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 Some forty men from the Pesega 5th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gathered at Saleapaga, Lepa, on Saturday 23 January 2010 to build a home for the family of Fa’atoia Vi’iga.
Having lost everything including one of their children during the tsunami of 29 September 2009, the Vi’iga family was in desperate need for a home.
They are one of the 40 families the LDS Church is providing and building a house for.
The day started early for this group of Elders and High Priests who met at 4am to begin their journey from Pesega to Saleapaga.
They divided into crews that were supervised by more seasoned professionals and quickly settled down to serious work.
Tirelessly working throughout the day with just a short break for lunch, they leveled the floor, set posts, mixed and poured cement, and installed the metal
roof.
They also started on the toilet and shower block, but it was left half completed because the materials ran out, so this needs to be finished.
A job that would normally take a week or more to finish, was completed in just one day by the enthusiastic group of volunteers which included many retirees.
Of the forty homes being built by the LDS Church in the tsunami damaged area, thirty are either completed or in the process, with ten more to go.
Many of the homes will be constructed with donated labor from members of the Church from the various Wards and Stakes throughout Samoa, such as this enthusiastic group of men.
Despite aching bones and exhausted bodies from their day-long project of love, the group felt blessed they had been presented with the opportunity to give something of themselves.
Asked if they would do it again, the answer from many of them – without hesitation - was a sounding “yes.”
Others who could not go because of other commitments, are also very keen to go saying they don’t want to miss out on the blessing of helping those in need.
The Vi’iga family expressed their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Church and the 40-strong group of priesthood holders for giving them a new home.
The family was expected to move into their new home by Monday 25 January 2010. Back
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