Provide electricity to 500 students in Belize

Greetings one and all!

Since my last report, we have formalized a local sub-contract with "Solar Energy Solutions Belize" (SESB) based in Belmopan, to be our installer for the eGauges. In addition, Baker Renewable (BRE) purchased and shipped the gauges to Belize, and they were successfully delivered to SESB within the last two weeks. Finally, I am happy to report that on Wednesday December 14th, SESB personel began the install process at Holy Cross Anglican School.

As of this writing -- two days later -- the eGauge data-feed is undergoing testing between SESB and BRE. As I had noted in my last report:

"eGauge is an affordable, flexible, secure, web-based electric energy and power meter that can measure up to 12 circuits on up to 3-phases (120V−480V, 50−60Hz). Use it to measure and record total building electrical consumption, solar, wind, consumption of individual circuits, such as appliances or geothermal system pumps, and motors..."

Once we have collected sufficient data, the gauges will allow us to automate and tune the solar panel on/off so that they run only when demand is high enough to consume all they generate and not needlessly waste renewable generation by sending it back to the grid--and get charged for it to boot!! Secondly, we will be able to assess and then undertake repairs needed to the Phase 1 array. Those repairs will also be done by SESB. Subsequently, we will then review our Phase 3 plans/installation to fit accordingly. All of this could not be accomplished without you, our committed donors.In my next report, I will provide a full update on what we have learned from the eGauge installation as well as progress on the automation, repairs, and Phase 3 plans. Our HCEF Board will be meeting at HCAS in early February and of course anything that comes out the Board meeting pertinent to this project will also be reported here.

May the blessings of joy and peace be yours this holiday season and throughout the year to come.

John

p.s.---rather than include any pictures this time (there will be plenty next) -- I want to postscript this report with a letter written by our principal, Mr. Griffith, about the school and the importance of our donors, volunteers, and the Foundation that we have established:

Dear Readers

Holy Cross Anglican School of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye exists today out of seeing the needs of hundreds of un-enrolled children roaming the streets of San Pedro.

Having served in many grant-aided schools throughout the country of Belize and gotten to see the extent to which these schools are helped or provided for the with the day to day resources by teachers I have in this short time truly grown to appreciate the Holy Cross Education Foundation through which hundreds of volunteers, donors and workers contribute to the growth of this institution. They have made it so much easier for the teachers and administration to to provide the resources students need from day to day to make the school more productive.

Our students literally come from the poorest part of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and from parents who are the hard working labor force of the community on a seasonal basis.

This foundation has made a marked difference in the lives of many, where literally nothing existed for them. The students of Holy Cross are benefiting from the foresight and generosity of every donor who have contributed in faith that the students who received these resources will be successful. After 10 years, these graduates are now equipping themselves with the skills and knowledge that will bring them into the full working force of this community as computer technicians, teachers, hotel, restaurant and office managers, graduating at the top of their class with honors and having high self esteem and self worth in contributing positively to this community. What the Foundation has done is that is has cleared most of the obstacles that students face from day to day to make it easier for them to succeed.

Holy Cross Anglican School is a success story we must continue to build on to meet the needs of children no matter from where they came.

Submitted by

Rodney Griffith
Principal
Holy Cross Anglican School
San Pedro Town