Showing posts with label Information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Information. Show all posts
March 5,2010
Dear Friends of Holy Cross Anglican School, I am happy to share the following article written by recent volunteer Dr. Eric Fee. Holy Cross is so thankful for the many volunteers and mission teams who share their time, talents and treasure with the children of Holy Cross. We are also incredibly thankful for each of you! Your prayers, financial contributions, gifts of school supplies, shoes, back packs, teaching aids and books are a blessing to all of us. With your continuing support Holy Cross will continue to be a beacon of light, love and learning to the disadvantaged little ones of San Mateo. Many thanks and Blessings, Francis
Our Church at Work
In January 2010, Cindy Lee Hall and I traveled to Belize, Central America. We boarded a ferry for a bumpy 2 hour ride across the beautiful Caribbean Sea from Belize City to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. Our final destination was the tiny village of San Mateo that had been built upon unwanted government swamp land by the hearty people of this welcoming country.
The purpose of our visit was to work with the students and teachers of the Holy Cross Anglican School (www.holycrossbelize.org). Literally, this school has been created like a seed sprouting from the ground! And, it continues to grow with the support of the San Mateo community and the worldwide parishioners of the Anglican/Episcopal church. For those of you who have contributed to this ministry (www.hcefoundation.org) I assure you your monies are being put to great use.
In addition as a family physician, I explored the health care needs of the school and surrounding community. Despite the lack of abundant health care that we are accustomed to in the USA, the Belizean healthcare providers and people make excellent use of their limited resources.
This island does not have a hospital or emergency room or urgent care. The ability to transfuse blood, provide intravenous fluids, perform surgery or obtain a CT scan does not exist. We sadly learned of 2 children who had recently died from infections stemming from simple cuts due to the lack of appropriate antibiotics. In the face of this harsh reality, you quickly learn to appreciate the gifts bestowed upon us at home.
Belizeans and those serving the church's ministry are working feverishly to overcome these challenges. Holy Cross Anglican School is growing both in its physical plant and student population. A community health center with a domestic violence safe house and student health center is moving from the planning stages to the groundbreaking ceremony.
We plan to return to Belize on an ongoing basis as part of the Episcopal church's ministry throughout the world. And, we thank God for giving us the ability to do so.
Eric C. Fee
Greetings from Holy Cross and Happy New Year.
Life has been very busy at Holy Cross since school resumed after the Christmas vacation. A team of volunteers from Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, began construction of a walkway around the back of the classroom building, shoveled loads of sand to increase the land space around the workshop, further organized the books in the library, and tutored numerous children in reading and math.
They were followed by back-to-back teams from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Durham, NC. These teams shoveled more sand, tutored more children, worked on the library project, finished the walkway and painted the backside of the classroom building. The second team from St. Luke’s included two doctors and two nurses. This group measured the height and weight of all the children, did vision and medical screenings, treated many sick children and entered past and current medical information for all the children into a database.
We had dentists in the Smile Clinic for two weeks seeing children. Teeth were filled and pulled, and many smiles were brightened. Thanks to Dr. Mark for coordinating the dentists and their helpers from NC, Florida and Minnesota.
During the same two week period, other volunteers from Boston and Minnesota worked on the various projects including moving sand and vision screening. So much valuable work was done in only a few days.
Other volunteers and friends have brought wonderful donations of school supplies, shoes, uniforms, prizes and money for the feeding program.
Joanne O’Brien, founder of Direct Abundance, has been back with us. She and her daughter Erin, who is enrolled in Standard VI, are in Belize for two months. Joanne has been conducting workshops and community meetings on the topic of domestic violence. She presented a very informative workshop to the Holy Cross teachers as well as ones in Belize City and in the Belize prison. She is working with a number of agencies spearheading a movement to establish a women’s and children’s shelter here in San Pedro.
Representatives from Defiance College in Ohio, Vancouver Island University, and Gainesville State University, Georgia have visited Holy Cross to finalize plans for partnerships for student teachers and other teacher resource programs. We are very excited about these relationships and how they will enhance teaching at Holy Cross.
