A fundraiser supporting a family rebuilding after serious illness and the loss of their home in a fire.
Pongakawa, Bay Of Plenty
Bob & Becky moved to NZ from Vanuatu with their four children — Fredrick (15), Elizabeth (12), Junior (9), & Harrison (3) — & their Aunty Margaret, hoping to build a safe, stable life.
They have already faced major challenges this year following Bob’s serious brain tumour diagnosis and ongoing cancer treatment, & have shown great resilience.
Yesterday, their situation became even more devastating when their home was lost in an accidental kitchen fire. Everyone is safe, which we are grateful for, but the fire destroyed everything they owned — from basic household items to treasured personal belongings. They do not have insurance for these losses.
The family is now in temporary furnished accommodation & immediate needs such as food, clothing & basic care are being supported by the community. However, the longer-term need is significant. As a family of 7, they will need to rebuild from nothing — including furniture, bedding, clothing, school items, & all the basics of daily life.
There will also be additional costs due to the loss of personal documents, inc replacement identification, visa paperwork, & other recovery/immigration expenses.
For this reason, cash support is the most helpful way to assist the family at this time, allowing them to respond flexibly to urgent needs as they arise & gradually rebuild stability without needing to manage donated goods.
Any support, large or small, will make a meaningful difference as they rebuild. Thank you for your kindness and compassion.
Fruit of the Pacific supports, educates and mentors short term Pacific migrants.
Funds will support clothing, food & daily living costs; replacement of household furnishings & home setup; children’s needs; replacement of identification & immigration matters; & costs of re-establishing life and stability, plus fire & medical expenses.
One Down, Five To Go! - The Road So Far 25 June 2026
Yesterday, as we celebrated Bob finishing his first round of chemo (1 down, 5 to go), we also reflect on the journey so far and the deep care of our community...
Jan — Bob was diagnosed with a brain tumour & underwent emergency surgery
Feb — a weekly meal roster supported the family with food & this givealittle with finances
Mar — Bob started daily radiotherapy, with a volunteer driver team making the Te Puke–Tauranga commute for 6 weeks
Apr — His radiotherapy finished & our attention turns to their visa situation
May — just as visa applications are being prepared, an accidental fire destroys their home. Our community rallies again — accommodation, clothes, food! A week later, Bob starts chemo
Jun — Support continues to come in - even the schools run neat activities to fundraise. Loosing their identity documents in the fire complicates the visa process; an urgent humanitarian appeal has been made to Immigration
This journey has been more than hard and is definitely taking its toll. These are exceptional circumstances — a heavy burden on body, mind and spirit. Becky has been a wonder woman holding her family together; the children mostly still smile at school, but you can see worry lurking.
What's next? Bob needs to rest before his next chemo, a house needs to be found, and while we wait, we pray - for compassion at the highest levels.
We are so deeply grateful for every donation here — it is currently the only thing standing between this family and further hardship.
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