Makogai School Rebuilding is Finished!

After....

After 4 months, thousands of volunteer hours, and visits from over 20 Sea Mercy volunteer vessels, today (August 31, 2016) is the official "Hand Over" ceremony of the school to the people living on Makogai. From where the school started (nothing) to where it is today is a testimony to the people directing this rebuilding effort.

Before...

Our deepest appreciation to the Project Leaders, Ian & Wendy Shields (S/V Outsider) and the many volunteers and sailors who gave of their time, talents and hearts to make this rebuilding a reality.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Geoff Deutschmann (Captain of the Sea Mercy Landing Craft) for the hundreds of miles and hours he spent delivering the materials to Makogai.

To Tracey Collins (Operations) and her countless hours organizing the warehouse, volunteers, aid shipments and the purchasing and delivery logistics following Cyclone Winston.

And last, but not least, to the many sponsors and partners who without your assistance and support, this school would still just be a dream for the parents and children living on Makogai.

You are all Sea Mercy heroes and we are so grateful for all that you have done to help the people of Fiji.

Have a wonderful Hand Over Ceremony today and give our love to the people of Makogai that have become a part of the Sea Mercy family!

Sea Mercy 

Makogai School Rebuilding Project - Sea Mercy Fiji WITH THANKS

What started as a small list of volunteer names on a board hanging on a wall, quickly grew to take over the entire wall. Since February 2016, it's hard to comprehend how many people played an important part in the rebuilding of the School on Makogai. With Ian and Wendy at the helm, so many of us were blessed to have been able to participate. 

Whether it was a captain and crew who were anchored offshore, a volunteer that traveled across the Pacific Ocean to dedicate a few weeks of their lives, or a staff member in Fiji (thanks Tracey) who spent months organizing each vital shipment of supplies and aid to the island, each person played an important role in the rebuilding process.

Some names are missing, some have yet to arrive in order to add their names to it, but each one of us who had the pleasure to be a part of this great project are grateful and excited to see the students reclaim what was lost to Cyclone Winston. The official ceremony will be on August 31st. We can't all be there, but we will always be there in spirit.

Our thanks to everyone who played a role.

Sea Mercy

(final school building pictures withheld until after the ceremony)

Makogai School Buildings (#2 here) are almost finished!

Ian and Wendy and all the volunteers that have participated in this project the past 3 months are almost finished with the school rebuilding project on Makogai. Here is a wonderful look at the painted murals on building #2 that captures the beauty and culture of the island.

Thank you everyone for you incredible hearts and help. The official ribbon cutting will take place on August 31st! Come and visit if you can.