In the wake of Tonga’s devastating undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami, families thousands of miles away in Texas are banding together to support their loved ones. 🌋🌊 With communication lines only now slowly flickering back to life, the tight-knit Tongan community in Euless, Texas—one of the largest in the U.S.—is navigating anxiety and hope as they await news from home.
\"It’s like holding your breath every day,\" shared local resident Sione Foliaki, whose relatives live near Tonga’s capital. The twin disasters last week severed internet and phone lines, leaving many in the dark about their families’ safety. While partial connectivity has returned, full restoration could take weeks. 📡
From fundraising drives to cultural gatherings, the Texas community is channeling traditional Tongan values of fetokoni’aki (mutual assistance) to send aid and solidarity. \"We’re one family,\" said organizer Luisa Tu’ungafasi. \"Even oceans can’t break that bond.\" 💙
As recovery efforts continue, this story reminds us how global communities thrive on connection—both digital and human. 🌍✨
