Telemedia launches 2nd year of feeding programme at Bethel
Remember the “Adopt a School Programme”? It started last year and today to mark its second year, Telemedia and Bethel Primary School held a special ceremony and launched a Breakfast Feeding Programme. Thirty kids will be receiving warm breakfasts which hopefully will increase productivity among the youngsters. Telemedia is also donating needed appliances for the feeding programme including a refrigerator, microwave, pantry, water cooler and cooking utensils. The telephone company has also pledged to assist the school with a photocopier and new furniture for the students of Infant one.
Dr. Wilma Wright, Mgr., Bethel Primary School
“Because of economic or other reasons some of our families are unable to provide their children with the nutrition they need to be successful in school. This untenable situation is certainly not only in Belize. Research shows that similar problems affect parents even in developed countries. To demonstrate the importance of a healthy breakfast, many researchers estimate that there is a significant association between getting a healthy breakfast and student achievement.”
Michael Augustus, Senior Public Relations Rep., Telemedia
“About a year and a half ago Maritza and myself went to visit the schools that were sent to us by the Ministry of Education. Bethel was the last school we came to and as soon as I walked into the yard I had this feeling that came over me as if God was telling me this is the school and then when I got closer to the door and we were welcomed by the beautiful warm hearts of the children and the teachers of Bethel Primary school I realised that this is the school. However, myself and Maritz, we are not he ones that make the final decision. So we had to get our whatever we ad accumulated from all the schools together, took it back to our manager, who took it to head of the department who then made their decision from there as to who it would have been. And from all the schools that we visited, I’m certain that all of them do need to have some sort of programme such as the one we have here at Bethel Primary School.”
Dr. Wilma Wright
“Telemedia’s support will therefore, increase our capacity to provide a healthy breakfast to many more children. We here at Bethel are extremely grateful to Telemedia for supporting this and a plethora of other initiatives. Their support over the pas one and a half year has ensured that several of our programmes came to fruition. For example, the mentorship programme, which is now in its second year, has resulted in the equipment of schools resource center with computers and books. This has undoubtedly resulted in the improvement of students reading, self-esteem and self-confidence. You have made a difference in the lives of our children and by extension their families and the country of Belize. Many of our parents have seen the difference in their children’s performance in school and have began to show more interest in school and their children’s academic success. One parent recently told me that she would do everything to ensure that her children finish school. The interest one mentor showed in her daughter impelled her to come to the school to meet the mentor who so emotionally affected here. There are many other students who show that Telemedia’s support is impacting the lives of many in our community.”
Michael Augustus
“Breakfast is the first meal and it should be a solid one, a good one because you get a good start, you have an excellent finish. And here at Bethel Primary School, boys and girls you’re getting the best start so when you graduate you will have an excellent finish.”
Telemedia’s Public Relations Executive, Linette Canto, handed over the first monthly cheque to Bethel’s Principal, Doctor Wilma Wright. According to Telemedia, twenty of its employees have signed on to a Mentorship programme which worked well in the first year to improve grades and attitudes at Bethel.
