News for Quarter 2, 2019

Missions 13 and 14 - Fiscal Year 2019-2020

Entering our 11 year, Resource Centers International is still going strong. We are planning two missions to Belize in our continuing effort to bring the educational tools important to the maturation of young minds and bodies. The Rotary Club of Cardington will be sponsoring these missions with additional funding from the Rotary Club of Toledo. A District Grant application will be submitted to the Foundation of Rotary District 6600 to complete the funding of the $23,000 project.

The host club for the first mission will be the Rotary Club of Corozal where 20 or more resource centers will be opened in the Corozal District of Belize. The second mission will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Dangriga/Hopkins. Twenty or more resource centers will be opened in the Stann Creek and Cayo Districts of Belize. Both of the host clubs supported missions during the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

This will be the second year in a row that two missions will be conducted by Resource Centers International in Belize. This is only made possible through the generous donations of time, equipment and money by the Rotarians of District 6600; the Rotary Clubs of Belize; and the many non-Rotarian benefactors who have also donated to the project.

Mission teams are now being formed for the two missions. The first mission to Corozal District will be completed just prior to Christmas, 2019: with the second mission to Stann Creek/Cayo Districts completed just prior to Easter 2020. We need a computer expert with knowledge of software and hardware as well as an early childhood educator for each mission. Don’t have skills in either area… no problem, come along for the experience… we will find work for you. If interested, please contact Mel Honig: email, melhonig.rci@gmail.com: or phone, 567 686 3406.

Many thanks go out to the Rotary Clubs of District 6600 and Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad (MESA) who have continually supported this Basic Education Project.

Being Part of a Mission Team

There are a few mission team members who return over and over again to go on missions. Some individuals only go once. Many who have the opportunity never go at all. Going on missions can be a life changing event, whether it be one for Resource Centers International, or another mission to a country other than Belize or Jamaica. The following pictures show some of our missioners, from the United States or the host country, at work in Jamaica or Belize.

Mario Bull, teacher in Dangriga has gone on several trips. He is a valuable asset not only for his computer skills but also his knowledge of the culture, speaking several of the local languages and understanding how the education system of Belize functions.

Pictured here is Mel Honig, Sylvania Rotarian working on putting bookshelves together: Amber Fisher (Elyria Rotarian) talking with Jo Audinet (Punta Gorda) Rotarian. Jo was the Rotary Club of Punta Gorda coordinator of the mission. Also in the picture is Amber’s daughter Tori, who always gets involved with the computers and preschoolers… and Mario working on the computers with Jahir looking on.

Kent Iler, Elyria Rotarian goes on at least one mission each year. He is our Pied Piper. He is not only magical with the computers but also with the children.

Will Mosby, Rotary E-Club of One World, our computer expert on Mission 11. Hopefully this will not be his last mission as he not only made the computers go but also worked zealously with the students.

Elcedia Awe, Belize school teacher has gone on several missions. She is our social butterfly knowing everyone and putting smiles on everyone's face. Elcedia's eldest son Jahir (on the left), also helps out on missions.

Jill Cotter, retired teacher and Punta Gorda Rotarian, working with preschoolers. Local Rotarians are a much appreciated and valuable asset. They not only accompany us to many of the schools but are our contacts with the schools: helping with school applications; organizing pickups of educational materials and help planning our daily schedule… as well as helping to resolve any problems that occur during the mission. They also do follow-up visits after the centers are set up helping to ensure sustainability of each center.

Greg Fess, Toledo Rotarian is setting up computers during Mission 12. Although not an expert he quickly caught on. Many Rotarians do not have 'expert skills' but are still valuable assets as they work with the children, school teachers and local Rotarians making the process a 'group effort'.

Every morning the mission team meets around breakfast to plan the day.

Corozal Rotarian Loretta Randall working with children during resource center setup. Local Rotarians were active members of the mission team with different local Rotarians accompanying us each day.

Karin Marinoff (preschool educator on Mission 12) is working with students and getting help from two of Kent's daughters, who also came on Mission 12. Also coming with Kent was his wife Stacy. On a previous mission Kent came with his wife and eldest son. While Karin works with the students we work with the local preschool teacher giving her tutorials on the software programs installed in the computers.

Children explore games we sent while missioner Karen Marinoff works with the preschool teacher.

You can join us on one or more of the missions scheduled for this year. If interested or have any questions please contact Mel Honig: email, melhonig.rci@gmail.com or phone 567 686 3406.

Donations Received this Quarter

Educational Equipment and Materials

Financial Donations

Financial Donations are used for purchases of product when there is no active grant and also for supplies needed to support the project.

Presentations

• Rotary Club of Sylvania

We are prepared to give a presentation to your Rotary Club or organization. Contact Mel for details.