B.T.L. unveils Adopt-a-School initiative
It may have a new name and more than its share of boardroom and labour problems, but Belize Telemedia Limited remains a player in the country’s social sector. Today the company unveiled its latest charitable initiative.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Belize Telemedia Limited will spend one hundred and fifty thousand dollars over the next three years improving the educational standards at Bethel Primary School. The institution, which caters to one hundred students, is the first school to be adopted by the telecommunications company.
Linette Canto, P.R. Executive, Belize Telemedia
“We realised that there was a need for assistance within the schools in Belize, so we approached the Ministry of Education’s planning department, explained to them that we were interested in embarking on a programme such as this. They gave us a list of schools and from there we did interviews, we did follow up sessions with the schools and we realized that Bethel Primary School was indeed the school that we were looking for.”
Under the Adopt-a-School Programme, B.T.L. will spend the next three years establishing key resources including a computer laboratory and library, along with social activities that stand to benefit both staff and students.
Linette Canto
“In phase one, we are looking at looking at the physical infrastructure of the school as well as starting a mentorship programme where employees of B.T.L. will be able to come in to the school and assist the children. We are also looking at assisting them in terms of their computer lab and stuff like that. In year two, we are looking at establishing a feeding programme or building upon the feeding programme that they already have in place and looking at other ways that we can assist.”
The school management says they are excited about the adoption because it came at a time when they are seriously working towards revitalising the institution.
Edward Logan, Principal, Bethel Primary School
“This has made a very big difference. It’s like a difference of a school operating well behind the times and now a school that has the opportunity to be operating on the level of most modern schools in Belize City.”
Because the school caters mostly to underprivileged children, principal Edward Logan says it has been a challenge finding the funds needed to get the job done.
Edward Logan
“The problems of finances, which are very critical in maintaining a good environment for learning and also for getting our students competitive with other students from other schools. And as well, we also have problems garnering finances because of the economic background that our students come from. So with this boost from Telemedia it is definitely going to help us.”
While B.T.L. plans to adopt Bethel Primary School for three years, the programme continues when at that time another school will be chosen.
B.T.L. says the Adopt-a-School programme joins Telemedia’s high school scholarship programme, free internet to schools, and other educational and community initiatives supported by the company.
