Hearts United in Response to Tsunami in Samoa

Click here to help survivors of the tsunami in American Samoa

Blog with stories and pictures from Samoa

The little girl was buried, as is the custom, in her family’s front yard in Leone, between her uncle’s and great-great grandfather’s graves. She was buried in an adult coffin. They’ve run out of children’s coffins here. 
“I feel a little bit stronger now because she’s laying right there,” said Taitasi Fitiao of her daughter, Vaijoresa, 6. “I know she’s in good hands with God. And I believe I’m going to see her again some day.”
Right after the 8.0 earthquake on Sept. 29, Taitasi hurried down the main road to the elementary school her children attend because she knew there was a possibility of a tsunami. Vaijoresa and her brother Phoenix, 13, were heading her way—the school sent them home after the quake.
Vaijoresa and a friend ran ahead of Phoenix. The girl met up with her mother at the village bridge, and Taitasi grabbed Vaijoresa’s hand just as the first wave hit. They stayed together until Taitasi got pinned between two cars. “Then all of a sudden, I couldn’t feel her anymore,” Taitasi said. “She just started floating away. She said, ‘Mom, please.’ She wanted to live, but I couldn’t help her. I couldn’t do anything. I knew right then she was gone.”
Taitasi thought she herself would drown, but she caught onto some branches and pulled herself out of the trap. “When I got up, I couldn’t see my daughter,” said Taitasi, overcome with emotion.
“I know my daughter is still standing”
    Phoenix survived when passersby in a truck pulled him in and took him to higher ground. From there he watched the wave roll in. He felt scared and sad because he wasn’t with his little sister. “I’d always protect her when she wanted to go somewhere to play,” he said. “I’d always touch her hand and take her to where she wanted to go.”
 Taitasi’s husband found his wife sobbing and learned that their daughter was missing. He and oldest son R aven, 16, searched all night for the 6-year-old. The next day, searche rs found Vaijoresa’s body buried under rubble. She still had her school backpack on. She loved school, her father told us. “I really miss her. I miss her a lot,” he said.
Raven and Phoenix continue to watch over their little sister, sometimes sleeping next to her grave. They both feel guilty that they could have done more to save her. Taitasi tells them, “It was no one’s fault. It was a natural disaster.”
    Visible from Taitasi’s house is a small island with a lone palm tree. It’s striking, sitting out in the harbor, all by itself. Some people call the tree “The Lonely Palm Tree,” but the Fitiao family knows it by another name—Niuaveve (pronounced Nu-ah-vay-vay). Vaijoresa’s great-grandfather, who planted the tree, named it this. Taitasi gave it as a middle name for Vaijoresa. Every time Taitasi looks at the island, she feels her daughter’s presence.
Vaijoresa’s father looked out at the lone tree and said, “The tsunami couldn’t destroy it. It’s still standing, and I know my daughter is still standing.” He paused for a moment before adding: “If she’s listening, I love you, baby, and God bless you.”
By Laura Reinhardt

Updates: November 14, 2009

“There is no paradise like the paradise of home.” Thirteen-year-old Onosai Eletise had painted these words on the wall of his bedroom. Now his room stands exposed to the elements, the front wall ripped off by the force of the tsunami wave that roared through his village of Amanave on Sept. 29.

His family now sleeps in a small FEMA tent.

The morning the tsunami slammed into American Samoa, Onosai was already at school at Alataua Lua Elementary. School officials quickly gathered the students and ran them up the mountain behind their school. From that vantage point they could see the waves crash down on the village, swallowing up homes and buildings.

Altaua Lua Elementary was not damaged by the tsunami, but soon its numbers swelled by 100 students as they took in children from the neighboring village of Poloa. The tsunami devastated that village, leaving only a few buildings standing. Poloa’s school, Tapu Tapu Elementary bore the brunt of the tsunami’s wrath.

So when Poloa’s 100 students arrived at Altaua Lua Elementary, they came without their school supplies, which were washed away in the tsunami. To encourage the crowded elementary’s children, World Vision distributed 288 backpacks not just to the new students, but to all Altaua Lua Elementary’s students who came to the distribution. Onosai carefully chose a light blue backpack.

Moluti Eletise, Onosai’s mother, says, “Thank you for your help and thank you for these mea alofa (gifts of love). Words cannot express how thankful I am.”

For World Vision, providing the gift of backpacks and school supplies to children in need is a lasting investment in each child’s future. “We care that kids have what they need so that their education is not interrupted,” says National Program Director Lina Thompson.

