Oceania | 22 October 2026
The story in brief
A brother and sister from Vanuatu can now walk after receiving medical treatment in Canberra, Australia.
Vanuatu is an island country in the Pacific Ocean.
Who is involved?
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Anis Kassau: A 13-year-old boy from Vanuatu.
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Melanie Kassau: Anis's three-year-old sister.
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Canberra health workers: The medical team who treated the children.
What happened?
Anis and Melanie were born with a condition called clubfoot.
Their feet were turned backwards, making walking difficult.
The children travelled to Canberra with their mother, Lisa.
Over seven months, health workers helped straighten their feet.
The treatment included plaster casts, operations and exercises.
The family did not have to pay for the treatment.
What is the background?
The family lives on Tanna, an island in Vanuatu.
Their mother said the children could not get the treatment they needed where they lived.
A charity called ROMAC helps children from Pacific countries receive medical care in Australia.
Why does it matter?
The treatment has made it easier for Anis and Melanie to move around and play.
Their mother described what the treatment meant to her.
She said: "I can live now."
What happens next?
At the time of the report, the family was preparing to return home to Vanuatu.
The Canberra medical programme can help up to four children from Pacific countries each year.
Source: ABC News, 18 October 2026