New bus for deaf students

From: Fiji's Daily Post, Fiji - Jun 11, 2003

Twenty-four students from the Gospel School for the Deaf yesterday took a ride in their brand new school bus donated by the Embassy of Japan.

The youngsters could not contain their excitement and rushed into the new bus after Masaaki Takada, the Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan, officially handed it over to them.

The 30-seater Nissan bus cost $90,000 and was purchased following a request from the school to the embassy.

Chairman of the school committee Howard Politini said they were grateful to the Japanese government for the kind assistance and its willingness to assist the unfortunate.

"We must make every effort to assist students with disabilities to realise and achieve their full potential and this donation is indeed an added boost to their education," Mr Politini said.

In his address, Mr Takada said the government of Japan was committed to assisting efforts to educate children in the Pacific.

"At a recent meeting of leaders of the Pacific Island nations and Japan, we reaffirm our commitment to investing our resources in education, especially for the rural and disadvantaged children," Mr Takada said.

"As a representative of Japan, I am pleased to know that my country has contributed to bringing joy into the lives of the children attending this school."

He added that children with disabilities are gifted and need to have their talents and energies developed to the fullest.

The bus will be used for school trips.

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