Dear all Firstly apologies for the group email / Facebook post. We have had so many emails,. Thank you all so much for your shows of love and support. We are in transit at the moment and have lost all of our computers so writing to everyone individually is not possible right now. As many of you know, our beloved Matafonua Lodge was destroyed on January 11th by Cyclone Ian, a category 5 cyclone that passed directly over the top of us. We are all safe and well but have lost everything. The resort and pretty much its entire contents are gone along with all of our clothes, kids clothes, toys and personal items. We are now in New Zealand and planning to go back soon. The entire island was affected by the Cyclone, and the latest reports say that 90% of the buildings in Ha’apai have been destroyed. Many people are homeless and while, at the moment, there is aid, people forget very quickly and we know that it will soon dry up. One of the worst affected areas was our local village of Faleloa, which has literally been decimated. The fears now are for people’s health and safety, as food and clean water supplies start to diminish. There are no crops and coconuts, which is what the villagers rely on for food and drink. We are planning to return to the island and rebuild. We are just waiting for power to be restored, which will probably be another month to 6 weeks away. In the meantime, we are appealing to those who have visited or had planned to visit for help. We have received many offers of help and emails asking what people can do, so we have put together some ideas. Appeal to help our staff As we said the local village of Faleloa has been the worst hit. We cannot help the whole village so have decided to raise funds for our staff and their families. Half of our staff lost their entire homes; literally nothing is left. Even through all of that, they all turned up for work the next day willing and ready to help us with our clean up. Not only have they lost all that they own, but with the destruction of Matafonua, they have now also lost their income. We are doing everything we can but in the wake of our own loses, it is difficult. A Facebook page has been created with details of how to donate. 100% of the money donated will be going towards helping our staff to rebuild their homes, replace their belongings and feed their families. Here is the link In addition, many people have offered clothing, bedding, toys, school supplies, etc. At some point, once there is infrastructure to support it, we will be sending over donations of goods too. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for details. Help for Matafonua Matafonua has been flattened. The only things left standing are the walls of the main building, half of the shed wall and the bathroom walls. There are no fales, no roofs and the building are just empty shells with all contents smashed and destroyed by wind and water. We are going to rebuild and are looking for help in any form. - Labor on the island is in short supply. We can get general workers but no skilled labor. We need skilled builders, electricians, plumbers and anyone who can build and would like to come over for however long you like. We will provide food and basic accommodation (accommodation will improve further into the rebuild!). It won’t be just all work. There will be an opportunity to dive, snorkel, swim and fish while you’re there. Also, as a thank you, we will give you credit to use at the resort in the future for a holiday. We’d love to host you during whale swimming season. - If you cannot donate time, there is an option to donate money for the rebuild. We would match any donations, dollar for dollar, with an equal amount of accommodation at Matafonua, once it is rebuilt. We’re hoping this is a way that people can help with the rebuild, and be thanked with a holiday in the new Matafonua. Although this has been a huge upheaval, we are looking forward to a future at Matafonua. Thank you all again for your thoughts. It means so much.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 08:55:53 +0000
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