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Sabido's Attackers Are Taken To Court
While Sabido recuperates from his injuries, this morning his accused attackers were escorted to the Orange Walk Magistrates Court where they were charged for aggravated assault and robbery.
Both 27 year old Najirie Quiroja, better known as (white puss), and 18 year Edwin Cruz, were offered bailed of $3,000 each and a surety of the same amount which they met.
But as was expected, the victim's family was dissatisfied with the ruling.
Carmela Sabido - Daughter
"Yo lo �nico que pido es que hagan justicia porque esos dos muchachos que lo hicieron est�n jóvenes ellos pueden trabajar y mi papa no puede �l estaba en perfectas condiciones y yo lo lleve al doctor y �l me dijo que estaba en perfectas condiciones que solo necesitaba vitaminas y ahorita mi papa no puede ni comer o sentarse porque lo est� vomitando, todo lo que come o lo que bebe los est� vomitando y yo creo que esto no es justo, todos conocen a don Waco el primer taquero en Orange Walk �l no se mete con nadie por favor que la gente me ayude para que esto no quede impune porque todo el tiempo matan y no buscan quien lo hace pero esta vez s� tenemos testigos que si fueron ellos porque est�n saliendo libre."
Elderly Man Ruthlessly Attacked and Robbed Of Cash
Tonight the community of San Jose Nuevo Palmar in Orange Walk is in shock after one of their own was brutally attacked and robbed by two men from the village. The good news is that 78 year old Onofre Sabido is slowly recuperating from his injuries and police have been able to detain the two men believed to be responsible for the attack. Reporter Victor Castillo files the following report.
Victor Castillo - Reporting
Seventy nine year old Onofre Sabido, better known as Don Waco, lives by himself in the Village of San Jose Nuevo Palmar, Orange Walk Town. Despite his age and the fact that he is confined to wheel chair, Sabido buys and resells empty bottles for a living.
On Sunday evening the senior citizen was inside his home resting when he was brutally attacked and robbed by two young men of the same village. According to Sabido, while one of the men guarded the entrance door, the second individual proceeded to attack him.
Doctor Amin Hegar Is Back In Political Race
Tonight, all indications are that a convention will take place in Belmopan to elect a PUP Standard Bearer for the area. A few weeks ago the Belmopan branch of the People's United Party announced that Doctor Amin Hegar, the party's point man in Belmopan, who was defeated by UDP's John Saldivar in the 2012 General Elections, was stepping aside and throwing his full support behind the candidacy of Patrick Andrews, the former co-host of the Rise and Shine Morning Show on Plus T.V who announced his candidacy in the month of July.
However, it seems that Hegar had a change of heart because word coming out of Belmopan indicates that the doctor is back in the race. Apparently, the PUP in Belmopan is divided hence why Hegar decided to contest the convention. Also seeking to form part of the race is Ruth Logan. No date for the convention has been set as yet.
Will It Be Welcome To The PUP Party For Cordel Hyde?
Will the former Area Representative for Lake I, Cordel Hyde return to the PUP? That's a question that many are asking, one that only the hierarchy of the party can answer. In the month of August, Party Leader Francis Fonseca revealed that Hyde has met with a number of members of the PUP.
Honorable Fonseca stated and we quote "He, (meaning Cordel Hyde), has indicated in very clear terms to me that he is very keen and enthusiastic about rejoining the party and helping the party to become the government of Belize in the future election." unquote.
While the Party Leader, it seems, has accepted Hyde with open arms, the same cannot be said for other members of the executive who will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the future of Hyde in the party. Viewers might recall that Hyde won three consecutive elections in Lake Independence before he decided not to contest the 2012 General Elections. Hyde announced his decision approximately two months before the elections putting the PUP in the hot seat and scampering for a new Standard Bearer for the division.
Orange Walk Business Man Sentenced To One Year In Prison For Trying to Run Over A Cop
50 year-old Orange Walk businessman David Carrillo is spending the first night of a 1 year prison sentence at the Kolbe Correctional Facility after he pleaded guilty to intentionally trying to run over a police officer.
