Fahefa GPS

Bishop Uasike in Fahefa told us of the condition of the GPS in his village and asked if we could come and have a look to see if we could help. I cried when I saw this school. It is the worst we have seen. More than half the students were sitting on the dirty cement floor. 

Hole in blackboard. Desks they did have were in bad condition

This is a classroom

One building was knocked over in Cyclone Gita 1 year ago. The government has not responded to repairing the remaining school buildings. PTA put a roof on another building so it could be used. Some windows have been blown out and have not been replaced; they are covered with chipboard. Thus, no light or fresh air come into the classroom. It is hot and stuffy. There are holes in the blackboards and walls.

When the school furniture container from Australia arrived, we earmarked 90 desks and chairs to go to this school. All classrooms now have desks and chairs.

When we arrived at the school, the students were dancing. They knew we were on the way with desks and chairs for them!  They settled down quickly for the speeches. Then the dancing began as the students showed their gratitude for the donation.

At the handover the principal said "parents have told me their children do not want to come to school because they do not have a chair to sit on." 

 

When we returned yesterday for pictures, the kids jumped up when they saw us and shouted "malo, malo." They love their comfortable classroom setting. 

The principal also said the parents are so happy and are trying to get money together to put in linoleum to make the room even more comfortable for the children.

 

These are the children that we need to reach. They are the poor and the needy. 

We are so happy to partner with Furniture for Schools and Pacific Assist in New Zealand and Australia to bring the desks and chairs for these wee ones who are just beginning their lifelong learning. They deserve comfortable classrooms in which to learn.

The best feeling of happiness is when you’re happy because you’ve made somebody else happy.