the Seaqaqa Health Centre, she hoped for a miracle, but was devastated to learn that her daughter had succumbed to severe injuries.
Expressing her profound grief, Ms. Ligamamaca described the sorrow of losing a child amidst the struggles of daily life, saying, “Life is already so hard to survive on the little money we earn from cutting cane, and losing a child we dearly loved and raised feels like a sword piercing my heart.” The family has seven children in total, making this loss all the more painful.
The community of Naua has united in support of the grieving family during this challenging time. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro has confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing, underscoring the importance of safety while children engage in outdoor play.
This tragic event highlights the need for increased awareness around children’s safety during playtime, as accidents can happen swiftly and unpredictably. As the community comes together, there is hope that collective support can help the family navigate through this overwhelming grief. Such tragedies serve as stark reminders for families to be vigilant and to establish safe play environments for their children, reinforcing the duty of care that communities share in protecting their youngest members.
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