According to police, Constable Yann Chin, was manning a checkpoint on Monday night just after 9:30 near Hattieville when a white Grand Marquis vehicle approached the area. But instead of stopping, the driver of the vehicle cut into another lane and drove through the checkpoint, forcing Chin to jump out of the way so as not to get hit.
Police chased the vehicle and detained Carrillo who was behind the wheel. He was charged with aggravated assault and arraigned today before Magistrate Dale Cayetano, where he pleaded guilty. Carrillo explained that when he was approaching the checkpoint, his mind went blank.
PlusTV
United Christian Women's Alliance Belize is launched at Conference for Life
Over 130 adolescent girls and women from across the country came together for a Conference For Life. The first time event hosted by the newly formed United Christian Women's Alliance Belize underscored on the topic of abortion. Speakers presented on the legal, spiritual, medical, social...
CWU President to leave office
A meeting Monday afternoon between disaffected stevedores and the two-man executive of the Christian Worker's Union (CWU) resulted in roadmap of the way forward. At the Labour Department office Monday afternoon, CWU president Antonio Gonzalez confirmed that he would not seek reelection to his...
PUP Belmopan Area Representative Seat to be hotly contested
It was not too long ago that Patrick Jason Andrews announced his candidacy for PUP Standard Bearer for the Belmopan Constituency. Shortly after that, the PUP issued a press release stating that current Standard Bearer Dr. Amin Hegar had declared his full support of Andrews. This caused some confusion...
Man in custody after alleged standoff with Police
A man is in custody after an alleged standoff with Police. On Saturday night, just before 6:30pm, authorities were called to a shooting in Camalote Village. Preliminary information was that the detainee reportedly fired several shots at his ex-common law wife's bar. When they arrived at the scene, Police...
Belize's U-15 Male National Football Team lose to Guatemala
Belize's U-15 Male National Team is "kicking up dust" in the inaugural regional tournament, having won its first two matches over St. Lucia, 1-0, and Jamaica, 3-1. But against arch-nemesis Guatemala last night at Georgetown's The Annex Stadium, we lost 1-0 on a 33rd...
National Bank of Belize due to open in September
The National Bank of Belize is one of the latest major projects being undertaken by the Government of Belize. The bank will seek to provide an affordable credit system to lower and middle income Belizeans and particularly public officers, teachers and other needy Belizeans. The Bank will have a...
Carolee Jean Rhaburn remanded to prison for drug and firearm charges
39-year-old Belize City woman, Carolee Jean Rhaburn, was remanded to prison on charges of drug trafficking, kept firearm and ammunition offenses. This morning, the unrepresented woman was read the three criminal offenses in the courtroom of Magistrate Hamilton. According to police, on Friday, August 16, Rhaburn was walking on...
Police looking for thief following San Ignacio break-in
A sales manager in San Ignacio woke up to a burglar attempting to clean out his establishment. According to the complainant, shortly before 3:30 on Friday morning, he was awoken by noise coming from his yard and when he got up to make checks, he noticed that the door...
UWI holds Scholarship Fundraising Banquet
Finding financing for college can sometimes be a difficult task, but one accredited university plans to provide a more feasible way for students to pursue their studies. The University of the West Indies Open Campus will be hosting its first ever Scholarship Gala Fundraising Banquet on August 31st. All...
Belizeans travel to Suriname for CARIFESTA
Last week Wednesday over thirty young Belizean performers, visual artists, fashion designers and writers were geared up and ready to board a plane to Suriname to participate in the 11th annual CARIFESTA. A total of 24 countries are expected to participate in...
Caye Caulker Chronicles
Bicycle parade set for September 10th.
Sept 10th.
Flying High on Caye Caulker
For over 6 months now Caye Caulker and our surrounding waters have been aware of Belize's first ultra light plane as on calm afternoons we cannot but help notice it buzzing around our island, seemingly just above our heads!! The plane is amphibious ie can move on water and in the air (oh very James Bond I hear you cry) and indeed it has become quite a spectacle for us locals.
