Project Launch: 12-2-15

This project will open a preschool in Billy White, a rural and remote village in west Belize where early childhood education is unavailable. The preschool will be equipped with sanitation facilities and a kitchen to promote proper sanitation, hygiene and nutrition, and teachers and parents will implement a daily food program to provide students with nutritious meals. As the water supply is unstable in the village, the school will also have a water tank to provide potable water for students and teachers.

Project Update: 3/4/16

To date, the walls, roofing, pipes, cement floor, septic tank, and water tank platform have all been completed and the bathroom and kitchen will be finalized by the end of March, 2016. All construction materials were sourced from local businesses, who also assisted with delivering and installing materials, free of charge. The preschool has been officially approved by the Ministry of Education and is scheduled to open in early April, 2016. In preparation for the opening, parents and children attended four educational sessions at the preschool, which focused on health, hygiene, and nutrition. The weekly classes were well received and provided a great opportunity to learn more about the preschool and provide insight into future lessons being incorporated into the curriculum.

Final Update: 7/3/16

The crowning success of the project was the completion of the preschool's bathroom and kitchen. Construction experienced setbacks due to a lack of funds and inconsistent community participation but the community managed to harness its local assets and ensure that the project was completed. Before these renovations, whenever a student was excused to use the bathroom, the teacher had to abandon their classroom to take the student to relieve themselves, reducing instructional time and facilitating inadequate child supervision. Having a bathroom attached to the preschool building allows young students to go to the bathroom without an escort, decreasing the number of disruptions in the classroom. The school has also implemented a healthy snack program by emphasizing the importance of healthy snacks and holding healthy cooking classes for parents. The majority of identified project goals have been accomplished and the preschool has become a healthier, cleaner, and safer environment conducive to early childhood education.

Testimonials

"This project is a benefit for all of the children who will be going to the preschool and even the moms. I'm excited to learn how to cook different healthy foods when the kitchen is done." - Angelina, Project Participant 

"We learned a lot during the sessions. I noticed that my son started washing his hands more at home after the hand-washing session. It's been good that they started to go to the preschool for these classes to start playing with the other kids and learning new things. I am happy that I got to spend time with the other mothers. I usually don't have time to go out and spend time with them." - Bilda, Project Partipcant