Banks assist school rebuild lab

By ZACHERY PER
THE National Development Bank last Thursday presented K3,000 towards the rebuilding of the burnt down science laboratory at Goroka Secondary School, in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.
The bank was the second financial institution to offer a lending hand.
The ANZ Bank had earlier given K5,000.
National Development Bank Goroka branch manager Lee Thomas said most of their clients were former students of Goroka Secondary School.
He expressed delight that the bank had been able to offer its support to the school in its effort to rebuild the science laboratory.
“NDB is a corporate entity that provides an opportunity for many unfortunate locals who cannot borrow money from commercial banks to get a loan to become involved in business activities,” Thomas said.
School principal John Onga thanked the bank for the contribution.
Onga said the donation was a true sign of Papua New Guineans helping other Papua New Guineans in a worthy cause.
He said students at the school would become future leaders of the country and it was of paramount importance that they were provided with quality education.
“You (NDB) are the second bank to come to make a contribution, we are grateful for the help,” Onga said.
Senior school inspector Mupe Kaupa, who witnessed the presentation on behalf of the Eastern Highlands provincial education division, applauded the bank’s help.
He said the school was a premier educational institution in the province and when the building was razed in the early hours of June 3, they were helpless.
“Education is an important sector of human development and it is a worthy cause for the NDB to show support, which is a fine example of partnership,” Kaupa said.
The school’s special appeal is likely to receive some money from the
K2.7 million Prime Minister Peter O’Neill had presented for projects in Goroka during the annual Goroka show in September.
Fundraising activities are being staged around the country by former students to assist the school.