Japan helps primary school in Santa Martha

As we’ve often pointed out in this newscast, many of the country’s rural schools are badly in need of assistance to improve and expand their facilities. In June 2005, News Five visited Santa Martha village in the Orange Walk district and found the primary school in dire need of new classrooms. Tonight we are pleased to report that during brief ceremonies in Belmopan on Friday, the Japanese Government officially signed a grant contract with the Santa Martha primary school valued at more than a hundred thousand dollars. The monies will be used to renovate two classrooms, construct a playground and purchase sporting equipment.

Hermilo Morale, Principal, Santa Martha Primary
“In a nutshell, the educational standards of our school will improve tremendously. We are grateful for your help and on behalf of the children, teachers, and the community of Santa Martha I thank you for your generosity and goodwill. Please convey our heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Japan for this kind and very important gesture.”

Yoshiyuki Isoda, Consular, Embassy of Japan
“The success of these programmes in Belize satisfy my people’s sense of responsibility to the world. As a nation that has been compared to others, Japan feels obliged to give what our means dictates.”

Through its Grass Roots Human Security Initiative, the Japanese Government has contributed some three million dollars towards twenty separate social development projects in Belize.