US elementary school

US elementary school raises over $3,000 for Tonga recovery

"I researched and found a photo of the devastation and I just can't imagine just living like that," said 12-year-old Natalie.

"I wanted to help because I knew that if that was me, I would want other people to help me too."

Many of the students and teachers had heard of Tonga as the school's former Pastor Ofa Langi was Tongan. Langi provided spiritual guidance to the school for more than seven years before leaving the town to become pastor of a church in nearby Seattle.

"I looked up pictures online and saw how much devastation happened," said 12-year-old Issac.