Mama Vilma's Family Home

In a society where abuse happens but is often never reported, it is imperative that those abused have a haven to turn to when in need. Having seen the need for such a home, a group of dynamic volunteers have taken on the hefty task of planning a variety of activities in the hopes that the community comes together to build this much-needed home for women, children and men in need. The San Pedro Sun met with two of the ladies spearheading the group, Mrs. Shelley Huber (President) and Mrs. Eve Dirnback (Vice President), and they outlined their plans.

Mrs. Dirnback has been active in San Pedro, having (often single-handedly) raised funds for projects, especially at San Pedro Roman Catholic School. Mrs. Shelley of course, is known for her participation in community events, providing delicious food from her catering company, as well as offering support whenever necessary. With the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”, and bearing in mind one of San Pedro’s most beloved women, Mrs. Vilma Arceo, the volunteers are ready to work to build “Mama Vilma’s Family Home”. It is not just a home for women and children; there are single fathers who need help too.

Taking into account the legacy of love that Mama Vilma had for the children in her community, being herself a battered woman, the group decided that the home would be dedicated to her memory. The first fundraising effort will be a Fashion Show, to be held at the Coco Locos Bar on February 19th, from 4pm- 8pm. Local models (Recycled Teenagers) will be modeling clothing from various local boutiques and great food and entertainment will be provided. It will be a night of fun and fashion, and one that will help jumpstart a worthy cause. Everyone is invited to attend and all are asked to give their support to the project which will help those in our community that are most in need. An official meeting will be held on January 30th, 2011, at a location to be announced later.

To pledge your support, or to find out how you can be of assistance with this project, call 623-9962 or 651-3533. Help a worthy cause and let us all have a hand in stopping the abuse.

--(Printed January 20, 2011 - Vol. 21, Issue #03)--

Tropic Air Announces non-stop service between Placencia & Belmopan

- Press Release - San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize - Monday, January 24, 2011 - Tropic Air announced today that it will be inaugurating daily non-stop service between Placencia and the nation’s capital, Belmopan on January 31, 2011. The service will also allow easy connections in Placencia for passengers wishing to travel between Punta Gorda and Belmopan, and provide for efficient cargo services to and from the nation’s heartland.

The new service is a direct response to requests from its valued customers, and carries through on the airline’s stated commitment to the people of Belmopan, Cayo and Southern Belize.

“When we inaugurated Belmopan in April 2010, we promised the people of Cayo to increase our service levels in the coming years. Belmopan is an integral part of the growth strategy for Tropic Air and as such we feel it important that we link the expanding areas of the south with our nation’s capital” said John Greif III, President of Tropic Air. “Tropic Air is continuously seeking new and innovative routes that promote tourism, business, domestic travel and cargo within Belize”

The flight schedule for the new route is as follows:
Flt# DEPARTS TIME ARRIVES TIME
900 Belmopan (BMP) 08:30AM Placencia (PLJ) 09:00AM
350 Placencia (PLJ) 12:00PM Belmopan (BMP) 12:30PM
DAILY (Effective January 31, 2010)

An introductory fare of BZ$99 each way will be offered on the new route through February 28, 2010 and is bookable via the web at www.tropicair.com, via e-mail at reservations@tropicair.com, by phone at 226-2012 or by contacting any of our stations.

Tropic Air operates a fleet of 11 aircraft (including the lastest generation, G1000 “glass cockpit”, air conditioned Cessna Caravans) to 11 destinations in Belize and Guatemala. With over 250 employees, Tropic Air carried 200,000 passengers in 2010.

For more information on the new service, please contact Dora Gonzalez DoraGonzalez@tropicair.com or Julie Kee JulieKee@tropicair.com.

Belize Coalition to save our natural heritage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Geovannie Brackett

Chair, Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage

Telephone: 664-3771

Email: coalitioncoordinator@apamo.net

Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage Supports SATIIM’s Opposition to Oil Exploration in the Sarstoon-Temash National Park

Belize City, Belize, January 19, 2011 - - The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage supports SATIIM in its opposition to oil exploration in the Sarstoon Temash National Park, a protected area, by US Capital Energy. The Coalition also firmly rejects the Prime Minister’s publicly stated position that oil exploration and exploitation should be allowed in protected areas.

Protected areas in Belize have been designated as such to safeguard ecosystem services such as the provision of clean water, clean air and food, and to maintain biodiversity. In addition, both marine and terrestrial protected areas are the primary tourist visitation sites in the country. Countries such as Ecuador have allowed oil companies to exploit oil from ecologically sensitive areas with devastating effects. Over three decades after fourteen thousand barrel of oil spilled in the Ecuador Amazon, the effects on people’s health and lives continue.

The minimal economic benefits that the people of Belize are receiving from tax revenues from oil exploitation do not outweigh the high risk of an oil spill in ecologically sensitive areas during the exploratory or exploitation phase.

We call on the Government of Belize to rescind its policy of allowing oil exploration and exploitation in protected areas and in our marine waters through the cancellation of leases issued within these areas, and protect the livelihoods and health of all Belizeans.

Join the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage in its fight. Contact us at 223-7962 or at coalitioncoordinator@apamo.net.

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The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage protects our natural heritage by serving as a channel for the voice of the people through advocacy, education, research and actions, which promote the best interest of Belize and its people.

ACES Fundraiser BBQ

On Sunday, January 23rd, Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) will be having a BBQ sale on GIBNUT, CHICKEN & PORK!!! At Wayo’s bar on the beach Boca Del Rio Area! Please come and support ACES.

Cardiology Pediatric services: Venezuela Technical Cooperation

Press Release – Ministry of Health – December 28th, 2010 – The Government of Belize and the Government of Venezuela recently signed an agreement for the provision of Pediatric Cardiology Services for Belizean children. The surgeries will be performed at no cost to the patients and families.

The target group is children 0 to 15 years of age with congenital heart disease.

The Ministry of Health of Belize has designated the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Bernard Bulwer, and Dr. Giovanni Solórzano, both from KHMH, as Focal Points for Belize. They will have the responsibility to follow up on the cases selected and will act as liaison officers between the Embassy of Venezuela and the Ministry of Health of Belize.

The Children’s Cardiology Hospital in Venezuela provides service for the following diseases:
* Inter atrium communication
* Inter ventricular communication
* Tetralogy of Fallot
* Persistent Ductus Arteriosus
* Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
* Aortic Valve Stenosis

Requirements for acceptance of patients:
1. A letter addressed to the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez Frías, justifying the clinical and socio-economic status of the patient.
2. A medical report that indicates the clinical condition of the child.
3. A CD with an Echocardiogram recorded.
4. Identification documents of the child and his/her mother, father or legal guardian.

After selecting the patient, s/he must travel to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on a commercial flight accompanied but the mother, preferably, who will remain the country for a reasonable time as determined but the attending physicians.

The costs of the round trip plane ticket, lodging, meals, medical treatment and surgery in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will be paid by the Venezuelan Government.

All potential clients must be referred to the Pediatrician of the Regional Hospitals for assessment. Once these comply with the criteria they will then be referred to Dr. Bulwer or Dr. Solórzano at KHMH. In turn they will liaise directly with the Embassy of Venezuela in Belmopan.

Any concern or doubt, feel free to contact the Venezuelan Embassy or the designated Focal Points.