Holy Cross Anglican School

I asked Chris Lloyd if he would like to share his experience in volunteering for the school by writing a short piece that I could post in the Holy Cross Blog. Included in the email he sent is his personal blog with more about his 3 months volunteering at Holy Cross.

Hey folks!! Many of you requested an email about my experiences upon my return from Belize, so here goes! I apologize this has taken me so long to send!!

First off, let me begin by saying that Hurricane Dean passed over Belize with very little damage and no loss of life. San Pedro, Holy Cross, and San Mateo all fared better than one would expect given the fact that they were directly in the path of what became a category 5 hurricane. A lot of prayers were answered, and I am very very thankful for the outcome.

On Wednesday, August 15th I took an early morning flight back to the US from what had become my home-away-from-home for the previous three months in Belize, Central America. It was an absolutely incredible experience, and one that I will not soon forget. I spent most of my time at Holy Cross Anglican School in San Pedro, which is on an Island just off the coast of Belize City.

The warm and welcoming environment of San Pedro was unbelievable. Belize is a nation of such rich diversity that anyone who spends any amount of time there is bound to feel welcome in a familiar, yet distinct cultural environment. San Pedro itself consists of "Gringo", Garifuna, Spanish, and Creole cultures all living in relative harmony. Yet Belize, and San Pedro in particular, also consists of another kind of diversity that we in the US don't often see. Walking down the beach in San Pedro Town, you are surrounded by quaint hotels, locals selling their wares to passing tourists, gift shops, ice cream stores, restuarants serving both local and international cuisine, and honeymooners swooning over eachother along the sandy shores.

Yet a short fifteen minute walk past all of this brings you to a vastly different world. San Mateo, the little village where the school is located, has no sewage systems, very little running water (most days none at all), and no sanitation system of any kind. I spent a lot of time walking through this area and each time was more humbling than the next. Seeing the conditions that many of Holy Cross's children come from makes me want to do something more than simply being there. Holy Cross Anglican School is providing such a needed service (part of the school is a medical clinic, there is a nurse on staff full time, and each child recieves two nutritious meals a day, for just a few dollars a year) that I was proud and honored to be a part of its efforts.

To those of you who are recieving this email that work at or with the school, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you. You gave me an opportunity to see firsthand how people with vision and determination can change their little parts of the world for the better. I miss you all already.

To everyone else, thank you for your kind support, financially, spiritually or otherwise, as I undertook this venture the last three months.

I will be posting photos on my blog as soon as they are developed. The link to it is as follows: http://chrisinbelize.livejournal.com/

I apologize for the long email, but there was much to say. I hope that this email finds you all well. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I continue my work towards a Masters in Educational Ministries at Gordon-Conwell.

Love and Blessings,
Chris Lloyd

I went to the school today to take pictures after hurricane Dean. I decided to photograph San Mateo first which is the area beside the school where many of the students live.

One one hand I was glad that I knew ahead of time the houses there were ok, on the other hand it made me sad to see the high water levels and imagine what it was like during the storm.

As I approached the bridge to make the loop around the area, I could not bring myself to cross it. That was a first for me, some of you reading this will know what that particular experience is like and after the storm the boards at the end seemed a bit more precarious than usual, although the 2 girls in my picture below had no second thoughts about it.

There has been much controversy over this neighbourhood. I feel it is important for people to see pictures so that we can generate awareness and be able to help the people living in San Mateo have a better neighbourhood. Holy Cross school is helping their kids get a good education and proper nutrition, and would like to see all the families in that area doing well.

The school survived Hurricane Dean, Miss Linda showed me a picture of the school with a big lake in front of it, thankfully the water has gone down. The classrooms are ok and there was no leaks or water damage. Some landfill was lost and 1/2 of a septic system that was to be installed in the Office.

The Hurricane did set everything back a week for construction and now it a bit of a race to get everything finished for Sept 11th the first day of school. Holy Cross is looking for any volunteers that would like to varnish desks and help prepare classrooms for the new school year.

For the next 3 days Miss Dianne from Quick Messenger Service is doing a communications work shop for the teachers at the school.

This School year is going to be busier and better than ever.

Happy boy riding his bike

Girls crossing the bridge

Yards are very wet

No basket ball for a while - we hope to get a playgroud done at the school

A boy and his bike

San Mateo Sidewalk

San Mateo suffered a lot of water after Hurricane Dean

Too much water

Destiny still has an uphill climb health wise

Fixing wires

Yards are not supposed to be wetlands

Houses are still standing

Dock and boat

Too much water

This is supposed to be the official entry way from San Mateo to the school

This sink hole needs to be filled to help improve living conditions in San Mateo

Sinkhole is estimated 20 ft deep

San Mateo sidewalk

Road through San Mateo

Bikes

Boarded up for Hurricane Dean

These folks need help

Toy car

yards are too wet

Boat motor

Boats by the bridge

New addition to the cafeteria - screened in porch to handle additional students for lunch

Registration time with Miss Linda

Inside new addition to cafateria

Hallway to new classrooms

Inside new classes

Sept 11 is coming fast Holy Cross needs volunteers to help get things ready

New Class

The school is growing so fast

Still boarded up

The school is ok lots of water is word from Sterling.