Updates: November 9, 2009

WSU, Cougar Fans to Help Raise Funds for Tsunami-Ravaged American Samoa
  As American Samoa struggles to recover from the tsunami triggered September 29th by an 8.0 magnitude earthquake, generous community groups and schools in Washington State continue to raise funds for the island’s recovery. On Dec. 14 World Vision and WSU volunteers will join forces to collect donations from those attending the Cougar game in Pullman.
At least 150 people were killed in American Samoa, a U.S. territory in the South Pacific, and many villages were completely destroyed by waves that surged as high as 20 feet. World Vision is responding by providing emergency items for families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed. An estimated 250 homes are in ruin, and many more are damaged. Schools and churches also have been destroyed or damaged.
To meet the urgent needs of the children and families affected by this disaster, World Vision is partnering with mainland community groups, school districts, corporations, and others to provide the essentials needed for this response. As part of this effort, Washington State University’s Athletic Department generously welcomed World Vision to a “Fill the Helmet” fundraiser at Martin Stadium. Donations raised at the November 14 football game will help support World Vision’s work in American Samoa.

World Vision’s Response in American Samoa
World Vision is working in American Samoa to relieve suffering and provide hope for a community shattered by disaster. To accomplish this in the most efficient and effective ways, we work to first meet urgent needs, and then to assist children and families in long-term recovery. World Vision will continue serving those affected by the tsunami for six months.
Earlier this month World Vision shipped a container filled with emergency and recovery supplies from Tacoma to American Samoa. Currently we are providing essentials to Samoan organizations such as schools and nonprofit groups, which in turn ensure these items are received by those in greatest need.
We are providing basics including medical supplies for hospitals and clinics, personal care items, cleaning tools, schools supplies, and household items like pillows, sheets, towels, and washcloths. Cash gifts are used to ship these goods and, when possible, to purchase essentials in American Samoa to support the disrupted local economy and job force.
World Vision is coordinating its response in American Samoa with other disaster responders, such as FEMA and the umbrella group Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). Once the initial relief response phase of meeting immediate needs is completed, we will move into the recovery and rebuilding phase. Most Samoans do not have structure insurance, so school and house repairs and rebuilding will be especially challenging.
The needs of our American Samoan brothers and sisters are severe, and can be addressed most effectively when many sectors come together to contribute what they can to their recovery. Rebuilding is especially critical because the rainy season is just beginning in American Samoa and will last for months to come.

Updates: October 15, 2009

American Samoa: Response, Fund raising Opportunities Expand

The World Vision U.S. team that has been assessing needs in American Samoa is continuing to make contacts and organize opportunities to provide basic goods to those in greatest need. Latest developments in this response to the affects of the Sept.29 tsunami include the following:

• Product from the U.S. is arriving in American Samoa, and the first distribution took place Wednesday, Oct. 13. This distribution provided 288 backpacks filled with school supplies to children who were evacuated from their school. Personal hygiene items also have been added to the backpacks so that these essentials also reach children’s families. Additional distributions will be organized as product continues to arrive. Medical supplies, more school supplies, and essentials such as bedding, pillows, and personal care items are expected to arrive in the coming days and weeks.
• The team continues to work with VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) in anticipation of Red Crosses’ upcoming transition out of American Samoa. World Vision is committed to remain in American Samoa for six months to assist with the recovery and rebuilding phases of this disaster response.
• World Vision is joining other NGOs, FEMA, and local social agencies to ensure people of all ages and special needs receive the care they need.
• The team is exploring opportunities to purchase essential rebuilding materials on the island. This will assist recovery of the local economy, help restore jobs lost because of the disaster, and ensure that whenever possible funds are spent in American Samoa rather than on shipping costs.

The communications team on the ground also is gathering stories, photos, and video that reflect the heartbreak, heroism, and trauma in this disaster. Among the stories is this one:

Two weeks after the tsunami ravaged American Samoa, the level of trauma and fear among many people remains gripping and paralyzing. In the small village of Amanave, for example, a rocky and steep path leads straight up into the mountains, and in normal times is only used by the village boys who climb the mountain to get bananas. When the earthquake and then tsunami hit, the boys in the village took all the people from the village up this path. They guided everyone—men, women, elderly, and children—up this very dangerous path to safety. As of last Friday, people were still up on the mountain, afraid to come down because of what happened to their village and for fear of another tsunami.

