Otara students to build homes in Fiji
Three students from Manukau Institute of Technology are headed to Fiji to help build shelters. Many families are still homeless after Cyclone Winston that hit is February 2016.
The Otara residents, Ineleo Tefono, a carpentry student, Bridgit-Lee Morgan, a hospitality student, and Samson Tuituu, an automotive trainee will spend two weeks in Fiji’s Nadi region building two transitional shelters.
They are part of a group of 16 trainees from the Maori and Pasifika Trades Training: Auckland which has partnered with Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation that works in partnership to facilitate housing and rebuild communities.
From the tiny island of Tokelau, 26-year-old Ineleo Tefono has been studying carpentry at MIT for the last year. He began building with his father and six years into the trade he is ‘‘excited to represent Tokelau’’.
‘‘It’s a good opportunity for me to work with people from other trades and learn new skills so I can pass on my knowledge and encourage our Pacific people into really good jobs.’’
Hospitality student, 23-year-old Bridget-Lee Morgan will be going as a labourer.
She learnt how to build from her father, but will also be taking her ‘‘first aid knowledge’’.
‘‘I’m a big promoter of health, safety and cleanliness. So I’m going to busy.’’