Yesterday, he received a check for $6,000 from the Public School System, raising the total collection in the CNMI to $100,000.
“It’s never too late for the school children to start learning,” Sword said, as he thanked the students from the different CNMI public schools for their donations.
Cash worth $32,000 to $35,000 will help purchase school supplies for the children of American Samoa and Samoa, he said.
At least three schools in the islands were demolished and five others were damaged, he added.
He assured PSS and Board of Education officials that 100 percent of the funds intended for the school children will go to the recipients.
Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan led PSS officials in turning over the check to Sword and his wife Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, who helped collect relief goods for the tsunami victims.
Associate Education Commissioner for Administrative Services Peter Le’au said 654 students of San Vicente Elementary School raised $1,200 while 800 students of Saipan Southern High School donated $1,500.
Sword said the cash and goods collected in the CNMI will be shipped after the culmination of the fundraising drive today.
A strong tsunami hit the Samoas on Sept. 29, killing over 100 and displacing over 20,000 people.
