The students at Mitiaro Tematangarengare School were the happy recipients of a stash of generous donations recently.

The school, which consists of 34 students in total received a mix of toys, colouring pencils, biro pens, laminating pouches, and many other stationery resources which can be used in both junior classes right up to senior classes. 

Toys and some colouring pencils for the ECE (early childhood) classrooms were donated by Dion and Marsaillers Roussaux with a box of more assorted stationery came from Julie Beckett, a visiting friend of the Cook Islands.

Christopher Story, principal of the school, said that the students, especially the senior students, were very grateful and really happy to receive the donations.

“The significance of these donations is of great impact to the students’ standards of learning. What more can you ask when goods of this nature are being given to you at your doorstep? One must appreciate these and put it all to good use to support the learning of our students,” Story said.

He said schooling in the outer islands 40 to 50 years back, these resources would be even more valuable.

“These resources would be a jewel used to enhance the teaching and learning of Cook Islands children.

“It is always my practice to acknowledge the wonderful people who have donated in kindness to our school, so I also wanted to get the students to practice the skills of reciprocation by writing a thank you note,” Story said.

Some of the senior students wrote a thank you letter to Mr. and Mrs. Roussaux.

“On behalf of our principal, our teachers, and our brothers and sisters known as the students of Tematangarengare School, we would like to say a big thank you to you, your wife, and also your family for donating to us this big box of toys,” they wrote in the letter.

“For sure this gift will be really great for our future generations and so on. So again from the whole of Tematangarengare School, thank you so so much. Hopefully we will receive more in the future (haha). May our Father above bless you and your family with more blessings to come. Mou ite kura tatakinaia.”

To Julie Beckett, the students wrote: “Meitaki ranuinui for your kind heart. We would like to meet you again in the future. Should you happen to visit the Cook Islands, make Mitiaro your target destination. Although this may take quite a bit of time because of the Covid-19 pandemic, nevertheless we appreciate your thoughtful gestures. Once again, Meitaki ranuinui ... May God bless you and keep you safe.”