As we approached the river entrance a small open boat pulled out of the river. We flagged it down and asked if they needed any medical aid. They indicated that they did, and we asked if the chief was at the village. It turned out he was the guy manning the outboard. He said he would go in and let the people know, and that he gave his blessing for us to visit the village.
We took our dingy up the river dodging upturned logs and large rocks. The waves surfing us in just added to the excitement. When we arrived we were greeted by a group of smiling faces. We were given a tour of the village and learned that all their homes had blown away, that they had hidden in the two concrete structures, and that when their houses blew away everything that they owned went with their homes. Not once though did they ask for anything.
All their crops had been destroyed, and I asked when they had last received food, they said about 40 days ago and that it was all gone. They were just eating roots, and the island cabbage that they planted after the cyclone was just getting big enough to eat. So we off loaded about 1000lbs of rice we had brought from American Samoa and about 400lbs of split peas one of the other boats (Salsa) had brought from Fiji. And of course peanut butter, corned beef, crackers, fishing line and hooks.
Everyone in the village helped carry it up the hill even the old ladies with one bag of rice on their head, and a bag of split peas under one arm. The people worked very well together.
This was one of the strongest communities that we have met. Most of their houses had been put back together enough to shelter them from the rain, and the people were strong and healthy.
Courage
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