Ventura Bus Lines has transported a magnificent life-line to a central Pacific island’s special needs school.
Its donated 57-seater Volgren Scania bus will support the Kiribati School and Centre for Children with Special Needs, which had struggled to get students to school.
Most of the 200-plus students at the Republic of Kiribati school struggle to get to class – they either cannot walk to school or are unable to access public transport. There was no dedicated school bus.
“The wonderful gift provided by Ventura will enable all students to attend school each day, giving these special kids the chance to thrive, learn and play,” Australian volunteer teacher at Kiribati, Ben Clare said.
The donated vehicle was shipped from Melbourne to Kiribati via Brisbane and Suva on 8 July. PDL offered a freight discount for the delivery.
Ventura managing director Andrew Cornwall said the company was honoured to make the donation.
Kiribatl School spokesperson Alison Crook said the gift was “life-changing” for students.
“Without this transport many of the children simply could not get to school at all. It makes all the difference for them.
“Getting access to schooling is life-changing for many of them, so it is easy to understand the difference this makes.”
Victorian parliamentary secretary for early childhood education Sonya Kilkenny launched the bus’s departure from Melbourne.
“It is terrific a Victorian business is providing a bus to the children of Kiribati to help get an education,” she said.
Ms Kilkenny had previously launched four Ventura buses donated to Port Moresby to improve women’s safety.
