Rotary District 6600’s Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad (MESA) Program is partnering with our district’s own Resource Centers International (RCI) to equip 18 pre-schools in Stann Creek, Belize this fall and you can join! Our time in-country will begin November 24 and conclude December 8. Plan to travel at least a day before and afterwards.
Volunteers will be asked to participate in assembling the various materials necessary to make the preschool a sustainable place of learning and community. On October 2, MESA shipped a container of supplies including gently used computers, software, and books to be used by children in Belize. Oftentimes, RCI supports schools in Spanish-speaking countries in Central America. Belize is an English-speaking country so there is no language barrier for Rotary volunteers to prevent interaction with these children and their teachers! Information about this and previous mission trips is available HERE.
While experience as an educator is ideal, your energy, passion and enthusiasm is all we need you to bring! Basic computer skills and familiarity with Windows and software installation is also helpful. Having people skills to interact with the various school personnel, parents and ministry of education staff is perhaps the most important contribution you can make. You should be prepared to give tutorials to teachers and others. RCI has performed this activity over 60 times in the last ten years.
A complete orientation will take place in Belize. Participants will be responsible for their own expenses which typically amount to approximately $1,000.
We are limiting participation to 10 people but we need one more as of October 4. Volunteers need a current passport and be current on their vaccinations; suggested vaccinations are Hepatitis A & B and a Flu shot. Interested Rotarians should communicate with Sylvania Rotarian Mel Honig at melhonig.rci@gmail.com by November 1 to schedule or for more information.
