ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

This is a report from World Forum Foundation's National Representative Coordinator and head of New Zealand Tertiary College, Selena Fox, from New Zealand:

On 4th September, 2010 a magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocked Christchurch, New Zealand.  This earthquake was similar to the one that hit Haiti earlier this year.  The miracle quickly realised over the past 2 weeks is that although the earthquake turned many buildings into dust and rubble, sent brick chimneys tumbling through building roofs, and knocked homes clear off their foundations — we have had no loss of life.

We awoke on Saturday, September 4 to news of the earthquake.  News of damage to buildings and the area was initially patchy as phone lines were down, but as news started to spread the severity of the situation and the full impact of the natural disaster was revealed.  My Saturday was spent in efforts to connect with colleagues, family, friends, and students of New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) to firstly establish safety and share support.

As the day passed more news came to light.  The city centre, which includes the area our college building is in, was devastated.  The church structures next door collapsed and access to the area was blocked due to major roadway damage.  Families and communities had varying levels of damage ranging from no electricity or water, to houses barely standing.  The New Zealand emergency services took over quickly and efficiently — supporting people and communities, assessing damage and building safety, cordoning off areas, and quickly moving to restore vital services as best they could in the shockingly unknown situation.  Today, 2 weeks later, they are still working around the clock cleaning, supporting, and restoring communities and homes, for businesses and families in need.

The past weeks have seen a community trying to come to terms with the surprise of that Saturday and the subsequent devastation.  To date there has been over 400 aftershocks — some at earthquake levels.  Quake experts suggest that aftershocks could continue for several weeks but are likely to diminish in size and frequency.  Naturally people remain worried, and nerves are frayed.  NZTC staff has lost homes and all are under huge emotional stress.  Even as restrictions begin to lift, most are struggling to return to the city centre.  The Christchurch emergency workers have been stunning in their turnaround with many schools and early childhood centres now planning to open again this week.

That was quite a week.

On a personal note we have been humbled by the strength of the college Christchurch staff and families and touched daily by the support of our wider national and international college community.  Our friends and colleagues reaching out from all over the globe to NZ with care and concern is a living example of the amazing early childhood and World Forum community we share... and... the greatest blessing of all is that we all live to celebrate the community and to share the story.

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