A building damaged last year by a powerful hurricane has been renovated and handed over to officials at Xaibe RC School.

The early-April handing over ceremony was attended by principal Jacinta Reyes and staff, students and their parents, and specially invited guests.

In August 2007, hurricane Dean hit Belize, damaging 16 of 20 schools in the Corozal District. The schools seriously affected were Concepcion, Xaibe and Chunox.

Contributors were the Canadian government, the Social Investment Fund, Belize Natural Energy, Atlantic Bank, Benefactors of the Viatorian community, UNICEF and the Xaibe community.

Among the invited guests were Canadian Ambassador Kenneth Cook; Phil Westman of the Canada Fund Local Initiative; Nemencio Acosta, area representative for Corozal North; Social Investment Fund director, Oscar Alfonso; Fr Daniel Belanger; Clement Wade, general manager of Catholic public schools; Francisco Magana, assistant superintendent of Corozal Catholic public schools; Daniel Gutierrez of Belize Natural Energy Ltd; Maria Elena Alcoser, manager, Atlantic Bank; UNICEF’s Angelina Constantino; and Xaibe Village chairman Luciano Noh.

The four-classroom building has a new metal roof, ceiling and electrical wiring. Aluminum louvres have replaced wooden windows; the wooden doors replaced with metal. The school also received new chalkboards, armchairs, teachers’ desks, shelves and cupboards.

The Canadian government was the main contributor, donating Bel $82 million.
 - edited from the Christian Herald