Chairs for classroom contribution

Unused classroom furniture from across Marlborough has been refurbished and sent to its new island life in Tonga’s education system.

The 20-foot shipping container, positioned into the St Mary’s School carpark for the past three months, has now been stacked full and sent to fit out classrooms in schools throughout the island kingdom as part of Rotary Club’s World Community Service.

After experiencing Tongan schools last year through the Tautai O Le Moana exchange, St Mary’s School principal Bridget Comer knew her school could help with unused furniture from as far back as St Joseph’s closing in the 1970s, and was pleased to find Rotary and the students are amazing, but they lack resources so it was a little bit of a pet project coming back with the hope and knowledge that we had this furniture – the trip makes me incredibly grateful for what we have here”, says Bridget.

“We ask our students to recognize and see the needs of others, and then to have the hearts and hands to reach out and respond, so this is a great opportunity for our students to put their values and those actions into practice”.

“I’m thankful that the Rotary Club stepped in to facilitate getting this container to Tonga as part of the Rotary Club’s World Community Service, and the fact that schools have stepped in, it is a community effort which reflects the multicultural nature of our school and Marlborough generally”.

The school desks, tables and chairs have been dismantled, cleaned and recoated in polyurethane by Rotary Club Blenheim South members in preparation for shipping and use for many years to come, instead of being stuck in storage.

Rotary Blenheim South’s Neville White said the connection between St Mary’s, Tonga and themselves was an “unintentional yet happy coincidence”.

“Rotary South Island have run World Community Service projects for several years supporting schools in the Islands and normally send two containers a year
“With St Mary’s having such a big stockpile themselves, the choice of Tonga this year, and with Bridget’s motivation, Blenheim South with the help of Nelson Rotary decided to do one ourselves here.

“There’s been a serious contribution from St Mary’s, with furniture and allowing us to access their facilities as a gather point for the past few months, as well as Seddon, Renwick and Springlands Schools, the District Health Board, and Marlborough Boys’ College helping both donate and stack the container.

“As a club, we are trying to get them involved more with the young people in schools and the Colleges, so we’re thrilled about to be part of this process”.

Marlborough Boys’ College’s Waihopai House leader Mason Herd, who volunteered the House to help with packing, was glad to be asked.

“It’s good for us as Waihopai House to get involved helping people that need it, connect local volunteer groups and hit key goals of improving our community service as a house and school.

“There’s a large Tongan community within Marlborough and the school, so it’s also helping close to home for some boys. It’s been some hard work, but we’ve loved connecting with the Rotary Club.”