The plane's owner and Captain is Walter Martin, a resident here in Caye Caulker, who moved here with his wife Christine (both of Bavarian decent) from Canada. Walter, a self proclaimed Bush Man, found his small heaven here in Caye Caulker where the warmth of the sun and the simplicity of life can be combined in one sweet spot - Caye Caulker. Walter has been flying for over 7 years has been through loop holes in order to obtain the correct licenses/ insurances in order to make his flying here very much above board, at this stage is merely enjoying his hobby/ passion at a 'Go Slow' pace.
Caribbean Colors has sushi!
Craving sushi?
California Roll BZD$ 12, Spicy Lobster BZ$ 12, Spicy Shrimp Roll BZD$ 12, Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese BZD$ 17, Vegan Roll BZD$ 10.
Call your order into 668-7205 or stop by Caribbean Colors Art Caf� and we will roll it fresh for you.
Eat in or takeaway.
Open until 3 pm.
Amandala
NGC CONDEMNS NCL D�G�!
"The d�g� is a sacred ceremony and is not performed as entertainment for any audience. We find the announcement insulting �"
The Garifuna community is up in arms over what they say is the lack of consultation and inclusion of community leaders in a proposed project by Norwegian Cruise Line to set up a cruise port and destination island on Harvest Caye, a few miles from Placencia, Stann Creek. Not only are they decrying the fact that they have not been consulted on a decision to use the Garifuna theme for the destination island - they are also outraged over a proposal to use the d�g� ritual for daily entertainment.
Robert Mariano, Senior Superintendent of Police and Southern Regional Commander, and National Garifuna Council (NGC) president, issued a short statement today saying, "The National Garifuna Council condemns the announcement by Norwegian Cruise Line and their agents to highlight the Garifuna culture, particularly our sacred ceremony, the d�g�, as an attraction for tourists without as much as the courtesy of consulting with the leadership of our community."
NICANNOR FERMIN, 41, GETS 18 YEARS FOR SEX WITH CHILD, 9
Fermin was sentenced to 64 years, but he will only serve 18 years; the sentences are to run concurrently
On July 31, 2013, Nicannor Fermin, 41, was convicted of six counts of carnal knowledge after a 9- member jury found him guilty on all six counts.
Fermin was accused of having sexual intercourse with a child from the time she was 9 years old, up until she entered high school. The girl was finally brave enough to report the matter to a teacher in January of 2010.
During the trial, the minor gave detailed accounts of the occasions when Fermin engaged in sexual intercourse with her, and also testified about the threats he made to prevent her from refusing his sexual advances.
In his defense, Fermin testified that he was only trying to steer the child in the right direction, and that she was having a relationship with someone who was too old for her. He said that it's because he tried to deter her from seeing that person that she made up the lies about him, and that it was the person with whom she had had the relationship, that had committed the crime.
GOB "STRONGS" ASHCROFT'S COMMERCE BIGHT PORT
The lease for the port has been revoked.
Michael Ashcroft's Private Investment Limited (PIL), a financial institution in the Turks and Caicos, is expected to challenge the recent decision by the Barrow administration to assume control of the Commerce Bight Port, a few miles south of Dangriga.
The clash comes after Government moved recently to revoke the lease for the port, which was held by Port of Belize Limited (PBL) - a company which PIL had put in receivership last January.
With Cabinet authorization, Minister of Works and Transport Rene Montero signed an order on Thursday, August 15, 2013, revoking the lease granted to Port of Belize Limited. As a result of the order, Montero arranged for Government to assume immediate control of the Commerce Bight Port.
Errol Gentle, the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Works & Transport, told Amandala that he served the notice at 10:00 a.m. this morning on the receivers.
Gentle said that the Commerce Bight Port has not been in operation; he is not certain for how long.
SPURNED CAMALOTE HUSBAND "GOES CRAZY" WITH 16-GAUGE!
A man who was rejected by his common-law wife for a younger man fired several shotgun blasts in her bar, named La Serenita, in Camalote, and when police came, engaged them in a shootout three different times after shooting up the bar.
The culprit, however, was later arrested, taken to the Belmopan Police Station, and afterwards charged in court.
