Missionaries Clean Up after Cyclone Evan

Contributed By By Michelle Garrett, Church News staff writer

  • 15 January 2013

Missionaries serving in the Samoa Apia Mission help with the clean up after Cyclone Evan. 

Article Highlights

  • On December 15, local missionaries in Samoa began helping with the cleanup effort after a destructive storm hit the islands.
  • Cyclone Evan caused more than $400 million of damage to public and private property.
  • Joining with Mormon Helping Hands, missionaries are dismantling damaged buildings and removing trash and debris from properties.

“They’re all pretty tired, but they don’t complain. They are excited to go out and serve.” —Elder Curtis Duke

On December 15, Latter-day Saint missionaries on the Samoan island of Upolu went to work helping families of all faiths there recover from the destruction left by Cyclone Evan.

President Johnny Leota of the Samoa Apia Mission suspended a planned Christmas missionary conference in Apia and directed his 73 Upolu missionaries to remain in their assigned areas and help the people. 

Fourteen new missionaries arrived on Tuesday, December 18, and promptly exchanged their proselyting clothes for work clothes and yellow Mormon Helping Hands vests and went to work.

“They’re all pretty tired, but they don’t complain,” said Elder Curtis Duke, in reference to the new missionaries. “They are excited to go out and serve.”

The missionaries began in the Matautu area of Apia where the Vaisigolo River had overflowed its banks and washed mud, trees, and trash into homes and yards already lashed by high winds, heavy rains, and falling trees.

The Samoa Observer reported that local concerns include shortages of food, clothing, and building supplies, as well as the threat of disease.

The cost of Cyclone Evan’s visit is estimated by the chairman of the Samoan Disaster Advisory Committee to be $200 million for private property, homes, and businesses and another $200 million for the repair of public assets and infrastructure.

Much of Samoa still remains without electricity, and government buildings and schools have been damaged. 

The missionaries have helped by dismantling now unstable sections of households, removing debris and trash from properties, removing fallen trees, and doing whatever else they saw necessary.

“I work so hard and feel the Lord’s care,” said Sister Sitoga Taula, one of the new missionaries. “I feel no pain, only good and energetic.” 

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