Land purchase for ownership of the school

Ambergris Caye Elementary School has come a long way in the six years we have been housed at our current location. From almost closing down the doors, when the last management company decided they no longer wanted to operate a school, till today where we own the buildings and property we sit on!  It has been a journey of blood sweat and tears but one I wouldn't have changed.  There are still times when it seems like an uphill battle when funds are low and bills are high.  However, each year seeing the progress of both the school as an organization and the students as they grow from infants to young adults is so rewarding, the sense of purpose becomes more and more apparent.

Over the past six years we have added a Pre-school and a Special Needs Program, the only special needs program on the island!  Our teaching staff has become stable and are developing nicely and most importantly the environment is a caring place where children can always feel comfortable and safe.  We are constantly working with outside providers who bring new ideas and services to our teachers and children.  Over the last six months we have had a speech pathologist, a physical therapist and and audiologist come from the states through volunteer programs to evaluate our students. Last year we added Sarah Freudenburg as our special needs teacher who holds a Masters Degree in Special Education. ACES continues to evolve each and every day.

We still hold a small mortgage on the property we purchased last year, approximately $25,000.00 USD and are working diligently to pay down this balance.  Moving forward there are plans to purchase one of the adjacent lots, build a multi-purpose room and 2 more class rooms.  With this project we will also install a water catchment system which will help decrease the utility costs and pay for itself in the long term.  There is always more that can be done to improve the facility and improve the environment for our children.  

All this and much more has been done in six years, and much more will continue to happen. ACES is a special place...you can feel it the minute you waik on our campus, there is a magical calm, a loving sense of serenity, a sancutary for children.  Please become a part of the magic.  Help us fulfill our dreams by your generous donation.  Help make our dreams a reality!

Every year we try to progress toward total ownership of the school.  Currently, our school is housed in two wooden buildings which house 9 classrooms and two administrative offices. These two buildings sit on a lot which measures approximately 75' x 100' this is the propertry we purchased with the money raised by this project last year.  Additionally, we rent an adjacent lot of approximately the same measurements for $3000.00 per year.  This lot is just an open lot which we maintain and the children are able to use the lot for physical education and play.

This year we have been able to finalize the purchase of the primary site and pay down the $75,000 BZD mortgage to approximately $55,000.BZD. So,progress is being made, however we are very limited on space.  We need to enlarge the classrooms we currenly have and we need two more classrooms and a multipurpose room.  In order to accomplish this goal we will need to purchase one of the adjacent lots to accomodate this expansion.

This summer we have been blessed with a donation which is building a proper fence for the school. Unfortunately, while doing the summer maintenance of the school buildings we also found we had a severe termite issue in our two wooden buildings. This has caused additional expenses which were not budgeted!  So, once again, we are having to delay the potential purchase of any adjacent property.  

We have only benefactors like yourself to help us meet our goals to provide a quality facility for our students.  We currently provide education for more than 100 students.  Of these 100 students, 13 are provided with scholarships, these students would otherwise not be able to obtain the quality Education Provided at Ambergris Caye Elementary School. We thank you and everyone who has contributed to our school and helped us achieve our goals.

We look forward to continuing our relationship with all our members of our Global giving family becasue without you our school would cease to exist. We and the children of ACES are eternally grateful for the support you provide.