SCS launches $100K fundraiser after Sinlaku; classes on hold

Saipan Community Church and School has launched a $100,000 fundraising campaign to rebuild its storm-ravaged campus following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, as officials warn that students currently have no safe place to return to.

In a GoFundMe appeal posted online (https://www.gofundme.com), organizers said the campus sustained extensive damage after days of “relentless rain” and winds reaching 175 mph.

“Our school and church campus in Saipan, CNMI has been devastated by Super Typhoon Sinlaku,” the campaign states. “Classrooms have been flooded. Sections of the roof were torn away. Our students’ cafeteria has been destroyed. The playground is in ruins.”

Solar panels were also damaged, while multiple classrooms suffered severe flooring and water damage, forcing the school to suspend operations indefinitely.

“While we are deeply grateful that lives were spared, the reality is that our children currently have no safe place to learn, gather, or play,” the statement said.

Organizers said the fundraiser aims to cover urgent repairs and restore essential facilities so students can return as soon as possible.

“This is more than physical damage—it has deeply affected our students, families, and the entire community,” the appeal added. “Together, we can rebuild. Together, we can restore hope.”

Cleanup efforts, meanwhile, began as early as April 17—the same day Gov. David M. Apatang issued the all-clear—with staff and volunteers immediately working to clear debris and assess the extent of the destruction.

Director and senior pastor Stephen Dame said the storm delivered prolonged and intense conditions.

“This is our [family’s] first typhoon. And it looks like we got a doozy,” Dame said. “This is a double-walled or double-eyed typhoon… we went through basically an eye wall and then an eye wall and an eye wall.”

The campus sustained flooding across classrooms, teacher housing, and church facilities, along with major structural damage.

“The cafeteria, the roof was completely—part of it collapsed, part of it blew off,” he said.

Despite the damage, Dame said the church itself held up better than expected, crediting temporary repairs done after a previous storm.

“We can thank Triple J for that because they came and volunteered the time and the tin to do that,” he said.

No timeline has been set for the resumption of classes.

“We have no idea,” Dame said. “We would like to get it started back as soon as we could because we think it would be beneficial for the students… to help them and minister and counsel with them through the trauma they’ve experienced.”

“As soon as we can get buildings back where it’s safe and the campus is safe, we will deal with it,” he added.

Even amid recovery, the church resumed Sunday service on April 19, offering a moment of unity for the community.

Teacher Kristi Price described the gathering as “very humbling.”

“We had to do things a little different than our regular Sunday services,” Price said in a Facebook post. “We don’t need a lot of electricity… or any for that matter… to praise God.”

She said the service ended with congregants forming a circle and joining hands, calling it “a humbling and emotional moment.”

Afterward, Price returned to her classroom to begin cleanup.

“Oh boy, what a mess!” she said. “All of the flooring needs to be taken up due to water.”

She added that staff continue to work daily despite difficult conditions, including the lack of water and electricity.

“My body is spent… but the good Lord is providing me the momentum to keep going,” Price said.

Dame said that while several church families lost homes or were displaced by flooding, no fatalities have been reported.

“There’s been no loss of life, and that’s the greatest blessing that we can ask for,” he said. “Things, stuff, buildings, all that can be replaced in time, but you can’t replace life.”