Roberto Castellanos, 56, of Camalote Village, was remanded to the Belize Central Prison today after he was taken to the Belmopan Magistrate's Court on charges of attempted murder, discharging a firearm in public and use of a firearm under the influence of alcohol. He has been remanded until October 25, when he will be returned to court.
Castellanos went to the business place of his common-law wife, Veronica Sarcenio, 40, of Camalote, with whom he had been living for about 20 years, to reconcile with her, but he was rebuffed.
He then began firing his weapon in the bar.
According to a police report dated today, Monday, "On 17.08.13 at about 6:30 p.m., police officers responded to a shooting in Camalote Village. Initial investigation revealed that Roberto Castellanos had reportedly fired several shots at Serenita Bar owned by Veronica Sarcenio (Castellano's ex-common-law wife).
JERIMIAS PICHINTE, 44, GETS 6 YEARS FOR 85 � LBS. OF WEED
Pichinte pleaded guilty to the two counts of drug trafficking after police found the weed in his house.
Jerimias Pichinte, 44, a Salvadoran national with Belizean residency, was taken before Magistrate Clive Lino, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of drug trafficking.
According to police, at 11:00 this morning, members of the Gang Suppression Unit went to Pichinte's home, located at #5 Princess Margaret Drive, to conduct a search for illegal firearms and ammunition.
But according to police, what they found were two amounts of cannabis in separate large black plastic bags.
Police said that when they visited the house and the door was opened for them, they saw a Hispanic man, later identified as Pichinte, holding a plastic bag in his hands. They said that when Pichinte saw them, he ran and threw the bag over an adjoining fence.
14-YEAR-OLD STUDENT PREGNANT
Evyn Pe�a, 18, remanded for four counts of carnal knowledge.
Evyn Adalid Membreno Ardon Pe�a, 18, a construction worker of #86 Antelope Street, appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Clive Lino today, where he was read four counts of carnal knowledge.
According to police, at 4:43 p.m. on Wednesday August 14, a minor and her mother visited the police station and reported that on March 10, 2013, she engaged in sexual intercourse with Pe�a when she visited his home on Antelope Street.
The minor also told police that in the months of April and May, he again engaged in sexual intercourse with her, and that it occurred a fourth time in this month.
According to the minor, after a doctor examined her, he confirmed that she was carnally known and also that she was pregnant. The minor told police that Pe�a was the only person with whom she had had sexual intercourse.
PACKAGE CONTAINING THREATENING NOTE AND BULLET SENT TO TOP BRASS AT NATURAL RESOURCES?
Police in Belmopan are reportedly investigating an alarming report from the Ministry of Natural Resources concerning a threat received in the mail, but would not confirm this to Amandala.
Details at this time are still sketchy, but media reports say that an envelope was delivered to the Ministry last Thursday and found inside were a bullet and a note. The package was allegedly addressed to one of the top three ranking public servants within the ministry. The specific content of that note is not known at this time, but it is reportedly of a threatening nature.
Amandala understands that the CIB Branch in Belmopan has been tasked to investigate the matter. We have been attempting to confirm the report with the authorities from the police department; however, when we contacted the O.C. Belmopan Police, ASP Sinquest Martinez, he referred us to Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez, who told us that he is not aware of the incident because he is not in office this week.
BELIZE FEMALE VOLLEYBALL TEAM WINS OPENER AT CENTRAL AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP IN HONDURAS
The Belize Female Junior National Volleyball Team wins its opening match at the U-20 (which is actually U-18) Central American Championship against Honduras in impressive fashion, 3 sets to 0, 25-17, 25-13, 25-20.
Top scorer was Sherika Burton with 14 points (10 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces) and followed closely by Jahshema Saunders with 13 points (6 kills and 7 aces). Maurissa Williams also contributed with 8 points (4 kills, 4 blocks), Xiomara Quan with 4 aces, Leandra Betson and Kandyce Burn with 2 points each. Libero Nayala Tun also had an outstanding game with her serve receive and defense.
Other players of the team are: Leyia Hernandez, Gianna Brown, Balyn Gordon, and Kevanna Sebastian. The team is led by head coach Lupita Quan and assisted by Sherlene Johnson and Shelmadine Cacho and the manager Mrs. Sharon Tun.
