The Consulate of Belize in Florida
Monthly Newsletter
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Honorary Consul's Monthly Message
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We welcome you to this August edition of the newsletter, bringing inspiring news about our Jewel as well as how the Belizean Diaspora is making a positive impact on the lives of others. We also welcome students in Belize and abroad back to school and wish them all the success in this new term!
We are proud to share with you several stories in this edition, such as how Belize has gained international recognition as a World Leader protecting the ocean or how Belizeans are helping Belizeans, Digi’s and UBNI’s scholarships, and the journey of an extraordinary Belizean living in the US, Mrs. Florita Mak, who is our “Belizean Star of the Month”. Similarly, we are happy to share with you Ambassador Daniel Gutierez’s message under “Ambassador’s Desk.”
Enjoy and share with your friends!
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Janine Sylvestre
Honorary Consul of Belize in Florida
Trade Representative of Belize in Florida
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From the Ambassador's Desk
H.E. Daniel Gutierez
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Ambassador of Belize to the United States of America
& Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States
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Digi Awards 25 Full High School Scholarships
Aug 9, 2019 Digi held its scholarship reception programme this morning in Belize City. Twenty-five students from around the country were all recipients this year. The full scholarships are awarded for the four years of high school.
Read more
edition.channel5belize.com
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JUSTICES OF THE PEACE
SWORN IN AT THE CHICAGO CONSULATE
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Photo Credit: Consulate of Belize in Chicago
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August 11, 2019.
The Attorney General of Belize, Hon. Michael Peyrefitte swore in seventeen (17) Belizeans from Chicago and the greater Midwest area as Justices of the Peace. The Attorney General advised the new Justices of the Peace of their duties and responsibilities to Belizeans and Belize.
These appointments became necessary so as to assist Belizeans living in states such as Ohio, Wisconsin, Kansas and other states which fall under the jurisdiction of the Belize Consulate in Chicago. Honorary Consul of Belize in Chicago, Mrs. Leticia Castellanos expressed her gratitude for these appointments and stated that it will assist greatly in the passport, nationality, birth certificate and other application processes.
The new Justices of the Peace vowed to carry out their duties with dignity and in conformity with the Justice of the Peace Act and Laws of Belize.
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The National U-15 Boys Compete in the 2019 CONCACAF Championships
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August 12, 2019
. The national under- fifteen team composed of young football athletes from all over the country and the Diaspora represented the Jewel in Bradenton, Florida (USA) this past week marking it their first international match to have been ever played.
The team played a total of four games, out of which one resulted in a victory (St. Kitts-Nevis), one in a draw (Cayman Islands) and two in a loss (French Guyana and St. Lucia); however, the team was joyful and gave it all in the field. Sergio Chuc, President of the Football Federation of Belize, said that being able to participate at the 2019 CONCACAF Championship was a dream come truth and an opportunity for all young athletes to be scouted by universities which normally are on the look out for prospective athletic scholarships' recipients.
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United Belizeans of Northern Illinois (UBNI) Distributes $17K in Scholarships
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August 19, 2019.
On August 8th, 2019, United Belizeans of Northern Illinois celebrated their 9th anniversary. The members of this organization work tirelessly throughout the year to raise funds for sponsorship of scholarships and outfitting schools in Belize with backpacks and footwear.
The night was infused with elegance, laughter and dance. Master of Ceremonies Dr. Wade masterfully steered the ceremonies. Keynote Speaker, Mrs. Debra Baptist-Estrada, Deputy Director of Immigration in Belize advised the scholarship recipients that they must measure their success by the contributions they make to their fellow man rather than by the material things they have acquired.
Motivational Speaker Leo Bradley, challenged the students to dream big. The Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General of Belize also addressed the scholarship recipients and encouraged them to work hard in college and to make the people who is making this journey possible proud.
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Belize: A World Leader Protecting the Ocean
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Photo Credit: The Guardian
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August 14, 2019.
Belize has gained the respect and attention from the international environmental community because of its unique
managed access (MA) programme
that gives traditional fishers access to secured grounds if they obtain licenses and report their catch.
Fisheries administrator Beverly Wade says that
“Belize is the only country in the world that has successfully
divided all its territorial waters
, including functional fishing waters"
while Nicanor Requena from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) affirms that other countries could learn from Belize. The expansion of its "no-take" zones in its marine protected areas from 4.5% to 11.6% has positively led to the rebuilding of fish populations and protection of marine habitats.
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Belize Signs PSA Letter of Intent with the Republic of China (Taiwan)
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Belmopan. August 15, 2019.
The Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) (RoC) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) today, August 15th, in Taipei, Taiwan, to engage in the negotiation of a Partial Scope Agreement (PSA) with the objective of formalizing trade relations between the two countries. The LOI resulted from a full week of discussions and engagement with RoC officials and the Belize delegation from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce.
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Belizeans Helping Belizeans
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August 15, 2019.
During the month of July, both Belizean Associations in the State of Florida were busy in their Back to School Drives. The Belize Association of Central Florida (BACF), with the support of various organizations and fellow Belizeans, was able to collect 7 boxes full of school supplies and school bags that will be sent to the
Belize District, Orange Walk District, Stann Creek District and Toledo District.
In the case of the Belize Association of Florida (BAF), their hard work allowed them to raise $2,500 USD which were donated back in April to the All Saints Preschool in Stann Creek while donating this time 3 boxes of school supplies and school bags to the Ebenezer School in Belize City.
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For more information on how to get involved, please contact:
Phone:
813-277-1915
Phone:
954-899-3545
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What You Need To Know About Dengue
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Video Credit: Channel 5 Belize
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Photo Credit: Belize Tourism Board
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Belize's First Tourism Travel Expo
"Get to know all the wonders your country holds by finding great vacation packages at discounted rates ONLY at BELTRAVEX on September 28!"
