Dr. Martell also happens to lead Green Solutions Foundation. The charity collects items such as office furniture and outdated computers that are destined for a landfill and sends them to impoverished schools in developing countries.
Dr. Martell said last year a project in Central America resulted in a 40-foot container of school supplies and furniture making its way to Belize and Guatemala.
But while in Central Amercia, Dr. Martell met the executive director of another charity called 4 The World Belize. After Dr. Martell returned to Nova Scotia, the charity expressed the need for more supplies for at least eight more schools in Belize.
"These are schools that hadn't received anything the last time we gave a donation," said Dr. Martell.
The extensive wish list formulated by 4 The World Belize includes everything from desks and computers to sports equipment and heavy equipment.
Dr. Martell said many of the larger items on the list have already been collected and are being stored in a warehouse in Toronto. He is currently working on getting the items sent from Toronto.
But to help collect some of the smaller items on the wish list, Dr. Martell enlisted the help of Lunenburg's Class Afloat students.
The school's curriculum has a volunteer component and it will be up to the students to fundraise to transport the items and collect as many of the items as possible from people in this area.
"We liked the idea of helping to findthe stuff," said student Matthew Stein. "It's a job for volunteering but it's something that matters and makes a difference."
Ricarda Haeger said she is happy to participate, especially once she learned about students who are trying to get an education but do not have basic equipment such as a desk.
Dr. Martell said he hopes that people from Lunenburg County will help by donating items that would end up in the landfill.
He said computers that are no longer suitable by Canadian standards are top- of-the-line in countries where there are none.
The students will also help raise funds needed to send the items to Belize.
For more information on how to donate, call 634-7000.
The wish list