Shawn and Emily Delasko returned to Emily’s homeland of Samoa this past August, spending three weeks with family and friends.
Just a few weeks after their visit, much of her homeland, including her village of Saleapaga, was destroyed in a Sept. 29 tsunami.
“Villages were hit really hard ? it’s pretty horrific,” said Joyce Delasko of Ortonville, Shawn’s mother. “They need fresh water, clothes, food, everything.”
Shawn grew up in Clarkston and now lives with Emily in Holland, Mich. He met his future wife while serving in the Peace Corps from 2002-2004.
Many members of Emily’s family lived close to the water and their homes were destroyed in the earthquake-driven wave. Most escaped injury because they were at work or school. An uncle is still missing.
“They thought the whole family was gone because they sleep on the beach,” Joyce said. “Emily’s brother (Benny Vaaiga) was building his first house ever ? it probably saved his life. He was on the roof when the water started pulling away from shore. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He grabbed his family and ran up the mountain.”
The Delaskos set up a website, www.samoarelief.webs.com, to raise awareness and help the people of Samoa recover from the disaster.
“People have no homes, no possessions, no fresh water,” Joyce said.
“Though the spirit of the Samoan people is strong and unshaken, and their will to rise above this calamity indomitable, they will still have to rely on the goodness and kindness of human nature,” said Joanne Sikarskie, Shawn’s aunt and godmother. “They will have to reach out to others, to those people on some far distant shores to come to their rescue in this hour of need.”