A part of the recently concluded U.S. Military New Horizons operation was the construction of new school buildings in Hattieville and Crooked Tree government schools. And while the buildings are new, all the school furniture is old. Or we should say, was old. That's past tense because today, the U.S. government, with the assistance of the BDF, the Kolbe Foundation and a charitable group in the United States donated 78 desks and chairs, 2 water coolers, and other equipment. General Lloyd Gillett explained the importance of the donation.
Brig. Gen. Lloyd Gillett, BDF Commander
"Its chairs, school supplies, water coolers, and this donation is being mirrored in Crooked Tree, Carmelita and the Trial Farm Government School. All these schools were built by U.S. military and Belize personnel in the first couple months of this year."
Cruzita Castillo, Principal
"We have long awaited such a donation and this is a dream come true. I know that we will take full advantage of it and our students are surely proud today because its not only the furniture that they have but they also got gift packages from other donors. We are also grateful to Kolbe Foundation, Mr. John Woods, who helped provide transportation."
John Woods, Chairman - Kolbe Foundation
"Well they needed a conduit, someway to get it in, clear Customs and things like that, and we offered. Usually at the prison we're dealing with the results, the problems from society, we don't really create the problems, we deal with them, but its great to be involved in the formative stages of youth growing up and hopefully they can avoid ever having to come to the prison."
Lovel Mejia, Student
"Its bigger than the last class and you get more breathing space, and it makes you feel comfortable because you don't have to be too close to someone. You can have your own little house and everyone else could have their house."
Similar donations will be made to the Carmelita and Trial Farm Government Schools.
