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TAFE furnishes fire-ravaged Solomon Islands school
A Solomon Islands school that burnt down earlier this year will receive more than $20,000 worth of furniture thanks to a donation from The Bremer Institute of TAFE.
After a fire gutted all 14 of its classrooms in June, the Auki Primary School on Malaita Island has been teaching more than 400 students in cramped tents, with four children each sharing a single-person desk.
Dozens of quality desks, chairs, whiteboards and other educational items from The Bremer TAFE will be shipped to Malaita Island with other goods collected by the Booval Rotary Club as part of the Rotary Australia Donations in Kind program, which distributes donated goods to countries in need.
The Bremer Institute of TAFE Director Michael Thomas said he hoped the donation would help the school get back on its feet as quickly as possible.
"What happened at the Auki Primary School is tragic, particularly given the severe disruption it has brought to the education of so many young students," Mr Thomas said.
"We hope this donation helps lift the community's spirits and accelerates their task of building a new school."
Mr Thomas said it was appropriate that one educational institution was helping another.
"We have a first-hand understanding of how crucial learning is for individual development and self-esteem, and the life and career opportunities an education can offer," Mr Thomas said.
"The fact that they have been holding classes in tents and using whatever materials are available is a tribute to the community's determination and commitment. We see it as a privilege to help Auki Primary School continue to provide educational advantages for their community into the future."
Mr Thomas said the furniture came from The Bremer's recently closed Ipswich Campus, with other items already distributed to local community groups and schools including Glamorgan Vale State School, Sacred Heart College and the Salvation Army, Forest Lake.
Booval Rotary Club President Cheryl-Anne De Lima said it was impressive to see organisations such as The Bremer TAFE provide such large donations.
"When basic necessities are taken away from a community, it can be very disruptive and these donations will help buffer that," Ms De Lima said.
"It's fantastic when educational institutions choose to donate unused items to a good cause; we are sure the students, parents and teachers of Auki Primary School will be hugely appreciative of this very generous gesture."
Ms De Lima said the Auki Primary School project was one of hundreds Rotary was involved in throughout the world.
"We have so many campaigns overseas, so it is wonderful to have the support of major organisations such as The Bremer TAFE to help us help others in need."
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