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Our Lady of Guadalupe Library Building Project
Presented to Rotary Club of Belmopan
for International Grant Consideration
in partnership with Eaton Rotary Club
Eaton, Ohio 45338
March 2013
Contacts:
Margarita Martinez: OLOG School - 629-5407
Corey Mangan: 937-248-1816; cmangan@woh.rr.com
In addition to sending this proposal to the Rotary Club of Belmopan, it is being sent to Rotary Clubs in the United States seeking funding for the Our Lady of Guadalupe Library Project in Belmopan, Belize
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Library Project
Imagine if you can, growing up and having only a few or even worse, no books to read. Imagine a school that doesn't have a library and while the teachers may have a few books, they are for the most part, the same books they've had in their rooms for several years.
This is the case at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Belmopan, Belize. OLOG is a public, Roman Catholic school that lacks the financial resources to build and furnish a library. The Coleen Mangan Lunsford Memorial Library endeavor is not a mission project; rather, our volunteers recognize the importance of literacy and are determined to make a positive difference for these youngsters.
How we began this project: Benjamin Mangan completed his student teaching at OLOG in 2010 before graduating from Miami University. As a reading teacher, the most difficult challenge he faced in Belize was not having enough (or any) books for the elementary students to read and to learn from. We firmly believe that literacy is the most important tool a human being can possess. Our committee was formed to raise funds to build a library and furnish it so every child that attends OLOG has the opportunity to dream and learn.
The OLOG Library Project Team includes current and retired teachers, librarians, educators, business and health care professionals, contractors, college and high school students and many others. We live and work in Alaska, Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, California, Kentucky, Ohio and Belize.
Our goal is to raise between $150,000 and $200,000 (U.S.). This will allow us to build a fully functional library that will be air conditioned - an important appliance in Belize. Your financial contribution today will help the OLOG project team purchase building materials, shelving, tables, chairs, bean bag chairs, local art work, computers, printers and much more. Additionally, we will build a deck and cover it with a thatch roof, install outdoor fans, benches and much more. This will give the teachers an outdoor classroom where they can read and discuss books. We will be using local labor from Belmopan and purchase as many items from Belize to help the local economy.
Our fundraising efforts to date have included Scholastic Book Fairs, professional concerts and much more. However, we need more donations to complete this project. We have used some of the funds that have been raised to purchase needed books and other materials for the OLOG students. Also, we have sent more than 1,500 new and gently used books and teacher resource guides to the school. For most children, it was the first time they have ever opened a new book.
Since the library project began in the United States, we opened a bank account in Ohio. We will, however, be opening an account in Belmopan very soon and when that happens we will share that information with you. In Ohio, the Employer Identification Number is 465933. Our account is at Eaton National Bank and all donations are being deposited in the OLOG Library Project at P.O. Box 37, Lewisburg, OH 45338.
We hope you agree that reading is one of (if not) the most important activity a child can do. Thank you for your time and we hope the Rotary Club of Belmopan finds this a worthy project to support and will consider strongly being the host club for a Rotary International Grant. We are sharing this project with Rotary Clubs in District 6670 (southwest Ohio) as well as clubs throughout the United States. By working together, we will make a big difference in a child's life. We hope you join us and we look forward to hearing from you.
Frequently Asked Questions about the OLOG Library Project
When was Our Lady of Guadalupe School formed?
September 1998
Approximately how many students are in each standard (grade) and how many total students are in the school?
25-30 students per standard and 750 total students
How are OLOG Schools and the Catholic church related?
As a Catholic school, OLOG is a part of the church state system in Belize. Our main relationship with the church is the teaching of the Catholic faith. Our Catholic management works with the Belize Ministry of Education to ensure the implementation of the national curriculum within the schools and the hiring of teachers. Religion education training is offered to teachers, as well.
Who handles the finances for the school?
OLOG has its own administrative team and they are accountable for the school's finances.
How much money does the OLOG Library Project Team need to raise to build and furnish the library?
$150,000 to $200,000 (American) This amount is based on cost of materials in Belize and shipping items to Belmopan.
How big of a library do you feel will accommodate the students and staff?
1,500 to 2,000 Square Feet
Who will be the librarian and how will books be accounted for?
OLOG has a teacher who has been trained in the library profession. Additionally, members of the Parent Teacher Association are very eager to assist. Library software is being donated to keep records of all the books donated and purchased for the library.
What types of book are needed?
