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But it's not about who gave the items - it's what will be done with it, and the effect that music teachers hope it will have on the community. Andrea Polanco found out about that:….

The donation included bass drums, xylophones and marching snares which will be used to form a much needed marching band. Principal Sinclair told Seven News that the donation will go a long way:

Roselda Sinclair: Principal - St Martin de Porres
"We really need a marching band and sometimes we have to go and borrow from the other schools. And I just think by right we should have our own band. Ok we're good at sports and many times we have to go and borrow bands which I don't think is right. It will keep our children off the street and keep them occupied."

The school's music programme, which started some six years ago, will be boosted by the formation of their very first marching band.

Yumi Sakai (Music Teacher)
"Here I teach the lower levels STD 1, 11 and 111 so they learn some basic music skills and theory, singing and sometime they do dancing do too. Std 11 and 111 they learn recorder, they learn how to play national anthem, they play some Belizean Songs and sometimes I use percussions, tambourine, drums and some bells and the children love music."

Darrell Humes (Band Master)
"Well definitely it will heighten the competition because right over at St Luke there is band and they are award winning so that will be one of the first things that we'll set off to do to try to come up to par with their band you know it will be difficult but the children will be up to the challenge and I know they will meet it."

The formation of a marching band in an under-served area like Lake I and as the Band Master will tell you- it can only mean one thing for the community:

Darrell Humes (Band Master)
"For some of them I think it will be the first time but some of them I know they have been around a band even though they have never been in one. In a previous band I used to be over in St Luke they used to come to the practices so I don't think it will be too difficult to get them into shape and most of the children in this area are exposed to some sort of band music and know what to expect being in a band."

"It's very positive and I can tell from experience working in this area. I've worked in this area for more than about twenty years I've worked in this area. Being a teacher, I've retired now for about 2 or three years but I've worked extensively in this area and I don't know why people always tend to look down on this area we have vast amount of talent in this area. In music it's endless and I think the children here will like it they'll put themselves in the public's eyes a lot but I think they'll live up to the challenge."

Among the specially invited guests for the occasion were: Governor General Sir Colville Young, Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally, Mr. Chris Aird-CEO in the Ministry of Education and Mr. Jahmor Lopez District Education Officer.