A Tongan church in Timaru packing up to help island nation recover after Cyclone Gita Featured
Isoa Fono, left, Sefanaia Kilisimasi, Tolofina Fono and Alfred Fono move items from a Timaru home to help with Cyclone Gita disaster relief in Tonga.
5 April, 2018. The Church of Tonga Timaru has been donated the shipping containers by an anonymous donor. They will be sent to the island nation on June 11 and the church is now asking for donations of goods. The church will also hold a fundraiser on May 26, where people can drop off items.
On Wednesday church members were collecting items from Timaru man Tony Woods' home. He was moving and had donated items his children no longer wanted.
Blankets, books and other household items were gratefully being carted away for the container.
Church member Anna Leger said the goods will be taken to Tonga's smaller islands, where the effects of Cyclone Gita, which hit in February bringing gusts of up to 278kmh and pounding rain, were still being felt.
She said the church had been offered the two shipping containers for the task and members were "very grateful".
"The person who has donated them wants to remain anonymous," Leger said.
"Without them we wouldn't be able to do this."
The two containers arrive late next week and items sought include building materials, tinned food and household goods.
Homes were destroyed, and there are no building materials or tools to repair them. Crops were also destroyed, meaning tinned food is in demand. The collection will accept food goods including water bottles, canned food, washing powders and toiletries.
"They need anything and everything," Leger said.
"Even toilet paper."
Leger's husband's family live in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga's capital, and she said she knows first-hand the impact the cyclone has had on the islands.
The church is now taking donations which can be collected but will also hold a fundraiser next month at the Scout Hall, 67a Otipua Rd, Timaru.
The fundraiser, beginning at 9am, will include a cake stall and sausage sizzle.
"It will also be a fun day and a way for the church to thank the community for the donations."
Leger also said the church is "full of good bakers" so there would be something for everyone on the day.
Anyone wanting more information is asked to contact Anna Leger on 027 406 2010.
- Stuff
