Three months after Cyclone Gita devastated Tonga, work has begun to rebuild classrooms at Beulah Adventist College.
A team of nine volunteers from the United States arrived on May 12 to conduct the construction work. Beulah alumni from the US have sponsored the team, while Tongan alumni, parents, church members, teachers and students are taking turns to supply meals to the volunteers during their three-week visit.
The construction work has also been boosted by donations from Littleton Adventist Church and their local community in Denver, Colorado, US.
“The volunteers are working very hard, together with the locals and the TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) students to speed up the work,” said Felisa Ma’u, head of the English Department at Beulah.
“Beulah College is the first school in Tonga to start rebuilding [after] the damage from Cyclone Gita. Praise the Lord!”
A “mini-opening” of the rebuilt classrooms is being planned for May 29. In the meantime, classes continue to be held in tents.
Trans Pacific Union Mission associate education director Mele Vaihola has expressed her thanks to the various local and international groups who are getting behind the project.
“On behalf of the Union education department, we would like to thank the Littleton Adventist Church, Denver community and the US Beulah College alumni for their sacrifice in order to assist and support the school with the rebuilding of the classrooms in order for the school to resume back to its normal program,” she said.
“We thank also the staff and students for your perseverance; our prayers have been answered. To the church community and Tonga alumni, thank you for your support. Adventist education is all about total member involvement.”
