Family vows to rebuild

Mark  September 29, 2010 on your calendar. That’s the day when Taufua Beach Fales, completely ravaged by last Tuesday’s deadly tsunami, will be reopened.
This is the promise made by the family a week after the devastation which killed nearly 140 people.

“Our father was a loving man who wanted to make sure all his children lived happily,” his son, Reverend Matu’u Taufua told the Samoa Observer.

Yesterday, Rev Matu’u and his brother, Fuimaono Talia Taufua reflected on what once was on the cement base of their resort.

About 100 yards away, they pointed to where their father is buried.
“This is where his heart is and this is why we will never leave this place,” Fuimaono said. He told of how they dug up their mother and re-buried her next to their father.

“Our parents are here and this is why we will never leave. This is where we grew up. Once upon a time, I was running along that beach naked, catching fish while at it. This place has far too much sentimental meaning for us that we will never leave.

“I know what has happened is devastating but it shouldn’t stop us from rebuilding. We’re keen as ever to start.”

The Taufua Beach Resort is a family business run by their younger siblings, Fa’afetai and Edmond Taufua. It was the most popular spot at Lalomanu.

“That place took blood, sweat and tears to build,” said Rev Matu’u. “Looking at it now, it breaks my heart. We are deeply saddened.”

But their faith in God has kept the family strong.
“No one understands the mind of God and why these things happen,” said the Reverend.

“All I know is that we cannot do anything about what has happened and we have to move on.

“We’ve buried all but two more family members, we’ve already started building a house up on the mountain and life for us is moving along.

“A lot of people have told us to abandon this place, but how can we? This is our inheritance from God. This is our land.”
Rev Matuu and Fuimaono have 16 other siblings.

“And we are all keen to rebuild,” Fuimaono said.
“We want to rebuild for the memory of all our family members who died here. The opening will commemorate the one year anniversary of this national disaster.”

Guests who stayed at the fales before have contacted the owners asking if they could help in any way, Fuimaono said.
“And we are extremely grateful for their support,” he said.

“We also extend a heartfelt thank you to the Head of State, the Prime Minister, members of Cabinet, church leaders and everyone who has offered a helping hand. Your generosity has helped us tremendously and we only pray for God’s blessings upon you.”
But the brothers challenge the people of Aleipata, especially Lalomanu, not to give up.

“The character of a person is not determined by the way he falls, it’s whether he can get back up. And that’s something we know our people are capable of. We shouldn’t be discouraged, we should just continue.”

Easier said than done, however.
At Satitoa, rows of families have moved inland, some to places as far as the foot of the mountain, to avoid being struck again. At Saleaumua and Lepa, it’s the same.
“I don’t ever want to experience that again (tsunami),” Moana Faau, 47, of Satitoa told the Samoa Observer.   

The father of four, whose house was completely cleaned, is living with his children in a tent as they await building materials for a new house.

“I don’t think I can live near the sea again,” he said.
Further up from Mr Faau, Kimble Tauinaola and several other families live in a village of tents. Some use coconut leaves to build a fale.

“I love my children and there are seven of them,” he said. “I don’t want to go near the water again because I fear for their lives.”
But moving inland presents its own challenges. The biggest ones being water and sanitation, Mr Tauinaola said.

“Between four tents, we have five families and over 20 children,” he said.
“The toilet is a hole we’ve dug at the back.”

It hasn’t rained since last Tuesday and Mr Tauinaola said that’s a blessing.
“Can you imagine what it would be like if it rains?” he said.
The rain, however, will be welcomed, said Filiga Mose.

“The last water supply we had from the water truck was on Saturday,” he said. “I supposed yesterday was Sunday but it’s nearly 1pm and we still don’t have water.
“Our children are thirsty and we don’t know what to do.”

There are not enough tarpaulins and rebuilding homes is a tough job.
“We’re getting a lot of food but water is the biggest problem,” Mr Mose said. “We also want materials to start building houses. Anything like timbers, tools and bush knives, we appreciate. There is a lot of clothes and food, but we’d appreciate some tools.”

So what’s it like living in a tent after your house is wiped?
Solo Seleni said to imagine being at camp with just a tent.

“We’re at the mercy of mosquitoes at night and flies during the day,” she said. “It doesn’t help because there are so many people around and there’s a lot of human waste.

“What we dearly need is good drinking water. The water we’ve been getting is water that’s being pumped from everywhere and it’s not good to drink.”

Yesterday afternoon though, Ms Seleni’s prayer and that of her neighbours was answered when a truck from The Pacific Water Company turned up unannounced.

Company representatives handed boxes of premium bottled water to Satitoa villagers.Beverly Barlow and Shirley Meki said it was their third trip and they plan to take more.

On each trip, the truck takes some 400 boxes. The company is committed to supply 400 boxes every two days, which is two container loads.

“We wanted to get to people who really needed our help,” Mrs Barlow said. “And we figured these people need water the most since the only water they’re getting is the water being pumped from elsewhere. This is our water that is exported and we’re happy to be of help.”

On previous trips, Mrs Barlow said they took water, food, bedding materials, household goods and kerosene., courtesy of guests at Aggie Grey's Hotel, Aggie Grey's Resort, Samoa Scenic Tours and Apia Bottling.   Their team of Viliamu Auelua, Leia Hanipale and Tavita Natano were greeted like Santa Claus.
"Water has never tasted so good," said a young boy. "Thank you."

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