When Rob Chillman (Chilly) first heard about Noa, a nine-year old Fijian boy requiring complex surgery for a genital birth defect, he knew he could not sit back and just trust that someone else would help.
Already working with Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS), Chilly was on his way with fifteen others to refurbish a school in the Tongan town of Lapaha but vowed that on his return he would take action. True to his word he reached out to Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC), who provide lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery for children from island communities of the southwest Pacific. After Chilly completed all of necessary paperwork, ROMAC agreed to bring Noa and his grandmother, Emele out to Australia, in consultation with ACT Health who through an MOU with ROMAC covered hospital costs.
It is at this point that Chilly and his wife Pam’s journey with the family really began.
“Pam and I were thrilled that we could get the ball rolling for Noa and were prepared to do whatever it took to make the surgery happen,” he said.
“From the outset we appreciated that coming to Australia was going to be extremely daunting for Noa and Emele, but we were committed to making their stay as comfortable as possible.”
After the first two passports Chilly arranged were lost, he then funded another set and remembers the day when he went to Sydney airport to collect Noa and Emele. This was the start of the first of 2 three-month stay in their home, during which time Noa underwent various tests and had his first restorative operation.
“Both Noa and Emele were extremely shy on their arrival and required a translator to assist with communication,” Chilly said.
Noa and Emele went home in between his treatments before returning for the final operation six months later in July 2017. Again, they were welcomed and hosted by Chilly and Pam for three months with ROMAC, the Canberra Hospital, Paediatric Surgeon, Dr Rajay Rampersad and Rotary Club of Jerrabomberra all playing an important role in his excellent treatment, recovery and support.
“Over the course of their two stays, next few months, we also saw a huge change in Emele’s demeanour and with the support for the local Rotarians and Fijian Church she learnt to sew, was given a sewing machine and began to cook – she was a new, confident person. During their second stay, during his recovery Noa was able to attend Duffy Primary School thanks to an MOU between ACT Education and ROMAC, and practice his English, which he really enjoyed.”
Months after returning to Fiji, Chilly learnt that Noa’s family wanted to try and build their own home, but the severity of their poverty meant that this was unlikely to ever happen. Again, relentless in his pursuit to assist, he put his construction and project management skills to the test and determined what it would cost to make this wish a reality.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but I was prepared to give it a go,” Chilly said.
“With the support of my fellow Rotarians I decided that I would raise funds over the course of 7 months and that in the end Noa would have the house that his family dreamed of.”
And that’s exactly what he did, raising FJD$12,500 and taking on one the most challenging building projects of his working life.
“On my previous visit to Fiji, I’d met members of the Rotary Club of Suva North who then assisted in transferring money to pay trades and the appointed builder. Unfortunately, we were met along the way with a series of roadblocks, with some individuals and companies on the ground proving to be less than ethical and extremely problematic in their dealings,” he said.
Despite these ongoing setbacks, Chilly never gave up and bit by bit what should have taken 3-4 months dragged out to 18 months, but the home was built for Noa and his family.
“The house is Noa’s – there are no such things as land titles in his remote village – he owns it and no-one can ever take it away from him!”
As a valued member of the Dowse Project team, Chilly’s commitment to Noa and his family, along with his ongoing Rotarian work has been an inspiration to all.
Managing Director John Dowse says that, “his tireless efforts to assist those in need never ceases to amaze us. Despite multiple setbacks and challenges building Noa’s home, Chilly never gave up and did whatever was needed to make it happen.”
“To give you an idea of his character, he recently asked for half of day of leave and later sent through photos of the custom change table he and fellow Rotarians had built for a single mother, who could no longer lift her handicapped child. This humility is what makes Chilly one in a million, and it’s a privilege to play a small part in supporting him,” John said.
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Chilly and Pam recently checked in with Noa who is now 13 years of age and attending school regularly in his town. He still rides the bike which his Rotary Club gave to him and the family fiercely protect it, by taking the wheels off when it is not in use. The success of his surgeries has meant that he can now function normally and live a life of dignity, which without Chilly would never have been possible.
To learn more about ROMAC and to find out how you can help a child like Noa visit: https://www.romac.org.au/
