Puzzles needed for island schools

Donations of school, craft, electronic, musical and medical supplies are being sought for the Solomon Islands by Bunbury woman Jane Sheils.

Ms Sheils has been volunteering in the island village of Kilusakwalo, in Malaita Province, for the past two years as part of the Australian Volunteers for International Development program.

While living and working in the community, Ms Sheils has helped renovate classrooms, collect school resources, train teachers, teach English and set up a Women’s Learning Centre.

She is seeking donations of resources desperately needed by the community such as pencils, paints, crayons, reading glasses, musical instruments, mobile phones, cameras with memory cards and medial equipment.

Ms Sheils said Australian donations of educational resources were helping teachers and students to thrive but there was more to be done.

“It makes my heart sing to see children in every classroom, every day, reading for pleasure, ” she said.

“We have also introduced board games, puzzles, and construction materials in the junior classrooms.

“This is making a huge difference to the teaching and learning program.”

Ms Sheils said those looking to donate or thinking of volunteering should contact her on 0467 222 974.

The website www.bookdepository.com.uk delivers books to the Solomon Islands freight free. Contact Ms Sheils for address details.

The Australian Volunteers for International Development program is an Australian Government initiative.

It is part of the Australian aid program which is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“It makes my heart sing to see children in every classroom, every day, reading for pleasure”— Jane Sheils