"She is such a hard worker and is always helping other people, I wanted to do this for her," her manager, Stacie Richards, said.
Stacie used the best way she knew to help others. She put a post on her Facebook wall to reach people. Her friends and family shared the post and the response received was flabbergasting, she said.
The initial plan to send a few things to help Sujata's family was growing into a wildfire. Soon there were people dropping off blankets, clothes, sheets, nappies, pots and pans, even books and toys for kids.
Most patients who came to Specsavers brought in things to support the cause as well. It was no longer a small project.
Stacie arranged drop-off point at the Te Awamutu Bible Chapel, so it would be easier for people to make donations.
Every item that came was sorted out by Stacie and Sujata to be sent to Fiji in a container.
They got in touch with one of the largest non-government organisations in Fiji, TISI Sangam, to receive the aid and distribute it among the victims, while the teams of the CBD and Te Rapa Specsavers staff came forward to pay for the shipment.
The container was shipped to Fiji on Tuesday, April 24. Sujata said it was well received and the items were distributed among people in need. She said she was happy and grateful.
"If I was devastated by what happened just to my family and couldn't empathise for the others affected by the flood, then I would be selfish," she said.
"When there was no hope, Stacie was the one that stood up for us. My family was so grateful when they heard what Stacie was doing for us, and to think I am not even from here,"said Sujata.
"Everybody deserves at least the basic necessities of life. If I could do more, I would," Stacie said. "The world would be such a better place if all the capable companies took such initiatives."
