Catholic School Walkathon in Belmopan

As we mentioned, the Little Lighthouse Walk was being held countrywide. This morning in Belmopan, the students and teachers proudly paraded around the city to show their love for their catholic school. Paul Lopez reports.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Students and teachers of the Our Lady of Guadalupe R.C. Primary School in Belmopan took to the streets this morning to celebrate love. Catholic schools across the country hosted a walkathon to raise funds. The “Fall In Love With Your Catholic School Walkathon” in Belmopan saw hundreds of children march around the Ring Road before making their way to the steps of the National Assembly Building to sing songs and celebrate their school.

Terresita Sosa

Terresita Sosa, Principal, OLOG R.C Primary School

“Love is the most important thing, and that is the reason why we are out here today. We are in solidarity with all our catholic schools around Belize, and so we have brought out all of our students this morning. We started at nine o’clock, and they were all excited. We have been practicing all week, preparing for this big day. They could not wait for this morning. We are also here because we are asking everyone in the community, all of our stakeholders, people who are out there watching and listening to us, guess what, our catholic schools are the best. We work really hard. So, we would love if they can support us and be there for us for when we have our fundraisers.”

According to Principal Sosa, they will use the funds to refurbish several classrooms and other initiatives. So what did the students think of their march around the ring road?

Gian Sabido

Gian Sabido, Student, OLOG R.C. Primary School

“Since our school has been messed up since Hurricane Lisa, especially one of our classrooms it got destroyed. A tree fell on it from the hurricane. We recently got that fixed. We are still raising some money for that and we are raising money for a printer. We only need like I think two thousand dollars until we fully pay it off.”

Paul Lopez

“We keep here that Catholic Schools are the best, or that your school is the best, why?”

Gian Sabido

“I personally think that my school is the best because of the experience it gave me to partake in.”

Abigail Choc

Abigail Choc, Student, OLOG R.C. Primary School

“It is just that we want for people to give to our school for us to have donations for our students to have a better future so teachers and principals can purchase better things to help teachers and students to have better things in the school. I love my school because many of my friends are supportive, kind. They love everyone and cherish everyone. We appreciate everything that the school has done for us.”

Oscar Mira, the Area Representative for Belmopan, and Belmopan Mayor Sharon Palacio also joined the celebration.

Oscar Mira

Oscar Mira, Area Representative, Belmopan

“To have the school today and OLOG out here today with a spirit of happiness and a spirit of love, I mean it is Valentine’s Day today, so might as well. So, when I was told I said definitely I will be out here supporting the kids. It is a day to be joyous. It is a day to come by the National Assembly steps and to see the future of Belize. We always say the kids are the future, but we need to ensure that they are the right future for Belize. It gives me great pleasure to be out here to be along with the kids.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez