A couple from Perth who donated $2,000 to a children's performing group from Cuba through a local private school say the group still hasn't received the money.

Bill Ryan said he and his wife donated $2,000 to a Cuban performing group through the Canadian Montessori Academy in Ottawa, and that the money has not yet reached the group. (CBC)

The Canadian Montessori Academy was shut down last week after racking up debts that could exceed $2 million. The school was forced into receivership earlier this month.

The children's group from Cuba, La Colmenita, performed at the school's gym in April during a Canadian tour.

Bill Ryan and his wife decided to make the $2,000 donation when they learned that the troupe performs on a shoestring budget.

Group still waiting for money, family says

Four months later, he said, the group is still waiting for the money.

Ryan said the de Mel family, which ran the school, handled the funds.

"I'm at the anger stage but trying to control it," Ryan said. "I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt."

Ryan said he had been involved in an email exchange with the de Mels. He said the family told him bureaucratic snags prevented them from transferring the money to Cuba. He said the last time he heard from them was several weeks ago.

de Mels still not commenting

Now that the school is closed, Ryan said he fears the worst.

"I'm going to be extremely disappointed, extremely upset if those monies don't get to La Colmenita," Ryan said.

The court-appointed receiver, BDO Canada, said it is willing to treat the donation as a possible valid claim against the school. But it's unclear how much money, if any, will be left after secured creditors are paid.

Meanwhile, the de Mel family again refused to comment Monday. They were at their Ottawa home but would not respond when a reporter rang the doorbell.

None of the allegations against the family has been proven in court.