Rebuilding After Cyclone Pam, Part 2

This is part 2 as promised.  Saturday morning, one hour after Elder Leben had left for Tanna, Gary flew on this plane.  The plane made one stop on the island of Eramongo and they reunited on Tanna Island about 11:00 AM.  It was an adventure.  In the five days on Tanna Island, Gary and Matthias were able to make an assessment of the needs on Tanna and to develop a plan to begin the rebuilding.  They felt as though they had heaven's help all the way as things began to fall in place.

A view from inside

The plane made one stop, landing on a grass runway on Eramango island

Take off and on to Tanna island

Matthias and Gary with local branch president on Tanna island

One of the homes that needs some serious repair after the cyclone.   Many people did the best they could to find pieces of their former homes to "cobble" them back together to make a shelter to keep the family particially dry.

Gas/Petrol Station on Tanna, no credit cards accepted.

Filling the truck at the gas station 

Going to Church - a hour and a half ride

Mother and child on the way to church Sunday morning

You need good balance to attend this church meeting

Elder Leben at Green Point church meeting, Tanna Island.  This is the sacrament table.

Sunday morning church meeting at Green Point  

Releif Society President, Green Point 

Elders Winters and Leben with local branch leadership

Gary and Matthias with leaders at a government meeting

Diagram of the village structure at White Grass, Tanna Island

Reviewing a partially built home

Branch president at his place of business (Butcher Shop)

Building a cyclone shelter from local materials

Temporary school building donated by UNICEF 

Meeting with local leaders to discuss rebuilding plans

A locally built cyclone shelter at Saet Siui, Tanna Island

At CARE International reviewing tool kits to help people rebuild their homes on Tanna.

Meeting with the director of the Rural Traning Center on Tanna Island.  This organization teaches skills to rebuild homes.

Meeting with Middle Bush leaders on Tanna Island

This mother was asking for a wheelchair for her 6 year old daughter.  Elder Leben,  a pediatrician was able to look at her leg and determine that she had a bone infection and needed to go to the hospital and have her leg treated.  Once treatment was received, she wouldn't need a wheelchair.

Homes on Tanna that need a few repairs

"Keep going, and the Lord will help you." D Todd Christofferson, Brethren, We Have Work to Do" October General Conference 2012