A cheque of more than $150,000 was handed over today to the Government of Vanuatu by the Fijian Government to specifically assist the students of Vanuatu whose lives and studies were affected by Tropical Cyclone PAM.
Today the Prime Minister Hon Voreqe Bainimarama was presented the cheque from the Minister for Education, Hon Dr. Mahendra Reddy who said that the donation was collected from voluntary contributions by students, teachers, and the staff at the Ministry of Education. The Minister highlighted that the donation will go specifically towards the educational development of Vanuatu students affected from the recent tropical cyclone. The Prime Minister then presented the cheque to the Vanuatu High Commissioner to Fiji, H.E Nikenike Vurobaravu who was present at this morning’s informal presentation ceremony.
“This cheque is a small contribution from the children and the teachers of Fiji for the students in Vanuatu,” PM Bainimarama told the Vanuatu envoy. “I was quite emotional when I thought of the initiative and the will to give freely from the students and parents.”
Vanuatu High Commissioner to Fiji, Nikenike Vurobaravu commended the Fijian Government adding that that “Vanuatu has always been a brother to Fiji.” “Thank you for your sympathy and solidarity, this cheque will definitely go towards relief efforts for the schools in Vanuatu,” Mr Vurobaravu said.
The High Commissioner also lauded the work currently carried out by the RFMF engineers in Vanuatu.
Relief workers led by the Commissioner Western, Manasa Tagicakibau are still ongoing.