Thursday December 7 2006

Today was career day and several of the students dressed for their chosen career. We started the day with a presentation by the Belize Police Dept. Their presentation covered all the requirements needed to become a member of the police department. Officer PC Timmons made the presentation on behalf of the police department.

Mr. Santiago Castillo was next on the program and gave a brief history of his families business and how his father started with only $500.00 a small shop and a dream. Some 81 years later that dream has become one of the premier company's in Belize with over 500 employees. He explained how with dedication, hard work and commitment you can succeed in spite of disabilities. Mr. Castillo explained how he was diagnosed with A.D.D. and how he overcame. Mr Castillo is an accomplished musician, cyclist and a successful business man.

Next on the list was Mrs. Barbara Miller, Personal Manager of Tropic Air she gave a brief history about Tropic Air and explained how the students could maybe find employment with the company she also explained how math and physics was required to become a pilot. She also had a drawing for two tee shirts and then gave away one round trip ticket for two to any place Tropic Air flies this was won by Dwayne Brackett a student intern who just happens to be celebrating his 18th birthday on Saturday December 9, there was also a round trip ticket for one to any place Tropic Air flies this was won by student Alston Smith.

Sir George Brown was the next presenter, he is a former Chief Justice of The Supreme Court, owner of the Brown Boomers, an under 19 football club and an avid sailor. He explained how the students could use sports to keep their bodies and minds fit and thus do better in school and help keep them out of trouble.

Next came Mr. David Habet a member of our school board and owner of Daves Furniture World he told about the importantance of education and how it could help them in finding a life of fullfillment.

Other presentations we made by Mr. Lasel Arnold, Manager of the Scotia Bank, and by members of the Belize Defence Force.

Students in attendance enjoyed the presentations and asked many good questions, we hope that this exercise will help to encourage the students to do their best and to strive for a better life.

Tuesday May 30, 2006

Another great day at Friends Boys School we just had a visit from Kent Charles Garcia a member of the class 1998-1999. Kent went on study at Gwen Lizarraga High School where he graduated in 2004 as an honor student. In The fall of that year he entered Wesley Junior College, on Saturaday 27 May 2006 he was a member of the graduating class. He is now enrolled and will start classes this fall at The University of Belize where he plans to study Tourism Management.

Ryan Flowers gave the Validictorian address

Mike presents certificates to graduates.

Kenroy most Improved Attitude

Monday 29 June 2006,Greetings yesterday we held our graduation exercise for 13 students. This was the smallest group we have ever had, we have 4 other students returning for next year. We have 3 new students coming from the island of Caye Caulker. I will be making presentations to the many primary schools in the city over the next two and a half weeks.One of our returning students has only finished standard three, at first he didn't want to come to school, he showed up late and was absent a lot, after much talking and showing him lots of patients he began to attend regularly and by the end of the school year was asking if he could return. He was given an award for most improved attitude.

Here is the promised picture of our tractor & mower

Greetings;
it has been a long time since we have written it is now time to catch up. During the Christmas break we were pleased to have a work team from Indiana Western Yearly Meeting and North Carolina friends. It was their job to provide us with a building to house the tractor and mower we were to purchese to clear the high school property, a job that was handled superbly by leader Dale Graves and his 7 member crew.

On March 26 a group from Grinnell Iowa came for a week they painted the outside of the school, and installed a new roof on the building at LaDemocricia. This building used to house the church and where it may someday be again.

In March we purchased a 3000 Ford diesel tractor, then in April we finally got the mower a 5 foot bush hog type. It has a used deck but pretty much everthing else is new. the tractor cost $3400.00 US and the mower cost $725.00 US. Pictures of these will come after I get the tractor painted. The good thing is they work, in only 4 hours I have been able to mow nearly the entire high school grounds. Many of you have seen the pictures of the tall weeds and brush, well take a look at this.

More later from this Jewel of ours called Belize.

HIS Servants in Belize

Mike and Kay