11:34 AM |
9 November 2009
LANU'S TSUNAMI STORY: "I WILL NOT LEAVE, NOR TURN BACK FROM YOU."
Source: eventpolynesia.com
Afuafu is the senior lady and matriarch of Chief Tuilaepa Fua'ava's family clan at Manono Island. She has never been married in her life and thus her Chief Tuilaepa and clan has the responsibility of caring for her, especially that Afuafu is now crippled in her senior years of life.
Lanu is married into Chief Tuilaepa Fua'ava's family and has become quite attached to Afuafu. She calls her, 'matriach and mother' and Afuafu calls Lanu, her 'daughter'. Furthermore, Lanu has become one of Afuafu's primary caregivers.
As the tsunami hit Manono Island, Lanu was already on higher ground with other family members when she realised that Afuafu was still at the maota (chief's house) at the beachfront.
Lanu did not think twice of the consequences and the risks she faces instead ran towards the rising sea to save her 'matriarch and mother'. Lanu got to Afuafu and single-handedly lifted her onto the wheelchair and started their run for life towards higher ground.
The waves were around her knees now, but Lanu would not give up, nor turn her back on Afuafu leaving her to the mercy of the sea. She was determined to save her 'matriarch and 'mother', as well as saving herself for the love of her husband and to live to see her young children grow up.
The story of Afuafu Tuilaepa (matriarch and 'mother') and Lanu Tuilaepa ('daughter in law') reminds me of another story from the ancient world about a mother and daughter in law and their commitment to each other. Their names are Naomi and Ruth.
'I will not leave you, nor turn back from you ....' What commitment!
On my return to Auckland, New Zealand I rang Manono Island to see how Afuafu, Lanu and the Tuilaepa clan are doing. Lanu reminded me that Afuafu needs a wheelchair. Her old wheelchair was damaged during their big race with the tsunami waves.
I'm confirmed with other TS09 volunteers to travel to Samoa on the first week of December to help Manu Samoa legend Papaliitele Peter 'Fats' Fatialofa, the Samoa Santa, to deliver presents for the tsunami affected children which will include Manono island on Tuesday 1st December. I promised Lanu that we will bring a wheelchair for her 'mother' and 'matriarch', Afuafu.
This is the second wheelchair that Tsunami Samoa 09 Funds Appeal have purchased, donated and freighted to Manono Island for the disabled and elderly residents on the island, since the tsunami.
We together with Afuafu and Lanu (Naomi and Ruth of Manono Island) wish to say thank you very much to all our donors, friends, families, contributors, partners and readers of TS09 for your ongoing support and donations which have made these assistance and help possible.
To view TS09 reports and photos, click link: http://eventpolynesia.com/tsunami09.htm
CHRISTMAS APPEAL UPDATE:
We wish to thank all those who donated toys, clothes, shoes, school stationery, and money towards the Christmas in Samoa appeal, presents for children in the affected villages by the tsunami. The 40ft container provided and to be shipped for free to Samoa by Auckland based freight company Agility Logistics is currently being loaded with children's presents.
Our aim is to deliver 2,500 personalised presents for children under 10 years. We also hope to deliver sports equipments to cater for another 2,500 older children.
Perhaps there is another Good Samaritan out there who may wish to donate towards the Christmas in Samoa collection. Here is how you can be part of this special appeal – for the children. You can make a donation to the Christmas in Samoa account.
ACCOUNT NAME: Tsunami Samoa 09 Funds
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 01-1837-0026899-02
BANK AND BRANCH: ANZ Sylvia Park Branch
SWIFT CODE/NUMBER: ANZBNZ22
For toys, school stationery gift donations and collection, please contact Niusila Opa on (027) 3447685. For interested sponsors, please call Jenkins Tesese on (027) 7138332. For donors and volunteers wishing to join TS09 in Samoa to deliver the presents, please contact Sooalo Setu Mua (021) 104-1274.
http://www.eset.com
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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
----------------------------------------
The pima.nius googlegroup is a facility for discussion and distributing information. Content sent by this googlegroup are forwarded from various networks and media publications.
DISCLAIMER: These emails are unedited and discussions made through this googlegroup are unmoderated. Announcements made through this googlegroup do not constitute endorsement for the organisations, individuals or opinions featured. Please check the integrity of organisations and individuals before exchanging personal information with them.
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