[New Zealand] Volunteers help Dallington clean-up... WMSCOG

Country: New Zealand
Broadcasting company: NZTV 3
Broadcast date: March 11, 2012

The Clean-up of World Mission Society Church of God

--- Script begins ---

More than a year on from the Christchurch quake the clean-up there is still ongoing.

Today a group of over 50 volunteers went into the red and orange zones in Dallington today to help clean up the abandoned derelict suburbs and to show those living around them that they are not forgotten.

A large group from the Church of God arranged clean up to coincide with a world-wide celebration of the religious festival, the Passover.

The church has done ongoing work to help with the city's earthquake recovery and the volunteers say it is as important now as it was a year ago.

"We think about them and we know that they're battling this everyday sight, that they're looking out their windows and seeing a complete mess," says volunteer, Misti Kingi.

"[It's] for Christchurch so we can have a better Christchurch," says Ronan Taylor.

Dallington was badly hit in last year's quake and now many areas are abandoned or only partially lived in and there is still liquefaction and badly overgrown and littered streets.

The group cleaned up the sections of empty houses in the abandoned red zone but also in the orange zone where many people live on the fringe of derelict neighbourhoods.

"It's no-one's fault but just by virtue of the zoning it's served to divide the communities so you could have green and red neighbours or orange who are uncertain," says Christchurch City Councillor Glen Livingstone.

"It's really important for us all to look after each other to take care of each other," says volunteer Muka Teopenga.

The cleanup is part of a worldwide campaign taking place in 150 countries this month and there are also cleanup organised for Auckland and Wellington.

Quake damaged Christchurch, however, needs more attention than most, and the volunteers say they are sharing today with Japan and the ongoing clean up there.

It may be a year since both quakes but help needed for a strong recovery will be ongoing for a long time yet.

--- Script ends ---

Activities of World Mission Society of Church of God will be continued... For more information about WMSCOG, click one of the sites listed below;

http://english.watv.org

http://wmscog.org

http://newnameahnsahnghong.blogspot.com