Helping to fill drums with non-perishable food, water, and essential items yesterday are (from left) Waitaki Tongan Community Trust president Livai Veituna, project facilitator Katalina Veituna, ’Ofa Fifita, vice-president Talanoa Palu, Malia Peneti Hausia, ’Anavahenga Fifita and Sione Tokai.
About 80 drums have been packed with items in Oamaru to support families who were affected by the eruption and subsequent tsunami that devastated much of Tonga on January 15.
Mrs Veituna said the drums would be transported to Auckland, and it was hoped they would be shipped to Tonga next week.
Covid-19 made the situation more difficult, as people could not bulk-buy non-perishable food, but it was great to send the first token of love back to Tonga, she said.
The trust also raised money for recovery efforts by hosting car washes in Oamaru, and local schools had been organising mufti days to collect donations. Mrs Veituna was overwhelmed by the support.
"That melts our hearts that we know we’ve got people who are thinking about us and supporting us ... ," she said.
