Ashcroft Foundation extends computer programme
For a decade now computers have been the donation of choice for any wealthy individual, organisation or government that wants to demonstrate its friendship to Belize. But a simple gift of hardware without an overall plan for its use usually results in the new device becoming just an expensive paperweight. One charitable institution that has thus far avoided that pitfall is the Michael Ashcroft Foundation, which today continued its ambitious programme to bring information technology to Belize’s classrooms.
Marcial Castillo, Principal, King’s College
“Now the students are using the computers, our old ones, but now with these new ones, they say “good, what a blessing.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“How many did you receive today?”
Marcial Castillo
“We’ve received five computers today with two printers and their UPS systems.”
King’s College Principal Marcial Castillo received the computers this afternoon courtesy of the Michael A. Ashcroft Foundation. Lord Ashcroft himself was on hand for the presentation, which has benefited fifteen secondary institutions since it first started in 1993.
Lord Michael Ashcroft, Chairman, Ashcroft Foundation
“We started the programme a few years ago to a number of schools and we’ve seen the progress and we’ve seen the necessary training that the teachers have to have. The Government has announced now it’s programme to continue putting computers into schools, and it’s fantastic that the Ashcroft Foundation was able to lead the way. We wish the government well in it’s programme to take it through all the schools in Belize.”
The students of King’s College, situated at thirty-one and a half miles on the Northern Highway, raised their voices in thanksgiving.
(Students singing)
Ann-Marie Williams
Our next stop was Double Head Cabbage Village, home to the Belize Rural High School. They too received five computers and two printers from the Michael A. Ashcroft Foundation.
Allan Terry, Computer Teacher, Belize Rural High
“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. The kids are anxious for this. Before we had four computers, and we had to go and get the students to come into computer class. Now when we get the five I will have to put them out.”
“For the past two years we’ve been offering information technology, not at CXC level yet, just because of the computers, but yes it’s a course for us.”
Ashcroft says part of the motivation for the gift is his fascination for education.
Lord Michael Ashcroft
“I enjoy watching young children learning, and somewhere like Belize where we’re able to introduce computers to get them into the world of information technology, it’s just frankly exciting to be able to do and help, and it’s great coming out to the schools to do it.”
He also says government’s plan of bringing computers to all the schools is fantastic, however, he has a concern.
Lord Michael Ashcroft
“I am a little concern that the use of these facilities as cyber cafes after hours, for the general public to come into the schools, is a little worrying for security and I don’t think it’s economically viable or will work. I would like to be able to discuss this with the government and with the foundation, because we’ve had the experience of putting computers in schools. And if somehow we can find a formula in which the schools of Belize can have the computers without having to be concerned about security in the evenings, for all sorts of people trampling in and out of the classrooms of the schools, I think it would be better for the teachers and the kids of Belize.”
Student, Belize Rural High
“I must confess that receiving gifts is a very irregular occurrence at Belize Rural High. I assure you sir that your kind gesture will have long reaching effects in Belize in general and the students in particular. Once again I say thank you.”
Lord Michael Ashcroft
“Great! Thank you very much.
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
