BBQ raises funds for Hostel
Looking to get in to the Atiu Monster draw to win the grand prize of $50,000?
Then look no further than opposite the Police Headquarters in Avarua.
Every Friday from now until completion of the new Atiu Hostel a group from the Atiu community will be there to sell their tickets at a cost of $50 and BBQ plates at $10.
“This is the first time we have done the BBQ in this location and it seems to be a factor proving to be very popular among the public, we will be setting up stall here every Friday from now till the hostel is completed,” said Atiu Independent MP Norman George who is also Manager of the Atiu Community team.
The group is hoping to raise at least $300,000 to $400,000 to complete the construction of the hostel.
“ We have already spent around $2 million on the Hostel, so at the end of the day the Hostel will be a $3 million dollar building,” said George.
George appeals to everyone to help buy their tickets so that they may complete the hostel project “The hostel is a place for our families from overseas or from the outer islands, or large groups even of people who have no relation what so ever to the people here who are looking for accommodation.”
“And also for more people (especially the Atuian’s) to volunteer to help out with the project,” said George.
“We have about a dozen volunteers helping us out mostly Atuian, my nickname for them is the vaeau isaraera (soldiers of Israel) because though the Israeli army is poor they still pack quite a punch.”
George also commented on others opinion of the team “We have heard a lot of moaning and idle talk from some people which is basically unfair to the people who volunteer their time every Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm and every Saturday from 8am to 6pm. They do not drink on the job; but they do have a couple of well earned beers after they’ve finished up for the day. These people are a good bunch.”
George say’s he is very proud of the Aituan community and would like to see them pick up the slack and help others out. “ I would like to thank all the mama’s who without fail have been very dedicated in helping out by feeding the team of workers who volunteer every Wednesday and Saturday.”
The team will continue to sell their tickets and BBQ plates every Friday from 10am to 1pm. -Tiare Ponini

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