The needs in American Samoa remain urgent. Your support can help ease the suffering, and provide essentials for families struggling to recover from this shattering disaster. DONATE

Updates: October 12, 2009

Saturday Morning’s Achievements

Watch a video from American Samoa.

On Saturday morning, more than 50 youth and youth leaders, most from Samoan communities in Seattle and Tacoma, met at the Storehouse to sort needed relief supplies to send to Samoa.

Paul Patu started things off with prayer and thanks: “What you are doing today is going to help thousands and thousands of families back in Samoa,” he told the youth. “People are homeless and living in tents. They need supplies. They need school supplies as well. Two of the schools were completely demolished as well. You guys are doing a great service. For those of us who have family back in Samoa, this is a way to give back.”

It took only two hours for the youth and youth leaders to sort, stack, and shrink wrap 24 palates of pharmaceutical supplies, school supplies, and personal care items for affected Samoans. Those pallets will fill the better part of a freight container.

Joseph Seia with Southwest Youth and Family Services says the kids needed to be here today. They had begged for a way to help. “The kids know that the products they’re sending—hygiene products and school supplies—these are things that people need every day. It makes easier for people back home. They’re here amongst peers. They feel like they’re part of a team. It’s a great thing for young people. I think it transforms them."

Cheering for Samoa at Husky Stadium

Dozens of enthusiastic volunteers, including youth from the Seattle YEP team, canvassed the grounds of Husky Stadium on Saturday night, led by Northwest football legend Manu Tuiasosopo and his wife, Tina. Bearing “Fill the Helmet” signs and carrying buckets, volunteers in bright orange were everywhere—inspiring Husky fans to donate generously.

For Reed Slattery, Saturday's event was a model of how World Vision needs to work in emergencies. “I think it just highlights the partnerships. I think we’re getting the youth involved. We’re getting local folks here involved. We’re collecting supplies. Collecting money. And then we’re also on the ground over there, really finding the need. Really trying to hammer down and see what we need to send over there so we’re not inundating them with supplies they don’t need.”

The night ended in a 36-33 win on the football field as the Huskies snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The efforts by World Vision and its partners will help American Samoa do the same.

Updates: October 9, 2009

American Samoa: Caring for the Most Vulnerable

American Samoan families whose homes were destroyed by the Sept. 29th tsunami face uncertain futures.

Many families are sleeping in unsafe houses that are exposed to the elements.

Meanwhile, rain arrived this week in American Samoa, marking the beginning of the annual rainy season that will continue for months. Families now face living in open and often unprotected houses in the rain until they can find other housing or rebuild.

The island’s schools also are grappling with reconstruction challenges. Because the island’s school system struggles to make ends meet, funds are not available for rebuilding.

These reconstruction issues are of concern to World Vision, and we are continuing to connect with local organizations and other relief groups to determine the best response to these and other needs.

“Nobody here is rich,” said Lina Thompson, WVUS’ national program director and a Samoan American who is on the scene of the disaster. “Everybody is kind of struggling. I’m concerned about the future—it will be a challenge for the schools to get the reconstruction materials they need.”

At least 150 people were killed, and many villages were completely destroyed by waves that surged as high as 20 feet.

World Vision is on the scene to determine needs and provide emergency items desperately needed by families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed. Currently, 250 homes have been destroyed, and many more are damaged. Many schools and churches also have been destroyed or damaged.

World Vision is providing essentials for urgent needs, such as medical supplies, personal care items, cleaning supplies, schools supplies, and basics like pillows, sheets, towels, and washcloths. We plan to remain in American Samoa for six months, following our ongoing relief response with recovery efforts.

This week’s relief efforts include:

• World Vision received 14 pallets of medical supplies donated by McKesson Corporation. Nurses from the Association of Samoan Nurses will be volunteering at our Seattle-Tacoma Storehouse to organize these medicines and take them to American Samoa as they respond to the disaster. American Samoan medical staff is requesting assistance in meeting needs among the island’s residents.
• 288 backpacks filled with school supplies have been expedited by air to the island to begin assisting children in returning to school with the tools they need to learn.
• In early November, a container filled with cleaning supplies, personal care items, school supplies, and other basic items will be shipped out of our Fife Storehouse. This will include bedding for homeless families. Through October 26, World Vision is collecting donations of sheets and pillows at World Vision’s Seattle-Tacoma Storehouse in Fife, and Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission (for more information on this donation opportunity, contact Reed Slattery,  253-926-5599 , ext. 2223).

