DANGRIGA, Mon. Feb. 16, 2015

Dangriga natives Zane and Julie Smith have donated desks and chairs to six learning institutions in Dangriga — Delille Academy, Kids First, Coastland Methodist School, Gulisi Primary School, Garifuna Pre-school and the Pablo Lambey Cultural Center.

The total value of the donations is about $52,000.

The chairs range in sizes from those suitable for preschool students to those which can seat high school students, and the desks and tables are adjustable to fit students ranging from the preschool to the high school level.

The donation was made possible through a collaboration with the Naperville School District of Chicago in the United States, and Zane and Julie Smith, who are from Dangriga, but who are now living in Chicago.

Julie Smith said that on Friday morning, there was a brief ceremony at the Gulisi Primary School, during which the items were handed over to the respective schools. .

In an interview with Amandala, she said that this is not the first time they have made such donations. They have also made contributions to needy Punta Gorda residents. Smith is a volunteer at the Gulisi Primary School and she goes around to see what is needed at other schools and makes arrangements for the needed items to be obtained.

Presently, Julie is concentrating on the southern districts, but mostly in Dangriga.

Zane and Julie thank Michael Mahung and Jael Oriekaose, who volunteered their time and energy in getting the items ready for packing, and also, Mayor Gilbert Swaso for assisting in bringing in the items duty-free.

They also thank the shipping company, Safe Freight, which transported the items safely from Chicago to Dangriga.