Holy Cross held three fundraisers and donation collections, raising over $800 that was sent to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
The Valentine’s Day Fair was a huge success with games, food, prizes and face painting. Over $3000Bz was raised for the school.
Another exciting and generous contribution came from the Kelly McGuire Foundation. Texas musician Kelly McGuire was recently on Ambergris Caye for several concerts. He established a foundation, held a benefit auction and donated the proceeds to the school.
The Holy Cross football (soccer) team has played 4 games and boasts a record of 1-1-1. Through generous donations from volunteer teams, the team is sporting new uniforms in Holy Cross colors. In order to participate, Standard IV, V and VI students must maintain their grades and exhibit good behavior in class.
Two children from Holy Cross participated in the Ambergris Caye Spelling Bee. While they did not win this year, they represented the school well as they competed against children from four other island schools.
The needs continue to be great at Holy Cross. In an effort to enlarge the land area around the construction shed, more sand has been brought in, but many more loads are needed. The feeding program continues to fill many empty tummies each day but the groceries are expensive.
Francis and Vernon Wilson are in the US for the month of February for some much needed “R&R” and medical appointments. We look forward to their return. Trying to fill their very big shoes in their absence is Deacon Jan Lamb from North Carolina who is volunteering at Holy Cross for the remainder of the school year. Deacon Jan is a teacher of students with learning disabilities and a teacher trainer. She will be working with both students and teachers as well as serving as Chaplain for Holy Cross. Deacon Jan led chapel services at the school on Ash Wednesday and will soon begin meeting with children who are preparing for Confirmation.
A PS from Francis: Being away from Holy Cross is always difficult for Vernon and me but is made much easier knowing there are so many wonderful folks in charge. Principal Grace Williams, Vice-Principal Olivia Tasher, Office Manager/Bookkeeper Linda Carter, our dedicated teachers, Mr. Freddy, Mr. Jason, Mr. Cruz, our incredible cooks, school warden, Kath and Cullen Walker and our unbelievably dedicated VOLUNTEERS ensure that everything runs smoothly. We are especially blessed to have Deacon Jan Lamb at the School until June - many, many thanks to her for all her hard work!
I am happy to report that Vernon has gotten good reports from all his doctors and medical tests. A few medications have been added to his daily routine (to lower blood pressure and cholesterol) until he can lose about 20 pounds and allow his body to 're-set'. Seems like losing weight is the new cure all - ugh!
I continue to ask your prayers for the students and staff of Holy Cross Anglican School. I also continue to plead for your financial support. Vital services like the School Feeding Program, maintenance of the Computer Center, salaries for day and night time security, electricity, water and dozens of other things depend on you. I pray that you will help ensure that the good work begun at Holy Cross will continue long into the future. Many, many thanks and blessings, Francis
November 13, 2009
Dear Friends,
Happy Friday the 13th! We’re having a wonderful day here at Holy Cross Anglican School. The sun is shining after many days of rain, the sounds of learning are quietly (or not so quietly!) echoing around the school and construction has begun on our incredible state of the art composting toilet system. Thanks to a generous grant from the Episcopal Church Women, by September 2010 we will have two girls’ bathrooms and two boys’ bathrooms, 24 toilets, 10 urinals, 4 staff bathrooms and the ‘greenest’ sewer waste disposal system available!!!! I never thought I could get so excited about toilets but providing bathroom breaks for 500+ students and 29 staff with only 6 toilets and 3 urinals is more complicated than rocket science.
I know you each rejoice with us as the school blooms and grows. And I know most of you could recite the critical needs we have here at Holy Cross from memory….feeding program, land fill, school supplies, shoes, uniforms, first aid, electricity for the computer lab, water bills (most recent was for $850US), medical bills, eye glasses and the list goes on and on. And, most of you know I have a thousand and one ways to ask for your financial contributions. Now I have one thousand and TWO ways…my birthday, the BIG 60, will be on November 18th, 2009. (I can hear you gasping in shock since I don’t look a day over 59 – smile.) Anyway, a few folks have asked what I want for my birthday. That’s an easy question to answer!
