In March 2010 a team from Hillside Christian Church traveled to Belize to finish a community library in the Valley of Peace. A generous donation was made by the Hastings corporation for this project. They provided the library with shelves, furniture, and reference desks. The library was stocked full of donated books from several different schools, churches, and people from the community. 

This library will serve as a place for the community to come and check out books, sit and read as a family in the kids' corner, and teachers to come and get resources for their classrooms. With thousands and thousands of books at their fingertips, there really is no limit on what can be done in the Valley. 

The library is located just up the street from a primary school. Every day during construction those kids would walk past, and see the progress, and each day you could see their excitement grow. It is a great feeling knowing the work you are doing is going to better the life and education of so many. 

Once the library was complete, a dedication event was held. People from all over the Valley came to see the opening of the new library! There were students and parents that came from miles away. It was amazing to watch the smiles on those children's faces.

Thanks to Hastings and all the amazing people who donated books, we have been able to build our very own “Hastings in the jungle.”