Donations Flow in for Kauma Adventist High School
Kauma Adventist High School in Kiribati has received much-needed support from two organizations in the wake of a tragic incident that occurred last year. The school lost four classrooms in a fire, leaving hundreds of students without a place to learn. In response to this disaster, UNICEF and the LDS Church have made generous donations to help the school rebuild.
Before this school year began, UNICEF provided temporary (tent) classrooms for the affected students. The organization donated four sturdy tents designed to accommodate the students. These tents are designed to resemble a typical classroom, complete with desks and chairs, and are strong enough to withstand strong winds and adjustable to suit different weather conditions.
The request for assistance was endorsed by the Kiribati SDA Mission to the government and its development partners. The donations from UNICEF and the LDS Church are responses to this request, which aims to provide temporary and permanent classrooms for the affected students.
The Kiribati SDA Mission has also made progress in securing a more permanent solution to the problem. The RMS-Insurance (Australia) has approved the proceeding for the construction of new classrooms to replace those that were destroyed. The project is now awaiting building permit approval from the government.
The LDS Church also responded to the immediate needs of Kauma by donating 12 desktops and other necessary school equipment. This is in addition to the school's first donation from the LDS Church at the end of last year. The visitation and presentation of gifts were led by Elder Tune and his wife, along with the LDS Mission President from New Zealand.
The President of Kiribati Mission, Pr Taabua Rokeatau expressed his gratitude for the timely donations from UNICEF and the LDS church, saying “The school has already started this year with more than 400 students enrolled and these timely donations will help ensure that the students of Kauma Adventist high school can continue their studies without any further interruptions”. The donations are vital to the Adventist education system in Kiribati, which has faced many challenges in recent years. Pr Tabua is anticipating the construction of the new classrooms set to begin soon, allowing students access to a safe and permanent learning environment.