As many Nurrunga readers will know, on 15 January 2022, a volcano erupted in Tonga about 60km north of the main island of Tongatapu. The eruption caused a tsunami that wiped out most parts of the west side of the main island, plus some of the more remote surrounding islands. This left many families without food, clothing, shelter and other basic necessities.
Many Tongan residents and families are still without basic household goods, and are in desperate need. Whilst many world aid organisations, including aid from Australia, have assisted, they have also unfortunately brought COVID-19 positive cases to Tonga for the first time. This has resulted in a lockdown which has hampered many of the aid efforts.
What Can I Do to Help?
As part of the humanitarian efforts, Youth in Union, an Australian registered non-for profit organisation, are seeking your support. We are currently raising funds and requesting items for a shipping container to go directly to Tonga, to help those who have lost everything in the tsunami.
We appeal to the Waverley College and wider community to donate wrapped household items labelled with their item name, to assist with this very important charity.
What Wrapped and Labelled Items Can I Donate?
By Monday, 28 February, we request these items to be brought in by each Year group. Please leave these wrapped and labelled items at the Senior School Reception.
You are also very welcome to donate any of the items listed below, regardless of your son’s Year group. Please feel free to help where you can. We thank you in advance for your generosity.
YEAR 5 – Toys/books, coloured pencils and crayons
YEAR 6 – School backpacks, healthy snacks
YEAR 7 – Wipes, water bottles (refillable), canned food
YEAR 8 – Sleeping bags, canned food
YEAR 9 – Clothing of all types (boys and girls), water bottles (refillable), towels
YEAR 10 – Shoes and slippers of all sizes, wipes, towels
YEAR 11 – Toothpaste and toothbrushes, sports equipment, towels
YEAR 12 – Sanitary products for girls and women, clothing of all types (men and women), towels
Welcome Home Joseph Tangi
Waverley College student Joseph Tangi (Year 10) was actually in Tonga at the time of the eruption, and was on the phone to his parents when his phone suddenly cut out. Obviously this was a very distressing time, but thankfully Joseph is now safely in Sydney, and attending classes this week.
How Else Can I Help?
- Buy a Raffle Ticket for a Chance to win a Signed and Framed Crusaders Jersey!
We will also be raising funds through a wonderful raffle prize of a signed and framed Christchurch Crusaders jersey. The Christchurch Crusaders were the New Zealand Super Rugby premiers in 2021, and one of the most successful provincial Rugby teams in history.
Waverley College has a strong history with many Tongan families previously or currently attending the school.
>>> Click here to buy a raffle ticket to help people in Tonga.
You could win a signed and framed Crusaders jersey!
- Make a donation to the GoFundMe page.
>>> Click here to donate to the GoFundMe Tonga Tsunami Emergency Fundraiser.
We also want to say a huge thank you to Mr Eddie Ahololei, Mr Darran Rawson and Mr Lachlan McAffrey, for their inspiration and support with this vital initiative.
Mr Stephen O’Donnell – Director of Co-curricular
E: sodonnell@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Ms Sue Walsh – Director of Identity & Student Formation
E: swalsh@waverley.nsw.edu.au
