Tablets for High School Students This Krismus

Dozens of teenagers attending secondary school in the Old Capital were today proud recipients of tablets ahead of the January semester of hybrid learning.  It’s the culmination of another initiative launched by the Aspire for Greatness Foundation, to assist less fortunate students on Belize City’s south side with the resources necessary to continue their academic pursuits.  News Five’s Isani Cayetano was present at the handing over event and has the following story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Making good on its commitment to distribute as many electronic devices to high school students across Belize City, the Aspire For Greatness Foundation invited a handful of recipients to the Radisson this afternoon.  During a brief ceremony, tablets were handed out to administrators of their respective schools.

Orson Picart, President, Aspire For Greatness Foundation

Orson Picart

“Earlier this year, five educators and two laymen came together with a common vision, to positively impact the lives of our community members.  This commonality eventually went on to birth the Aspire for Greatness Foundation.  With the help of other community members and Belizeans in the Diaspora, we have done measurable good but we have found that there is never enough to go around because the needs of our communities are so great.”

Despite not being able to satisfy all those needs, particularly for students on the south side, the organization has made a valiant effort to raise funds and procure as many tablets as it can afford to gift the needy this Christmas.

Alisha Craig

Alisha Craig, Aspire for Greatness Foundation

“One thing we came up with, we did a big fundraiser.  So we did a turkey dinner and that was just to show that not only were we just asking for the tablets but we were actually able to do the work to get the money, get the finances to get the tablets for all of you here today.”

Orson Picart is president of AFGF.  He acknowledges six high schools whose students are receiving these devices.

Orson Picart

“Today we celebrate Gwen Liz, Anglican Cathedral College, Wesley High, Excelsior High, Maude Williams, Sadie Vernon High, and also Gwen Liz evening division.  Today we celebrate you, the students, who have been selected by your respective schools to be recipients of these devices.  It is our collective hope that these will aid in your education process, but these devices will only be as good as you care for them.  As educators, we know all too well the importance of having tools that accentuate our students learning abilities and so, these tablets are expected to do just that.”

It is the organization’s goal to pick up where our country’s political leaders have left off, to strengthen the Jewel by educating its people.

Paul Noralez, Aspire for Greatness Foundation

Paul Noralez

“To follow in these great individuals’ footsteps, Aspire for Greatness Foundation plans to be another force to impact this country’s educational journey.  Our Jewel is rich with history as we remember Ms. Myrna Manzanares  and still has so much to grow.  A country where its future is unwritten must see the importance of our youth, build our Belizean Jewel in love, honor, trust and the belief that we can make a difference.”

Isani Cayetano reporting for News Five.