Danny Michel Ocean Academy Project, Belize

Message from Danny Michel - January 10, 2014

Hi everybody! Hope you all had a great holiday and new years. Some dear friends and I rang it in right in sunny Belize where we also popped by the Ocean Academy School with some more scholarship donations and a load of soccer balls. It was wonderful to see the school growing. It was an amazing feeling to see kids graduate and move on AND brand new faces enrolling thanks to YOUR help. 

While we didn’t reach the $10k goal by Jan 6th, we did raise $5175.00 and I know of a few donations still waiting to come in. You can still donate! I’m confident we will reach that goal. 

All in all $56,425.70 has been raised and lives are being changed because of your generosity and kindness.  Thank you.

Ocean Academy Students Eat Fire and Walk on Broken Glass

"Make It Happen", "Do it right the first time" and "Crazy People Succeed" were all messages imparted by motivational speaker Bert Oliva to Ocean Academy students last week.  To demonstrate the power of self-confidence and mind over matter, students were invited to eat fire and walk on broken glass.  The students did it! They can do anything!

Kyle wins National Youth in Tourism Award

Kyle excels in all of Ocean Academy's aquatic tourism P.E. classes (Physical Education). He is a certified Advanced Scuba Diver, Community Reef Technician, skilled kayaker and avid fly fishing student.   Kyle is also a leader in the school's entrepreneurial "Kayak with Purpose" program and takes visitors around the island showing them the seahorse colony, tarpon, mangrove ecosystem and underwater cave entrance.  Congratulations Kyle on the National Award.

Welcome Dr. Corinth Morter-Lewis: School Counsellor

Ocean Academy is blessed to have one of Belize's most experienced counsellors now working with students and parents on campus Thursdays and Fridays.  Mothers and Fathers filled the room for Dr. Lewis's first evening parent workshop: "How to Communicate with your Teenager".

Dr. Lewis was born in Belize City, educated in Belize and US, with a PhD from Alberta, Canada. She is a chartered psychologist, President Emeritus and adjunct professor at the University of Belize. Dr. Lewis's position is funded by a grant from the U.S. Embassy Belmopan.

Links:

• Video from January 1, 2014 on Caye Caulker
• Danny Michel Website for Ocean Academy Fund
• Ocean Academy school website

Danny Michel started us off in December when he rallied fans, students and community volunteers to fix the most urgent items at Ocean Academy such as broken chairs and desks, holes in screens, faulty electrical sockets and dingy walls.  Everyone enjoyed working with Danny, and the great results, so much that we came back on a weekend in August to revitalize the entire campus! 

We're ready for Back to School with freshly painted classrooms, repaired furniture, and a clean campus.  An attractive and welcoming campus, we feel, encourages students to take pride in their school and creates a positive learning environment.  We love the power of community teamwork and volunteerism!  This was the August Beautification Team:

• 20 students volunteered 198 service hours
• 8 family members volunteered 57 parent hours
• 2 alumni (grad 2012)
  
• 8 teachers and administrators
• 5 community members
  
• 3 travellers 
  
• 4 businesses donated paint and supplies: Brothers Habet, Benny's, Caye Caulker Bakery and Bahia Convenience Store.

Links:

• Danny MIchel's Ocean Academy Fund
• Danny Michel Website
• Ocean Academy school website