Sam Fetui with his children Isaac (left) and Kirsten. Photo / Paul Estcourt
To nominate an Unsung Hero for their community service and for terms and conditions go to: www.unsungheroes.org.nz
When Sam and Lynette Fetui of Ranui heard breaking glass early one morning, their first thought was that someone had run into their car.
A quick glance out the window brought much worse news - the house across the road was well ablaze, and Mr Fetui knew that the family
who lived there had small children.
He shouted for his neighbour and ran to help. The neighbour dragged two children from the house, and Mr Fetui saw the little girl had stopped breathing. He immediately gave her CPR until the fire brigade arrived.
It was especially courageous for a man who suffers from asthma.
Mr Fetui's first concern was for the children, but he, too, was admitted to hospital - which gave him the chance to check up on the kids.
Family is important to the 29-year-old, so it was with dismay that he found out that his father's village in Samoa had been particularly hard hit in last September's tsunami.
Mr Fetui was born in New Zealand but rather than sit around bemoaning the damage, he bought a few buckets and he and his brother-in-law walked up and down Queen St for donations.
Between them, on one day, the two raised more than $500.
Mr Fetui works two days a week at the Westbridge residential school in Massey, where he comes into contact with neglected children, often victims of family violence, who have social and behavioural problems.
He helps to nurture the children by letting them know he believes in them and values them. To be able to contribute more to children in need, Mr Fetui is now studying fulltime at teachers' training college.
Mr Fetui was nominated by his very proud wife for the New Zealand Herald's Unsung Community Heroes series, which features stories about the unobtrusive but essential work people do in their communities.
"No matter how far, how poor or what his health condition may be, my husband Sam is always willing to make someone's day," says Mrs Fetui.
Five worthy recipients of the series will be rewarded with a P&O cruise to thank them for the difference they make in others' lives.
The Unsung Community Heroes series is run annually in the The Herald and on nzherald.co.nz in partnership with P&O Cruises. We invited nominations from readers to recognise people who selflessly work to make a difference in their local communities.
Some will be selected to feature in the paper and on nzherald.co.nz. Five will be chosen to join a P&O winter cruise.
