Thirty-month-old Mona Yuniar from Indonesia is a fighter. Her strong will to live has been aided by the commitment of Reaching Overseas with Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) to helping children around the world. On two occasions Mona’s mother, Ratna, had to prepare for the worst. The first was in July, 2004, while the toddler was in a coma at a hospital in Central Java soon after falling into a pot of boiling stew. She had third-degree burns to more than half of her body.

Mona Yuniar from Indonesia and her mother Ratna can smile again. The child was badly burned in a kitchen accident and then assisted by Reaching Overseas with Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC).

Mona woke a few hours later to the surprise and relief of family and hospital staff.

The second time was four months later when the young family’s money ran out and they had to borrow from family and friends.
Because her parents couldn’t afford the medical charges, Mona was discharged from hospital less than three weeks after the accident.

With no pain relief, Mona was sent home to be cared for by her mother who cleaned and dressed Mona’s wounds while worrying every day how she would find enough money to buy the cream and bandages she needed.

By the time ROMAC heard of Mona’s plight she had endured three months without pain relief and her wounds were still open and bleeding. It seemed only a matter of time before they became infected.

Mona’s will to live was evident from her days in hospital and never wavered. When her uncle Harry Gusman, and his Australian wife Sonya, saw the extent of her injuries they immediately set about finding a way to get the child to Sydney, N.S.W., for treatment. They created a website titled Help Mona – The Little Girl with the Heart of a Lion.

This site, and its graphic photographs of Mona’s injuries, reached Doctor John Harvey, head of the Burns Unit at The Children’s Hospital, Westmead, N.S.W.

Dr. Harvey volunteered his time to treat Mona and recommended her case to ROMAC.

Bryan Mason and Phill Isaacs, of the Rotary Club of North Ryde, N.S.W., recognised that Mona’s life hung in the balance so called in every favour to ensure she would get to Australia in time.

Mona, and her mother Ratna, arrived in Sydney in December and the girl had two skin graft operations.
Doctors were impressed she had survived five months since the accident. They attributed this to Mona’s fighting spirit and her mother’s dedicated care.

Mona recovered quickly and returned home two months after arriving in Australia. Mona’s father was overwhelmed when his daughter ran into his arms. She had been in constant pain and unable to walk when he saw her previously.

Mona was the 350th child ROMAC has helped. Her story is like so many other children who die every year from injuries and illnesses that could be cured. The difference for Mona was that she came to the attention of ROMAC. Ratna said: “After I met ROMAC I was sure that Mona would survive and there would be an end to her days of pain. I became optimistic that Mona would survive and be able to smile again like other children.” ROMAC is committed to helping Mona throughout the years ahead when she will need further treatment.