Rebuild Samoa up and running

Friday, 13 November 2009 13:27

Help is on the way for the more than 400 families whose homes and businesses were destroyed in the recent tsunami which swept over coastal villages in Samoa in September.

visionnetwork New Zealand Christian Network supports the major rebuilding campaign initiated by a group of Aucklanders and Habitat for Humanity NZ.

National Director Glyn Carpenter said when the news media move on it is easy to forget what's happened. "But as long as families are suffering the help needs to continue".

LifeChurch (Manurewa) pastor Tavale Mataia and Word of Life (Henderson) pastor Lui Ponifasio, with BNZ business analyst Willie Hume and sportsman and businessman Michael Jones, formed Rebuild Samoa to help Habitat for Humanity raise finance to build the homes.

At the request of the Samoan Government, HFHNZ will manage the construction of the 400 homes or fales.

The Samoan Government is providing approximately 90 per cent of the cost of each fale. Rebuild Samoa and HFHNZ are raising the balance of $1250 for each house. The goal is to complete all 400 fales in the next 6-8 months.

To assist, either with money or as a volunteer worker, visit the Rebuild Samoa website, www.rebuildsamoa.co.nz