A fire has destroyed two classrooms and two science labs at Tenakoga Adventist High School in the Solomon Islands overnight. Teachers’ offices between the classrooms were also destroyed by the blaze, which broke out around 4 am. The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage. Fortunately, no lives were lost and no one was injured.
“The fire spread so quickly we couldn’t save any resources, desks, or chairs that have been donated,” says teacher Chareen Simbe. “Neither could our teachers save their students’ work. Most of the community came to help us put out the fire, and thankfully they were able to save the other classroom wing which is only meters away.”
Trans-Pacific Union Mission education director Mele Vaihola says the school had just celebrated a special week.
“They were on a high note as they had just finished their Adventist Education Week with 25 student baptisms and one teacher baptism—and now the fire,” Vaihola says. “We praise the Lord that no lives were lost. Please remember the principal, staff, and students in your prayers.”
Tenakoga Adventist High School is located approximately a 90-minute drive from Honiara in Northeast Guadalcanal. About 240 students are enrolled at the boarding school.
Anyone who would like to support the school at this time is asked to contact the Solomon Islands Mission at sim@adventist.org.sb, or Pastor Ray Eaton at rayeaton@adventist.org.au or 0431 579 303. Eaton coordinates a Solomon Islands Education Support team in Australia. This team has provided significant support to Tenakoga including building a dining hall, library, two ablution blocks, and water and electrical infrastructure.
This article was originally published on the website of Adventist Record.