Email

Print

Monica Bodden reporting
Construction of The Inspiration Center at mile 1 and a half on the Western Highway is well underway and today the media was invited out to the building site. A short tour of the unfinished project was conducted by the Prime Minister's wife, Kim Barrow –who walked us through the building explaining the different rooms and their purposes.

Kim Simplis Barrow - Belize's Special Envoy
"It's a rainy morning but for me and a lot of us - the sun is shining brightly. We are very happy and pleased to have you all here to basically give a tour what was once just a dream and now hopefully by September. October it will be a reality. Last year as you know we held our first telethon where we raised $1,000,000 in that one day and we started construction in September of last year. So we're doing pretty well with time in terms of the construction and the building and moving the inspiration center forward. We really wanted you all here to show you where we're at and what has happened. I think it's important for all Belizeans to see what we have been doing because this is the people's inspiration center because we as Belizeans rallied for the telethon and we were able to raise that amount of money to make this project a reality."

But while it is a reality coming to life, there is still some work left before the completion of the much anticipated project. On June first, Barrow along with CARE Belize will be hosting another nationwide telethon to raise funds to complete and equip the Inspiration Center. The funds raised this year will be primarily be used for the purchase of specialized equipment to provide physical and occupational therapy, medical care, recreational activities and other services catered to the needs of children with disabilities.

Kim Simplis Barrow - Belize's Special Envoy
"In terms of fund raising we're hoping to raise half a million dollars, if we raise more that would be very good but we decided this year to try to raise half a million dollars. It's such a great feeling to see, to feel, to be here - it's an amazing feel because this really just started out as a dream and waking up one day and saying 'we can do this' and 'we need it' especially after touring the country and seeing that children aren't getting the proper access to health care that they need. So it's a proud moment."

Reporter
"Will the .5 million dollars is all that is needed to take it to completion?"

Kim Simplis Barrow
"No, we do need more. The .5 will be allocated for equipment and the different rooms especially the 30 rooms so that's what we're focusing on for this telethon."

The Inspirational Center is expected to be competed and fully functioning by the end of the year.

Kim Simplis Barrow
"We're hoping that by September the building will be completed and we're hoping that by the end of the year it will be up and running, fully staffed and opeartional. But by September we're hoping to have you all back here for the opening with the children and everyone else."

The Telethon will be aired live on Channel 7 on Saturday June first.