Businesses donate
$100,000 to USM
~ Five more classrooms to be built ~
PHILIPSBURG--The completion of phase two of the University of St. Martin (USM) building came one step closer to reality on Wednesday when five businesses donated US $20,000 each to complete five additional classrooms.
USM President Josianne Fleming-Artsen said the donation would go a long way in bolstering the university. She said additional funds are still needed to complete other aspects of phase two.
Donating $20,000 each were St. Maarten Harbour Holding Company; Michel Soons of Krebbers Associates N.V; Ralph Ledee of Philipsburg Liquor Store; Yousef Elyousef of Ace Mega Centre and Mike and Peter Mirpuri of Ballerina Jewellers. Each classroom cost $20,000 each to construct.
Fleming-Artsen said the USM’s Building Committee headed by businessman Danny Ramchandani had been very instrumental in securing the much needed funding to complete phase two.
Ramchandani underscored the importance of education and said the donations were for a good cause. “Education is important to any developing country or nation and being part of education is important,” he told the representatives of the five businesses.
He called on other businesses to look “deep into your hearts and in your pockets” to support education in St. Maarten.
Only recently Scotiabank donated $100,000 towards the university’s building project. Fleming-Artsen said the institution is still determining what specific aspects of the building project the funds will be used for.
