Thanks so much for your insight, Bob. We are sending money for now, and will keep reading these message boards in the coming days and weeks for additional info., needs, etc. Possibly we can be of assistance in a more labor-intensive way at some point in the clean-up/rebuilding stages.

Incidentally, you had mentioned that you have property in Placencia. How did your place weather the storm?

Best wishes and good luck to you and all.

I can guarantee you that conditions for working construction will be very primitive. They are gritty and dirty under the best of conditions. Everything is done by hand - there are no forklifts to unload trucks of supplies and no OSHA safety rules. Think about it: what would you do if you got hurt? I've seen the worker guys down there work 14-hour days, with an hour for lunch and not really break a sweat. Then they go clean up, sleep, and they're back after it at 6:30AM. Six and a half days a week, in eleven day stretches with three days off. It's awesome.

Best left to people who know the terrain for now. Sure don't want to hurt anyone's feelings whose intentions are to help. They are just now getting batteries for flashlights, there is no refrigeration for groceries and water service is limited. I'd sure want a bath after a day of doing what those folks have to do to get a roof over their head and I'm sure they have no expectations of that luxury for the moment. And I have a house there with bathrooms that survived free of damage. We're sending money now to Marty's fund and we'll go down to assess things when the vibes are calmer.

[This message has been edited by ckocian (edited 10-11-2001).]

[This message has been edited by ckocian (edited 10-11-2001).]

Barb, FORTUNATELY, We hadn't begun building yet

My two cents: Stay home, donate the money you would spend on a ticket, fuel and feeding yourself to the relief fund.

Bob, that IS fortunate. I believe I mentioned earlier that we have a couple of friends who will be moving to Toledo next week -- they had not yet begun building, either.

I wish you the best as you begin this process.

Barb, FORTUNATELY, We hadn't begun building yet.
I agree that conditions will be difficult and I certainly don't want to act innappropriately. However, someone has to do the work, nasty as it is. I don't want to be one of the Americans that will leave all the tough or dangerous work to the locals and come in at the end. This is my community in Belize, with very good friends that are in trouble. If I want to be part of this place, I need to be there when it's difficult as well as when it's pleasant.

Bob, I'm with you. At this point I don't have allot of cash to contribute, but 25 years of construction experience and 20 years of living in the rural mountains of Colorado with training as an Emergency Medical Technician give me something I can offer. Also figure clean up of our land will be in order. Geri

let me know when you're thinking of going down Geri. I'm going to try to get in touch, by cell phone, with friends down there to find what the reality of the situation is, especially water wise. I can treat polluted water, but I'm not set up for sea water. The Seaspray looks like it's somewhat intact so may be able to rough it out there.
By the way, Lucky Dog has again beaten the odds and survived. That dog must have a little cat blood in her!!

let me know when you're thinking of going down Geri. I'm going to try to get in touch, by cell phone, with friends down there to find what the reality of the situation is, especially water wise. I can treat polluted water, but I'm not set up for sea water. The Seaspray looks like it's somewhat intact so may be able to rough it out there.
By the way, Lucky Dog has again beaten the odds and survived. That dog must have a little cat blood in her!!

I would not want to even suggest that volunteers are not required. I
am however concerned that the organization of the volunteer
presence in PG is not as good as it could be. i believe that they currently have
enough volunteers in medical, clean up and food distribution etc.


Volunteers may be required to assist in housing construction. It has
to be organized.


We are concentrating in PG and will know by Sunday what the
proposed program of house construction will be if the people want
what we have proposed. (Bze 750 per house) In Honduras after
Mitch, the Mennonites of Belize, working with their Christian Aid
Mennonite Group out of the USA rotated groups of volunteers each
two weeks and constructed several thousand houses.


After the initial rapid emergency relief and clean up, efforts are being
concentrated on the long term rescue of housing, food supplies
whilst farmers replant etc.


The GOB sent an organizational team into the area today, to
organize the official government rescue effort (NEMO) which is sadly
in need of co-ordination.


Hopefully the picture will be clearer by Sunday. I believe that the
initial emergency needs are being met. The longer term
requirements of repairing services (roads, electricity etc) will take a
little time.


Both the Belize Red Cross and other relief organizations are now
focusing on the longer term needs. This will require a lot of money,
and possibly manpower. I do not believe that the manpower
requirement have been identified yet.


So, I do not want to say no, but can't say yes yet.


Take care,


Frank REdmond