Trust fund upgrades teachers quarters

THE shortage of teachers quarters at Ballantine Memorial School in Delainavesi, Lami will soon be a thing of the past.

This was after the Kubuabola Samisoni Education Trust Fund assisted the school by refurbishing three of its teachers quarters.

Yesterday members of the trust fund and staff members of The Hot Bread Kitchen opened two of the three quarters that were under renovation.

Founder of The Hot Bread Kitchen Mereseini Samisoni said the trust fund was given a budget of more than $35,000 for renovation purposes.

“This is paid for by the Kubuabola Samisoni Education Trust Fund,” she said.

He said they were approached by the school after the Lami Town Council declared OHS issues at the school and said for it to be closed.

“That trust was put aside because of our concern for education here in Fiji. We felt that it should be more customised, more specific and this school being a TVET school, they were going to close it down because of OHS.

“The board had approached us and we came and repaired straightaway.

“We are proud of that because we believe our purpose is to serve the community better.”

She said this was the first time the trust had provided assistance as such.

School chairman Fotu Yavala said the school was thankful to the trust for assisting them.

“What we are witnessing today is one of the most important occasions. The school is 85 years old now.

“We are thankful to the trust for rebuilding the quarters,” he said.

Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU RIGHT: Mere Samisoni presents the keys to Ballantine Memorial School principal Miriama Naicegucegu during the opening of a new teachers quarters at Delainavesi in Lami.

Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU LEFT: Mere Samisoni’s granddaughter Hanisi Hodge (left) joins The Hot Bread Kitchen staff members Maria Baleiono, Upashna Ben and Asaeli Naisoro.

Businesswoman Mere Samisoni (front) during the opening of the new teachers quarters at Ballantine Memorial School in Delainavesi, Lami.

Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU Interim school chairman Fotu Yavala (left), Jimi Savu and Asaeli Naisoro at a prayer session inside the new teachers quarters.

Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU John Samisoni (left) is interviewed with his mother Mere Samisoni at Ballantine Memorial School in Lami.

Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU The Rev Manasa Foiakau (third from left) offers a prayer inside the new teachers quarters at Ballantine Memorial School in Lami.

Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU Tui Suva Sanaila Mudunavosa (second from left) is joined by The Hot Bread Kitchen’s John Samisoni (sixth from left) and board members at the new teachers quarters at Ballantine Memorial School in Delainavesi, Lami.