In the process, it has employed new staff and reactivated nearly 3,000 members across ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Tongatapu and Vava’u. The programme builds on its community membership base and their expertise in gardening, rainwater tank repairs and disaster response.

“It was a normal Saturday. Things were running as usual…. It was like a lightning strike when we heard the shouting and yelling to flee because a tsunami was coming from the eastern coastal side of our village,” says Asinate 'Utaatu, a passionate local group leader of Ama Takiloa ‘a Fefine.

Like many, Asinate is struggling physically and mentally to recover from the calamity. Thanks to her hard work she now has a garden filled with taro, sugar cane, pawpaw, and other vegetables. She would like some help with drinking water, she says.

The Trust reports that 517 people have completed households and it has held meetings on Tongatapu and Ha’apai. Staff are hoping that enough topsoil will soon be available to construct 200 home gardens as the first stage of its recovery programme. Nurseries are on standby with plants for the gardens.

The Trust has also identified households for the next stages: establishing household nurseries, planting fruit trees, setting up chicken houses, repairing water tanks and improving drinking water quality, and providing psychosocial counselling support.

“CWS is grateful for the generous donations to the Tonga Appeal that are making this work possible,” says Murray Overton, National Director.