Belize plays their second match tomorrow, Tuesday, at 5 p.m. against El Salvador.
BDBA FIRMS BASKETBALL CONTINUES AT BIRDS ISLE
It was another active weekend of basketball in the Belize District Basketball Association's (BDBA) Firms Basketball Tournament at Birds Isle. This one is apparently living up to the name of "Firms," as, according to reports, only employees of the respective firms, which include some partnerships, are represented on the court.
In game 1 on Friday night, August 16, Heritage Bank won a close one, 68-64, over Ready Call. Top scorers for Heritage were Felix Martinez 25 pts 10 rebs, Kurt Burgess 22 pts 14 rebs, and Jaleel Arnold 11 pts 5 rebs; while Ready Call was led by Hubert Baptist 17 pts 5 rebs 5 assts, Aaron Baptist 14 pts 4 stls, and George Smith 12 pts. In game 2, Port of Belize put down Digicell, 68-55, behind Earl Johnson 34 pts 4 rebs 3 assts 3 stls, Angus Cherrington 11 pts 12 rebs, and Lennox Bowman 11 pts 7 rebs; while for Digicell, Devon Lozano had 15 pts 4 rebs, and Jordan Santos 14 pts 3 rebs. There was no third game played, as Customs & Excise Dept./MoE won by default over Bowen & Bowen, who were unable to field a team.
WHERE ARE WE, BELIZE? Editorial
The Opposition PUP is upset by the PUDP model, but where the biggest news of the day is concerned - the US$ 50 million Norwegian Cruise Lines' investment at Harvest Caye, their four Toledo and Stann Creek area representatives are supportive of the investment, and the PUP on a whole seems unable to mount serious criticism of same.
Neoliberalism is an extreme form of capitalism, and at this newspaper recently we have been trying to give you a sense of what it is by publishing excerpts from a book by Naomi Klein. We have described the PUP government years from 1998 to 2004 as a neoliberal era in Belize. What we mean is that there was a lot of privatization, large government loans taken out abroad at commercial rates, excessively concessionary arrangements for big foreign investment deals, and a mood of supply-side economics. Supply-side economics believes that if the wealthy people are doing well and don't have to pay a lot of taxes, their prosperity will trickle down to the poor masses and everyone will be happy.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Thousands of Egyptians were killed and injured between Wednesday and Friday last week because of a decision made by U.S. president Barack Obama. When the Egyptian military overthrew democratically-elected Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, a few weeks ago and confined him no one knows where, Obama refused to describe the Egyptian military action as a "coup." The reason he refused to call the coup a coup is because United States' law would have then compelled him to suspend the US$ 1.6 billion in annual military aid the United States is giving Egypt.
If this U.S. aid had been cut off, the Egyptian generals would not have been so eager to start shooting their own people demonstrating for a return to civilian, democratic rule. By refusing to call a spade a spade, Obama gave the green light to the generals to do whatever they felt like doing. A lot of Egyptian blood is on Barack's hands.
In a few weeks in Belize we will be celebrating a battle where no one died. We Belizeans owe it to all those thousands of Egyptians who gave their lives and limbs for democracy to examine what it is that they believe in to the point that they became martyrs in the streets. We should join our insignificant voices to those worldwide which are condemning these massacres.
IAN GAYNAIR AND WOODROW WEST RECOGNIZED BY GALEN UNIVERSITY
The two National Team players rejected the advances of a "match fixer" who approached them during the recently-concluded CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament held in the US.
National Team football players Ian Gaynair and Woodrow West have been recognized by Galen University, who presented them with the Galen Eagle Award at the university's graduation ceremonies held at the Princess Hotel and Casino yesterday, Sunday, August 18.
In presenting the awards, Dr. Louis Zabaneh, president of Galen University, told the audience that the award recognized the men for refusing to take a bribe offered by an individual known as a "match fixer" while representing the country at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup football tournament played in the United States.
After the men were given the awards, they received a standing ovation from the audience.
BEAT HIM UP? NOT EXACTLY TRUE
The ad has been on Krem Radio for months now. This morning, my daughter finally accosted me, "Daddy, is that true? Did you guys really want somebody to beat up your little brother?"