We will purchase as many Belizean books as well as books about and from the Caribbean. Other books we would prefer would be: as many as possible Children's story books at different levels (including award-winning children's books), sets of encyclopedias, teachers' resources/guides in math, language arts, science, expressive arts etc.
Once the library is built and furnished, how will it be maintained and how will it be operated into the future?
The OLOG Administrative Team will ensure that it continues to function in a meaningful way to serve all students. As mentioned above, OLOG will ask more teachers and parents to get involved in this exciting opportunity. The building will be owned by the school and the OLOG Project Team will continue to have fundraisers to support this project. OLOG is a Catholic School that is self sustained; whatever funds we get is through fundraising and kind people like you!
more
OLOG Contact information (Belize): Our Lady of Guadalupe Primary School
East Ring Road, Belmopan City (802-0781)
P.O. Box 515, Belmopan City (629-5407)
Email: ologprimary@yahoo.com
United States Contact Information: Corey Mangan
937-248-1816 or cmangan@woh.rr.com
Library Project Challenges and Suggested Resolutions
Fundraising: Our goal is to raise between $150,000 and $200,000 (U.S.) which will allow us to build the library and purchase the needed materials. We have done fundraising through concerts and other events but we need to raise larger amounts to make this project a reality.
Shipping Books to Belmopan, Belize: While this is a major cost we have a working relationship with Miami University students who student teach in Belize each fall. Each student is asked to take 50 pounds of books with them and deliver them to OLOG.
On-site: Some members of the OLOG Library Project Team recently traveled to Belmopan where they met with the OLOG Parent Teacher Association. One of the members is a construction engineer in Belmopan and has agreed to be the contractor in charge. He will prove to be very valuable in this project as he will get plans approved and work with the construction company we hire. Additionally, OLOG Vice Principal Margarita Martinez has agreed to be our treasurer in Belmopan, Belize.
Building Materials and Construction Crew: It is our recommendation and goal that we support the local Belmopan economy by purchasing materials there and by hiring local workers. Our local contractor will work with us as we go through this process.
While this is not a complete list, it is a summary of the challenges/opportunities that we are finding solutions to everyday that we meet.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic School
Our Lady of Guadalupe was established in 1998 and its motto is wisdom grows where knowledge lives. The school is located on Ring Road in Belmopan, Belize and operated by the local management of the Catholic Public Schools. The following information was taken from the School Policy booklet.
Grading Scale
Level 1: 95-100 E - Excellent
Level 2: 90-94 O - Outstanding
Level 3: 85-89 V - Very Good
Level 4: 80-84 G - Good
Level 5: 75-79 F - Fair
Level 6: 70-74 S - Satisfactory
Level 7: 69 and below U - Unsatisfactory
There are also grades for conduct which are based on attitude, cooperation, and respect and class participation. A student can earn a Satisfactory, Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory. Other grading awards: Principal's Award, Well-Done Award, Effort Award, Honour Award and Honour with Distinction.
Miscellaneous Information
• Students are prepared to live their Catholic faith.
• OLOG students are socially responsible and good citizens. Among other things listed in the policy book, students must be accepting of a diverse society.
• Students are expected to speak English on the school compound at all times.
• Schools fees (2012-13 school year) are $135 (BZE) for returning students and $145 (BZE) for new students.
Dress Code
All students are required to wear the standard school uniform. Clothing must be clean, properly fitted, neatly ironed and un-tattered. Pants and sweaters may not include decorations or appliqués. Shirts must be tucked in and pants worn at the waist and the length should not drag on the floor. Socks should be worn (white or dark colors). Jewelry must be modest and conservative and earrings are permitted for girls only. No make-up or nail polish and haircuts for boys should be above the collar and should be neatly cut and not lie on the face. No unnatural hair color is allowed.
Belize Facts
Temperature: It's hot! OLOG has three air conditioners in the computer lab only and one in the Vice Principal's office that was donated. Classrooms are not air conditioned.
Location: South of Mexico and east of Guatemala.
Capital: Belmopan (where OLOG is located central Belize)
Largest City: Belize City (located on the east coast of Belize)
Official Language: English
Recognized regional languages: Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna, Maya, Plautdietsch
Ethnic Groups: Mestizo, Kriol, Maya, Garinagu, Mennonite, East Indian
Population: 333,200
Avg. Income: $4,000 to $7,000 per year per person
OLOG School
Current Library (the books pictured are those that we have purchased)
Ben's Students
Typical Classrooms
Cultural Day for OLOG Students
Playground Area
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