B.E.L. helps YWCA teach swimming

The Young Women’s Christian Association today received a generous helping hand for its swimming programme from one of the country’s largest companies. During brief ceremonies at the Y’s offices on St. Thomas Street, representatives of Fortis, the majority shareholder in Belize Electricity Limited, handed over a cheque for four thousand dollars. According to executive secretary of the YWCA, Sonia Lenares, the donation will greatly assist the organisation with its efforts to teach Belizean children to swim.

Sonia Lenares, General Secretary, YWCA
?The ?Y? will use that money specifically for the swim programme. This is a programme that we were soliciting assistance. We really wanted to revive the pool programme because we feel that the learn to swim programme, the basic water safety instructions that we have to offer here is very important for our Belizean children, and the community at large.?

?What we?ve been trying to do is to get more children involved, get school involved, get teachers involved because we fell that is so important for our children to learn to swim.?

Patrick Jones
?Ms. Lenares, what does it mean to YWCA to be receiving this donation this morning??

Sonia Lenares
?The YWCA has vested interest in our youths and the community as a whole. And we are very thankful to Fortis for this kind donation. And with organisations like Fortis and other business community, I must say at this point though, I also have to be thankful to the Government of Belize who has really supported us and has plans to continue to support the swim programme 2005. So this additional money comes at an opportune time for us to really make the swim programme a number one priority for the YWCA right now.?

Dawn Sampson, Corporate Communications Manager, Fortis Inc.
?The YWCA is definitely one of the leading, community focussed non-government organisations in Belize. Since 1956 they have been hosting programmes for the community which focus on health, fitness, safety, nutrition, child care and we definitely recognize those efforts. And on behalf of Fortis we?d like to congratulate the YWCA for it successes in these regards.?

Patrick Jones
?Is this a one time donation or will you continue to support the Y??

Dawn Sampson
?Actually no, ever year Fortis would ask BEL to identify a community focused NGO. I think last year the donation was given to the Friends of Paediatrics, this year to the YWCA. So we definitely try to make it an annual donation.?

Lenares says it costs the Y approximately five thousand dollars monthly to maintain the swimming pool and related programmes.