Sujit
Kumar, raised with chickens in Fiji
It
is uncertain of the extent of abuse that Sujit Kumar received
during his formative years. At 8 years of age, he was taken
to the Samabula Old People's Home in Suva, where because of
his disruptive and aggressive behaviour he was tied to a bed
for the next 22 years, before being released in 2003, and
put into therapy.
It
is understood from recent first hand accounts from neighbours,
and from media reports, in the early 80's, that Sujit was
confined with chickens from very early in his life, and this
continued until he was bought into the Home by Social Workers
in 1979.
Sujit Kumar's mother committed suicide in 1977. His father was
murdered and put in the boot of his own taxi in 1981. His elderly
grandparents were not able to take proper care for him either,
after they found him, one night, in the middle of the road,
left by his father, in a very poor condition.
The
Superintendent of the Home, at the time he was admitted, in
1979, said: "Sujit would mostly hop around like a chicken,
peck at his food, on the ground, perch and make a noise like
the calling of a chicken," she said. "He would prefer
to roost on the floor to go to sleep rather than sleep in a
bed." But she considered that he was normal, and not mentally
retarded as first thought.
"He
was just different to other little boys because he has been
so traumatised and mistreated." In 2003, the Rotary Club
of Suva undertook to take care and to rehabilitate Sujit. He
commenced therapy on July 1, 2003. Although he still cannot
speak, he is now learning human behaviour.
The
Rotary Club of Suva Sujit Foundation has been set up by the
Rotary Club of Suva to rehabilitate and care for Sujit Kumar,
and to provide assistance for other children and persons in
situations of abuse.
Other Links
A lost boy learns life from the
start
The
Day The Lives of Elizabeth Clayton and Sujit Kumar Changed Forever
TVNZ
Video Footage
