A transplant for Fiji boy Zain
Donation protected
URGENT APPEAL FOR ZAIN. WE ONLY HAVE WEEKS TO SAVE THIS LITTLE BOY'S LIFE.
Zain was a healthy, active, soccer loving young boy living in a rural area of Fiji.
Two years ago he began to struggle for breath which got worse until he started turning blue from oxygen deprivation after just a few metres.
He has been diagnosed with Hepatopulmonary Syndrome, a blockage in his liver that stops blood and vital oxygen passing through to the rest of his body. He is currently hooked up to an oxygen machine 24 hours a day.
Without treatment, his condition is fatal and Zain only has a matter of weeks before it is too late.
Zain needs an urgent liver transplant – a relatively straightforward operation using a small portion of donated liver from a living donor. These transplants have a 90% success rate but are not available in Fiji.
His Mum has contacted hospitals in NZ and India looking for the most affordable way to save her boys life. The cheapest available option will cost AUD$115,000. She is prepared to sell everything she owns but she cannot raise nearly enough money.
Zain’s health is quickly deteriorating. At 14 years old his weight has declined to just 28kg. He is in constant pain and at risk of a fatal infection.
Money is the only thing standing between life and death for this little boy but we only have a few weeks to act. Please help us make a miracle happen for Zain.

About Zain
We met Zain and his mother a few months ago on a charity visit to Fiji. A medical friend had asked us to follow up to see how Zain was feeling.
He and his mother had recently returned from New Zealand where Zain’s condition had been diagnosed. She showed us the $ signs at the bottom of the medical quote and shared her desperation with us. Zain’s father had died in a tragic car accident a few years ago and she could not face another loss.
Zain’s Mum has given up her responsible position at a local resort to care for Zain. The family has moved to live above a grocery store so they can earn a living but still listen out for Zain who lives his entire life upstairs attached to an oxygen tank.
Zain’s mum tells us that Zain was a great sportsman and loved soccer. Gradually his breathing issues stopped him participating in sport. He can no longer play with his younger brother or attend school.

The medical situation
Hepatopulmonary Syndrome is a rare condition in children with no apparent cause.
It is a blockage in the liver that does not allow enough oxygenated blood to pass through it causing shortness in breath.

Our Goal
$115,000 will provide the funds for an medical emergency visa and life saving surgery for this little boy.
If it sounds like a lot – it would not be if 1000 people felt moved to contribute just $100.
We have no more than 4 weeks.
We are determined, hopeful and eternally grateful for your support.
Please Join Us.
Please Give.
Please Share.
Vinaka (Thank you).
About Fiji kids! Learning for Life
Fiji Kids! Learning for Life is a grassroots charity run by a group of volunteers in Australia. We provide financial assistance to help the neediest children attend school.
Learning for Life refers to the commitment sponsors are asked to make in supporting a child for the duration of their primary and secondary education. Since 2009 we have assisted over 100 children to attend school and now have a number of graduates attending university and vocational studies through our tertiary program.
We are small, with only a program co-ordinator on the ground in Fiji and the rest of the charity operated by a group of volunteers in Australia and Fiji who fit our charity around their fulltime working lives. Despite this we have a big heart and are not shy to do what we need to do in the best interests of the children within our program.
This includes Zain. If you require more information please contact me.
Contact details:
Rachelle Matousek (Trustee)
+614 09 774085
[email redacted]
www.fijikids.org
We are a registered Charitable Trust - number 879.
We are a registered Charitable Fundraising entity in Australia - CFN22573
Zain was a healthy, active, soccer loving young boy living in a rural area of Fiji.
Two years ago he began to struggle for breath which got worse until he started turning blue from oxygen deprivation after just a few metres.
He has been diagnosed with Hepatopulmonary Syndrome, a blockage in his liver that stops blood and vital oxygen passing through to the rest of his body. He is currently hooked up to an oxygen machine 24 hours a day.
Without treatment, his condition is fatal and Zain only has a matter of weeks before it is too late.
Zain needs an urgent liver transplant – a relatively straightforward operation using a small portion of donated liver from a living donor. These transplants have a 90% success rate but are not available in Fiji.
His Mum has contacted hospitals in NZ and India looking for the most affordable way to save her boys life. The cheapest available option will cost AUD$115,000. She is prepared to sell everything she owns but she cannot raise nearly enough money.
Zain’s health is quickly deteriorating. At 14 years old his weight has declined to just 28kg. He is in constant pain and at risk of a fatal infection.
Money is the only thing standing between life and death for this little boy but we only have a few weeks to act. Please help us make a miracle happen for Zain.
About Zain
We met Zain and his mother a few months ago on a charity visit to Fiji. A medical friend had asked us to follow up to see how Zain was feeling.
He and his mother had recently returned from New Zealand where Zain’s condition had been diagnosed. She showed us the $ signs at the bottom of the medical quote and shared her desperation with us. Zain’s father had died in a tragic car accident a few years ago and she could not face another loss.
Zain’s Mum has given up her responsible position at a local resort to care for Zain. The family has moved to live above a grocery store so they can earn a living but still listen out for Zain who lives his entire life upstairs attached to an oxygen tank.
Zain’s mum tells us that Zain was a great sportsman and loved soccer. Gradually his breathing issues stopped him participating in sport. He can no longer play with his younger brother or attend school.
The medical situation
Hepatopulmonary Syndrome is a rare condition in children with no apparent cause.
It is a blockage in the liver that does not allow enough oxygenated blood to pass through it causing shortness in breath.
Our Goal
$115,000 will provide the funds for an medical emergency visa and life saving surgery for this little boy.
If it sounds like a lot – it would not be if 1000 people felt moved to contribute just $100.
We have no more than 4 weeks.
We are determined, hopeful and eternally grateful for your support.
Please Join Us.
Please Give.
Please Share.
Vinaka (Thank you).
About Fiji kids! Learning for Life
Fiji Kids! Learning for Life is a grassroots charity run by a group of volunteers in Australia. We provide financial assistance to help the neediest children attend school.
Learning for Life refers to the commitment sponsors are asked to make in supporting a child for the duration of their primary and secondary education. Since 2009 we have assisted over 100 children to attend school and now have a number of graduates attending university and vocational studies through our tertiary program.
We are small, with only a program co-ordinator on the ground in Fiji and the rest of the charity operated by a group of volunteers in Australia and Fiji who fit our charity around their fulltime working lives. Despite this we have a big heart and are not shy to do what we need to do in the best interests of the children within our program.
This includes Zain. If you require more information please contact me.
Contact details:
Rachelle Matousek (Trustee)
+614 09 774085
[email redacted]
www.fijikids.org
We are a registered Charitable Trust - number 879.
We are a registered Charitable Fundraising entity in Australia - CFN22573
Co-organizers (4)
Rachelle Matousek
Organizer
Papatoetoe, NZ
Julie Hoskison
Co-organizer
Julie Hoskison
Co-organizer
Otto Matousek
Co-organizer