A group of residents with various disabilities who call themselves Te Toa Matoa, have chosen to settle in the community of Nanikaai in the Republic of Kiribati.
Te Toa Matoa means strong and hard.
The Australian High Commission committed to build a maneabe (an outdoor community centre) in Nanikaai, but only if a seawall could be constructed to protect the beachfront which is being eroded away by the tide.
Through the group's efforts, the community raised much of the funds required for the seawall. LDS Charities (the welfare arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) provided materials for the completion of the project as well as wheelchairs for some of the residents.
Finding cement for the project proved to be a challenge, but persistent residents located the needed construction material and negotiated a reasonable price.
Elder David Reese and Sister Jody Reese (full-time missionaries with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) observed the tenacity of the local residents and said, "We were impressed with their drive to solve the problem and accomplish their goals."
The work on the seawall is progressing well and when completed, residents of Nanikaai will have a gathering place in the community.
Watch a video about LDS Charities Wheelchair Program: