OLD students of J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School, in the New York Chapter of the Almuni Association, donated 75 pairs of furniture to their alma mater on Monday. At a ceremony punctuated by cultural presentations, the group’s Founder and Administrator, Mr. Asif Sukhu, personally, contributed five new desktop computers valued US$3,000.
Handing over the gifts on behalf of the group, his son, Fizul Mohamed said the latter donation is also in memory of another son, now deceased, Nazimool Sukhu, who once attended the learning institution, as well.
At the school building in Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, Mr. Kashwar Ramnauth, Head of the Language Arts Department and former Form Master of the organisation’s founder, said the group emerged through the Internet social network, Facebook.
He said a fund-raising dinner and dance realised $587,500, which was used to purchase the desks and benches.
According to Ramnauth, those who donated US currency were Nigel Hackett,  Surendrandat Lall, Mala Jawahir, Paul Ramdhani, Roberta Sookram and  Samantha Sukhraj $100 each and Suresh Persaud $475 and Philbert Robinson $140.
Mention was also made of those who assisted in selling tickets, Ryan Charran 25, Mala Prittipaul 25, Teshawana Lall 25 and Asif Sukhu 73.
Ramnauth said their current membership is 425 and they are planning another activity to furnish the information technology (IT) laboratory with high speed Internet service.
He said the gift of computers followed a request from students pursuing IT careers, who experienced difficulty in accessing systems and would travel to the University of Guyana (UG) Tain Campus to use its facilities for examinations.
They are also exploring the possibility of developing a mentoring programme between themselves and current students, Ramnauth said.
The 90 minutes Monday proceedings were chaired by fourth former Gail Karran and the vote of thanks was given by President of the local student body, Kameeza Bacchus.