If the Spirit should move you to make a donation to Holy Cross Anglican School in honor of my big event then God Bless You! Of course I want your birthday prayers too! As always, checks should be made payable to: Holy Cross Anglican School and sent to:
Holy Cross Anglican School
San Pedro Town
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Many thanks and blessings, Francis, The Birthday Girl!!
Dear Friends of Holy Cross, The Holy Cross Education Foundation has been established as a 501c3!!!!!!! Now you can make your TAX DEDUCTIBLE contributions to that organization. Please send your check made payable to:
Holy Cross Education Foundation and mail to:
Holy Cross Educational Foundation
7550 Corporate Way,
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Your donation is tax deductible. The federal tax ID is 27-0626278.
Many, many thanks to Brian Ostenso and the folks at Stephen's Episcopal Church in Edina, MN who labored long and hard to make this happen. Of course you can continue to send donations straight to Holy Cross Anglican School, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize. The only difference is that contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible. Blessings, francis
Good news......Great JOY.........
Yesterday I went to Belize City with our teacher who has had problems with her ex, (the San Pedro policeman). Our attorney was there (a minor miracle in itself) and the case was heard in Family Court. The Magistrate gave the teacher a one year protection order (YEA!) against her ex and gave him a good talking to. At one point he asked what would happen if he violated the order...would it go to the police department? (of course that's where all his buddies are!). The magistrate said "NO, it will immediately come back to this court!"
Our teacher also got the visitation with their child set up the way she wanted it. She will take the boy to the ex's mother and he can only visit with him with his mother present. Thanks be to God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We were jumping up and down with joy especially after the magistrate here in San Pedro was so rude to Vernon and me on Monday. That magistrate told us that he didn't grant our teacher a temporary protection order because the 'conditions didn't warrant it and I am the absolute judicial authority in San Pedro!!'. As I mentioned in my last email he was shrieking at us. Made me really happy when the Family Court judge found enough evidence to extend the temporary protection order for ONE YEAR - YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Needless to say, our teacher was beaming ear to ear and so were we. Please keep a-praying as Vernon and I still have to deal with the screaming magistrate in San Pedro on July 20!!!! Love and hugs, francis
Central park was full of students teachers and parents who came to show their support against violence within the community. Vernon Wilson gave a speech about why it was so important to come together on this issue and let everyone know that violence is not acceptable and abuse will not be tolerated. The Wilson's are making an effort to let people know that there are options to get to a safer place and that they are willing to help people who are caught in abusive situations.After the speech - Holy Cross and San Pedro High school kids marched through the streets of San Pedro sending the message out loud and clear - with anti violence slogans on their signs and the chats of justice for all. They even handed out flyers in spanish and english to let people if they or someone they know is a victim of abuse to contact Francis Wilson for help.
Big turn out
Vernon speaking out against violence
March through town
Boys and girls both learning it is not ok to abuse someone
San Pedro High School kids joined in
Jan Brown and Miss Linda aka wonderwoman
March through town
We had great response from those passing by and seeing what was being unloaded, Tony and Kate stopped and made the generous offer to send some of their people to help unload after lunch, they are great neighbors.
Fantastic team work in orchestrating this whole thing, starting with Sandy, Ed and everyone in the states to Reef Village volunteering to donate the delivery charges for delivering the playground equipment and all the other supplies. It was a wonderful show of support to the school and community of San Pedro.
For some items we received more than a 2 year supply. The photo's below of the computer room show the paper supplies we received and the medical supplies which we will be sharing with Dr Daniel, Dr Lerida, Saga as well as other schools.
We were also blessed with some foam pads for the play ground which we loaned to the BDF and Coast Guard for temp. mattresses for the forces on the island until we need them for the playground which looks like will be a few months away. Holy Cross Anglican School also donated a stove, 6 toilets and a microwave oven to the BDF and Coast Guard barracks to help their stay on the island be more pleasant.
As always we are a Holistic school looking first at the needs of our children then the needs of their parents and then the needs of the community. We are proud of being a member of the community of San Pedro, and proud to help others in need in this community.
