San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

BELIZE MISSION TRIP

BACKGROUND ON HOLY CROSS SCHOOL PROJECT

Background info - Revised 7/16/07

The Anglican Diocese of Belize has responded to the critical shortage of classroom space in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye with the commitment to build and manage a new primary school, Holy Cross Anglican School.  It is estimated that over 120 children were unable to enroll in school for the 2005-06 school year due to lack of space.  This is a terrible tragedy with lifelong repercussions. 

It is our hope and prayer that every child in the community will soon be able to receive a first class education with the addition of this school.  Classes for Infant I, Infant II and Standard I (K - 2nd grade) started September 4th, 2006 in three wooden buildings.  By December 4th the school had two additional classrooms housing a second Infant I class and the Island‘s only Special Education Unit with eleven students.  By the end of school in June, 2006 there were 154 students in three Infant I (kindergarten) classes, one Infant II class (1st grade), two Standard I classes (2nd grade) and our Special Education unit - wow!!! 

With the help of Volunteer Mission Teams, construction of the school kitchen, cafeteria/Chapel, school office/infirmary/dental clinic and night watchman’s home has been completed.  During the summer of 2007, nine additional classrooms will be built and ready (God willing!) for the start of classes in September 2007!!

Holy Cross Anglican School will open its doors this September 2007 to over 400 students and will offer classes from Infant I (kindergarten) to Standard VI (7th grade).  Quite an amazing accomplishment in just ONE YEAR!!

Cost for EACH building is right around $10,000US.  If we have to pay labor to erect the buildings, the cost escalates to almost $12,000US.  So, Volunteer Teams not only bring financing ($2,500US per group) for the purchase of building materials, but they also save the school precious money in labor costs - YEA!!

All building materials are available on San Pedro though they are more expensive then identical 'pieces and parts' in the States.  On site construction is under the capable guidance of Mr. Freddy - a skilled 'jack of all trades' and a gentle teacher.  Two additional Belizean laborers are on site for heavy-duty construction work.  And, Vernon and I live just across the street - smile.

The next phase of construction will be a “Safe House” for our Island children, a computer room, library and principal’s home.  Down the road the plan is to build a permanent (block and cement) Church followed by permanent school buildings with a minimum of two classrooms for each grade level, Infant I through Standard VI (kindergarten through grade 7). This building will also serve as a Category 5 rated hurricane shelter for the San Pedro community.   At that time, the existing wooden buildings will be converted into a pre-school, high school and vocational center.  This is a major project!!!!  

There is a lot of information about San Pedro and Ambergris Caye on the web, which I encourage you to read.  You'll quickly realize that this area is a major tourist destination and therefore prices are higher than in the rest of Belize.  Unfortunately, expensive resorts and wealthy tourists are just a thin layer of prosperity hiding a third world population with critical needs.  The Anglican Diocese can only provide educational opportunities for the children of this area with YOUR HELP!!