She was referring to the oft repeated ad for "Colin B. Hyde's book."
My immediate response was, "Well, not really. Of course not; but you know, sometimes there are angles to a story."
I later dug up a few lines I had scribbled privately on the matter a while back. See below:
Thurs. June 13, 2013
In the advertisement promotion for Colin B. Hyde's book, "Growing up in Old Belize," they say his big brothers "wanted to find a boy to beat him up."
PROTEST MARCH ON BELMOPAN TUESDAY
Belize Can Patriot, along with the Alliance of Ministers & Leaders of Belize and Social Partners, has organized peaceful demonstrations for today, Tuesday, August 20, in its calls for 1) retraction of the Gender Policy 2013; 2) a declaration that gender equals male and female ONLY; 3) stiffer punishment for authors and/or instigators of victimization in Belize; 4) the guarding of the preamble of the Belize Constitution - as it currently is.
The first protest will be staged in front of the National Assembly at 8:30 a.m., and the second in front of the University of Belize in Belmopan at 11:00 a.m.
Organizers note that "�the Government of Belize has continued to implement its plans in the 2013 Gender Policy, adding a Gender Department at the University of Belize BMP, although they claim to be awaiting the requested changes by members of the Clergy�."
They also contend that "�The Gender Policy: would force changes to our Constitution, since it protects homosexuality - which is a VIOLATION of Section 53 of the Criminal Code of Belize�"
In the view of the protestors, the promotion of the new gender policy attempts to also "use our children to accept that lifestyle," and "violates the moral and spiritual values in our nation, and much, much more�."
IN ANSWER TO NATHANIEL WANDER Letters
Dear Editor,
I am responding to the letter from Mr. Nathaniel Wander, printed in your August 9, 2013 issue, in which he commented on the subject raised by Evan X Hyde ON JEWS AND CREOLES and these two peoples' different views on money.
Mr. Wander's letter, albeit well- intentioned, is full of broad statements that can only give the wrong impressions. I cannot address all I would want to in this letter, namely, by inference on Mr. Wander's part, the African's lack of a "Book," lack of a "communitarian ethos," lack of value of family as publicly created via marriage, and failure to give great weight to the training and education of offspring. I'll just concentrate on what irks me most.
In my opinion, Mr. Wander was disappointingly disingenuous in his summation of the Jewish attitude towards money, Creole term for finance; was at best condescending towards Creoles and is evidently misinformed about African history and the slave trade. Rather than addressing the Creole "attitude" towards money, which I believe was Mr. Hyde's point, Mr. Wander pointedly inferred what could only be interpreted by this reader as Creole "ineptitude."
FELDMAN WRITES BELIZE'S LEADERS Letters
BABE
Honorable Leaders of the Government of Belize,
I have no doubt that in your hearts you love Belize and all that she stands for. My wife, grown children, friends and I have been so fortunate to enjoy this wonderful country, its people, cultures and physical treasures. Our hope is to see future generations be as blessed as we have been.
So what could be the problem with those who claim that the signing of a MOU between the Government of Belize and Norwegian Cruise Lines is a bad decision? The answer lies in what my father (deceased: attorney and Senior Judge in New Jersey) told me many years ago. He said you can change most anything except human nature.
Therein lies the rub. What seems to be at work here is letting human nature's greed and power glands run amuck. They tend to override intellect and vision in similar ways to what we've witnessed here in the USA with politicians and sex. Of course one knows what they are doing is wrong, but they do it anyway because of the power of, and inability to effectively manage, the present forces of human nature.
DUGU IS GARIFUNA RELIGION Letters
Dear Friends,
When I first saw the headline "Dugu dancing on Harvest Caye," I was shocked, angry and confused. What came to my mind immediately was which Garifuna family is going all the way to Harvest Caye to do their Dugu ceremony? Or, there will be several Dugu ceremonies to be held at Harvest Caye as of now?
For those who do not know anything about the Garifuna culture, Dugu is the religion of the Garifuna people and it is not something to play around with or joke about. Many Christians in the past and present, including some Garifuna people, are against the practice. However, a majority of these people know very little about this religion, made no attempt to learn about it and just want to condemn it.
