A new multipurpose centre has been officially inaugurated in the village of San Jose in the Orange Walk District, Belize. The project was implemented by the Belize Social Investment Fund and financed by the Government of Belize through a USD243,695 loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The San Jose multipurpose centre is a community-based project, which will address the skills training needs of the residents of San Jose Village and empower existing groups who lack the resources to collectively engage in income-generating activities. The 3,063 sq. ft. facility boasts of a kitchen, a training room for sewing equipped with 12 sewing machines (10 regular and 2 industrial), office spaces for the Water Board and the Village Council, a space for workshops, seminars and training sessions, and a sanitary block comprising of male and female bathrooms. Office furniture and kitchen equipment, inclusive of a stove, gas tank and refrigerator were provided. Planned training to be conducted at the centre include a ten-month training programme on sewing for the women's group, and small business management and computer training courses for over 36 persons. The approximately 2,533 residents of San Jose are primarily engaged in sugar cane farming and Construction work. However, many youths are also employed as store attendants and cashiers at the Corozal Commercial Free Zone. The multipurpose centre was officially inaugurated by the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Prime Minister (Ag.) and Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Area Representative for Orange Walk North. Other speakers included representatives of the Social Investment Fund and the San Jose Village Council. The new CDB-funded multipurpose centre in San Jose, Belize. Many San Jose residents attended the inauguration of the new facility. Information and images source: Belize Social Investment Fund