Students at the Government Middle School (GMS) of Longolongo in Tonga received a timely boost ahead of the start of the academic year following the donation of school stationery from The University of the South Pacific (USP) International Officer together with USP’s Alumni Office.
Following a stationery drive by the USP International and Alumni offices, the donations were handed over to the school by USP Tonga Campus Director, Dr Robin Havea.
USP International Office Project Officer, Mr Anitelu Saint John said, “With the Tonga Volcanic Eruption in January last year the two offices thought to set up a stationery drive to support students in Tonga who were affected by the volcano.”
“The International Office sent out a request for partnership on the initiative to international alumni and the response was overwhelming. At the end of the drive, the USP International Alumni stationery drive raised enough funds to sponsor 10 stationery packs for students in Tonga. The packs included school bags, books, and stationery to help students start a new academic year,” he added.
“The International Office thanks the USP International Alumni for their contribution and support, the USP Book Center and the USP Tonga Campus for partnering with International Office and the Alumni Office to deliver the stationery to Tonga and identifying our recipients.”
USP Tonga Campus Director, Dr Robin Havea said, “It is always good and touching when a group of people wish to help others. This time we have the USP Alumni network through our USP International Office donating stationery to show their support and willingness to help these students who were affected by the tsunami a year ago.”
“More so, these students have been relocated to a different environment and they still learn to live with a major change in their lives. We are grateful for the donation, and I am sure these students will make the most of it,” Dr Havea added.
Government Middle School Longolongo teacher Mrs Selita Nau said, “I, with our staff, are so delighted to receive these gifts. Even during our school break, the students who were directly affected by the volcanic eruption are still cared for and loved.”
“The stationery will be very useful and helpful for the 2023 academic year. We sincerely thank the USP- International Alumni, on behalf of the students’ parents and us all. Thank you very much,” Mrs Nau said.