Not had time for pics up in that area yet.

Jan from Portofino posted this.. Just listened to the radio announcement of NEMO, and there is no evacuation order at this moment. The next radio announcement will be tomorrow (Monday) morning at 8am.

For more info go to http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/

http://acerfriends.blogspot.com/ list of people

Reminder to all keep your radios turned to reef radio via internet http://reefradiofm.tripod.com/

Hi All

Just got word from Francis this am she is due back Tuesday but as the comming storm we are not sure what will happen.

The school is being boarded up. I am still waiting to hear more if they need help moving books.

No call from school so they are likely handeling it ok (hopefully)

Sterling Vorus just emailed and said first aid stations will be maintained at Island Ferry dock, the Palapa Bar /Beach n kitchen area. He is on the school advisory board and First responders / Island Ferry.

12:02 am
Just got word from Linda Carter Via the ambergris message board and the school is boarded up.

For more detailed reports of the storm and what is happening around San Pedro Town right now go to http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/

Say your prayers for the school and San Mateo please, It they manage to stay safe we will be ok.

Hi Folks we need your prayers now more than ever as we prepare for huricane Dean.

Many of the kids who go to Holy Cross live in places that just would not withstand a hurricane, those you you who have walked through San Mateo know what I mean. As of yet I am unsure of the status if the school will be opened for families.

We are all trying to do what we need to as best we can right now ith what we have.

I just for an email from Sterling Vorus a fellow advisory board member saying we may need help moving books tomorrow.

weather channel saying Yucatan on Tuesday at 2 am

More updates here...

http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/

July

Ministry of Education came to review Our efforts at Holy Cross, the committee was impressed with what they saw.

Plans for the upcoming 2007-08 school year call for Holy Cross to become a full primary school offering classes from Infant I through Standard VI (K through 7). Our projected enrollment will more than likely double to approximately 400 students…over twice as many uniforms, textbooks, meals, school supplies, teachers, desks, socks, shoes, book bags

Construction of new classroom pod is well underway. This building will house the Infant Division Infant I, Infant II and Standard I (K through 2nd) and will be 'home' to 199 little ones - wow!

400 students are registered so far and we will have 13 teachers 1 Principal 1 vice principal 2 Special Ed teachers

We are working on a plan for teachers and staff first aid training, fire safety plan and hurricane evacuation

A professional / career day is in the works to teach children about different professions as well as a music and art appreciation days.

The school dental clinic is just about finished. Many, many thanks to Bud and Geri Rotter for their generous donation which purchased the necessary tools and equipment; Dr. Mark and Joan Johnson for spearheading and coordinating the entire effort; dentist Louie Lam and Dave Buelow for setting everything up and their wives Roxanne and Shirley for cleaning the office space. A special thank you also goes to Francis' wonderful husband, Vernon for calmly negotiating with Belizean Customs, dozens of people in Belize City and San Pedro for days actually weeks to get the equipment into the country - not an easy task.

Seminary student and volunteer Chris Lloyd has been at the School since May and will be here until mid-August. Chris has been an enormous help to staff, students and volunteer groups and has done every job thats needed doing - and believe me, there are LOTS of jobs that need doing at Holy Cross! His quiet presence and humility have been greatly appreciated.

Discussions are underway with Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia regarding their setting up and funding a teacher training program and a marine biology study/training facility adjacent to Holy Cross. This would be a fabulous resource for the entire nation of Belize.

August

For the teachers of Holy Cross it is back to school for the month of August as they have teacher training. The teachers are taking classes at the school and also in Belize city to upgrade their skills. Among the things they are learning are classroom management and advanced skills for Special Ed.

We now have 431 students enrolled for the new school year.

In September Holy Cross will be a full primary school offering classes for each grade level from kindergarten Infant I through seventh Standard VI in addition to our Special Education Unit. A quantum leap in just one year! Thanks be to God and you, many of the Island's poorest children will have the opportunity to receive an excellent basic education at the lowest (or in many instances no) cost.


New classroom building

New classroom pod well on the way to being done

School uniforms for September

May

Twenty nine school days left as we count down to the last day of school, June 29, 2007. Let the party planning begin. Unbelievable that the school year is almost over.