This religion has played and continues to play a vital and integral role in the preservation of the Garifuna culture. It is so unfortunate that some individuals continue to display their ignorance to one of the essences of the Garifuna culture.
PLEASE DO NOT BRING NCL: LAURA HOWARD Letters
Dear Editor,
I bring small amounts of people at a time to Belize. I sell Belize as an eco-destination, not a MASS TOURISM destination.
We make more money and bring quality people WHO CARE about Belize as overnight tourists; we do not make money (any substantial amount that everyone can share in) with cruise ship passengers.
Overnight people spend an average of $150-350 US per person PER DAY in the country; many return to Belize, many help with student scholarships, libraries, donations and many other things we need.
Please do NOT bring NCL in the southern part of Belize.
TONCHO AND RAS PITTA SHAKE HANDS
The CWU prez and his general secretary will stay on for a few more months.
The schism between stevedores and the Christian Workers Union (CWU), which represents them at the bargaining table, cooled several degrees today after an extensive meeting that lasted most of the afternoon in which, CWU president Antonio "Toncho" Gonzalez said, the parties "trashed out one another," but were evidently able to come to an acceptable compromise.
Last week, the stevedores called for the resignation of Gonzalez and CWU General Secretary James McFoy by Friday, August 16; however, coming out of today's meeting, mediated by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), the parties agreed that Gonzalez and McFoy would stay on two more months, until October - by which time an audit should be completed and the election of a new executive should be convened.
"We will clean up house now�" said Deon Pitter, aka "Ras Pitta," one of the 150 stevedores registered with the CWU.
Pitter said he does not consider today a victory, per se, but he is grateful that the CWU is able to write a new chapter going forward.
Belize Medical Tourism Council/Association
In August of 2012, BELTRAIDE with funding from Compete Caribbean facilitated the development of a Medical Tourism Strategy for Belize. With the strategy completed, BELTRAIDE will be venturing in the formalization of a Medical Tourism Association/ Council via the facilitation of a two day working session. The work sessions will be held today, August 20, 2013 and Friday, August 23, 2013, at the Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET) Facility in Belize City from 8:30a.m.-12:00p.m.
The objectives of the working session are:
To develop a name, mission, vision, objectives, and function of the association.
To identify sources of finance for the association
To designate Members of the Board
To outline the rules of engagement for members and develop organizational structure
Break Point
Break Point seeks to empower Caribbean businesses to take on European markets and introduces them to alternative funding sources such as private investors in the form of venture capitalists and Angel investors. It highlights the journey of dedicated regional businesses and entrepreneurs as they vie to become one of the 12 finalists who will travel to London to make their final pitches to a panel of investors, venture capitalists and distributors.
In April 2012, CARIFORUM firms and entrepreneurs throughout the 15 CARIFORUM Member States had the opportunity to participate in Break Point by first submitting a 2-3 minute video pitch, along with a 1 page executive summary of their business plan and a short application form to help the Agency capture some pertinent company data.
"Our Day Will Come" in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
After an extremely lazy day on Sunday it's surprising that I went to bed as early as I did (around 21.30 hours). Perhaps caused by eye strain from watching what seemed like continuous football (soccer for readers from the States) - Spurs followed by Chelsea and topped off with Barcelona. Or is it just advancing age? I prefer to put it down to tired eyes. I would, wouldn't I.
With such an early 'to bed' it was no wonder yesterday morning I found myself awake at around 03.00 hours and that no matter how hard I tried I could not force myself to go back to sleep.
With time on my hands (nothing new since moving here really) I decided to start 'revisiting' (basically checking prices) of the items we plan to buy in the States and ship for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize.
I don't why but when I started adding up the cost of the various items something made me wonder about the validity of the US$ 15,000 duty and tax exemptions allowance that I have been working to all along. Was this correct? I was convinced I had read it somewhere. Or had I imagined it?
