The Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge extends condolences to the Harrison family on the passing of Mr. Richard Harrison. Richard Harrison along with his brother Orlando founded and organized the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge for many years. Richard was also a writer and activist and up until the time of his passing was advocating for cleaner water through the Clean Water Alliance Project. We will keep you posted on funeral arrangements as we get them. May he rest in peace.
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by Hector Silva
IT IS A SAD DAY IN SAN IGNACIO, AND BY EXTENSION BELIZE.
A GREAT BELIZEAN HAS PASSED AWAY TRAGICALLY.
A progressive Belizean in the person of Mr. Richard Harrison, has left a VOID.
I say a VOID, because thousands of Belizeans, every 9th March come out to see the RUTA MAYA. They will remember that the BIG H. Harrison Brothers had a VISION to innitiate a River Challenge, from SAN IGNACIO to BELIZE CITY.
This River Challenge over the years has grown to International Standards, and is here to STAY, just as as the Holy Saturday CROSS COUNTRY BICYCLE RACE has remained in perpetuity..
BUT Richard Harrison was more than what we knew of him. - He was one of Belize's super ENTREPRENEURS.
Along with his brothers they were engaged in many products, such as BIG J juices, Chocolate Milk, Coconut Water, - and VERENA PRODUCTS - such as Tomato Ketchup, and VIDA Purified WATER.
Pitiful that Governments are not interested in PRODUCTIVITY,
So the Harrison Brothers were confronted by many Obstacle.
ALL WE CAN SAY NOW IS, " Farewell O good Primo. " BUT BEFORE I SAY NO MORE, I will exercise the Activist that remain in me. -
" I HUMBLY ASK THE MINISTRY OF WORKS and THE SAN IGNACIO and SANTA ELENA TOWN COUNCIL, That present unnamed Bridge be named as the, " RICHARD HARRISON BRIDGE. " - - ( I'll say no more. )
Richard Harrison was a Nation Builder. - Richard Harrison was an Honorable Belizeans. - Richard Harrison was a brave visionary and a man made of STEEL..
I knew Richard Harrison well, and I knew his family as though they were my extended family. ( dear friend Melba and Carlos Harrison, my SJC School Mate. )
Richard Harrison was a brave ENTREPRENEUR, who was at all times ready to take any challenge. - He and his brothers were the Architects of the now famous RUTA MAYA.
In Summary, IT IS A GREAT PITY that Belize did not fully utilize Richard Harrison, whom I consider a Belizean GENIUS.
( But as our good friend Don Lucio Alcozer said in song." NO WAIT TILL THE MAN DEAD, TO TELL AM HE GOOD. ) - ( I had the pleasure to tell him in person that he was doing great.
His last wishes was, - " TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE OUR WATER CLEAN AND HEALTHY. - " REST IN PEACE PRIMO. "