The Consulate of Belize in Florida
Monthly Newsletter
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Honorary Consul's Monthly Message
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Welcome to the
November Monthly Newsletter
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Welcome to the November edition of the newsletter! As always, there is so many good things to share with you about our Jewel!
Many Belizeans residing in the US will be partaking in the Thanksgiving celebrations this week. Indeed, we all have so much to be grateful for. Whether it is because we enjoy good health, a loving family or a steady job, let us be grateful for the blessings (big or small) bestowed to us from above. On behalf of the staff at the Consulate of Belize in Florida, we wish you all a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!
In this edition you may learn about the recent agreement between Belize and Taiwan to strengthen the medical imaging services in Belize. Reflect on the message for Children’s Day by the Special Envoy for Women and Children and Spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow or discover who were the winners of the 14th Belize International Film Festival and read more about the Corozal-Sarteneja Road project, and the special sitting of the Children’s Parliament. Read about the victory of Belize as Sub-Champion of the U18 Central American Female Volleyball Championship! Also, learn about what made Belizean-born Freda Sideroff become the “Star of the Month”.
In this section, we report on the 50th Consular Corps Anniversary Symposium that took place in Washington, DC. Check out, “What’s Trending,” regarding the participation of Belize INVEST in the International Tourism and Investment Conference in London and watch the video of the interview with KTLA 5 News and Destinee Arnold. Don’t miss seeing the lively pictures of the celebrations and events that took place on Garifuna Settlement Day.
As always, we are happy to share with you the Ambassador of Belize in Washington, DC, H.E. Daniel Gutierez’s message under “Ambassador’s Desk.” This month, Ambassador Guitierez takes the opportunity to wish us all a Happy Thanksgiving!
While so many homes will be filled with the aroma of pumpkin pies this season, in Belize, we use pumpkin in some other creative ways such as “Pumpkin Sweet” also known as “Dulce de Calabaza”, a scrumptious Belizean dessert that is made with cinnamon and other spices and served with cream or (evaporated milk) or vanilla ice-cream! Enjoy!
And lastly, check out the section Upcoming Events to find out more about “Toy Drive Holiday Party”, “End of the World Marathon and Half Marathon”, “Belize Krismus Brukdong Festival” and much more.
For those of you who have not had the opportunity to visit the Consulate's office nor are familiar with the services that we offer, you may visit our website at www.belizeconsulatefla.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to receive updates about Belize, the Consulate and upcoming events.
As we update our database, and in order to serve you better, the Consulate of Belize in Florida continues to conduct phone calls to its constituents to confirm each's contact information. We appreciate your cooperation and support in sharing your contact information, so that you and your family can continue to be informed about services offered by the Consulate as well as get updates on Belize.
If you are aware of a Belizean residing in the United States who is making a positive impact on the lives of others while contributing to their native country, please submit their story to us so that we may feature them in our newsletter. Perhaps the Star of the Month for December could even be you!
Enjoy and share with your friends!
And remember, it is good to be Belizean!
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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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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What's New...
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Belize and Taiwan Sign Project Agreement for the Strengthening of Medical Imaging Services in Belize
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Photo Credit: Government of Belize Press Office
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Belmopan. November 18, 2019.
Today, November 18, 2019, the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Health and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) signed a project agreement to improve the Medical Imaging Services in Belize. The project beneficiaries are two regional public hospitals and the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The project will increase accessibility to quality and safe imaging services as a means towards achieving universal access to health.
The project is aimed at strengthening human resources for health capacity in radiology by training two physicians to become radiologists and training for radiographers and X-Ray technicians in quality assurance and safety practices in radiology. Also, the project will be digitizing medical imaging equipment in the three public hospitals and the development of a standardized radiological information system.
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Video Credit: Government of Belize Press Office
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The imminent Corozal-Sarteneja Road project will provide 27 miles of paved road to residents of the area, including Chunox, Copper Bank and Progresso. Travel time will be reduced significantly, speeding up transportation of goods and services and opening a door for tourism expansion.
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Belmopan will host the UNCAF U15 FIFA Forward!
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Photo by Football Federation of Belize
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November 22, 2019.
In a couple of days, Belize will be home to visiting U15 teams who will be participating in the UNCAF U15 FIFA FORWARD tournament.
Seven countries, including Belize will be playing a series of matches to claim the championship title. Our U15 team has been preparing and the office has started preparations to ensure a successful event. Games will be played in Belmopan.
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GOB Signs Matching Grant Fund with the "Los Pequenos Agricultures y Ganaderos de Nago Bank Co-operative Society Ltd."
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November 12, 2019.
