Western Union provides computers to rural school
The practice of business houses adopting deserving schools seems to be an idea whose time has come. Last week it was B.T.L. and Bethel Primary; today it was Western Union and Biscayne. News’s Five Marion Ali reports.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The cutting of the yellow ribbon at Biscayne Government School marked the official opening this afternoon of the institution’s computer lab. The dream became a reality one year after initial discussions began between the school and Western Union, to establish a special relationship. School Principal, Dorla Wade was thankful that finally the one hundred and sixty students can finally become computer literate.
Dorla Wade, Principal, Biscayne Government School
“So we have three brand new computers, a new lab you have to say and we are very grateful because the children will be able to use it along with the teachers.”
Marion Ali
“What were you doing before the lab was there? How were they coping with assignments? How were they using internet?”
Dorla Wade
“They were doing it at home. We had one computer that they had access to whenever they wanted but apart from that they had to do everything on their own at home or bigger brothers or sister help them out with it.”
Marion Ali
“With the adoption come more requests?”
Dorla Wade
“Of course, of course. We’ll wait and see how it plays out but…”
Marion Ali
“But on your list…”
Dorla Wade
“On the list we have or kitchen, our dining room that we need to finish and we have the yard that we need some filling on but we’ll work with the kitchen first.”
According to Manager of Business Development at Western Union, Omar Ortiz the kitchen will be just the first of many needs that they will address.
Omar Ortiz, Manager, Business Development, Western Union
“This is sort of our pilot project where we are trying to see exactly how Western Union can give back to the communities that we serve. As you notice we’ve been here a while, by the painting, the school has been yellow and black for at least about two and a half years. We started in that regard, shortly after we put up a billboard, we do a little bit of work with them in terms of their feeding programme. I must say that Biscayne Government School has one of the better feeding programmes I’ve seen and it’s done locally in terms of the parents and the teachers and the village chairman, etc.”
About a year ago principal Dorla asked us, said, we really need computers and we don’t have computers and so we have been working with them for a while now to get the computers in.”
“We’re trying to finish the cafeteria area that is outside and in addition to that just basis upkeep and assistance wherever we can, within a reasonable frame.”
Although for now the computer lab has only three computers, the students are encouraged by the gesture.
Marion Ali
“Is it easier now for you that you have computers at school?”
Ammi Burn, Std. 4 student, Biscayne Government School
“Yes Ma’am.”
Marion Ali
“So what all can you do on the computer?”
Ammi Burn
“Play games, check e-mail and a lot of other things.”
Marion Ali
“Like encyclopaedia, like atlases…”
Ammi Burn
“I think so”
Marion Ali
“Do you do assignments on the computer?”
Ammi Burn
“Not at home.”
Marion Ali
“But you can do them now?”
Ammi Burn
“Yes Ma’am.”
Marion Ali
“You’re playing a game. What are you playing?”
Nathaniel Perrera, Std. 5 student, Biscayne Government School
”You have to find the word and you have to spell it and you have to guide him”
Marion Ali
“So you are playing and you are also learning”?
Nathaniel Perrera
”Yes Ma’am”
Marion Ali
“So before the computer lab came about who did you use to learn and play and all of the rest of it?”
Nathaniel Perrera
”Well my cousin have one and we use to go there. So now that we have this we can come here anytime and get information.”
Marion Ali
“It’s more convenient?”
Nathaniel Perrera
”Yes Ma’am”
Marion Ali
“So what else aside from playing games can you do?”
Nathaniel Perrera
”Homework, research, find ideas about history and all sorts.”
Marion Ali reporting for News Five.
Officials said the school will soon have access to the internet. The computers and other accessories are valued at around ten thousand dollars. Ortiz says Western Union is planning to help schools in the Toledo and Stann Creek Districts, as well as others in the rural Belize District.
