Petters Research Institute

In 2007, the PRI offered a computer assembly course. The course was designed to further the PRI's mission of fostering the transformation of Belize to a high-technology economy by developing the Belizean human capital in technology. The course was free and offered jointly by PRI and the Belize Defence Force (BDF) from July 9-13, 2007, at Price Barracks in Ladyville, Belize. A total of 102 students attended, representing all the districts as well as the ethnic and socio-economic diversity of Belize. They ranged in ages from 10 years to 19 years old. The course was taught by PRI instructors Andrew Schretter and Paola Zamora, who were assisted by IT specialists from the BDF. The computers for the course were donated by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina and Duke University . At the end of the course, the assembled computers were donated to the Arenal Elementary School and Muslim Community Primary School. Both schools serve some of the neediest children in Belize. Faculty housing was provided by Eugene Zabaneh Enterprise and PRI.