Kokua International  Bringing aid, hope and relief
"We become whatever we are committed to." -Rick Warren The primary focus of our organization is to extend aid to the poor and underprivileged of the world, typically during times of crisis. Kokua  is a Hawaiian word meaning, "to help and to bring aid." Kokua International  was established in Hawaii and is registered both in Hawaii and in Washington state. Kokua is a non-denominational Christian organization. We are dedicated to bringing aid without strings attached and without hesitation to help, regardless of religious affiliation. We believe that compassion and love are fueled by the love of Jesus.	Nias Island Trip: May 11th - June 1st Newsletter:  by Linda Frisk The Kokua medical relief team, which left May 11, and returned June 1st, were shaken on their first morning in Nias by a 6.8 aftershock on May 19th. The team ran to the roof of the three story cement building, as the roof seemed safer than trying to get out through the narrow cement stairways. They were praying for protection as the building swayed and rocked from the tremor. One of the other team members who shared the house with them, said, “Welcome to Nias.” This brought realty home for the team of the island’s woes. The team continued to experience tremors daily, and claimed Psalm 91 as their promise of protection for the uncertainties they faced.Many dangers and difficulties were present throughout their stay, yet the team stayed focused on what they had set out to do. The needs were evident as people flocked to the medical stations the team set up. People were anxious to receive attention for wounds and infections, but they also were suffering emotionally from the aftershocks shaking the island. The 8.7 earthquake which leveled most of Nias’ homes also destroyed much of the infrastructure of the island. Many lives were lost in the initial earthquake. The team had received empathy for the people, after experiencing the shaking earth for themselves. The Kokua team came equipped with donated medical supplies to treat minor medical situations which were present in Nias. Over 600 people were treated The team was “on the ground” for eight days, working long hours holding mobile clinics. The needs were pressing. Many of the people had infections, headaches, fevers, stomach problems and wounds. Anxiety was an issue for many people due to trauma. The Kokua team went right to work, treating large groups of people who gathered for the clinics each day. The clinics were moved around to accommodate people in the refugee camps and in villages.  Children are often the most stressed in a disaster situation, yet the least helped. A huge crisis, such as the earthquake, throws family stability into chaos. Parents become emotionally needy themselves, and are struggling to find food and shelter when all has been lost. When the earthquake happened at midnight, March 28th, 2005; the families of Gunung Sitoli fled through the dark city as cement buildings crumbled all around them. They ran for the mountains to escape a possible tsunami. Some of the people were so frightened that they remained in the jungle without food or water for 3 days before returning. The children who fled or were trapped have shocking memories to deal with. Some of them lost parents or relatives, and most lost their homes. The Kokua team, aware of the need, brought simple gifts; shared songs, games, stories and prayed with the children. Those of the team who spoke the language were able to talk with them about the earthquake. Others on the team cut hair, and gave out items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, and hugs. Many of the kids gathered around the clinics just to receive the portion of love that was so desperately needed in their lives. Please pray for these children as they recover. 847 were confirmed dead, and 2,000 people were treated for severe injuries. Four thousand were treated for less severe injuries. Over 48,000 are homeless and continue to live in makeshift tents, under plastic and in broken buildings. Gunung Sitoli, the major town in the district was the hardest hit. Most of the city lies in rubble, including businesses. Over 405 schools and over 1670 churches were destroyed. Aftershocks and lack of machinery hinder rebuilding Counseling and prayer are two ways that the Kokua team was able to touch the emotional and spiritual needs of the people of Nias. The Indonesian team members who knew the language were able to spend time talking and counseling with people while the clinics were going on. Fear and physical symptoms of trauma were evident, such as racing hearts and possible high blood pressure. While the team counseled the people to get a doctor’s checkup for their hearts, team members prayed for their fears, and their real felt needs for shelter, food, health, and welfare. Many of the people had tears in their eyes, expressing thankfulness for the care shown to them by outsiders. It was a privilege to be able to have a part in the healing of the island and to show love. Kokua International teamed up American and Indonesian nationals (from various locations of Indonesia) to go as a united team with the intent of bringing medical supplies and food to the people affected by the earthquake. When the team arrived in the city of Gunung Sitoli, it was in rubble, without the world assets that the team saw distributed in Banda Aceh after the tsunami. The buildings totter precariously, with a few local hand-laborers working with pick and shovels to clean it up. With the situation so acute, the team worked long hours, setting up clinics to treat several patients at a time. Each patient spoke with an Indonesian team member to insure that the understanding of their problem was correct. After receiving the medicine, team members prayed with each individual to encourage them.   Over 1600 hundred churches, and several hundred schools were destroyed. If you are interested in helping with the rebuilding of Nias, send a donation with this designation to Kokua International, marked, "Nias project." The funds will be given to workers on the ground in Nias who are continuing the reconstruction. The Kokua team that went to Nias.
	Kokua International is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit organization.