FOOD For The Poor (Guyana) Inc. (FFP) donated 60 combination chairs each to Sophia Special School and New Campbellville Secondary School last Friday. The beneficiaries’ representatives took delivery of the gifts at the donor’s Blue Mountain Road, Festival City, North Ruimveldt headquarters, also in Georgetown.
The donations, valued at approximately $200,000, were to enhance seating accommodation at both institutions and, by extension, making the teaching/learning environment more conducive, FFP Senior Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alvin Doris said.
FFP Executive Director, Mr. Leon Davis, handing over the furniture, emphasised that the charitable organisation regards education very highly.
He said, over its 19 years existence, FFP has maintained a high regard for education and it has been manifested through the significant contributions to the sector.
Davis said tangible evidence of this was the distribution of 25 containers of books to schools through the Ministry of Education two years ago and, more recently, the construction of sanitary blocks and installation of water facilities for teachers and students at Lake Mainstay, on Essequibo Coast.
He said, in addition, FFP has been importing large quantities of furniture and other requisites, with a view to offering better accommodation and making schoolchildren more comfortable.
“One of the most important things we aim for at Food For the Poor, is to make schools more comfortable for the children,” Davis stated, noting that such action will, in turn, serve to boost attendance.
He promised that, in the near future, exercise books will be made available to schools.
Receiving on behalf of Sophia Special School, the headteacher, Ms. Debra Bilal Atu expressed gratitude for the timely gifts.
She recalled that FFP had, previously, gifted the school computers, which are now in its information technology (IT) laboratory.
Mr. Christopher Gaskin, who accepted for New Campbellville Secondary, said the school is immensely grateful as the gifts will meet current furnishing demands.
With him was Mr. Akeen Wilson, another teacher at the same school.
The Friday formalities concluded with the distribution of hampers to the children and teachers present.