170 students have been learning to read, write, add and subtract, among other things like learning the Lord’s Prayer, washing hands before each meal and saying please and thank you , especially on teacher appreciation day.

A School Nurse has been hired and is being paid out of School funds at $175US per week. Her responsibilities are endless and she is making an invaluable contribution to the health and well being of the students. Welcome, Miss Glenda.

Miss Diane of Quick Messenger Service is teaching Sign Language to the Staff (every Monday afternoon for 45 minutes) and to both Standard I classes on Wednesday mornings. We have two deaf students (one in each Standard I class) and many of our special needs students are non-verbal. So, we’re all learning to communicate in Sign!! It brought tears to my eyes as a group of children recently signed Happy Birthday to a little girl in their class. Miss Diane is also being paid out of School funds at $50US per week.

Work has begun on the School Office/Nurse’s Office/Infirmary and the future dental clinic and storage room. We hope to have the Office/Infirmary finished by the end of next week.

Dr. Mark Johnson and his wife, Joan have offered to spearhead the setting up of a small dental clinic at the School. This will ensure that our students receive dental care several times a year and that other children in the community can be cared for, free of charge. Thank you, Mark and Joan for your generous offer.

A Friends of Holy Cross group came together from the local community and organized a Cinco de Mayo Fund raising Extravaganza at Wet Willy's bar and cantina. The event was a huge success with people flying in from out of town enjoy the party. Almost $10,000US was raised to purchase desperately needed land fill and a great time was had by children and adults. Big shout out to all who helped make this event a big success. To see pictures of this event please go to link s listed below.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the next few weeks on a five classroom pod which will house the Infant I and Infant II classes next fall. As soon as that is completed, we start on the remaining three classrooms we will need prior to the opening of school in September 2007 - say LOTS of prayers!

The Standard I classes each took a field trip to the Butterfly Farm http://www.butterflyjungle.bz/ about two miles north of the School. For many it was their first time in a boat and for all it was their first experience up close and personal with butterflies. The field trip was held after each class had completed a science unit on the life cycle of the butterfly. Many thanks to Captain Tom and Miss Valley, owners of the Butterfly Farm, for providing free entrance and to Fred Somes for the use of his boat.

The Education Board from the Anglican Diocese of Belize held its monthly meeting on April 18th at Holy Cross. It was a pleasure to welcome Bishop Philip Wright, Mrs. Carol Babb, General Manager of Anglican Schools and the other members of the committee. They were all amazed at how far Holy Cross has come in such a short period of time. We got a gold star of aproval and a pat on the back.

A part time bookkeeper and School Office Manager has been hired. Once again, her salary has to be paid out of School funds ($150US per week) as Government does not provide salaries for staff assistance - unbelievable! Anyway, we are all delighted to welcome Miss Linda

Students in Standard I were taken to the local library for a tour and to get a library card. Most of our students didn’t even know there was such a thing as a town library and would have never been able to afford the $1.50US fee for the library card. Your donations were at work again.

Plans for the upcoming 2007-08 school year call for Holy Cross to become a full primary school offering classes from Infant I through Standard VI (K through 7). Our projected enrollment will more than likely double to approximately 400 students…over twice as many uniforms, textbooks, meals, school supplies, teachers, desks, socks, shoes, book bags. Please help - when ever and how ever you can.

Checks may be made payable to: Holy Cross Anglican School And sent to:
Holy Cross Anglican School
San Pedro Town
Ambergris Caye
Belize

The staff and students of Holy Cross thank you for your support and invite you to visit soon.

June

Field trip to Belize Zoo was greatly enjoyed.

Class Pictures were taken to commemorate the first year of students.

We had a great end of school party with local musicians and handmade instruments for the kids. Sounds of noisemakers, drums, a didgeridoo, children's laughter and shreeks of joy filled the air.

The new School Office/Infirmary/Dental Clinic is close to be completed. Playground comes next.

Cinco De Mayo fund raiser for the school
http://sanpedrosun.net/old/07-192.html
http://www.sanpedrodaily.com/5-1-07.html
http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/cinco-de-mayo.html

Di Del San Pedro
http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/school-is-done-yay.html

End of School Party
http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/school-is-done-yay.html

Field trip to the zoo
http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/field-trip.html

End of school Concert
http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/action-packed.html

Boat ride

Caught a butterfly

Great compliment to what the kids learned in class

Lyrical King
Zac and John

March

The school land was donated by the Belize government, unfortunately it was wetlands and so to build a school there it needed to be filled bit by bit.

http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/easter-party.html

Good friday

http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/2007/04/good-friday-fun.html

Cleanup day

http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/2007/04/clean-up-day.html

People making a donation visiting Holy Cross

http://tacogirlblog.blogspot.com/2007/04/holy-cross-visit.html

Clean up day 2

January

153 children are now enrolled at Holy Cross many for the first time ever. 15 special needs children are receiving care and guidance in our Special Education Unit that would otherwise be at home due to their disability.

