New Piggy Banks, Fresh Hope for Students

It’s a story of heartbreak, but also hope, unfolding in Ladyville. After a weekend burglary left Infant Two students at Ladyville Evangelical Primary School in tears, their hard-earned savings stolen from smashed piggy banks, the community is stepping in to lift their spirits. Peacework Belize founder Dr. Carol Babb delivered a touching surprise, new piggy banks for all twenty-eight affected students, reminding them that even in the face of loss, there are lessons in resilience, responsibility, and starting over. News Five was there as those young students got a fresh chance to save, and to smile again.

 

Dr. Carol Babb, Founder, Peacework Belize

“ I am very sorry to hear that thieves went with the piggy banks. I know the importance of saving, and I want the children to continue saving. It is a… I am… I was very excited to hear, and I felt very good about your school, that you are teaching them to save. You are teaching them financial literacy. So children who save can plan for the future. If there are any emergencies, they don’t have to worry because they can address those emergencies. So I want to encourage you to encourage them to continue save, and always save a portion of whatever amount of money they are given. Financial literacy is a life skill. When we teach our children to save, that will grow with them, and they will become adults, and they will continue saving. And that will help them to have peace of mind, because if there are any emergencies, they will have that little saving to address whatever comes up in their life. So continue to teach them to save.”

 

Elia Chi, Principal, Ladyville Evangelical School

“We are very happy, very appreciative of what she has done. I know that this will be a very happy moment for our students, how excited they will be. And also, I would really want to give you a big thank you. You don’t know how far this will go. This will not be a sad moment for our students, but also a happy moment. And also thank you for all other persons who have reached to us, who are praying for our school, who are also trying to see how they can help us.”

 

 

 

The affected class has twenty-eight students. Dr. Babb delivered thirty new piggy banks and granted saving accounts of thirty dollars each at the Holy Redeemer Credit Union to five most deserving students. 

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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