Miss Belize Wins The Reina De La Costa Maya 2013
The 21st edition of the International Costa Maya Festival took place on Thursday, August 1 to Sunday, August 4, 2013. This event took place in San Pedro and one of the main attractions was the Reina de la Costa Maya pageant. Since I was the official photographer of the event, I would love to share the event with you. Every year, eight delegates from the Mundo Maya region showcase their beauty and talent as they compete for the crown. The women are from Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Here are the lovely ladies.
A Visitor 2:30 a.m. in the Morning at Tom Owens!!
Turtle photos...
Island Beach Clean Up
Photos....
Fun time was had by all at Tom Owens Island
Photos....
International Sources
Norwegian: Belize not like Great Stirrup Cay
I goofed in Monday's blog.
I inferred that Norwegian's new Belize port was tied to its current Great Stirrup Cay, which is the cruise line's private island and a stop on may of Norwegian cruises.
I should have known better.
The latest arrangement is more a partnership with the Belize government to build a port to create a new cruise destination. It is not, as Norwegian noted, an exclusive private-island destination like Great Stirrup Cay.
"Visitors to the port of call will have an authentic Belize experience, as the destination is being carefully developed to retain the land's natural beauty and local culture," said a Norwegian spokesperson. "The goal is to design an authentic experience grounded in the storyline of nature, ancient culture, art, adventure and music that celebrates Belizean, Mayan and Garifuna history and culture."
Duly noted. I got it wrong and I apologize to both Norwegian and the Government of Belize.
Knuckles deservedly rapped.
Student volunteers at health clinic in Belize
McKenzie Carda, 21, grew up in Sidney and is currently a junior at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. This past summer, she took a nine-day trip to Patchakan, Belize where she volunteered at a rural, non-profit health clinic. Carda describes the experience as hands on, rewarding and "eye opening."
On her first day volunteering at the clinic, there were not enough chairs and tables set up yet, so the clinic was running an hour and a half behind schedule.
Expecting patients to get upset and leave, Carda was pleasantly surprised. A family with two boys came in and she played ball with them as they waited, which was an activity where the language barrier did not matter.
"The family as a whole ended up having something pretty serious with them, but they were so cute and they were so understanding. Everyone down there was pretty relaxed and understanding," she said.
Ole Miss students win Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award
The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights awards the RFK Journalism Award to recognize outstanding reporting on issues that reflect Robert Kennedy's dedication to human rights and social issues.
The winning project, "M-Powered: University of Mississippi students learn through service in Belize," was led and edited by Patricia Thompson, director of student media and assistant professor, who created the "Multimedia Storytelling" study abroad course.
The multimedia course was a partnership with the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education.
Five students - Margaret Ann Morgan, Jajuan McNeil, Aubry Killion, Cain Madden and Katie Williamson - traveled with Thompson and assistant professor Mikki Harris to Belize during the 2012 winter intersession to report on the interdisciplinary service learning projects of Ole Miss Study Abroad students. Thompson says she received news of the award in a phone call from Ethel Kennedy.
The hidden beauty of Garifuna Belize
Drumming on the beach, moving in time with junkanu dancers and eating heaping plates of mashed plantain soaked in coconut stew -- more than likely these aren't the experiences you imagine while planning a trip to Belize.
In fact, you have to venture off the newbie trail, and head to the southern Stann Creek and Toledo Districts to experience Belize's unique Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture.
The Garifuna live along the coast, in the most scenic areas of Belize, where miles of beaches run east to south.
One of the smallest groups in the country, they make up just 4% of a total population of around 325,000.
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The Garifuna Collective Preserves the Rich Culture of Belize
The Garifuna culture of Belize has been a fascination of mine for over a decade now: It's one of my primary reasons for ranking the country so highly on my "Dream Trips" wish list. Located south of Belize City near Dandriga, the small fishing community of Hopkins Village has preserved this remarkably rich culture for hundreds of years.
The Garinagu people, whose language and culture is called Garifuna, descend from shipwrecked Africans whose ancestry can be traced back to the Yoruba, Ibo, and Ashanti tribes of Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. After making their way to Central America, they intermarried with Carib and Arawak Amerindians, and came to be known by the British as "Black Caribs." Their music, dance, food and clothing offers a mixture of African, Amerindian and Spanish influences that is unique to Central America.