TEN schools in the maritime islands received a major boost to improve their learning environment after the Fiji National University (FNU) in partnership with Mission 21 gifted furniture to them.
Mission 21 is an organisation that has been working extensively in the country to rebuild homes and buildings destroyed by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016.
Furniture such as desks, chairs, stools and tables were distributed to Loreto Catholic Primary School, Tawake District School, Taviya District School, Batiki District School, Uluibau Primary School, Yasana-i-Ra District School, Sawaieke District School, Nasau District School, Delana Methodist School and Rukuruku Primary School.
Mission 21 board secretary Sakiasi Veitogavi said these were schools that faced issues in providing desks and chairs for its students.
“Mission 21 has been assisting village communities in the maritime region with housing development and this has now extended to assisting their schools with what FNU has kindly donated,” Mr Veitogavi said.
College of Engineering, Science and Technology (CEST) acting dean Salabogi Mavoa said roofing iron was also transported to villages on Koro Island to assist with rebuilding homes.
“Mission 21 was working with Government in providing eight portable sawmills to assist the villages – and the roofing irons from FNU was an answer to the prayers as they really needed them to complete their projects of rebuilding,” Mr Mavoa said.
“Many of the schools that were destroyed/damaged during Cyclone Winston didn’t have any desks or chairs and now we are pleased the furniture given by FNU is being put to good use.”
He added the university was also in discussions with government ministries to better co-ordinate assistance to communities and villages.