The Government of Belize (GOB), through a financing arrangement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has embarked on a six-year programme, Resilient Rural Belize (RRB), which aims to minimize the impacts of climatic and economic events on small farmers while supporting sustainable market access for their produce. The programme will help small farmers employ climate-resilient agricultural practices and technologies; integrate profitable participation in the development of select vegetable, fruit, and honey value chains; and support production capacity through investments in public and private climate-resilient infrastructure and in the strengthening of small farmer organizations and relevant Government Departments.
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Special Envoy's Children's Day Address 2019
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November 20th is observed as World Children's Day. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Belize's Special Envoy for Women and Children Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow has a special message for the children of Belize.
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Video Credit: Government of Belize Press Office
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Special Sitting of The Children's Parliament
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November 20, 2019.
Parliament today had a much different feel and tone. The special sitting was called to mark International Children’s Day so young students from all over the country were standing in as parliamentarians. They took their seats in the Speaker’s chair as well as on both sides of the aisle. There was no posturing to the cameras or the usual mudslinging, instead there was real debate coming from the young parliamentarians who argued, discussed and decided issues on their well being, urging government to do more for health, education and security.
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Belize is Sub-Champion 🥈of the U18 Central American Female Volleyball Championship
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November 25, 2019.
Веlіzе’ѕ U-18 fеmаlе vоllеуbаll tеаm реrfоrmed ехtrеmеlу wеll аt thе 13th Сеntrаl Аmеrісаn Fеmаlе Vоllеуbаll Сhаmріоnѕhір іn Ѕаn Саrlоѕ, Соѕtа Rіса.
The team won second place in the entire championship and brought home seven individual awards:
- Gareth Bruce: Best Scorer and Best Attacker
- Sofia Solano: Best Libero and Best Defensive Player
- Iman Safa: Best Setter
- Olivia McKenzie: Best Blocker 2
- Jayda Smith: Best Receiver
Congratulations Team Belize!
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Honorary Consul, Mrs. Janine Sylvestre, attends
the 50th Consular Corps Anniversary Symposium in Washington, DC
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Consul General Herman R. Longsworth, Honorary Consul Janine Sylvestre, Ambassador Daniel Gutierez and his wife, Erin Ryan, and Michael Mena
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November 26, 2019.
From November 13-15, 2019, Career and Honorary Consuls representing countries from all around the world, including Mr. Edward Lee Paul, Jr., Honorary Consul of Belize in North Carolina, Mrs. Leticia Castellanos, Honorary Consul of Belize in Chicago,
Mr. Herman R. Longsworth, Consul General of Belize in New York,
and Mrs. Janine Sylvestre, Honorary Consul of Belize in Florida, met in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Symposium and Celebration Gala of the Consular Corps College.
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The event was hosted by the U.S. State Department and offered over 10 different training sessions at the Washington Corporate Offices of BMW Group. The sessions topics included, but where not limited to,
How the Department of State Promotes Educational and Cultural Affairs, OFM's Outreach,
and
Change in Visa Status -When Exchange Program Participants Obtain Work in the United States.
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Tidbits...
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Photo Credit: Belize Tourism Board
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Belize took home 11 Readers Choice awards in the Caribbean and Atlantic region, earning high praise for its big-animal-encounters, wall diving, snorkeling and options for advanced divers.
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The 5th Annual National Entrepreneurship Convention took place on Friday, November 29th, 2019 under the theme "Engage. Exchange. Empower"
- National Entrepreneurship Convention (8am-4:30pm)
- EntreCon Expo (8am-4:30pm)
- Small Business Mixer (4:30pm-7pm)
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The National Institute of Culture and History, through the Institute of Creative Arts and the Film and Media Arts Unit, held the Closing Awards Ceremony for the 14th Edition of the Belize International Film Festival’s Awards on Sunday, 10
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November at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts.
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...of the Month!
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Drums of Our Fathers Monument
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Photo Credit: Government of Belize Press Office
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The monument, created by Stephen Okeke, was made possible by Minister of Defense, Sylvia Flores, at the time, and the Dangriga Town council in 2004. Hon. Sylvia Flores had a vision of the monument and struggled to ensure that it was at the proud entrance of Dangriga, referred culture capital of Belize. However, the monument was inspired by Mr. Roy Cayetano’s poem, “Drums of Our Fathers".
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Let us preserve and protect our historical landmarks!
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"
One one fill bahskit.
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English Translation:
One at a time will fill the basket.
Meaning:
Persistence and attention to the task will get you there, even if slower.
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Belizean Star of the Month!
