Spanish Gov’t donates equipment to Bz. district students

Over the last two days, representatives of the government and people of Spain have been in Belize to hand over computers and kitchen appliances to two local institutions. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting
This morning’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was not the typical opening of a new school or health facility as the event marked the official donation of kitchen appliances to Excelsior High School by the Government of Spain. According to Regional Coordinator of the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation, Ignacio Nicolau, the contribution is the start of new things for Belize.

Ignacio Nicolau, Regional Coordinator, Spanish Agency of International Cooperation
“This is a first step and I mean, the relationship is the started and now its each year. And I think the next year we are coming here making the same thing and the other year too. At least in the next two years we are supporting the Ministry of Education of Belize, maybe in equipment or I don’t know. It depends on the personnel of the Ministry.”

Marion Ali
“Is the education the only area that you look at?”

Ignacio Nicolau
“Education and professional education. So I mean regular education and professional education.”

Excelsior High was not the only beneficiary of Spanish generosity. On Monday, the Belize District Education Centre received computer equipment worth twenty thousand Belize dollars. Director of General School Services in the Ministry of Education, Yolanda Gongora, says the groundwork for receiving the aid began when officials from the Spanish Regional Office for Education and Culture made their first visit to Belize last year.

Yolanda Gongora, Director of General School Services, Ministry of Education
“They asked us to send proposals and we invited these two offices to write proposals for the assistance because we saw that the District Education Centre really need assistance in computer technology and Excelsior High School needed equipment materials, utensils, for the Home Economics Department.”

Excelsior’s Principal Gayle Thompson considers the donation a blessing.

Gayle Thompson, Principal, Excelsior
“The skill that they will learn using these equipment will help them to prepare for employment as well as create their own employment.”

Marion Ali
“How was the school coping with passing on home management techniques and skills to these students before the donation?”

Gayle Thompson
“We had offered basic home economics with limited resources that we had prior to the donation today. So we used what we had, which was very limited.”

There are approximately a hundred students enrolled at Excelsior High. Reporting for News Five, I am Marion Ali.

Excelsior High is now hoping to enhance its Clothing and Textiles department. If you would like to donate sewing machines and supplies, please contact Gayle Thompson at Excelsior High School in Belize City.