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Indeed, it is hard to accept that an adult in 2019 can't read or write. But that is the reality and Eglah's Center has been trying to fix this problem for years through classes and training. Today the Center received a brand new building that will cater to more students. Here is more from the official opening that took place at the corner of West Collet Canal and Raccoon Street.

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
This wooden bungalow may be small but it is a big help for Eglah's Literacy and Life Skills Center.

Myrna Willoughby, Board Member, Eglah's
"Eglah's don't only do the regular classes from Monday to Thursday but for the summer we would do a three week summer program and that is the time we do not have space to put the students because they come in for the summer classes for three weeks so this building will be a tremendous help to us."

Now the center helps adults and children to develop their reading, writing skills among other basic ones. According to Eglah's former Executive Director Myrna Willoughby, this service is a dire necessity and many who have attended classes have gone on to live productive lives.

Myrna Willoughby, Board Member, Eglah's
"Over the past 14 years have assisted a lot of people in our community both adults and young people, both male and female because we are not gender bias. The program that we offer is literacy and it does not only cover English and reading but also Math and the CALS program that was gained from restore Belize."

"From the inception of Eglah's in 2005 we have seen at least 100 people pass through Eglah's, some have migrated to the states, the young people went into school and now they have graduated so it has been quite a lot. But what we notice is that the adults because of their deficiency maybe that is not the right word but they gravitate towards a program like this. I have to mention we had a student at the age of 66 she has now migrated to the states and we had another one who was a little bit younger who was unable to even spell her name and write but after 4 or 5 years of being here at Eglah's under the guidance of Mrs. Alma Eiley. She has improved so much she has been able to basically do everything."

But certainly there is a lot more people who need this service.

Myrna Willoughby
"Unfortunately we are here for so long and there are quite a number of people do not utilize the services we offer probably because of financial reasons, some adults I know it is because of pride specially the males."

"I don't when we will be able to fulfill this need of our community of our country because trust me it is really bad bad."

The hope is that through this partnership between Eglah's, Hand in Hand Ministries and Restore Belize, more people will register for the literacy program.

Rashida Bethran, Social Worker, Hand in Hand Ministries
"The partnership is unique per say because this is one of our first, it is unique in many ways, one it is the first 20 x 20 structure hand in hand has ever built and second it is the first structure hand in hand has built outside the scope of the use of a home for a family."

The construction cost was about $13,000 Belize dollars. If you would like to find out more about Eglah's and the services they provide you can call 227-0519.