by KATRINA BEND

FORTY-EIGHT primary schools were granted their "wishes" when the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust gave them over $225 000 in equipment and school supplies yesterday.

Among the gifts were a computerised keyboard, laptop computers, multimedia projectors, PA systems, audio mixers, radios, digital cameras, DVDs, VCRs, printers, fax machines, vouchers for books, a water cooler, standing fans and sports equipment, collected by schools at the fourth annual presentation of the Tanglewood Fun Day disbursement to schools.

The prize-giving ceremony took place at the luxurious Sandy Lane Spa at the Sandy Lane Hotel, St James.

Chief coordinator Phillipa Challis who also serves as a trustee, said the "wish list" comprised items needed for the schools.

Challis said there were two main features of Tanglewood Family Fun Day held in March:

The providing of a completely free day of entertainment for Barbadian families – sponsored by Gay and Derrick Smith, owners of Sandy Lane Hotel.

The distributing of gifts that came from local companies and the West Coast Friends.

Challis thanked Julie Raizman, Caroline Gardiner and their husbands, the British Women's Club of Barbados, Springhead Farm staff, and Debbie Haynes, house manager of Tanglewood, for their support.

Minister of Education Anthony Wood told principals, teachers and students that "the teaching and learning process is a dynamic one which requires students to have access to equipment and materials at a fairly rapid rate".

He continued: "For the education system to play a critical role in our developing society, the reality is that Government cannot do it all and it is timely that this presentation takes place.

In the last three years the charity has donated in excess of $400 000 of supplies and equipment to Government primary schools.