TRENTON, N.J., July 16 (UPI) -- The United Arab Emirates Embassy is donating $4.5 million to 30 New Jersey schools as part of the Hurricane Sandy recovery effort, Gov. Chris Christie said.
Christie's wife Mary Pat has founded a charity to help with the recovery that will receive the donation and hand it out to nine school districts. The cash will go toward upgrading technology in the schools with new computers, increased bandwidth and personnel to enhance technology curriculum, The (Newark) Star Ledger reported Monday.
"In the UAE, we were amazed at the resilience, grit and the determination that was shown by the citizens of this state," UAE Ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba said. "As the most basic foundation for so many communities, the schools are the one place where we can together help rebuild with an eye on the future."
Christie said New Jersey schools will put the money to good use.
"We have great friends and allies around the world who are willing to help us in times of need, not only because they see human suffering and want to help to fix it, but also because they believe in the friendship that they have with this country," the governor said.
Nearly all of New Jersey's school reopened within three weeks of the storm but five school are still closed. The Star-Ledger said education officials expect those schools will again receive students in September.
The donation brings the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund to $38 million.