As my wife Francis always says " The beach of San Pedro was built by God one grain of sand at a time and each grain is as important as the other no matter how large or how small."
We are happy to place a few grains of sand on this beach for Him.
We are happy to place a few grains of sand on this beach for Him.
Vernon Wilson
Thanks goes out to our friends stateside who had a hand in making this possible... Sand and Ed Settle STERIS, Corporation Kathy Janis Lance Rich and Zee Medical Corp. Yellow Freight, Bob Kraemer, Dale Philipp, Nick Barczewski, Josh Boggess, and Johnny Meurer, St. Louis, Mo. Windsor Intermediate School Mrs. Patterson's 3rd grade class at Windsor Elementary, Imperial, Mo. Windsor Elementary School Teachers, Imperial, Mo. AC Message boarders John and Toni Hancock Mike Cochran Greg and Jen Patterson Steve and Sheila Burkett Vanessa Bledsoe and the entire congregation of the Household of Faith Church in Gonzales, Louisiana Kirke White, Norfolk, Virginia Tim Tam, Trevor Samberson, and everyone at "The Word at Work", Amarillo, Tx. Father Mal Roberts, Peace Church, New Burn, North Carolina.
To see more please got to tacogirlblog.
This post under construction.
Photo Courtesy of Cullen Walker and Astrum Helicopters.
The school has grown a lot and never stops growing just like the kids who go there and get so much out of having somewhere close to home to feel important and safe.
Here are a few random bits and pieces of this school year of pulled out of emails.
Audiologists.....Two volunteer Audiologists came to the School this past Friday and tested students who had been identified with possible hearing issues. Several children were fitted with hearing aids, a few had major infections and were sent to the PolyClinic for treatment and one little girl was found to have a perforated ear drum. Unfortunately, she will have to have surgery to repair the damage. The next step will be to send her to Belize City for additional evaluation. Many thanks to Dr. Linda and Dr. Edith!
Computer Teacher....The Ministry of Education finally approved the salary for a designated Computer Teacher!!!! Starting tomorrow morning, Mr. Shane will be keeping the computer lab filled with students anxious to learn with this incredible new technology. YIPPEE!!
In all, hundreds of people through out the nation of Belize and the world contributed their time, talents and/or treasure to make this miracle a reality. The 513 students of Holy Cross will be blessed for years to come by this incredible educational facility!!
2 emails in particular that deserved their own post - a dialogue between Father Sam and Mis
s Francis. We saw the parade on Friday. It was great to see all the kids get excited and spread the word about recycling.
AndreaGood Morning, Laurie! Hey if you haven't already started on the blog stuff, I would like to add a little info. Our daughter is a 3rd grade teacher and she has her class and actually the whole elementary school, making monetary donations for the playground transportation fund. They are all bringing in pennys one day, nickels another, dimes another, and so on. The kids even made me a card that she gave me on Mother's day explaining their donations! I just thought this may add another element to the efforts that are taking place to get this playground and all the donated supplies to the school. Sandy
I will mail out the package tomorrow. Just added a Science book and
Workbook as well. As for the kites, 2 Hello Kitty, 2 Nemo, 1 Toy Story, 1 Spider-man
2 packs of colored construction paper with crayons 1 sidewalk chalk.
Thank you for mentioning the kids speak loud and clear post, I will check it out.
Allison
The students from Georgia are so fortunate to be allowed to come and learn and work with the faculty and staff at Holy Cross. Students worked in various faculty and staff roles at the school. Holy Cross was a gracious and welcoming host to our volunteers and the experience that GSC students gained while in Belize was priceless. Gainesville State could not have asked for a more practical and beneficial host school.
I will mail out the package tomorrow. Just added a Science book and
Workbook as well. As for the kites, 2 Hello Kitty, 2 Nemo, 1 Toy Story, 1 Spider-man
2 packs of colored construction paper with crayons 1 sidewalk chalk.
Thank you for mentioning the kids speak loud and clear post, I will check it out.
Allison
The San Pedro Artists Group has donated 21 paintings and drawings of the children of Holy Cross that will be sold at Sunset Grille on February 14 and all the proceeds will go to the school.
