AUCKLAND The swift and generous outpouring of New Zealand love and aid to tsunami-ravaged Samoa has included Catholic personnel from both countries. In some shape or form, every person, church and community has been affected either physically or emotionally, says retired banker and expatriate New Zealand Catholic layman Nigel Burr of Vaiala, near Apia.

In all cases, religion does not enter the picture, as they all want to help their families and friends. Counselling for the victims is being done continually. Samoans are resilient people who adapt very well to adversity. They also have great faith, which helps them in time of need.

On September 29, a large tsunami devastated parts of Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa after an 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck shortly before 7am. More than 190 people were killed in the three countries.

Writing on October 5, Peter Bendinelli, who heads the newly-formed Caritas Samoa and the Apia-based St Vincent de Paul, wrote:

When we go to Lalomanu, on the south coast, there is a stench telling us that there must be some bodies there not yet found. How difficult it must be for relatives of those still missing.

The archdiocese of Samoa has set up a relief centre at the Shrine of the Three Hearts, the seat of the archbishop, Mr Bendinelli wrote.

The public has been asked to donate goods, which Caritas Samoa then transports to the disaster area where they are handed out to the needy, regardless of religion.

The vicar general has instructed the priests, sisters and brothers to go into the area to counsel the suffering, Mr Bendinelli wrote. There are many who are in need of it.

He said special efforts were being made to ensure the childrens schooling would not be greatly affected.

Responding to the tragedy, a group of religious sisters from Auckland took it upon themselves to do more than just send donations or supplies.

Soon after the tsunami struck, Srs Pafuti Crichton, Marietta Parsons, Alice Hardiman, Selina Tuilaga, Etevise Ioani and postulant Kirsten Sloan from the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary were on the plane to Samoa, as nurses, counsellors and other relief workers.

Struggling with the added difficulties of an erratic email service, Sr Marietta, a Kiwi and former director of Samoan Catholic education, wrote:

The workers here are marvellous; the nurses working long hours are very kind and gentle and the workers out in the field are working through the rubble.

As one of our sisters said, we may have lost nearly everything but we Samoans have not lost our faith in God. He is our hope.