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Davenport, IA -
The Tsunami that swept across the Pacific last week changed the life of a Quad City man forever. Now he's frantically trying to give back to his homeland of Samoa and his co-workers are helping.
Benjamin Taai grew up in American Samoa; an island he says is rich with a sense of community.
"We've developed this tight-knit community and everyone knows everyone there...everyone's almost related so when something happens to another family, everyone jumps in," says Taai.
Now Ben is jumping in, after suffering the heartbreak of tragedy. Some of his family members are dead, others missing, their entire community washed away. He found out about the 8.3 magnitude earthquake, then massive Tsunami after seeing Facebook comments about the disaster on September 29th. He tried calling home, but couldn't. When he finally reached family members days later, he learned of all the loss.
"Regardless of whether it's my family or others peoples family, it's still something you can't get over. Even if a different person died, who's not related to you, you saw that person everyday because it's such a close town. You feel like you've lost part of your family as well and that's what's most devastating to all of us," says Taai.
Ben spent six years in the Army and was deployed to Iraq twice. Now, he works for Vista International Operations, an IT company for the government. He's only been at the job for two months, but when his co-workers found out his connection to the devastation, they jumped in to help.
"Everyone in the company wanted to know how they could help, if we were going to do something to help Ben and his family," says Marla Matlock, Vista International Operations.
The company has found a way to help. Vista offices across the country are collecting goods and money to send to Samoa. In Davenport, some of Ben's co-workers have offered to donate vacation days so he can take a trip to help.
"I'm the new guy on the team and just to see the generosity and how genuine the support is, it means a lot to me," says Taai.
They're support is enabling Taai to stay strong and help those he loves most.
"It's been hard, but you gotta do what you gotta do and not let yourself get down becauseĀ those depending on you for support, you're letting them down also," says Taai.
On Monday, Oct.12th from 6:30am - 7pm Vista will be holding a Fill-the-Container Drive at the I-Wireless Center and at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport . Vista employees will be collecting water, canned goods, clothing, sleeping tents and donations needed by victims in Samoa. Taai hopes the Quad Cities will rally to help. Vista has also partnered with an organization founded by Samoans called help Samoa to get the supplies and donations collected shipped to the country.
Benjamin Taai grew up in American Samoa; an island he says is rich with a sense of community.
"We've developed this tight-knit community and everyone knows everyone there...everyone's almost related so when something happens to another family, everyone jumps in," says Taai.
Now Ben is jumping in, after suffering the heartbreak of tragedy. Some of his family members are dead, others missing, their entire community washed away. He found out about the 8.3 magnitude earthquake, then massive Tsunami after seeing Facebook comments about the disaster on September 29th. He tried calling home, but couldn't. When he finally reached family members days later, he learned of all the loss.
"Regardless of whether it's my family or others peoples family, it's still something you can't get over. Even if a different person died, who's not related to you, you saw that person everyday because it's such a close town. You feel like you've lost part of your family as well and that's what's most devastating to all of us," says Taai.
Ben spent six years in the Army and was deployed to Iraq twice. Now, he works for Vista International Operations, an IT company for the government. He's only been at the job for two months, but when his co-workers found out his connection to the devastation, they jumped in to help.
"Everyone in the company wanted to know how they could help, if we were going to do something to help Ben and his family," says Marla Matlock, Vista International Operations.
The company has found a way to help. Vista offices across the country are collecting goods and money to send to Samoa. In Davenport, some of Ben's co-workers have offered to donate vacation days so he can take a trip to help.
"I'm the new guy on the team and just to see the generosity and how genuine the support is, it means a lot to me," says Taai.
They're support is enabling Taai to stay strong and help those he loves most.
"It's been hard, but you gotta do what you gotta do and not let yourself get down becauseĀ those depending on you for support, you're letting them down also," says Taai.
On Monday, Oct.12th from 6:30am - 7pm Vista will be holding a Fill-the-Container Drive at the I-Wireless Center and at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport . Vista employees will be collecting water, canned goods, clothing, sleeping tents and donations needed by victims in Samoa. Taai hopes the Quad Cities will rally to help. Vista has also partnered with an organization founded by Samoans called help Samoa to get the supplies and donations collected shipped to the country.