Here are 2 emails that show some of spirit at Holy Cross and how people are wanting to help the San Mateo community - especially the kids.Hi Miss Wilson, My name is Sam Rose, an Anglican priest in the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador. I am currently involved with the CLB Mission Project 2009. I am the onsite Program Co-Ordinator. Part of my role is to plan activities for the CLB when we are in San Pedro in the late afternoons and evenings. I am wondering what types of activites can we offer to assist your ministry in the village? We want to engage the local people, especially the young people. Would a Vacation Bible School be a good idea? We hope to have 30 youth and 15 adults on the mission trip.
I spent five months in Placencia Village in Spring/Summer of 2000, working under Bishop Romero. He took myself and Fr. Jerry Drino to San Pedro for a few days. Working in Belize had a major impact on my preisthood and I have a fondness for the country. I greatly admire the work that you have been doing to bring attention to the Holy Cross School and the students. I knew Fr. Wright as the principal at the Belize Theological Institute.
If there is anything that you know we could do to help you when we are down there, please let me know. If there are activities that we can offer or assist you with outside of the construction project, just tell me and we will make it happen!
Peace, Fr. Sam+
Dear Fr. Sam, Laurie forwarded your wonderful email to me. Thanks so much for being in touch!! We are already looking forward to having your group here at Holy Cross - smile. There are so many things you can do, besides helping build and maintain the school. Such as.....
VBS program;
after school tutoring;
soccer, softball and basketball activities for some of the older children;
puppet shows;
music presentation
a Bible Beach Party - I don't know what that is but it sounds good and I'm sure your team could creat it
The sky is really the limit so let your imagination soar and see what the Holy Spirt comes up with - smile.
I worked with Bishop Romero for 6 years until he left to be the interim Bishop in the Diocese of Camino Real (California). He is now interim in the Diocese of New Jersey. Fr. Wright grew up to be Bishop Wright and has been leading the Diocese for the last 2 and 1/2 years.
Vernon and I arrived in Belize in September 2001. I worked in the Diocesan Office setting up the volunteer mission team program and assisting Mrs. Carol Babb, General Manager of Anglican Schools for 5 years. Husband Vernon, a retired jewelry designer and goldsmith, set up a training facility at the prison in Hattieville. We moved to San Pedro about 2 1/2 years ago and started working on Holy Cross.
Please be in touch and we'll plan (with God's help!) a blessed adventure in faith. Many thanks, francis
Dear Friends, Right now Holy Cross Anglican School is a quiet place without the noisy sounds of our 512 energetic students. School closed on Friday following a blessed Chapel service and a joyous Christmas party made possible by many generous donations. A special thank you goes to Art Vaquez from Azusa, CA; the owners of Re/Max Isla Bonita and Mr. Jim who was a terrific Santa! The happy laughter of students will return on Monday, January 5th, 2009 when school reopens. In the meantime, teachers and staff will enjoy a much deserved vacation, our children will anxiously await the arrival of Christmas and we'll try to get some much needed work done around the compound!
We love the Holiday Season here in Belize when gift giving is in the air. Thanks be to God, many of you have put the children of Holy Cross on your Christmas List. We appreciate every penny that has been donated and pray many more are on the way!! Every gift is precious and desperately needed. I only wish I could share the stories and letters that accompany each one. Maybe a few examples will brighten your heart and remind us all what true Christmas giving is really about.....
* Several weeks ago a young student from Ambergris Caye Elementary School won a raffle and received a large turkey. He decided to donate the prize to the Holy Cross Feeding Program but not before he involved his parents, classmates and teacher in his gift giving plans. Everyone pitched in, the turkey was baked and turned into delicious sandwiches. The children made and then delivered the sandwiches along with pasta salad to the children of Holy Cross at lunch time. A big thumbs up to those generous young folks and a special thank you to the Hungry Monkey Sub Shop, Cristal Supermarket and Casa Pan Dulce for helping make this wonderful gift possible!
