Manoj Kumar, a sugarcane farmer who lost his left hand while operating a mechanical harvester, received a $3,000 cheque, before Christmas Day.

The 43-year-old of Seaqaqa, Macuata Province received the cheque from the Sugar Cane Growers Fund, who gave it on behalf of FijiCare Insurance Limited.

“I am so happy, because I was worried about Christmas, New Year and back to school shopping but now I am not after receiving this surprise gift,” Mr Kumar said.

“After I lost my hand in October this year, life has changed for me.”

He said as a cleaner boy his job was to clear debris and grass when the mechanic harvester operated on someone’s sugarcane farm.

“Unfortunately, my hand somehow went through the machine and I can still recall those painful moments when I saw that I was without a hand,” the father of four children said.

“Nevertheless, I have accepted the fact that I must face reality and stand on my feet to make a living for my family.

I have plans to collect money to visit India to get an artificial hand so that I can work like any normal human being.”

Meanwhile, Sugar Cane Growers Fund chief executive officer Raj Sharma said they were remorseful and tried their best to assist Mr Kumar.