Foulpointe Fire - Helping Hands

The people who were left homeless after the fire are housed in these temporary tents provided and set up by the Malagasy Red Cross. Here, Elders Godfrey and Wells, along with a member "Helping Hands" volunteer, offer encouragement to the victims.

Over 90 "Helping Hands" volunteers from the three Branches of the Church in Toamasina traveled for two hours to help distribute food to the fire victims. They had worked the previous evening packaging and bagging the relief supplies at the meeting house in Toamasina. This distribution line was formed and 371 families received much needed food supplies provided by these Saints along with funding that was provided through the Church Humanitarian Aid program.

Sister Bird and this little old man pause for a photo. He was one of the last in line to receive the relief supplies provided by the Helping Hands team.

After the distribution, the Toamasina Saints sat in the shade and sang "How Firm A Foundation" and had a closing prayer for these poor people. It was a scene that brought tears to our eyes and put a lump in our throats. Seldom before have we witnessed such an outpouring of love and unity as we saw here.