* A donation of $250 was sent to Holy Cross by a newly married couple in Ohio. Their letter explained their decision to give the money to the School instead of using it to buy wedding favors for their guests. They told their guests about the donation and explained how it would enable the children of Holy Cross to also participate in their wedding celebration!
* Although legend says 'bad' children get rocks in their Christmas stockings, we were delighted to receive tons of large rocks! A San Pedro businessman, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave the School $2,810BZ for land fill and suggested that rocks be purchased to provide a breakwater around the School. It was the businessman's hope that his gift would encourage more folks in the community to share their blessings with Holy Cross. His generosity has already inspired Mr. Martin Martinez of Martin's Boat Service to reduce his regular price for a boat load of rock and to volunteer his time in positioning the rocks. In addition developer, Mr. Jeff Pierce, has promised to fill three acres of School property as soon as the rocks are in place!
*Last year a couple from California visited Holy Cross and instantly fell in love with our wonderful students. They returned to San Pedro this year just in time to help decorate for the Christmas party, serve as Santa's elves and give an incredible donation to the School. Unbeknownst to us, Kris and Jeff sent a beautiful letter to friends and family explaining the story of Holy Cross and how many disadvantaged children were receiving free breakfast, snack and lunch, dental and medical care, greatly reduced or free tuition, uniforms and school supplies. They received almost forty checks and lovingly brought them to Holy Cross. In addition, they personally matched EACH donation. Those contributions enabled the School to make a significant dent in our Computer Center building debt. Now we 'only' owe the hardware stores and lumber yard $53,000US!!!!
*And, just yesterday cases of apples and grapes 'appeared' on the School doorstep with instructions to give them to needy families in San Mateo. Three of our teachers gave up part of their vacation to come and decorate Christmas bags and almost 100 families received a delicious treat! Apples
One gift can certainly inspire others!! Holy Cross Anglican School is incredibly grateful to EVERYONE who has shared time, talent, treasure and prayers to keep this School thriving and moving forward. We thank God for the outpouring of His grace and continue to seek His guidance in all we do. Donations of land fill, food for the Feeding Program, gently worn tennis shoes, school supplies and cash contributions are always needed and greatly appreciated!!! Please send your gift to:
*Last year a couple from California visited Holy Cross and instantly fell in love with our wonderful students. They returned to San Pedro this year just in time to help decorate for the Christmas party, serve as Santa's elves and give an incredible donation to the School. Unbeknownst to us, Kris and Jeff sent a beautiful letter to friends and family explaining the story of Holy Cross and how many disadvantaged children were receiving free breakfast, snack and lunch, dental and medical care, greatly reduced or free tuition, uniforms and school supplies. They received almost forty checks and lovingly brought them to Holy Cross. In addition, they personally matched EACH donation. Those contributions enabled the School to make a significant dent in our Computer Center building debt. Now we 'only' owe the hardware stores and lumber yard $53,000US!!!!
*And, just yesterday cases of apples and grapes 'appeared' on the School doorstep with instructions to give them to needy families in San Mateo. Three of our teachers gave up part of their vacation to come and decorate Christmas bags and almost 100 families received a delicious treat! Apples
One gift can certainly inspire others!! Holy Cross Anglican School is incredibly grateful to EVERYONE who has shared time, talent, treasure and prayers to keep this School thriving and moving forward. We thank God for the outpouring of His grace and continue to seek His guidance in all we do. Donations of land fill, food for the Feeding Program, gently worn tennis shoes, school supplies and cash contributions are always needed and greatly appreciated!!! Please send your gift to:
Holy Cross Anglican School
San Pedro Town
Ambergris Caye, Belize
We hope that you will share the blessings of this joyful season with the children of Holy Cross Anglican School. May God richly bless you and those you love in the coming New Year!!