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Source: BELTRAIDE Facebook Page
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"Due to a plethora of competitive advantages, Belize has proven to be one of the most attractive nearshore and offshore destinations in the region."
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Photo Credit: Belize Mek We Go
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Fruit Canning in
Spanish Lookout
Have you ever wondered how to store your favorite fruit? Learn how to can your own fruit and much more about the Mennonites from Spanish Lookout!
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Belize Zoo Entrance in 1983
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Belize Zoo Entrance in 2013
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Did you know the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center receives over 65,000 visitors annually, 15,000 being Belizean students, parents and teachers?
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Let us preserve and protect our historical landmarks!
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"One Han' wash di adah and two ah dem wash you face."
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English translation:
One hand washes the other and both hands wash your face.
Meaning:
We help one another.
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Belizean Star of the Month!
Mrs. Florita Mak
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Photo Credit: Mrs. Florita Mak
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Florita Mak was born in Belize City, Belize and raised in the sweet and beautiful town of Orange Walk where she met her husband, Rodolfo Mak, and after a couple of years of marriage, decided to relocate to the US in the early 1990’s. The Mak family has four wonderful children who also reside in the US. In her free time, Mrs. Mak enjoys reading books, writing poetry, and starting charitable foundations, the latter being Florita’s true vocation. Mrs. Mak spends a lot of time involved in helping children in need in various ways. Through fundraisers, she has provided much needed funds for those in need of costly medical procedures, medicine, treatments and means to go to school. In her own words,
“the thought that I am capable of using my spare time to help others in these times of hardship brings me so much joy. I can truly say that it’s the best feeling in the world.”
One of the fundraisers that Mrs. Mak recently organized was the “Save Jesus” charity. All funds gathered were utilized to pay for the medical expenses of Jesus, a twelve-year-old boy here in the U.S, who was fighting against an aggressive brain tumor. However, Mrs. Mak’s assistance is not only for children in the United States; she extends her charity abroad as well. The couple of children mentioned previously, those of which she helped with their education, were children from Belize.
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“Life has taught me many lessons”
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says Florita
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“I have learned that there is always hope, new beginnings, and that there is more to life than materialistic things.”
That is precisely the reason why Florita loves to help children in need. She wants them to understand that they are not alone in this world.
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By helping in the way that Mrs. Florita does, children ultimately come to understand these important principles to humanity. This is evidently seen when children themselves demonstrate acts of love, joy, and kindness. Seeing this fills Florita’s heart with gratitude, peace and tranquility. It gives meaning to her life and the lives of others.
“That’s the greatest wealth that I and everyone can possess”
says Mrs. Mak. She has always been certain that helping children in need is her true vocation, and where better to help than her home country, Belize, that she dearly misses. Mrs. Mak’s ultimate goal is to return to Belize to continue her work in order to contribute towards a better future for her fellow Belizeans.
Although Mrs. Mak mostly generates funds for children in need, she encourages all who are in a position to get involved to help others in their times of need, illness, and much more.
"Many times, there are people who may seem to be doing alright but are in fact deeply troubled with health problems, lack of funds to sustain medical expenses or children they cannot feed"
, she says. Therefore, she urges for everybody reading this to start helping in any way possible as
"your actions will be highly appreciated."
To learn more about Mrs. Mak's most recent fundraising project,
click here
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Register as a Belizean in Florida
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Meet the Belize Miss Universe Delegates
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The Consulate of Belize in Florida wishes all these lovely young Belizean women all the success in the Miss Belize Pageant! Each of you are already winners! May your unique talents and beauty inside and out shine through!
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Photo Credit: Miss Universe Belize FB page
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Evan Andres Perez makes Belizeans Proud
at Mount Kilimanjaro!
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Photo by: Belize Channel 7
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The Belizean flag reached the highest point on the African continent, all thanks to
Evan Andres Perez
, CNN's Senior Justice Department Correspondent, who proudly hails from Corozal, Belize. The Uhuru Peak of Kilimanjaro is the tallest peak in Africa, about twenty thousand feet above sea level!
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Belizean- American Gymnast
Simone Biles
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"first woman to win 6 U.S. all-around titles in nearly 70 years!" 🏅
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Photo Credit: The San Pedro Sun
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History:
Honey Bun dates back to over 100 years in Belize. Known as a popular after school treat for the kids that was paired with an ideal (Belizean version of a frozen pop). At home, it was usually eaten at "Tea Time" around 5 p.m. with a cup of hot English tea.
It has come along way and the recipe has also changed too but one thing does remain the same, it is still one of Belizeans' favorite snacks.
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Ingredients:
- 1 c. all purpose flour
- 1 c. dark brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 t. salt
- 1/2 c. butter (melted)
- 2 eggs
- 1 T. honey
- 2 T. molasses
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Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Grease and flour a 7x10 pan.
- In a large bowl, add flour, baking powder and brown sugar and mix together.
- Add butter, honey and molasses and whisk all ingredients together.
- Pour evenly in pan and bake for 35 mins.
- Glaze honey on top, cut in even squares and allow to cool.
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On May 8, Belizeans voted "Yes" to take the territorial dispute with Guatemala to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Click the video below to learn more about what happens next.
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The Road to the ICJ: What Next?
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(Photo Credit: Government of Belize)
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Now that Belize has gone to referendum and Belizeans have voted “yes” to going to the International Court of Justice, many want to know “what’s next?”. In a sitdown with Ambassador H.E. Alexis Rosado, our Belize Now Team found out what are the next steps for “The Jewel”.
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Click image to see full video
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Minister Elrington at the OAS Permanent Council Session
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The Work of the OAS in the Adjacency Zone
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