Polyclinic receives 800K donation

Through the hard work and efforts made by the Belize Mission Project, an $800,000Bze donation was secured for the San Pedro PolyClinic through Project CURE. Since the beginning of the Poly Clinic II project, the organization Project CURE had set its sights on the clinic and had promised to supply the facility with equipment and medical supplies. In March of 2006, the San Pedro PolyClinic received a substantial donation of $1.2 Million dollars and it proved to be 90% of the equipment needed to outfit the clinic. This time around, Project CURE donated items that highly reflected what the clinic was in desperate needs of. Some items included: fetal Doppler, centrifuge, syringes, anesthetics, birthing kits, stethoscopes, microscopes, gurneys, scrubs; equipment for the dental clinic as well and a huge gamut of medicines and other supplies. Based on quantity, some of the items donated will be distributed to other needy clinics countrywide, stated Dr. Paul Edwards of the Health Department, Central Region which includes in its jurisdiction Ambergris Caye.

The container was filled to capacity.

Team work!

The donation couldn't have come at a better time.

After unloading, the crew gathered up for a group shot!
Along with the great donation came a very valuable piece of equipment – an x-ray machine.
Project CURE, which stands for Project Commission on Urgent Relief & Equipment, is a non-profit, humanitarian relief organization that collects medical surplus and donates it to developing countries. Since 1987, Project CURE has delivered donated medical supplies and equipment to the most desperately ill and needy people living in more than 100 countries around the world. Project CURE’S International Headquarters is located in Centennial, Colorado. Today, Project C.U.R.E. is run by Founder James Jackson's son, Dr. Douglas Jackson. In the past ten years, the Jackson family, along with a small staff and an army of volunteers has expanded their reach to every corner of the globe. Project C.U.R.E. has worked in over 120 countries and has touched the lives of thousands. With the help of many that have the same passion and commitment to helping those around the world, Project C.U.R.E. continues to deliver health and hope to the world!

Road to 09'

Last week, the United Democratic Party (UDP) presented their official slate which will contest the 2009 Elections. The slate consists of the Mayor and Councilors who have worked hard throughout these three years and are looking for a next win. For some, this would be their third consecutive win, while for one hopeful it will be his second. On the night of endorsement, questions were posed to the candidates. Find their answers below.

(l-r) Councillor Pablo Ico, Justiano 'Nano' Guerrero, Severo Guerrero, Mayor Elsa Paz.

Mayoral Candidate Elsa Paz (contesting a third term)
Q: Why run once more?
A: Because the people are asking me to go again. For the people who believe that I am doing a good job.

Q: What are some of the future plans for the town?
A: We have so many projects that we want to see completed and some of those include completing the cobblestone project to cover other areas and the finalization of the town’s master plan.

Q: What are your expectations going into the elections?
A: To win and with a UDP Central Government much can be accomplished for the town. With them on our side, we can do much more.

Pablo Ico (contesting a second term)
Q: Why contest the elections one more time?
A: Well, because I believe that in three more years, we can offer so much more.

Q: What was your portfolio for the past three years? What were some of your achievements?
A: Youth, Culture and Sports. Through this portfolio many games and competitions were organized. It is nice to see the smiling faces of people who partake in these activities. Once one event is done, people look forward for the following one.

Q: What changes could you bring in the next three years should you win?
A: I would like to work more in the tourism industry, the promotion of our island and country in general to the international market. I can accomplish a lot in exposing our jewel and working closely with our Minister of Tourism. We need three more years to accomplish just that.

Justiniano “Nano” Guerrero (contesting a third term)
Q: Why contest the elections one more time?
A: Because, I feel I can still accomplish more.

Q: What was your portfolio for the past three years? What were some of your achievements?
A: Street Rehabilitation was one of them. It is clearly evident what was accomplished, the cobblestoning of Pescador and Barrier Reef Drive and addressing the situation on Angel Coral Street. The town side streets are operational now, as well.

Q: What changes could you bring in the next three years should you win?
A: Addressing the issue and building accessible roads to and in the San Mateo Subdivision. As well, as addressing their sewer problems and those island wide. We need to protect our environment and our sewer problems may have a detrimental fallback on our island. San Pedrito also needs rehabilitation on their streets.

Severo Guerrero (contesting a fourth term, third consecutive)
Q: Why contest the elections one more time?
A: Not for my benefit but for the benefit of the town. I feel I can do much more.

Q: What was your portfolio for the past three years? What were some of your achievements?
A: Parks.

Q: What changes could you bring in the next three years should you win?
A: Rehabilitating the Boca del Rio Park. The Geo Tubes have been ordered and we are just awaiting the arrival of them.

Part two – next week. Interviews with Romel Gomez, Joe Elijio and Juan Alamilla.

Belize Mission Project visits La Isla

Yearly, the Belize Mission Project has been offering up fabulous smiles to the country of Belize. This time around, 42 dentists, assistants, hygienists, physicians, audiologists, lab technicians, therapists and more arrived in the country to offer their expertise to those who need them. Spread out through Valley of Peace, and areas and villages in Sarteneja, Spanish Lookout, Siene Beight, Punta Gorda and Caye Caulker.
Not only does the Mission assist in the health aspect of our community, individuals in the group donate part of their own personal money to purchase food for the less fortunate families on the island. With help from Maria Vasquez, the group rode on golf-carts and ventured into underprivileged neighborhoods, where they distributed bags of rice, beans, salt and sugar.
A new medical team will arrive on the island from November 7th – 15th to offer their assistance.

Dentists and hygenists visit with patients at the Lion's Den.

Persistent rains cause schools to cancel classes

Word coming out of the Ministry of Education this morning was that due to the persistent downpours the Country has been experiencing was that Schools were given the option to allow or cancel classes if they saw it fit. All but three schools in San Pedro including pre-schools classes were cancelled for Tuesday. In most parts of San Pedro, the water levels have risen drastically and traffic has been diverted due to the inundated state of the roads. We'll keep you posted as developments occur.....

Some parts of San Pedro are experiencing up to knee high water levels, making it difficult for the students to make it to school.

Cayo District gets soaked!

The following are images of the high river/water conditions in San Ignacio. Due to the heavy rains, the Macal River has overflowed its banks. The San Ignacio Market has been flooded.

Concerned Cayo residents are worried that the Chalillo Dam is overflowing, therefore causing the flooding downstream. However, according to a press release from the Belize Electric Company, BECOL, they have not opened any flood gates that would contribute to the rapid rise in the water levels. However, the spill over the dam will continue to rise and therefore residents downstream are being advised to take necessary precautions.

The river photos were taken at 8:00 a.m. Friday, October 17th. These photos are courtesy of Eve's Computer Services.

Further notices will be posted as they become available.

According to LoveFM news, due to the present weather conditions, the Belize Audobon Society has closed 7 protected areas. The Belize Audubon Society announced that 7 protected areas have been closed because of the present weather condition. These include the St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Guanacaste National Park, Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, Victoria Peak Natural Monument and Actun Tunichil Muknal Natural Monument.