Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers to help Samoans affected by Cyclone Gita

Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — Know how to swing a hammer and have a bit of free time? If so, Habitat for Humanity wants to hear from you.

The charity in Flat Bush, south Auckland, is recruiting volunteers to help repair homes in Samoa that were damaged by Tropical Cyclone Gita in February.

It plans to eventually send a team to carry out similar work in Tonga also, but is sending volunteers to Samoa first despite the islands being less affected by the storm than its Pacific neighbor.

Habitat's national campaigns manager Ben Ross says the charity wants to create two teams of up to 40 volunteers to travel to Samoa in July or August.

"We'll be building new homes, doing strengthening and repair work, and adding cyclone strapping to make existing homes more resistant to cyclones and storms."

Habitat is partnering with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) on its work in Samoa.

Volunteers will talk to locals to find out what they need, Ross says.

"We work with communities to address their needs so the next time they're prepared for it [a storm].

People interested in joining Habitat for Humanity's volunteer work in Samoa can phone 09 579 4111 or email [email protected].

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