FAITH is helping to sustain a family of 12 who lost everything when their East Brisbane home was destroyed in an early morning blaze on June 16.
Four generations of the Ngauamo family escaped the fire thanks to 13 year-old, Tevita, who raised the alarm.
Great-grandfather Tevita Ngauamo, who bought the house 30 years ago, and 11 extended family members, including an 18 month-old baby, escaped the blaze, which is believed was started by a candle.
His daughter-in-law, Malia Ngauamo, said the family was still trying to come to terms with the fire and the loss of all their possessions.
Malia, husband John and their five children lived in Holland Park for about 10 years before moving into the East Brisbane house 16 months ago.
‘We are just trying to think about tomorrow, not looking back, although it is difficult,’ Malia said.
‘We have been praying together almost every day and it made it easier to cope,’ she said.
The family returned to the burnt out shell of the house for the first time on June 21.
While on site, Malia’s daughter Liliani found her mother’s treasured wedding and engagement rings, which were thought to have been lost forever.
St Joachim’s Parish at Holland Park has started an appeal to raise money to support the family, helping to organise a barbecue with businesses along Stanley St, East Brisbane.
Gary Devitt, who is co-ordinating St Joachim’s relief effort, said the parish would wait until the family found another house before buying household goods.
To donate to the appeal phone Gary Devitt on (0411) 473 200.
