Celebrating its fourth anniversary in October, Project Learn Belize, sponsored by the School of Education, continues to provide USF participants with educational/immersion experiences in Belize.
During two-week trips, credential candidates from the Teacher Education Department work in classrooms with Belizean teachers at elementary schools in Dangriga. In partnership with the School of Nursing and Health Professions, seniors and graduates of the School of Nursing have travelled to Belize to implement a Health Advocacy Program, providing on-site educational units in health, nutrition, and first aid for children and adults of the community.
Reflective of its name, all participants in Project Learn Belize are exposed to, and hopefully transformed by, the realities of cultural diversity, tradition, and challenges of education, health, and governance in this developing nation in the Caribbean Basin.
Fr. Dillon with students in Belize.
Repairs for the Primary School
In October, Project Director, Dr. Geoffrey Dillon, S.J., returned to Belize to oversee needed repairs at Sacred Heart Primary School (Dangriga). With a total operating budget of less than $14,000/year, the school is unable to afford labor or supplies to maintain the buildings and grounds of the campus. Through the generosity of Project benefactors, a host of improvements were made possible, including electrical wiring, security lighting for the campus, and ventilation fans for 10 classrooms.
Previous capitol improvements have included a renovated building (providing 5 new classrooms and Principal’s office) and a remodeled kitchen/cafeteria (the school’s feeding program provides over 75 meals each day).
Dr. Dillon also found time to provide two professional development days for the teachers, as well as several stints as a substitute teacher in classrooms.
Map from worldstogethertravel.com
Experiences Continue
A group of ten students and staff from Teacher Education are scheduled for the January, 2012 trip to Belize. Besides their talents and energies, the participants will share their recently acquired knowledge and passion for teaching with the local faculty. Find more information on the Project Learn Belize website.
