Contact Information:

Liberato Saqui, School Principal

School: 011 501 503 4756

Home: 011 501 5203032

Needs Of The School:

Internet satellite system and installation

Student/Community Computer Lab – 15 Computers, printers and computer hardware and software

Four teacher computers, printers and computer hardware and software

Computer lab tables and chairs (Village carpenters to hand build). 

Security Bars

Ceiling Fans to cool computers

Microscope

Teaching aids (learning games, math & science tools, and dictionaries - K-8th Grade 

Overhead Project

PowerPoint Projector

Projector Screen

Radio/CD Player

School Supplies

Sports (basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls)

Tape Recorder

Television

VCR/DVD Player

Below is more information about the Maya Centre Village School in the words of the Principal, Mr.Liberato Saqui. 

"In 1993 the government was determined to close down the school and send the children some 15 miles away.   The parents who anticipated that problems will surface, decided to convince government to change their plan.  After a long hard battle the doors still remain open.  Again in 1998 it was government decision to move the school to another community much closer to home, but it was met with stronger opposition. On both occasions the reasons given were the need for better performance, quality delivery of the curriculum and mono-grades settings for each class level. Over the years, the school has grown from a one-man school to four staff members, with four classrooms in a multi-grade setting. Currently the enrolment is 87 students from ages 5 to 14 years. The number children attending high school has increased. This is a clear indication that our elementary school is capable of delivering quality education if we are given the support needed.  

History, Significance, and Previous Accomplishments

"In 1993, Liberato Saqui was appointed the headmaster, the children and staff were working with little or no resources. Teachers with low morale struggled to delivery the curriculum. My appointment was seen as way out to keep our school in the village which is the only institution that bonded our community members.  The only resource available was the parents. Their commitment to identify any resources proved successful.  We were able to build an additional two classroom building and a computer room.  A small library was set up to serve the need of both the primary and secondary students. Much need resources were donated by different individuals or groups and some were purchased by our local organization. Our location at the edge of the world's Jaguar Preserve was a blessing.  Many of those who came to visit who learnt of our needs were greatly moved and gave generously.

"We established relationships with different schools in the US but these lasted only for a few years.  Even though they lasted for a short while the impact was seen in the results of the national exam that our children sat yearly, which showed success.  Today we see that the number of attendance at High School kept growing yearly. Some of the schools we established relationships with are Pojoaque Elementary School in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Principia in St Louis,  and Evergreen State College in Washington State. Some private business groups such as Planet Patrol , Rough Guide and Resorts assisted.

"Presently the only support we get is from our local organization such as the village council, Water Board, Women's Group and visitors. The little that we receive never covers the current expenditure needs. Fund raising has been of little assistance due to the size of our population that can support us. By 2002 our needs became challenging. There was the need for additional classrooms, school supplies, equipment, appliances, and additional staff. Fortunate for us Wagner Foundation came to our rescue. The Foundation funded three years  for a teacher which we projected and then government took over. We saw the positive impact of this in our Belize Junior Achievement Test that is administered nationally at the end of the fifth year of primary schooling. At end of the third year the Government then took up the responsibility to pay the teacher, but this came only when we kept begging for their assistance. "

 CTF Accomplishments

Thanks to Friends of the Peninsula Library and other donors we have sent  the school over 1,200 books.