BELIZE ROTARIANS KEY IN PROGRAM SUCCESS

The teacher development summer program is done for this year and the success and positive impact has surpassed the expectations of the program coordinators. Many wonderful things have happened and the positive impact to Belize and Canadian teachers have been extensive and effective. This could not have happened without the success of Belize Rotarians. Examples include the generosity of Belize City Club member Junior Espat (see left) who hosted the full team of four educators assigned to Belize City in his home for week two. Thank you Junior for such hospitality. Below ,Corozal Rotarian Earl Johnson was the first to arrive at the Belize City pick up spot to welcome the members his club was hosting.

I want to take this opportunity to recognize once again the generous support of Rotarians in getting the Belize Literacy Program underway and this summer providing overwhelming support and assistance in so many ways. In Belize, Rotarians went the extra mile to better understand the depth and impact of the program

and these Rotarians are to be saluted for:

PLANNING FOR HOSTING,

MEETING and WELCOMING THE EDUCATOR TEAM FROM CANADA,

TRANSPORTATION SUPPPORT,

ORGANIZATION OF CELEBRATION CEREMONIES AND HONORING OUR GROUP,

SERVING AS AMBASSADORS FOR ROTARY AND BELIZE BY SHOWING CANADIAN VISTORS BELIZE TOURIST SPOTS, HISTORICAL AND OTHER SITES OF INTEREST,

VISITING TEACHING SITES, RECEIVING THREE LARGE SHIPMENTS OF DONATED SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT,

AND ENSURING THAT THEY WERE EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED TO THE SEVEN TEACHING SITES IN TIME FOR PROGRAM OPENING,

MAKING OUR CANADIAN TEAM MEMBERS FEEL WELCOME AND GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN BELIZE ROTARY CLUB LOCAL MEETINGS and much much more............

Truly, the Belize Rotary Clubs have gone the extra mile to support the summer teaching professional development program. This is so evident from the enthusiastic response I have received from our Canadian participants who express thanks for all the support they have received. Special thanks to Rotary Club Presidents for getting the word out about the program and encouraging local Rotary involvement. The San Ignacio Rotary Club, as the initiator for the project, did a fine job in organization of the invovlement of other Belize Rotary Clubs. Special thanks to San Ignacio President Bill Butchers, Aki and Sheree Fukai , Chris and Eve Aird and Andre Lopez who all provided daily contributions in assisting with all components of the program and called on the many other San Ignacio Rotarians to assist in dealing with any emergent challenges or need in sites across Belize (see picture below of many of the San Ignacio Rotarians who attended the Opening Ceremonies)

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For Jennifer Lawley, Donna Barrett and me as organizers--- we were thankful daily for Rotary support and you all helped to make our work easier and mosre valuable. The Four Way Test was active in Belize throughout our visit and program implementation in Belize City, Corozal, Orange Walk, Belmopan, San Ignacio, Dangriga and Punta Gorda. I look forward to continuued partnership discussions and initatives between our Alberta Rotary Clubs and the Belize Rotary Clubs.

God Bless you all!

Lynne Paradis - Lead Facilitator and Trainer 2010 Project a nd Rotarian from Red Deer Rotary Club. Alberta.