Volume 18 | April| 2016

The Consulate of Belize

in Florida
Newsletter
 
Hon. Consul General's 
Monthly Message

Janine Sylvestre Vega
Hon. Consul General of Belize  in Florida
Trade Representative of Belize in Florida
Welcome to our monthly newsletter, where we bring you human interest stories, current events and information on Belize!

The Consulate of Belize in Florida is proud to announce that it is now issuing Identification Cards, facilitating many Belizeans living in Florida with the opportunity to hold an official ID from Belize. Acceptance of these cards at U.S. offices and other institutions, however, depends on their discretion. 

Enjoy reading about our Belizean Star of the Month.  If you are aware of a Belizean residing in the United States who is
making a positive impact on the lives of others, please submit their story to us so that we may feature them in our newsletter. 



 

Southeast Coast 

It's the coast with the most.

By John Haynes

The Travel Channel
 
Placencia, Hopkins and Dangriga are true fisherman's villages with strong cultural pride. These eco-tourist regions feature exceptional natural amenities, a signature of pristine Belize. Plan to spend a few days in these areas and visit the world's only jaguar preserve "Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary". Water activities are among the best, enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, diving, saltwater fly-fishing, whale shark watching and just about any other "ing" that takes place in the water.

Placencia
 
Known locally as "Barefoot Perfect," Placencia Peninsula is 16 miles of golden sand, the only golden-sand beaches on mainland Belize. After hanging out on the beach, snorkeling and scuba diving, head into town and get a feel for what a traditional Kriol (Creole) fishing village is like. There are also village restaurants, bars and art galleries. About the only thing Placencia doesn't offer is stress. It's just not allowed here.

Hopkins
 
Hopkins is one of those rare destinations, where nature and culture takes precedence and explorations are endless. Hopkins is known as the cultural center of the Garifuna community. Practice the traditional drumming and dancing while meeting the locals. Book a visit with the Lebeha Boys for a truly traditional dancing and drumming demonstration inches away from the Caribbean Sea. Here, you can meet some of the nicest people in the world, dance to the rhythms of the Garifuna's drumming, while indulging in tasty cultural foods. After that, check out the over 100,000 acres of preserved jungles, and rivers within the famous Maya Mountains or head to Hopkins Beach for a relaxing day. 

Dangriga
 
With a population of some 11,600 people, the vibrant Garifuna culture of Dangriga remains a unified community, offering visitors the opportunity to join in cultural dances, musical drumming, and exotic foodie-indulgences. While you're here, discover the preserved forests, marine tours, and annual traditions, such as the November 19th re-enactment of the 1800s Garifuna ancestors' arrival on Belize's shores. 

WHAT'S TRENDING
Young Belizean going to Harvard
Since graduating from St. John's College  last year with stellar educational achievements, Angel Navidad chose to take the suite Assessment (SAT) for universities based in the United States and after sending out applications, was elated to find out that he had been accepted to 14-Angel-gets-accepted-into-Harvard-web-657x484
Harvard, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world.
Navidad, who completed his high school studies at Bishop Martin in Orange Walk before enrolling at St. John's, has had quite a number of accomplishments along the way. He has been involved in science-based researches, journalism and won first place win in the Sagicor Visionary Challenge as leader of the team that did "Coconuts for Life".
The young scholar has been gifted with free flight, boarding and tuition from Harvard which is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Last week he thanked all the people who have helped him to get to where he is now.
He thanked his mother for always supporting him, his high school teacher, Shakira Gonzalez for taking him under her wing and the entire Bishop Martin community for helping him to finance his exams.
Navidad will surely be a perfect fit for Harvard and we here at Breaking Belize News congratulate him on such an honorable educational achievement.
Belizean Star of The Month
Ms. Aileen Neal
Miami, Florida (PRWEB)
 
Coconut Grove resident Aileen Neal, who has donated 3,000 hours of her time since 2009 to helping passengers make their way through Miami International Airport, was named MIA Volunteer Ambassador of the Year at the airport's annual Volunteer Ambassador Recognition Gala on April 14. For her service, Aileen received two tickets from American Airlines to travel anywhere in the continental U.S., the Caribbean, Canada or Mexico.
 
Aileen usually staffs the information counter in the Concourse D international greeter's lobby, and is known for going above and beyond the call of duty, often loaning her cell phone to frantic travelers who can't find the person picking them up. She recently drove a couple to a nearby shopping mall - after her regular shift, no less - because they needed courier service during their layover. She is familiar with international customer relations, having worked as the Office Manager for the Honorary Consul of Belize in Miami for nine years before volunteering at MIA.  Today, Aileen continues to lend her services and time whenever needed to the Consulate of Belize in Florida often times, sharing her culinary talents at events hosted by the Consulate.
 
She also has a wealth of experience helping people in need, having been an early childhood teacher and volunteer with domestic violence victims in her native Belize. Her community service continued when she moved to Miami and became a volunteer at Chapman Partnership and at MIA.
 
This year's award winners are among MIA's 75 volunteers who have provided nearly 14,000 hours of service to travelers at information counters and with trolley service throughout the airport. Collectively, MIA's volunteer ambassadors represent more than 30 countries and speak 20 languages, and include former educators, military veterans, engineers, nurses and airline employees.
 
"Aileen is more than deserving of our Volunteer of the Year award, and we are extremely proud of all our volunteer ambassadors who donate their time and energy to enhance the passenger experience at our airport," said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. González. "What really separates great airports from good airports is their level of customer service, and our 75 volunteers are a big part of our effort to deliver world-class service at MIA."
 
 


☼   Belize Association of Central Florida Memorial Day Summer Splash!  
(Click the picture for more information)
            
 


Land Mark Beauty of the Month
 
National Assembly
 




Impressive numbers prove that Belize is trending!

 
CONGRATULATIONS to Marie Sharp of Marie Sharp's Fine Foods for being inducted into the New York City Hot Sauce Hall of Fame.
com/.../marie-sharp-inducted-y.../

"If crab no walk, e no get fat - and if e walk too much, e lose e claw."

Meaning: New experiences are necessary but can be dangerous.
  Belize News 
Beltraide 
Recipe of the Month
Belizean Rum Cake

Recipe by: Debra Milstead

Ingredients
 
1 package of Yellow Butter Cake Mix
1 package of instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup Belizean Rum
1 stick butter
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup Pecans

  Directions
 
Mix cake mix, pudding, eggs, water and rum in large mixing bowl and beat with mixer.
In a Bundt cake pan melt 1/2 stick butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar, pour pecans in this mixture.
After this is melted, pour cake batter over top and bake for 35  minutes on 350 degrees F.

In a small saucepan mix 1/2 cup of rum, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 stick butter and 1 cup brown sugar.  Bring to boil and then remove from heat.

After the cake has finished cooking, poke holes in the top and pour rum syrup over the top.  Let this sit for a few minutes before turning it over onto plate.    

ENJOY!

Belize Business Directory
 

                                         
  
      
                    
 
 
 
 
If you are interested in joining the first ever Belize Business Directory in the USA, please contact us at 305-503-5741 or email us at [email protected]
                                      


The Consulate of Belize in Florida 

1600 Ponce De Leon Blvd. Suite #904
Coral Gables FL 33134
T: (305) 755-0276  |  F: (305) 755-0277