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Now they've gotten a new building, and yesterday they got a sponsor for a year-round feeding program. Reverend Natalie Dawn Bowen, who is the principal and moving force behind the school, told us how they were able to get by with a little help from their friends.

Reverend Natalie Bowen - Principal, Living Hope Prep. School
"Since then, Atlantic Bank has come in and helped us with the building. And now, Scotia Bank is here today helping us with our feeding program. And so, we are very excited about the transition that we are making from one point to the next. Because we can open our doors to more students who are on the streets, who need to get into the program. The transition point for us is that when we were there, we only could take in so many kids. We were cramped for space, and now, we have a building where we can offer all the services that we want the kids to actually receive from an educational institution. The finance that Scotia Bank is giving us today, will go directly into the feeding program to keep our kids out of the streets, and in school. What we will be doing is offering a breakfast and lunch, and then what we'll be doing is asking them if they don't have it, they can get it for free. If they have a donation, they can make a donation."

Pat Andrews - Country Manager, Scotia Bank
"This $20,000 that we are giving to them today will also be replicated next year, and the year after if things work out well. And I sure it will because we want to definitely join in not only with the giving of the funds, but also about having our employees join hands with Living Hope, with mentorship programs, and so on."

Reverend Natalie Bowen
"We have always been fighting for a feeding program. We've always been struggling to make sure that it continues. And now, Scotia Bank is making it possible for us to do this, for a year! Isn't that amazing? Oh Yes. It's awesome what they are doing for us. I am just excited because Scotia Bank has opened the door for us to not have to worry about our kids missing school, because the feeding program is one of the most important things. I hope that everybody who is hearing me out there, start a feeding program for your kids to keep them in school. I'm expecting the children to behave themselves while their hungry. You're expecting the children to stay in school while they're hungry. Now, when you think about that, then you know that you're defeating the purpose of education because no one can learn on empty stomach. You cannot work on an empty stomach, can you? I know how difficult it is for me to go through the day without eating something. So imagine them not eating a meal for maybe a week or a couple days, or not having their parents provide for them. And because their parents can't provide for them, does that mean that we should just fold our hands and leave them be?"

Pat Andrews
"We know that there are several challenges that the youth face in Belize. And we are saying, 'Guess what, we can give our little 'dit', where ever we can in this feeding program, helping a school like Living Hope, to give them a bright future, that is what we want to do."

Reverend Natalie Bowen
"The building here is opening its doors to children who need a place to go, who have been thrown out behavioral problems, issues, finances - that's what we are trying to get in here. Whatever need you have, don't worry about it. Come and see us."

Pat Andrews
"We want to see a school like this succeed. We want to see these young people talk to their friends about their experiences that they're having in here, and to basically get enrollment up. That's what we want to do."

Reverend Natalie Bowen
"If you are out of school and you need to get into school; you've failed the PSE, and you really don't have anywhere to go, come see us. We are here at #7088 Maskall Street, and we want you in school."

Maskall Street is between Raccoon street Extension and Neal's Pen Road...