Tonga disaster assistance

Hi! My name is Shelley Lobell. One of Bayhill High School’'s teachers Mele Satini, science teacher extraordinaire, has been deeply affected by the January 16th volcanic eruption and tsunami in her home country, Tonga.

Mele and her husband, Halisi, have a home in Tongatapu, the largest island. As seen through aerial pictures, the recent volcano and subsequent tsunami caused extensive damage to their island. Mele and Halisi have supported the elementary school across the street by providing books, materials and supplies. Your donation will support both of these structures in rebuilding,

As many of you know, Mele's home and husband are in Tonga, on the main island of Tongatapu, where she travels at every opportunity. Mele and Halisi are celebrating their 12th anniversary. Due to covid, Mele has not been home in three years. In anticipation of Tonga opening their borders, Mele flew to Fiji for a flight to Tonga originally scheduled for January 16, 2022. Now she is in Fiji, with no communication with her husband or country.

Minutes before the tsunami hit Tonga, Mrs. Satini was on the phone with her husband as he sent her pictures of the volcanic rocks that were raining down right outside their door. It has been more than four (4) days since Mrs. Satini has heard from her husband. Although their humble home is 20 to 30 minutes from the capital city of Nuku’alofa and hopefully was not damaged or destroyed by the tsunami, we know that the ash-covered country of Tonga has a lot of work to do in rebuilding and cleaning the debris, meeting the immediate need for fresh, clean water and repair of the telephone and internet connections.

Any help you may provide will assist with rebuilding the water system of their home and the elementary school, and send the immediate necessity of freshwater to Mrs. Satini’s home, where her thoughts, prayers, and love reside.

Little known facts: Tonga is the first country in this world to welcome each day as it sits on the Dateline. It is the only Polynesian island in the South Pacific with a constitutional monarch comprised of more than 170 islands, many of which remain uninhabited. The main islands of Tonga include Ha’apai, Vava’u, ‘Eua, Niuafo’ou, Niuatoputapu, and Tongatapu. Tongatapu is the main island that was greatly affected by the tsunami that rocked the world on Saturday, January 15, 2022.