Port Loyola finally gets its library
The installation of computers and internet access for Belizean schools under government’s project with Intelco no longer qualifies as hot news. But today’s event in Port Loyola marked something of a milestone for Belize City’s south side.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
This afternoon, residents of the Port Loyola community watched proudly as their new library was officially declared open. This has been a project in the making for some time. According to area representative Dolores Balderamos Garcia, it didn’t come easy.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Area Rep., Port Loyola
“A Port Loyola library has been thought about for a very long time and again I can say I’m really happy that we have brought it to fruition today.”
Janelle Chanona
“How difficult was it?”
Dolores Balderamos Garcia
“I wish I had time to tell you how difficult it has been. First of all, finding a spot was extremely difficult. As a matter of fact, government had to acquire the property for a public purpose. Next of course was putting the kitty together. Because we had to do cement piles, we had to make sure that the infrastructure was absolutely right and as Miss Joy, was saying, it’s not just a building, it’s a facility. Intelco has come in with the information system, but I just want to tell you how it fills my heart to see that we have really brought this thing to reality for the children of Port Loyola.”
Officials estimate that more than five thousand children from the Port Loyola area will now have easy access to books and the internet.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“Sometimes politicians are a little ashamed of saying that there is also a need for us to get nearer to God because that is what this thing is all about, ethical values in our system, discipline, encouraging our young people to be inspired to be creative and imaginative. And to see the information that Intelco will bring and is bringing to us is not just raw information, but it must be information that will create wisdom in our society.”
The new library and computer centre is located on Central American Boulevard. JC4n5
According to officials from the National Library Service, the librarian responsible in Port Loyola will be Yvonne Bevans. Several members of the business community, including John Woods, Antonio Habet and Ralph and Dylcia Feinstein were credited with helping to make the Port Loyola library a reality.