A decent place to eat for Tony
A decent place to eat for Tony
Tony Lavea has been a recipient in the Foundation welfare programme in Samoa for several years. An infected plantar foot ulcer resulted in Tony having his left leg amputated several years ago. Until that time, Tony had hidden the fact that he had had leprosy from his extended family, however they found out that the amputation was a result of having had leprosy, and Tony and his family were made to move out of the main house to an old shack at the end of the village. He has been stigmatized by his extended family ever since.
A compassionate nurse in the Leprosy Clinic, RN Serafi Mulumulu, contacted the Foundation office in Apia and asked us to visit Tony. When Peter Bendinelli, our representative in Apia, first saw where Tony was living, he was shocked. Tony, his wife and 4 children were living in a termite-infested, dilapidated old fale with no power and no water. Thanks to your help, the Foundation was able to build a new fale for the family, including electricity and running water. Over the years, the Foundation has continued to make improvements to the shelter and land.
Most Samoans do not eat in their houses. They have a separate fale for eating. As Tony’s “eating room” was nearly collapsing from rotten timber, he asked if we could help build a simple fale where the family could share meals together. Of course, we agreed and the “eating room” was recently completed.
Even with his disabilities, Tony tries to work the land to raise food for his family. Your generosity has helped to keep his children in school, by covering their school expenses – fees, stationery and uniform - in addition to giving Tony a small monthly allowance to help with household bills.
Tony understands that what the Foundation has done for him was made possible by donations from caring people in New Zealand and he very much appreciates your help and always prays for you in his family’s evening prayers.
