Diagnosed with kidney disease at just eight years old, Esha, now aged 17, has endured years of treatment, including peritoneal dialysis, which she managed independently while completing Year 12 in Kununurra.

Her resilience saw her not only graduate but also receive two major awards.

But in December 2024, her health took a turn.

Severe infections landed her in Royal Darwin Hospital, where she was placed on haemodialysis after her kidneys completely failed.

Now, unable to return home due to the lack of medical facilities in remote Arnhem Land, she has lost her income and faces financial hardship.

To support her, family friend Amy Lewis launched a GoFundMe campaign on March 19, aiming to raise $25,000.

So far, 37 donations have totalled $3640, but the need remains urgent.

“Pauliesha was diagnosed with kidney disease at just eight years old and has spent the last decade courageously battling her condition,” the campaign states.

“She has lost her income and is facing financial hardship, with no family in Darwin to support her.”

Mission Australia’s NT regional leader Dr. Paul Royce said case managers were working with Esha and her sister Ray Ray to find stable accommodation.

While government programs cover eight weeks of medical accommodation, Esha will soon need private housing close to the hospital.

“What she does need is probably that longer-term accommodation for her and her elder sister who’s providing that care,” Dr. Royce said.

“We’re also working to get her sister onto a carer’s payment, but ultimately, we’d love to see an increase in Youth Allowance and Job Seeker payments to help people afford rental housing.”

For Esha, the journey has been overwhelming.

“Things were a bit difficult when I was first diagnosed,” she said.

“I spent three months in the ward, not playing or hanging out with my friends.”

She has been on the transplant list since 2023, but after two years of waiting, she may need to redo medical workups before a match can be found.

Her family members are undergoing tests to see if they can donate a kidney.

Despite her struggles, Esha remains hopeful.

Through it all, she has found an outlet in social media, creating ‘Day in the Life’ videos on TikTok, where she has gained over 35,000 followers and more than 700,000 likes.

Her videos, which document her daily experiences and resilience while living with kidney disease, have become hugely popular, with one post attracting nearly 800,000 likes.

“I enjoy making my ‘Day in the Life’ videos because it shows that I can still do stuff, go out, and enjoy my time even when I’m on dialysis,” she said.

“It’s definitely a hard journey, but you can still live your life. It’s not the end, and everything will get better.”

To support Esha’s GoFundMe campaign, visit the page here.