When a volcanic eruption and tsunami in January devastated the small Island nation of Tonga, not only did it destroy homes but the crops that provide their food were damaged by the high level of ash and stones, waterways became undrinkable and members of the Napier based Methodist Tongan Church congregation were concerned for their families back home.

A single shipping container was to be sent from Auckland but it allowed only one barrel of items per family so the Napier locals chose to send their own container and asked for support from the community.

Trinity Methodist Church, other community groups and local retailers including PaknSav rallied behind the group with donations that went toward the purchase of items for the construction of a water gathering system, storage tanks, along with water, food, clothes and bedding.

Once donations arrived at their home, the local women packed the barrels with specifically selected items for each of their extended families, the men loaded the container and finally at the end of March it was ready for shipping. It arrived in Tonga at Easter and was distributed under strict Covid protocols to each recipient family.

Tongan culture requires gifts to be shared amongst families but as the original gifting took place here in New Zealand and had been ‘shared’ by the local family when it arrived in Tonga there was no need to share again.

For more information please contact Oliva Olfa oliviaofa1973@gmail.com

by Methodist Tongan Church