Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Wruter

FELLOWSHIP, Portland:THE FELLOWSHIP Primary and Junior High School at Fellowship in Portland received a $100,000 donation through a fund-raising effort by one of its past students, Alec Singh. The money will be used for the purchase of a laminating machine.

In making the donation, Singh explained that he had been contacted earlier in the year by a teacher, who related to him that the school was in dire need of a laminating machine and that he was trying to get contributions from past students.

"I saw this as an opportunity to give back to my alma mater," commented Singh. "I decided to see how best I could go about raising funds through participation in some long-distance running competitions. And, of course, this was decided on the basis that I would also get some much-needed exercise while in the process of raising the donation."

fund-raising skills

According to the past student, his fund-raising skills were not as good as he had hoped, but he informed potential contributors that his family would match each dollar contributed, aiming at a ceiling of US$1,000. Singh noted that his colleagues, who formed part of a secretariat in Brussels, Belgium, were generous, and most of the funds were contributed by them.

An equivalent amount of $50,000 was raised, which the family then doubled to reach his goal of $100,000.

"It is my hope that other past students or other benefactors might come forward to help the school achieve its goal of acquiring a large-format laminating machine," Singh said.

Principal, Aldis Myers, was delighted and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the much needed contribution.

"I am hoping that other past students will join in and partner with us. This is important as we seek to improve the teaching and learning environment," said Myers.

The principal noted that the matter of education was everybody's business, and that parental support, to a large extent, left much to be desired.