Belizean students visit the Rights of the Child exhibition

Belmopan, Belize, 14 June 2011.- On June 13th and 14th, Belizean students visited the photo exhibition “Human Rights through your Eyes” at the Institute of Mexico in Belize. Children from 4th and 5th forms from Hummingbird School and Queen St. Baptist School visited this exhibition dedicated to the Rights of the Child. During the presentation the students interacted and discussed on their fundamental rights, including rights to adequate food, shelter, clean water, formal education, primary health care, leisure and recreation, cultural activities and information about their rights. They also received brochures provided by the UNICEF Belize Country Office with information regarding this topic.

The exhibition was part of the event "A Day for the Rights of the Child", organized by the Mexican Embassy in collaboration with specialists from the Human Rights Commission of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo late May. The event included various activities in Corozal District and Belize City. It was organised with the aim to raise awareness on human rights, especially of vulnerable groups such as children.

The exhibition includes 26 photographs to encourage the promotion of values and the dissemination of the culture of human rights. The works showcased in this exhibition are the award winning photos in the 2010 Human Rights through Your Eyes’ contest, sponsored by the Quintana Roo Human Rights Commission.

SPRCS Students embrace their school

In honor of Education Period, students gathered all around their school compound and "hugged" their school. Education Period this year runs from May 3rd through May 15, 2011.

San Pedro RC School celebrates Belize's many cultures

Culture day is always a fascinating way to see children's perceptions of the cultures in their country. With a great mix of Maya, Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, Mennonite, East Indian, Chinese and a growing number of North American residents, Belize is a glorious mix of peoples. San Pedro RC School held an open/culture day on Friday, February 25 to showcase what children have learned about the cultures they were assigned, and below are some photos of the results.

The Creole

The Mestizo

The Garifuna

The North Americans

Chinese

East Indian

Garifuna

Ketchi Maya

Mennonites

Michigan State University (MSU) Students Visit Belize

Press Release - January 4, 2010 - National 4-H Youth Development Center - On December 26th, 2010 twenty students and faculty from MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources arrived in Belize as part of the first of its kind study abroad program. The team will be in Belize up until January 9th, 2011 during which time they will be visiting several areas of interest as outlined below to learn and develop a deeper appreciation for Belize’s Culture, Agriculture and Tourism Industries. Mr. Matthew Miller of Monkey Bay Wild life Sanctuary is the local coordinator of their visit and Mrs. Dixie Sanbord is the MSU Faculty in charge of the group. The areas include:

• The Belize Zoo
• The Taiwanese Farm Village/Market
• Aquaculture Tilapia farm
• TBS Citrus and Cacao farm
• Sibun River guided canoe paddle
• Spanish Lookout Farming and Food processing community
• UB Central Farm
• Chaa Creek Resort Natural History Center
• Trek Stop and Xunantunich Maya Site
• Tobacco Caye

From January 2 – 4th, 2011 they visited with Staff and Trainees of the National 4-H Youth Development Center. The main purpose of their visit was to foster positive interaction with trainees and to complete a service learning project. On the first day they were teamed up with individual trainees and facilitated a full afternoon of recreational sessions. The following day they painted five (2) of the front buildings with the official 4-H colors; renovated a green house cover structure that was destroyed by hurricane Richard and constructed 300 ft of foot path to connect the upper and lower part of the compound. On their final day with 4-H trainees they travelled to Duplooys’ Jungle Lodge and Botanical Garden for a day of educational and fun-filled activities. To conclude their visit with 4-H the group donated several board games and sporting equipment to the centre.
The team now travels to the Cave branch area and Marie Sharp. Followed by visits in the Toledo district under the guidance of Mr. Will Mehia before returning to Monkey Bay Wild Life Sanctuary to wrap up their tours and visit to Belize.
The National 4- Youth Development Centre under the Youth for the Future Secretariat and within the Ministry of Education and Youth expresses its appreciation to the MSU team for their visit and contributions.

SPRCS Fence gets painted!

Once again, students have been getting into the paints, helping to put on a beautiful mural on the cement fence of the San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS). With the help of Liza Mills, who is back to give children a chance to color their school beautifully, everyone has been pitching in to add much-needed life to the mural, which, unfortunately didn't quite survive the paintings of the Carnaval season...more

Happy Children's Day!!

What is better for Children's Day than happy children enjoying a day dedicated to them? San Pedro RC School had an open day full of activities planned, and despite inclement weather, managed to squeeze in a few games in between downpours.

Here are some happy faces to brighten the day!!

Literacy Carnival Parade held in San Pedro

A Literacy Carnival Parade was held through the streets of San Pedro to create awareness of the importance of reading in our society. This is the first ever parade of its kind, and it is hoped that it will be an annual event. Students took to the streets with their handmade signs, or with mascots, depicting favorite characters in storybooks .
Some famous Belizean writers were recognized on posters.

"Reading is not a race. Open up a book and set your own pace."

The alphabet - the key to learning to read...

257 students of the Cayo Central Area receive Government Subsidies

Press Release - June 21, 2010 - GOB Press Office, Belmopan - Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Cooperative and Area representative of Cayo Central, Hon. Rene Montero, today delivered subsidies to students to the Cayo Central standard six students who will be attending high school.

The 257 students receiving the subsidies are from the Santa Elena Roman Catholic School, the Seventh Day Adventist, El Progresso, San Antonio Roman Catholic School, San Antonio United Pentecostal School, Cristo Rey Roman Catholic School, Buena Vista Government School, San Marcos School, La Gracia Government School, Saint Peters School and George Ville Anglican School.

While delivering the subsidies, Minister Montero encouraged the students to stay in school and strive for the best, since they are the future of Belize and to remember that education is the tool that will empower them for any future endeavour.

SPTC & Santa distribute presents

Mayor Elsa Paz and Santa, along with Santa's helpers, were around town distributing gifts to the schoolchildren of the island on Monday. One of their stops was at Island Academy. While the children sang holiday songs, the assistant elves (Town Council Staff) worked diligently to make sure there was a toy for EVERY student. Happy Holidays!!

RC School Art class gets creative!

As part of their Expressive Arts Class, 117 Standard II students of the San Pedro Roman Catholic School hit the beach and expressed themselves with Sand as their art medium. Many shapes and sizes of sand castles sprang up, and it was quite a spectacle for those on the beach.After some fast and furious sandcastle building, onlookers were asked to judge the end products. Taking the top prize was the Mayan Ruin sandcastle. Great job kiddies!