First day of school!

Monday morning we woke up, ate breakfast at the Bull Frog, and were driven to Kuxlin Ha Government School.  Each of us brought many school supplies from America because, although this is a government school, the only funding the government provides the school is enough to pay the teachers, keep the electricity and water running, and build an additional building if necessary.  The school itself must provide all the supplies and materials they need.  And since it's a school in a very poor community, supplies are hard to come by.  So our first day, we presented the supplies to the school.

Presenting the supplies 

After that, we toured the classrooms.  I was surprised at how nicely decorated the classrooms were.  The teachers are very inventive with their limited supplies in creating educational but cute decorations.  

One thing that is VERY different about this school than schools in America is the religious aspect.  Although this is a government school, God and the Bible are very much a part of the school and curriculum.  Each morning begins with a prayer and devotion in every classroom; they also pray before and after lunch break and at the end of the day before dismissal.  The school is decorated with paintings of Bible verses and other Scriptural references.  

Ephesians 6:10

Psalm 23

The Fruits of the Spirit

                                                         These verses are painted on the posts of the picnic table area.

I think it's very interesting that God is such a central part of the educational system here in Belize.  I personally think it's wonderful to teach children basic spiritual truths in their elementary days.  It is still ultimately their choice whether they will accept or reject Christianity, but the Bible gives a strong moral foundation that cannot be found anywhere else.  

For example, my directing teacher here in Belize was teaching about culture during a social studies lesson.  After leading a discussion on the different cultures in Belize, she concluded by saying something like, "Does it matter what culture you come from?  No!  Does it matter what color your skin is?  No!  It doesn't matter if you are Maya, Garifuna, Creole, English or anything.  You are all God's children, and He loves us all."  What a great lesson on tolerance that is!  A teacher in the US could NEVER say that, but it's so true!  Why should we treat all other people with kindness and respect?  "Well, because it makes it nicer to live together in harmony," an American teacher may respond.  How much richer it is to say that we are all united as God's children.  That we all are sinners, but God loves us all so much that He would send His Son to die for us, as my teacher went on to explain.  

This humbled me.  Before this experience I felt like I was the American coming in to help the poor Belizean school.  Now I wonder how much America really is doing "right."