Belize Education and Literacy Project

Project’s purpose

This project started when a club member met with Rotarians in Belize and learned about the education and literacy needs in that nation, and the commitment of local Rotarians to meet those needs.

Initially this project was intended to support literacy, education and the use of educational technology in the St. Martin de Porres School, located in an especially poor neighborhood of Belize City. The project became even more interesting when we learned that Rotarians in Belize are centrally involved in the management of the national prison which is operated by a non-profit society.

Both the prison and school’s learning environments are limited in terms of internet access and educational resources. In both settings literacy and educational attainment is quite low, with strong evidence of a pervasive and linked cycle of poverty, crime, poor educational achievement and poor employment opportunities.

In partnership with a Rotary Club in Belize City, we provided computer resources, hands-on training and support.

Since internet access is limited in many classrooms, and for security reasons in the prison, we looked at alternatives to deliver internet content and computer-based learning. One of the solutions was RACHEL; an offline delivery system of internet content and curated learning tools. Since RACHEL can be used by teachers to facilitate learning, organize lesson plans and by learners to access content, it seemed like a good colution.

We provided equipment, teacher training and adapted local curriculum while also supporting students and our partner Rotarians in Belize. This project involved collaboration between Rotarians in Port Moody and Belize City.