Well here it is 5 years later since our first trip into Belize. I remember well that first year flying into Belize with my daughter Becky and hearing of this "Vision" of a pre-school in a village in Belize, Central America.
Without your support, financial giving, hard work on site and your prayers we would not be be ready for our first inspection from the ministry of education this April. Over the past 5 years much has been completed. This last week the original building was demolished to make room for a concrete slab for sports and lunches for the Pre-School children . We now have a source of constant water, where before we had water until 10 am and then the pumps were shut off. The road has been repaired, the land adjacent to the pre-school as some of you know will be for the expansion of the school that was acquired this last year. Grades 1-6 will be the next project to build.
The pre-school is the most critical for this will be the first one in this village of 3,000 residents.
This years project with 30+ Volunteers will be to finish the interior of the 4 classroom, 1 library, 1 study, 1 office building. We have crews this year for painting, drywall, electrical, plumbing, cabinetry, tile, interior installation and remove of walls to connect the two buildings together. We have a tractor grader coming in for 5 days to add culverts for new walkways. He will also grade all the property for drainage as well as grade the new land next door. Exciting to see this all come together!
We have two weeks to complete this task. Pray for good weather, it has been raining the past two weeks off and on. This is the beginning of their Spring weather and should be hopefully dry when we get there.
For that would like to serve the Children of Belize to be all they can be through Education, Join us.
The trips are planned for February of each year. We can take up to 50 people. That is the maximum room we have at Jaguar creek where we stay. Of course if more sign up we would find room!!!
We will keep you updated with pictures as we arrive and beginning the process of working and building.
From our hearts and thoughts, blessing to you, for all you have and are doing in a little Village in Cottontree, Belize, Central America.
Mike & Carol Downard
