Interesting times. New Zealand is now at Covid-19 Level 2 and schools opened for instruction last Monday. Ally and I woke early, hoping to get a call to go relieving. We have put our names in at several schools in the area. This is our new normal for the rest of the year.
Talua has been very much in our hearts since we left. Much has happened there. The centre closed for instruction not long after we got to NZ due to Covid-19 rules. Not too long after that, Tropical Cyclone Harold hit and passed directly over Talua. It had spent a day offshore, building up it's strength before moving across South Santo, North Malekula, Malo, Pentecost and other islands in the area. It was devastating and caused a great deal of damage. Talua itself received damage to as many as 40 buildings.
Over the days to follow we gave praise and thanks to God for keeping the students, staff and their families safe. We began to see the extent of the damage. Our house did remarkably well and is now the home for the Deputy Principal and his family since their roof came off.
Rebuilding of some of the "island kitchens" has already happened and the gardens are growing well. The remaining staff and students have been well looked after, having received some food aid. The buildings have been assessed and a figure put on the cost of repair. Help is needed with this and the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has launched an appeal for Vanuatu. Thanks to all who have responded with this.
Sadly, Talua has made the decision to close until May 2021 so that repairs and planning can be done. This means that our time there has come to an end... for now. We left a part of our hearts there and would dearly love to return sometime in the future, God willing.
Student accommodation with damaged roofs and windows
Ally's classroom narrowly avoided substantial damage
The Bursar's house lost it's veranda and most of it's roof
The B.Min classroom, where Brian taught, lost the roof ridge cap and the ceiling collapsed due to the water pouring in. The staff room is at the right end of this building, with the Principal's office in the middle.
There would have been great danger from flying sheets of Corrugated Iron
A brand new island "triplex" home in the background collapsed. The families sheltered in the more solid building in the background.
