Power a Fijian School

My name  is Ruth Donoghue and I would like you just to think what it would be like  not being able to use your computer at school becasue there is no power.

This page has been set up to raise funds for the children and teachers of the Ratu Meli Memorial School on Nacula Island. 

The island of Nacula is located 85 kilometers from the Fijian mainland. 

The Fijian Government and Ministry for Education has established solar panels at the school to help power the schools needs.  The school has access to the internet through the 2 mobile phone towers located on the island.

The Ratu Meli Memorial School on the island of Nacula is attended  by 155 students from the 4 villages located on the island.  Children from villages some distance from the school are weekly boarders and return home on the weekends if they are able.

There are 13 teachers at the school who cater for kindergarten to Year 10 students.

In 2016 we organised approximatley 30 laptop computers & 8 desk top computers for the school. These were frm generous donations from the Clarence Valley and Perpetual in Sydney.  The computers have changed the lives of the children and the teachers at the school and have dramatically improved the educational opportunities of those who attend the school.

Early in 2016 the solar power system on the island was damaged and has yet to be repaired.  This has resulted in the computers being largley unused. Repairs to the system are scheduled to be completed soon; however, the issue of a reliable power supply for the school remains a challange.

To help overcome this challenge, all funds raised from this campaign will be used to buy and install a solar battery and storage system to help provide students greater access to computer-based education ad, through the internet a greater understanding of the rest of the world.

My aim is  to be able to have a independant solar system for the computer studies rooms by Term 1, 2017 so that they have a constant supply of power.

Education is a gift and something that very often we take for granted and something that no child should be denied just becasue of geographical isolation or financial standing.  Helping this school will enable these children to have greater access to the rest of the world and help improve thier educational prospects.

After spending time with these children and getting to know the staff, head teacher and his family and many of the families in the village I have become passionate about helping this school any way we can.

Please consider maybe donating the money you would spend on a coffee for the week or any  amont you feel comfortable with. 

I wont be able to thank you personally but I can only assure that the children and teachers at the school will be very greatful.

Thankyou in advance.

Links relating to the Ratu Meli Memorial School from our local paper showing other activities we have organised.

http://m.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/help-to-give-nacula-island-school-a-sporting-chanc/3093298/


http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/laptops-changing-lives-in-fiji/2470295/

http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/remote-island-school-given-technological-boost-by-/2900516/