World Vision is assessing its Storehouse products to determine what will be most useful in home reconstruction.

As the holiday season approaches, World Vision is prepositioning toys for distribution to affected Samoan children.

Updates: October 6, 2009

American Samoa Tsunami: Needs Vast as Team Begins Assessment

World Vision’s U.S. response team arrived Sunday night in Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, where the brunt of the tsunami hit. They will spend the next several days assessing urgent needs in the wake of the tsunami that devastated the South Pacific island.

“Over 80 percent of all buildings were destroyed in every community,” said Phyllis Freeman, U.S. disaster response director.

In preparation for the arrival of basic products that are en route, Phyllis and Lina Thompson are identifying churches and organizations that will help distribute goods to those in greatest need. Lina is WVUS’ national program director and a Samoan American.

Meanwhile, nonprofit MedShare is shipping medical supplies through a World Vision partnership with Cardinal Health Care. The supplies were shipped on Saturday, Oct. 3, to Pago Pago. World Vision provided the majority of this shipment’s supplies, which includes vitally needed medical items, such as sutures, oxygen tubing and masks, orthopedic supplies, and surgical supplies.

Lina said, “With the Samoan community here in the U.S. still in shock at what has happened, we’re grateful to be working with partners like MedShare and Cardinal Health and sending relief supplies so quickly.”

Even before Lina and Phyllis left Seattle, they had made contacts in American Samoa through Seattle’s sizable Samoan population, including local Samoan churches. Because American Samoa is largely Christian, with four to five churches in every community, connections with churches on the island are providing significant opportunities to reach those in greatest need. Many of these connections were made when pastors of Samoan churches in the Seattle area provided introductions to pastors in American Samoa.

A second WVUS team will arrive in American Samoa later this week to support Lina and Phyllis.

October 5, 2009

World Vision U.S. is working with the sizeable Samoan community in Seattle to coordinate its response to the massive 8.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami. Waves up to 20 feet struck the islands of Samoa and American Samoa on Tuesday, Sept. 28, killing at least 110 people. Leading the agency’s response is World Vision’s national program director and Samoan American Lina Thompson, who will be traveling to the islands this weekend.World Vision’s first assessment team flies out on Sunday, October 4. A second team will follow on October 15. Supporting the response effort is Seattle’s Samoan community.

Two days after the tsunami caused widespread destruction, more than 50 people—most of them Samoans—gathered at a Seattle church to learn about World Vision’s emergency relief plans. “The Samoan community here in the U.S. are in complete shock at what has happened,” said Thompson. “I myself have been unable to reach my aunts and cousins to check on their safety. At the same time, there’s already a groundswell of people, churches, and other groups wanting to do something to help.” Lina opened the meeting at Mount View Presbyterian Church in Seattle’s White Center neighborhood by explaining to community members that World Vision is eager to gather contacts in American Samoa that can help World Vision’s assessment team distribute relief supplies to those in greatest need.

According to Phyllis Freeman, World Vision’s National Director of Disaster Response, the first round of distributions from World Vision will include personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and school supplies for children. Phyllis stressed the need to get supplies in the hands of children in affected areas. “Stability for children in disasters is critical,” she said. “They have to have something to relate to pre-disaster.” She said that the school supplies could be used by children to color or journal. The backpacks could provide the children with something in which they could carry their belongings—something to call their own in the midst of the chaos. Those participating in Thursday’s meeting expressed their readiness to help in any way they can. Tiare Faletogo, 20, said, “There are probably 50 or 60 young people I can round up to help,” she said, adding that she and her friends want to create some white ribbons to sell to raise funds for the disaster victims.Pastor Washington Tolaga of Jubilee Christian Center exhorted everyone that it was time for Samoa to come together in Seattle. “Thank God for World Vision,” he said. Then he continued saying that World Vision was made stronger by support from the community. “What can we do to reach out to our people?” he asked. He finished by borrowing from John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what World Vision can do for you, but what you can do for World Vision.”

Former NFL quarterback Jack Thompson, known as the “Throwin’ Samoan,” also is calling on Americans to help through groups like World Vision. Thompson, also Lina’s brother, said, “I was just there this summer to help deliver medical supplies and encourage young athletes through a football clinic. Now with the immediate needs Samoans are facing, it’s important for us on the U.S. mainland to do whatever we can to show our support.” Lina and Phyllis will be among those deploying to the islands this weekend. “We’ll be moving quickly in the next few days to ensure we can deliver help effectively and efficiently,” Lina said.