On Friday, July 30, 2020, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the US Embassy in Belize held a ceremony to announce the handover of a classroom building in San Isidro, Toledo. The classroom was constructed through the U.S. Southern Command’s Humanitarian Assistance Program in San Isidro. There, Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture (including Science and Technology), was along with U.S. Embassy Belmopan Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges, representatives from the Ministry of Education, local government and school officials, and families of San Isidro students.
Hon. Patrick Faber remarked on the importance of education to any person as well as the importance of maintaining the relationship we have forged with the Government and people of the United States of America. “Today we have a gift from the government and people of the United States. This school, in my opinion, represents truly a joint effort of many education stakeholders to provide a much needed service of educational opportunity that will see our young people develop,” he stated. Likewise, Chargé Gilges also emphasized the importance of education, especially toward our development and economic growth in Belize. “Advancing educational opportunities for Belizean youth is one of the single most important ways we can create sustainable economic growth and development in this country that we affectionately call the ‘Jewel’.” He says that because of this project, there will be an impact “on the local community for generations to come.”
This school building project was initiated in 2018, as part of the United States Southern Command’s Humanitarian Assistance Program, and was implemented through the U.S. Embassy Security Cooperation Office. The purpose of this project was collaborate with the Government of Belize (GOB) to provide an environment conducive to learning for children in an economically challenged region. The newly built classroom building is part of the larger San Isidro School and will expand the number of students who are able to attend the school.
