By Belinda Nolan
THE Brimbank Community has rushed to the aid of the Samoan people, devastated by the recent South Pacific tsunami.
Donations of food, clothing and other relief items have flooded in from a community still reeling from the disaster that has touched so many of its own.
In Sunshine North, students from Glengala Primary School were struggling to make sense of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of many friends and destroyed a sister school in the coastal village of Saleapaga.
The school, which has a large number of Samoan students, is spearheading the relief effort in Brimbank.
Within days of the disaster, the school had raised more than $20,000 for victims of the tragedy, from community organisations including Rotary and the Lions Club, as well as private donations. The money has helped to fund a humanitarian container, which will be sent to Samoa this week.
Another container is also planned to be shipped to the stricken island in the coming weeks.
Principal Frank Dri said the response from the community had been overwhelming.
“We’ve had a brilliant response from our Samoan community, as well as parents and teachers and community organisations,” Mr Dri said.
“We’ve had bring a can day and have been able to well and truly start to have the container filled so we can get it sent over to where it can start helping people.”
Mr Dri said there were few who remained unscathed by the tragedy.
“We have a very strong Pacific Island community at the school, so many of the students have family over in Samoa. It’s absolutely devastating.”
The school is still accepting donations of money and goods to fill the container.
Anyone wishing to donate can contact Mr Dri on 9311 7810.
