Salvation Army appeals for funds for children's school supplies [1]
Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - 19:00. Updated on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - 22:00.
Lepeka Sitaleki and her family return to their shattered home at Koulo, after Cyclone Ian hit Ha‘apai, Photo by Pesi Fonua, 13 January 2014.
The Salvation Army has launched an appeal for funds to meet the educational needs of children in Tonga affected by Cyclone Ian, one of the most powerful storms on record.
The Salvation Army’s Regional Commander in Tonga, Captain Sila Siufanga, in a statement on its website, said they were talking to the Tonga government authorities and other NGOs about how The Salvation Army can help with relief efforts.
“With children about to head back to school, The Salvation Army will initially focus its support on ensuring that children in the most affected areas are well equipped to return to school, by replacing school uniforms, stationery and supplies lost in the cyclone. The logistics for the delivery of these items will be managed from our main office in the capital of Nuku’alofa.”
Captain Siufanga said, “It is clear that an immediate need for students in the first few weeks is their education. This is an area where The Salvation Army can be most helpful. We welcome donations that will help us to buy and deliver supplies to make the start to the new school year less traumatic for children whose lives have been turned upside down by Cyclone Ian.”
The Salvation Army has been at work in Tonga for 27 years, delivering a range of social and health programmes as well as having six church congregations.
At the moment the Salvation Army is only accepting monetary donations, which will be used to purchase school supplies, to replace school uniforms, stationery and supplies lost in the cyclone.
Donations can be made at salvationarmy.org.nz/HelpTonga [2]