North coast residents are pitching in with help for Fijians who are still without basic services and homes following Cyclone Winston.
The cyclone hit Fiji in February, wiping out entire villages and claiming at least forty lives.
It has been described as the most powerful storm to make landfall in the southern hemisphere.
More help needed
NGO Sea Mercy says that while bigger townships are being assisted by government and international aid, there are other smaller islands that have been left without much help.
Along with Sea Mercy, former owners of Mullumbimby’s Old Mill Timber Yard, Ian and Wendy James, are also helping out as project managers to help the people from the small island of Makogai.
They headed over there last Thursday, but told The Echo that more help is needed. Ian says, ‘Teams of four to eight are required from July to December – the aim is to rebuild the school. If we get that done, we can move onto other projects.’
He says that a local builder and his wife will also be coming over.
‘We are looking for people with experience in building, labouring and cooking.’
He says all you need is to pay your flight and there is plenty of food and new tents.
‘It’s fairly casual, so there’s time to stroll the beach and fish,’ he says.
‘You will be met at the airport and then ferried to the island,’ Ian said.
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