2009.10.01: October 1, 2009: Headlines: COS - Samoa: Return to our Country of Service - Samoa: Michigan Live: Shawn and Emily Delasko returned to Samoa where Shawn worked for the Peace Corps from 2002 to 2004, teaching information technology at Samoa Polytechnic School

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Samoa: Peace Corps Samoa : Peace Corps Samoa: Newest Stories: 2009.10.01: October 1, 2009: Headlines: COS - Samoa: Return to our Country of Service - Samoa: Michigan Live: Shawn and Emily Delasko returned to Samoa where Shawn worked for the Peace Corps from 2002 to 2004, teaching information technology at Samoa Polytechnic School

By Admin1 (admin) (98.188.147.225) on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 10:05 am: Edit Post

Shawn and Emily Delasko returned to Samoa where Shawn worked for the Peace Corps from 2002 to 2004, teaching information technology at Samoa Polytechnic School

Shawn and Emily Delasko returned to Samoa where Shawn worked for the Peace Corps from 2002 to 2004, teaching information technology at Samoa Polytechnic School

"We hadn't been there in five years," said Shawn Delasko, now a West Ottawa school district psychologist. The resort in the village of Saleapaga, operated by Emily's brother, Benny Vaaiga, was destroyed in the tsunami that ravaged the Samoan islands, killing more than 100 people. Fortunately, Vaaiga and other family members were able to escape to a nearby mountain range, although Emily's uncle is among the missing, Delasko said. The Delaskos received word of the tsunami from Emily's sister, who lives in New Zealand and had been unable to contact family members since the tsunami hit. Emily was able to connect via cell phone with her brother, who shared the details and distress of the devastation. "Nothing's left standing. All the houses are gone; all the buildings are gone," he said. The challenge for the survivors, Delasko said, is trying to figure out how to rebuild.

Shawn and Emily Delasko returned to Samoa where Shawn worked for the Peace Corps from 2002 to 2004, teaching information technology at Samoa Polytechnic School

Holland couple re-visited Samoa month before tsunami hit; now they wait for word on family

By Greg Chandler | The Grand Rapids Press

October 01, 2009, 7:34AM

Caption: Shawn and Emily Delasko in SamoaCourtesy PhotoShawn and Emily Delasko of Holland, who met in Samoa, spent their August vacation at an oceanfront resort there.

HOLLAND - Shawn and Emily Delasko spent their August vacation at an oceanfront resort in Samoa, an area devastated by the deadly tsumani that hit the region this week.

The August visit represented a return to the Pacific Ocean island for the Holland couple, who met when Shawn worked for the Peace Corps from 2002 to 2004, teaching information technology at Samoa Polytechnic School.

"We hadn't been there in five years," said Shawn Delasko, now a West Ottawa school district psychologist.

The resort in the village of Saleapaga, operated by Emily's brother, Benny Vaaiga, was destroyed in the tsunami that ravaged the Samoan islands, killing more than 100 people.

Fortunately, Vaaiga and other family members were able to escape to a nearby mountain range, although Emily's uncle is among the missing, Delasko said.

The Delaskos received word of the tsunami from Emily's sister, who lives in New Zealand and had been unable to contact family members since the tsunami hit.

Emily was able to connect via cell phone with her brother, who shared the details and distress of the devastation.

"Nothing's left standing. All the houses are gone; all the buildings are gone," he said.

The challenge for the survivors, Delasko said, is trying to figure out how to rebuild.

Many villagers in Samoa operated small resorts, consisting of traditional thatch huts, to make a living before the tsunami struck.

"We're trying to figure out what we can do ourselves" to help, Delasko said.

E-mail: localnews@grpress.com




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: October, 2009; Peace Corps Samoa; Directory of Samoa RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Samoa RPCVs; Return to our Country of Service - Samoa





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Story Source: Michigan Live

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Samoa; Return to our Country of Service - Samoa

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