Furniture for Schools Charitable Trust partnered recently with LDS Charities, an organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to deliver recycled furniture from schools in Auckland to public schools in Tonga.
Schools are invited to donate usable furniture to be distributed to less privileged schools throughout the Pacific area.
The furniture delivered to Tonga was donated by Blockhouse Primary School, AUT University, Auckland Council Libraries, and Long Bay College.
John McLean, director and organiser of the trust, said, “The New Zealand schools have been quick to respond. They are grateful to see good furniture recycled and used.”
LDS Charities facilitates the freighting and delivery of the furniture from Auckland to the final destination. Private companies assist in collecting the furniture from the different schools.
Mr McLean stated, “Our partnership with LDS Charities has made it possible for our organization to provide support to schools in need which are often found in Pacific Island groups.”
The furniture was delivered to three schools in Tonga: Fungaonetaka 1 Kindergarten, Ngele’ia, and Tonga International Academy.
Pacific Area president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Kevin W. Pearson, recently spoke to youth about the importance of education, urging them to “Embark on a quest for education and learning.”
“Our goal for ‘Furniture for Schools," Mr McLean says, "dovetails on Elder Pearson’s talk. We hope to encourage and enhance education by improving environments conducive to learning.”
Mr McLean says they have more containers ready for shipment to other schools in the Pacific.