Three additional buildings are under construction, a lunchroom / chapel / multipurpose building, the school kitchen and caretakers home and an additional Standard I classroom. Seven more classrooms and a school office/health clinic will be built, prior to the opening of school in September 2007.

As it stands, we project a student enrollment of 350 by then. We will offer three Infant I kindergarten classes, two Infant II first grade, two Standard I second grade, and one class each for Standard II, III, IV, V, and VI. Our goal is to provide an education to all children unable to attend other schools due to lack of space or financial constraints.

Needless to say, none of this would have been or will be possible without the generosity of folks like you. Every nail, every desk, every pencil, every piece of food - literally everything at Holy Cross - has been donated or bought with contributions from our caring friends. Thank you so very much for helping grow the school.

A special thank you goes to all those who responded to the Vitamin Drive. Ms. Francis thrilled to say we have at least a two year supply of vitamins on hand - that’s a LOT of vitamins. She is removing vitamins from the Holy Cross Wish List until further notice.

February

February - 1 Electricity arrived at Holy Cross yesterday It only took 7 months to get connected but that's pretty fast in Belize

February 5th - The first volunteer mission team arrived at Holy Cross. Under the capable leadership of John Willard, an energetic group of folks from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Durham, North Carolina contributed their time, talents and treasure to students, staff and the local community. By Friday the 9th they had completed our sixth classroom, and watched (with tears in their eyes) as students carried their desks over the brand new threshold. Our huge Standard I class was finally able to divide into two more manageable and teachable groups, teachers Miss Laura and Miss Diane were overjoyed.

February 12th - the second volunteer mission team arrived, once again from St. Luke’s in Durham - same leader but a totally different group of folks. They began work on the school Chapel/cafeteria and made great progress. They, like the group before, spent hours helping in the classrooms, assisting with breakfast, snack and lunch and washing tons of dishes.

February - 14 Valentine’s Day party was a big hit with the kids complete with an aerial show by Boogie in Belize skydivers, donated Valentine cards, fancy pencils, candy and homemade scones for each student. We also had sack races and an inflatable trampoline fun house. For many of out students it was a first ever Valentine’s celebration. Big shout out to all who had a hand in making it happen. Thanks to all the skydivers for bringing down supplies for the school.

February - 16th Students from Holy Cross joined the ‘March Against Child Abuse’. The day focused on helping children understand what abuse is and what to do if they are being abused. The most exciting part for the children was a parade through downtown San Pedro. They carried handmade signs, chanted ‘no more abuse’ and brought their message to the adults of the community.

February 21st - Ash Wednesday services were held in our almost completed School Chapel. Many thanks to Fr. Lloyd Neal from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Belize City for leading our students and staff in worship as we observed the beginning of the Lenten Season.

February 25th - Family Sunday Service was held in our ‘even more completed since Wednesday thanks to the efforts of our volunteer team from Christ Church, Easton Maryland,‘ School Chapel. Fr. Neal once again generously shared his time and talents.

February 26th - Teacher Miss Elsy joined the staff at Holy Cross. Miss Elsy is assisting in the Special Education classroom and with Infant II.

Feb 27 - Miss Rosita Miguel, from Belize City spent the day at Holy Cross and provided ‘hands on’ training for our teachers. Only one of our teacher has post secondary school training specifically in education so we need lots of guidance!

February 28th - Pizza day at Holy Cross courtesy Pedro’s and Boogie in Belize skydivers. Coordinator Richard Grimm and his family handed out mouth-watering slices of pizza to students and staff. In addition, the skydivers held a poker tournament at Pedro’s and raised $1000, which was donated in school supplies.

February came to a close at Holy Cross Anglican School. As our teachers were busy with lesson plans, classroom projects and the task of educating and our students were about the important work of learning… friends and volunteers from San Pedro and the world beyond made many of our memorable moments possible. Thank you one and all.

Read more about the faces of the Future at the links below.

http://sanpedrosun.net/old/07-033.html

http://www.sanpedrodaily.com/1-20-07.html

http://sanpedrosun.net/old/07-082.html

Special Ed

Special Ed

Valentines party

Bouncy tent

Sky divers were ambushed by kids when they landed

December

December 18, 2006

Update from Francis Wilson December 18, 2006

http://sanpedrosun.net/old/06-491.html

http://sanpedrosun.net/old/06-502.html

Dedication of Special Ed class

Christmas Pagent

Holy Cross Christmas party

Kids loved getting presents

Many people's donations helped make this a success

Destiny checking out her loot

Boys enjoying the party