Day of fun to help quake homeless

SINGING FOR NEPAL: Masterton's Sam Tanner and bandmate Chloe Waru at an earlier benefit concert to raise money for quake-ravaged Nepal.

A Masterton muso is organising a day full of folk songs, facepainting, gourmet meat and coffee -- to help a decimated village on the other side of the world.

Sam Tanner, a folk musician and father-of-one, will be heading to Nepal with a group of New Zealand volunteers in February, where they will work with New Zealand-run charity Compassion Nepal to help people recovering from this year's major earthquake.

Their main focus will be the residents of Dhading, whose home town was flattened in the 7.8 magnitude quake back in April -- and are taking refuge in a church in a nearby town.

The volunteers are raising funds to support themselves on their trip, and to build a community centre in the town of Pokhara to house the displaced people from Dhading.

Sam is organising several fundraisers in Masterton, including a back-yard concert and barbecue this weekend.

"In the midst of all the horrible things happening around the globe, it's a chance to show some love," Sam said.

"Dhading was completely destroyed in the quake -- as in, there are no buildings left standing.

"Most of the villagers are stuck in limbo, hiding out in this tiny church in a little lake town a couple of hours away.

"So, the plan is to build a new church building which can double as a volunteer centre."

Sam's upcoming trip will be his second to Nepal, where he and his wife Lily volunteered for Compassion Nepal in 2013, working with schools, orphanages, refugee camps and churches.

In May, Sam and Lily organised a benefit concert for Nepal at Masterton Community Church, raising over $3000 -- which went towards building a school and a water tower, and food supplies for refugee families.

On his last trip, Sam befriended the pastors of the church in Pokhara, and looks forward to helping them and the residents of Dhading rebuild their lives.

"They don't have much themselves and they're looking after people who have no money for food and medical supplies.

"They've been through so much, spiritually and mentally, and it will be good to be there and give them some encouragement."

The upcoming concert fundraiser will feature music from Jo Brunskill of This Little Orchestra, Sam's pop-folk band Two The Well and various young Masterton musicians.

Gourmet sausages for the BBQ and Emporio coffee have been donated by members of the community, and facepainters will be on hand for the youngsters.

Children will also be invited to draw pictures and write letters for kids at the Compassion Nepal Children's Home in Kathmandu.

The concert will be held on Saturday, November 28, at Lighthouse Church, 23 Intermediate St, Masterton, beginning at 5.30pm. Entry is by donation.