THE National Referral Hospital (NRH) Children’s Ward has received a significant boost in medical and office equipment and other accessories – thanks to a generous donation worth $80,000 from LiveFit Club.
LiveFit Club is a local health and fitness organization dedicated to promoting the wellness and empowerment of women through Zumba fitness training. Zumba is a dance-based fitness program that combines rhythmic music with high-energy dance moves, making it a fun-filled and effective way of improving fitness and losing weight.
The donation, which included a range of medical and non-medical items such as an Omron BP monitor HEM-8712 L, a laminating machine, a laptop, cleaning supplies, and other accessories, was made possible through the club’s fundraising efforts, which received strong backing from local company Advanced Technologies Ltd (ATL).
Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Friday 29 August at the NRH, LiveFit Club Founder Amina Narasia explained that the donation was driven by the club’s strong female membership’s recognition of the Children’s Ward as a place that directly impacts mothers and caregivers.
“We saw the need and felt that this was the right place to give back to,” Ms Narasia said. “Last year and this year, we raised funds through the sale of raffle tickets and this donation is the result of the support we received from our members and community.”
NRH Children’s Ward Medical Residing Officer Dr Baddley Walter Ka’ar expressed gratitude for the donation, and highlighted how the items will contribute to both the clinical and operational needs of the ward.
“This donation will help us improve the non-pharmacological aspects of care we give by ensuring the cleanliness and well organization of the Children’s Ward. We will not only be able to treat our young patients pharmacologically, but also improve on our non-pharmacological services,” Dr Ka’ar said.
He praised LiveFit Club and ATL for going beyond financial support by directly purchasing and delivering the items to the hospital.
“We sincerely thank LiveFit Club and Advanced Technologies Ltd for this thoughtful and impactful contribution. We hope other organizations will be inspired by this initiative and join in supporting our healthcare services,” Dr Ka’ar added.
From Mondays to Fridays, members of the LiveFit Women’s Club gather at Henderson in Central Guadalcanal for regular exercise sessions, fostering both physical fitness and a strong sense of feminism.
In addition to its donation to the Children’s Ward, LiveFit Club has also committed to extending its support to others in need.
A portion of the funds raised through the club’s raffle ticket initiative will be donated to two churches in the provinces—one in East Are’Are, Malaita Province, and the other in the Central Islands Province.
These kind gestures from LiveFit and Advance Technologies Ltd underscore the growing role of community organizations in supporting public health services and churches.
Beyond the immediate improvements to the Children’s Ward, the donation serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of corporate and community partnerships in tackling local healthcare challenges.
The support also highlights how organizations like LiveFit Club, through their empowerment-focused initiatives, are creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond fitness and wellness to touch the lives of the neediest in meaningful and lasting ways.
By LEILANI MAERII
Solomon Star, Honiara