Holy Cross Anglican School Christmas is a time of great excitement here at Holy Cross Anglican School. Christmas carols are sung, the Nativity Pageant rehearsed, Christmas gifts lovingly made and the Birthday Party for Jesus anxiously anticipated. In the midst of all this excitement we tell and re-tell the story of Jesusʼ miraculous birth over 2,000 years ago. Our students learn about the angels and shepherds, the star shining bright, the visit of the wise men and the incredible good news of Jesus! We are blessed to be able to share all these wondrous events with our little ones!! We pray that the joy of Jesus will fill your heart this day and always. The students and staff of Holy Cross Anglican School join with Vernon and me in wishing you a Blessed and Joyous Christmas Season! Francis & Vernon Wilson Donations can be made via check payable to: Holy Cross Anglican School San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize To see Santa's Elves at Holy Cross please visit Ambergris Today blog.
Dear Friends, Please take a few minutes (actually six!) to download and watch this video. It was lovingly prepared by video journalist, Travis Mathews, at no cost to the school. Travis did an incredible job of documenting the struggles of the people who live in San Mateo and the children who attend Holy Cross. Many thanks to Travis and to each of you who support this ministry with your prayers and financial contributions.
Blessings, Francis
p.s. The school has been given a generous donation of 500 black and white calendars made by group from California - they will be sold for $10 bzd each. If you have any ideas or are interested to purchase one please email - listed in profile. Pic of calendar to come.
Dear Friends, Please take a few minutes (actually six!) to download and watch this video. It was lovingly prepared by video journalist, Travis Mathews, at no cost to the school. Travis did an incredible job of documenting the struggles of the people who live in San Mateo and the children who attend Holy Cross. Many thanks to Travis and to each of you who support this ministry with your prayers and financial contributions. Blessings, Francis
Can you imagine life without the bare necessities such as full running water, proper plumbing and in some cases electricity?
What if your yard was continuously soaking wet with unsanitary water and your kids had no where to play?
San Mateo is an area in crisis with over 200 families living there in the above mentioned conditions for 10 years. San Mateo needs major help to turn it into a safe clean place for these people to live. The town Council has pledged 75,000 BZD to help get this project underway - it will take a lot more money and manpower to undo the last 10 years and turn the neighborhood around. If you would like to help raise money for landfill for the people of San Mateo please contact me via email in tacogirlblog profile to find out how you can help.
According to the student demographics records from the school, 117 kids of the 500 attending Holy Cross are from the area of San Mateo attend Holy Cross School - most from Belize and a few are from Guatemala. San Mateo is the reason Holy Cross School opened up to help give a lifeline to these families and offers the kids a safe place to be that is close to home.
In addition to a high quality education, the school provides these kids with healthy food, dental care and there will soon be a much needed counseling center to deal with domestic issues and a health post to address basic medical needs of the community.
Please check out these other posts on blog action day tacogirl, Life's a Beach, Carbunkle Trumpet, Island Life and 88 Ways to Do Something About Poverty.
Two kids in San Mateo
Welcome home
Waterlogged 
Yards are all wet
No where to play in the neighborhood 
Not a nice place to live in Rainy season
The advisory board meeting went well this morning. One of the main goals is to get the parents more involved and further the community oriented direction of the school.
Holy Cross School is taking a holistic approach and recognizes that aside from the kids education, the needs of the community are just as important to create a well balanced enviornment.
The new school library should be done within the next month and much needed counselling center open in January. A volunteer from the states is taking a 4 month sabbaticle to come and do training so that there will be an effective councillor available within the community who is able to deal with domestic issues.
A church in Newfoundland has volunteered to raise the funds needed to open a health post so that people can get affordable treatment closer to home and on weekends if need be. This is another big step in helping the community of San Mateo and surrounding area.
Holy Cross has made available scholarships to all senior students so they were able to go onto high school this year and not have to worry about costs. In exchange for scholarships the students are required to work 1/2 day on weekends - this work consists of computer lab training and learning computer repairs so that the kids are well skilled in this area when they enter the work world.
Pictures from this mornings meeting, Independence Day Parade, Fishing tournament and first computer class.
Advisory board meeting
Holy Cross float
Independence day parade
Holy Cross kids
Fishing tournament
Fishing
Holy Cross student fishing
Holy Cross student fishing
Tired boys
First computer class
Higher learning
Kids getting a chance to become computer savvy
Learning in the computer lab
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