Waikato student lends a helping hand in Christchurch

Waikato University student Cayla Were delayed the start of her studies to be in Christchurch to help in the city’s rescue and recovery effort.

Were, 19, is studying towards a Bachelor of Management Studies and is also part of the Hamilton Search and Rescue (SAR) team which flew down to the quake struck city on February 28. “I missed a week of classes which is ok as there are more important things to focus on right now,” she says.

While in Christchurch, Were and the SAR team helped with a number of activities including, doing door-to-door checks on people and property, helping out at base, and managing and coordinating other relief efforts.

“I’ve been involved in a lot of search and rescue efforts before, but this is the first time I’ve been involved in anything like what has happened in Christchurch so I wasn’t sure what to expect,” says Were, a former Waikato Diocesan School for Girls’ student. “It was intense mentally, but I focused on doing what I had to do to help those that needed it and dealt with everything else if and when I needed to.”

The quake felt a little closer to home for Were as her sister Hayley was living in Christchurch when the quake hit. “Thankfully she’s fine and is doing well,” says Were. “Hayley is also involved in search and rescue so she was doing everything she could to help out as well.” Search and rescue is a family affair as dad Barry is also part of the Hamilton Search and Rescue team.

Being involved in Hamilton’s search and rescue team for the past six years has seen the demands associated with it become a natural part of life for Were. “When you get the call to say you’re needed you have no time to sit around. You have to be prepared to drop what you’re doing and just go.”

The Hamilton Search and Rescue team spent five days in Christchurch and during that time more than 70,000 homes were checked and many residents were assisted to get their needs tended to, says Were.

Meanwhile, Waikato University has also been involved in organising support for victims of the quake. Students have been collecting donations which will go directly to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and the university has also been donating furniture and other goods.