A $2.1 Million School Building at Maud Williams High School
A new school building was inaugurated today in Belize City. The new classrooms at Maud Williams High School can now accommodate one hundred and eighty students and will make their learning process easier since the new building provides necessary space for academic as well as technical and vocational programmes. The project which was funded by the U.S. Embassy in Belize is valued at two point one million Belize dollars. Dalila Ical reports.
Cruzita Castillo, Principal
“Your generosity has truly touched lives of the now and future generation of Maude Williams High School and by extensions our Belizean community.”
Dalila Ical, Reporting
It has been a long wait, but a worthwhile one, says High School Principal Cruzita Castillo. The school administration first saw the need for the structure back in 2011. Fast forward eight years later, and after much lobbying, a new facility replaces the old Princess Royal Youth Hostel building. That structure was used for classrooms but became dilapidated and uninhabitable. With funding from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Assistance Program, the building was replaced.
LTC Eldridge Singleton, Sr. Defense Official/Defense Attaché
“This facility has a couple of office buildings, four bathrooms, home economics section for culinary skills it has a laboratory, it has a computer lab, it has a sewing laboratory, it has a drafting laboratory and a couple other amenities. The project was done by the contractor his name was Mr. Carlos Padilla Project was done by contractor and it took them approximately one year to complete.”
Cruzita Castillo
“Change in mindset and programs have always dictated the balance to encourage a culture of respect for each other a strong sense of personal identity and community. While we rise to the challenge of social issues and believe that second chances must be given it is buildings like these that strengthens our belief that others care about who we are and we only hope that this care translates into maximum use and care of such a facility to benefit our students’ needs and prepare them for a brighter successful future.”
Chargé d’ Affaires at the U.S. Embassy, Keith Gilges, says the project is a reflection of the collaboration of both countries towards education.
Keith Gilges, Chargé d’ Affaires, U.S. Embassy in Belize
“What Belize does and what you do matters to the United States. So, this school is not really a gift, it’s an investment we are making together for our collective future. The structure will open new doors and new opportunities for many Belizean students, but our support does not stop there we stand with you for the long haul.”
Minister of Education Patrick Faber says the project is good reason to celebrate.
Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
“This is Maude Williams high school of course which is a government owned high school, one that is in one of our troubled neighborhoods here in Belize City. For this kind of opening, it’s really a big deal for us. You had the chance to see inside the facility. The wonderful building itself is one thing but the excellent equipment, the state of the art equipment that is inside is what makes us so pleased to be here this morning to say that even our young people here on the south side deserve the best of things and so this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the wonderful gift that the US MLO, government and people of the United States have given so selflessly and we celebrated hat this morning.”
Maude Williams attended this morning’s ribbon cutting ceremony at the institution that bears her name. She celebrates her ninetieth birthday this year. Reporting for News Five, Dalila Ical.
