New building for Samuel Haynes Institute

A groundbreaking ceremony was held this evening at the Samuel Haynes Institute on Mahogany Street where a new building is set to be constructed.  The existing facility, which has been declared a child friendly space, will be expanded with an addition to be funded by the Japanese government.  On hand for the ceremony was Pickstock area representative and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, as well as education minister Patrick Faber and the consular representing the Government of Japan. 

Wilfred Elrington, Area Representative, Pickstock Division

Wilfred Elrington

“The Japanese assist us in the way they can by making available to the nation of Belize these institutions. They have done it here at Samuel Haynes, but they have been doing it all over the country for a number of years now. So we want to thank the Japanese government very profusely for this partnership that we have with them. And I would like to invite you now to give the counselor a big round of applause. And now I will ask him to give you a few words.”

Japanese Consular

“I am Japanese Consular. This is the second time I have been to this beautiful country. I am very happy. First of all, congratulations to the foreign minister and attorney general and my minister who sends a congratulations message to you. And thank to the children and the teachers and the parents. It is my great pleasure to be representing here on behalf of the Japanese government.”

The Samuel Haynes Institute was established in 2009 to provide skills training to residents of the Pickstock and Lake Independence Divisions with financial assistance from Lord Michael Ashcroft.