7 News Belize

MOE and UNICEF Team Up To Feed Kids
posted (May 5, 2020)
This morning, the officials from the Ministry of Education started distributing food hampers to the families of needy school children who are beneficiaries of their annual school feeding programs.

According to the Ministry, its feeding program has providing for 1,400 school children countrywide. Through a generous donation from UNICEF in Belize, the families of 1,000 of these needy children will be receiving the hampers, which contain food, and hygiene supplies to help them get through this COVID-19 pandemic.

From the Ministry's perspective, the nation's schoolchildren are already under a lot of duress to continue their education through distance learning. So, they are seeking to relieve some of that hardship for the neediest students, by providing these food hampers.

The education officials invited the press to observe the rolling out of these donations. We attended and got a chance to speak with the Chief Education Officer and the UNICEF representative about it.

Here's what they had to say about the donation:

Dr. Carol Babb - Chief Education Officer, MOE
"Today, UNICEF is handing over to the Ministry of Education 1,000 care boxes. These boxes have fruits, vegetables, hygiene products, as well as other items valuing over a hundred dollars per box. This is intended for students who were on the school's feeding program, sponsored by the Ministry of Education. So, students from Belize District, from Belize City, from the rural areas, and from the Stann Creek District will benefit."

Reporter
"How many children are we talking about, ma'am?"

Dr. Carol Babb
"Well, there are actually about fourteen hundred on the Government based feeding program, but we are giving a thousand to the neediest students at this time."

"The Ministry of Education will distribute this morning to about 6 schools in Belize City."

"The parents will come and pick it up. We invited the parents to come and pick it up at their children's school. There will be social distancing, observing all the protocols necessary at this time."

"These children were on the feeding program because their parents were having a hard time financially. So, as you know, many of their parents may not have employment at this time. So, we have approached UNICEF, and they have delivered. We are very grateful to UNICEF for helping our students who are unable to have all that they need at this time."

Michel Guinand - Officer In Charge, UNICEF Belize
"We are supporting the Ministry of Education in ensuring, as best as we can, the continued learning of the students of Belize. So, we all know that with this COVID-19 outbreak, globally and in Belize, the majority of students are out of the school. More than 80% of the students are currently out of school globally. And, it is, of course, very important to ensure that all students can continue to learn. So, that's why we are now supporting the Ministry."

Dr. Carol Babb - Chief Education Officer, MOE
"In addition to providing help with this feeding program, they will also assist us with a television and radio show that will provide psychosocial support to children, teachers, and the general public. They are also helping us with funding the preparation of school-based packages, and other television and radio show."

As you heard, the Ministry distributed the hampers to the schools that these needy students attend. After they arrived, the parents of those students were then contacted to pick up one of the packages.

The hope is that the Ministry will be able to provide this aid for a few more weeks

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