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Enriching Education in Fiji
For primary school students at three schools in the Momi Bay area of Fiji, Thursday, May 1, is a day many will remember.
Despite being a school holiday that day, many students attended school to witness the handing over of education and recreation supplies and equipment that brought new life to their educational journeys.
The school equipment, supplies, stationery, and sports balls were gifts from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Children and teachers from Tau Primary School, Ratu Nemani Primary School, and Savusavu Primary School were delighted with the new equipment and supplies, which included desktop computers, laptops, smart TVs, stationery, classroom supplies, educational charts and aids, and sports equipment.
Elder and Sister Johnson, who are serving as self-reliance missionaries in the Lautoka Fiji Stake, said they hope to help the primary school students gain a new educational experience with the items that were presented as part of the Church’s humanitarian efforts in education.
“We know the children will enjoy the gifts because they will help them educationally, socially, physically, mentally, and spiritually,” they said.
The students’ obvious joy in receiving the gifts was evident as they performed and danced to two songs to show their gratitude to the Latter-day Saints who delivered the equipment and supplies.
Hemant Kumar, principal of Tau Primary School, which has 150 children, expressed a deep appreciation for the equipment and supplies.
Vika Ratu, a mother present at the handing over ceremony at Tau school, was emotional and thankful for the personal packages handed out to each student. She said, “Such a gesture is very big and hit my heart, especially where some do not have much. The gifts are a great blessing that I will always remember.”
One Latter-day Saint from Tahiti who helped with the delivery, Temoe Tuahu, said, “I truly felt the love to each other and with each other and with the primary children. It brought home the scripture [to] love your neighbours” (see Matthew 22:39).
“I was so proud to be a part of this and excited for the primary children who will use the items to help them educationally,” said Jasmin Wakolo, a recently returned missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , who grew up in Fiji, and one of the young adults who helped hand over the school equipment.
She said she hopes the primary children who received the stationery today will cherish them and feel the love of Heavenly Father and the Saviour, as she did.