Kellye is also collecting donations to help people she knows personally whose lives have been impacted by recent events. Her fundraising goal is $6,000.00. This is a personal effort and is not affiliated with Peace Corps Samoa. She says she guarantee that 100% of your donation will go directly towards the purchase and transport of goods. "Long-term needs still need to be assessed, and how donated funds will be spent may change over the upcoming weeks and months. My current goals are:$3000 –Supplies towards rebuilding and/or furnishing a home for Filia's family in Saleapaga; $1500 – Supplies and materials to help the Saleapaga Primary School; $1500 – Supplies towards rebuilding the lives and homes of people in the village of Poutasi," McKenzie said.
Peace Corps assistant country director Kellye McKenzie was on Samoa the day the earthquake and tsunami hit and now she's trying to help those who have lost everything
Local Woman Helps in Samoa Tsunami Relief Effort
10/06/09 12:02 am | r
eporter: Natalie Caula producer: Brian Heins
Caption: The scene of devastation in Pago Pago village, on American Samoa Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009. A powerful quake in the South Pacific hurled massive tsunami waves at the shores of Samoa and American Samoa, flattening villages and sweeping cars and people back out to sea while leaving many dead and dozens missing. AP Photo/Ausage Fausia)
Mt. Pleasant, SC - A lowcountry woman is helping Samoans in the relief effort after a tsunami wiped out homes and lives. The tsunami hit the Samoan coast about a week ago, triggered by an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. It killed 135 people and the toll is rising daily as recovery continues. A Mount Pleasant woman was there when it happened and is trying to help in the aftermath.
Kellye McKenzie is a Peace Corps assistant country director. She was on the island the day the earthquake and tsunami hit and now she's trying to help those who have lost everything.
"I was the gym when the quake hit and everybody ran outside and the cars were shaking," McKenzie said.
Her family in Mt. pleasant was unaware that Kellye was on the north side of the island, barely impacted by the tsunami.
"Until we heard from her we were very, very anxious and panicked really," Kellye's mother, Georgette McKenzie said.
While Kellye was okay, other parts of the island, in ruins.
"There's fires burning, electricity wires down, there's rubble everywhere, there's houses flattened," described Kellye.
One of those homes destroyed was Kellye's friend and co-worker Fili Filia.
"My family, they are all wiped out. Their houses and everything. They are living under a tarp and they are not secure, especially when it's raining. They really need much help," Filia said.
Kellye is trying to do just that, hoping to raise money to help those who lost so much, so fast.
Kellye is also collecting donations to help people she knows personally whose lives have been impacted by recent events. Her fundraising goal is $6,000.00. This is a personal effort and is not affiliated with Peace Corps Samoa. She says she guarantee that 100% of your donation will go directly towards the purchase and transport of goods. "Long-term needs still need to be assessed, and how donated funds will be spent may change over the upcoming weeks and months. My current goals are:$3000 –Supplies towards rebuilding and/or furnishing a home for Filia's family in Saleapaga; $1500 – Supplies and materials to help the Saleapaga Primary School; $1500 – Supplies towards rebuilding the lives and homes of people in the village of Poutasi," McKenzie said.
Please send checks made out to Kellye A. McKenzie (Samoa Tsunami Relief) by no later than Oct 31st to:
Kellye A. McKenzie
394 Sugar Cane Way
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
