(NMTI) — The Northern Marianas Trades Institute recently received a donation from Lollipops Inc. in the amount of $5,000. The contribution by one of Saipan’s oldest toy store’s is welcome news as the institute is currently working on re-opening in phases.
Penelope Hofschneider, left, of Lollipops hands a check for $5,000 to Agnes McPhetres, NMTI CEO.
Contributed photo
The trade school received the news of such a donation by Penelope Hofschneider of Lollipops during a recent chance meeting with Agnes McPhetres, NMTI chief executive officer.
“This is Lollipop’s way of showing appreciation for what the school does in building our workforce capacity for future generations to come. The donation is our commitment to curbing the current labor crisis in the CNMI,” Hofschneider said.
NMTI is scheduled to open its doors to students abruptly forced to stop their courses at the school at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“NMTI has a responsibility to those students as they deserve the credits already earned and we are obliged to finish what we started,” McPhetres said. “These courses remain an outstanding commitment for us as we need to close these out prior to fully transitioning over towards being a government entity.”
The school, although unfunded during FY 2021, is working with funds received from various sources including a large bulk from the educational tax credits that businesses donate.
The funding received from Lollipops will be allocated toward finishing up the disrupted courses.
According to Ross Manglona, NMTI director of continuing education, “The funds donated get us one step closer toward getting past the stagnant period caused by the shutdown. Providing hands-on training is a bit trickier financially than a regular academic program as we prepare students for real world settings — meaning, the training is deeply focused on repetitive processes.”
McPhetres reiterated the school’s gratefulness for the contribution by saying, “As a CNMI stakeholder, Lollipops’ actions speaks volumes. They are committed to the well-being of our islands and the future of our people as our economy needs people that can make and repair things. I cannot thank them enough as I know there are other worthy organizations out there vying for such financial support as well. So on behalf of the students, faculty, administrators, and NMTI board of directors I extend an Un dankulu na si Yu’us ma’ase yan Oloomway reemi.”