Freda Sideroff
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Photo Credit: Freda Sideroff
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Mrs. Freda Sideroff was born in Punta Gorda Toledo District, Belize to Rosenda and Guadalupe Paulino. She was later raised in Punta Gorda Town during her formative years and moved to Los Angeles, California in 1978. She owes her upbringing to her aunt Virginia Roches, uncle Edison Roches now deceased, grandparents, Stephen and Eulojia Paulino, Thomas and Felipa Enriquez. Since a kid, she was born into the Garifuna culture and later discovered that her great grandmother, Maria Teul, was Mayan. This is how her love and respect towards indigenous cultures emerged.
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"The essence of our culture is lost if knowledge is not passed down into the next generation."
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She is a wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, Producer, Director, filmmaker, writer and humanitarian who is currently a student at the University of South California (USC) for Creative Writing. Mrs. Sideroff is happily married to Dr. Stephen Sideroff, a distinguished Psychologist and professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA’s School of Medicine.
Since her stay in Los Angeles, Mrs. Sideroff has built and maintained a strong relationship with the Consulate of Belize in Los Angeles and its staff. She recently served as one of the sponsors and speakers at the September 10
th
Celebrations and continues to serve as the President and Founder of the critically acclaimed
Garifuna International Film Festival
in its 9
th
year. Freda Sideroff’s focus has been to enlighten, educate, and give voice to the Garifuna culture, paying homage by including indigenous cultures of all nations.
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Photo Credit: Freda Sideroff
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In 2012, the first year of the GIIFF, a proclamation was issued proclaiming May 26
th
“Garifuna Film Day” in the city of Los Angeles & State of California, signed by former Mayor Antonio Villaregosa and his council members. Congressional commendations have been issued from Congresswoman Janice Hahn and Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Thanks to the success that the festival has had, she was able to start the nonprofit 501c3
Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival
this year.
Mrs. Sideroff enjoys travelling back home at least three times a year where she often has brought the Garifuna Film Festival to southern places in Belize such as Seine Bight, St. Vincent Greiggs, and Punta Gorda. During her visits to Belize, she also documents, films and very soon, in 2020, she will publish her own documentary featuring
Garifuna and Spirituality.
Mrs. Freda is also the Director and Producer, along with his husband, of the documentary titled “Blessed by Blood” and of the Harrington Trapp’s soon-to-be released Christmas CD. She is currently in the process of writing her first book of poetry and invites the community to submit their art, films and documentaries to the 9
th
annual GIIFF.
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Photo Credit: Freda Sideroff
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Besides being interviewed in several occasions such as in
Voice of America
and
Channel 5 TV,
Mrs. Freda is a producer of Ambassador of Music Awards and an advocate for Mental Health Awareness. She has two great children, Eulogia and Akil Goree and two stepchildren, Desiree Sideroff Michels and Alexandra Sideroff. Thanks to individuals like Mrs. Freda Sideroff, the knowledge of Belize’s richness in culture and diversity has been able to be promoted and spread in the US and the world.
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Liborio "Lee" Ramiro Gomez
On behalf of the Honorary Consul and staff, we extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Ramiro Gomez. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We remember Mr. Ramiro for being a loyal reader of this newsletter, having not missed reading one edition since he signed up. May he rest in peace.
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March 11, 1941 - November 21, 2019
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Register as a Belizean in Florida
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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WHAT'S TRENDING
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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KTLA 5 News Interviews Destinee Arnold
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Video Credit: Miss Universe Belize
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BelizeINVEST Participating at t
he International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC)
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Recipe of The Month
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Pumpkin Sweets- Dulce de Calabaza
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Photo credit: M
y Beautiful Belize
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History:
Pumpkins are believed to have originated in Central America thousands of years ago; the oldest domesticated pumpkin seeds being discovered in the Oaxaca Highlands of Mexico. Whether used for a pie, pudding, cake, soup, Challah, or for the recipe of this month, you can't deny that pumpkins will always reign supreme once Falls rolls in.
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Ingredients:
- 4 Lbs Squash
- 1 1/2 pounds of brown sugar
- One (1) cinnamon stick
- Between 8-10 cloves
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Preparation:
- Cut up the squash into even cubes.
- Disolve the sugar, letting it caramelize slowly over low heat ( it would add the color needed for the squash).
- Once fully disolved, slowly drop in the chunks of squash and toss gently.
- Slowly add enough water as needed to cover the squash mixture.
- Toss in the cinnamon stick and cloves.
- Let simmer slowly, adding water every so often while stirring. Let simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
- Once the squash has cooked down and the brown sugar has thickened into a syrupy consistency, it’s done.
- Serve with fresh cream or (evaporated milk) or vanilla ice-cream and Enjoy!
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ICJ - Be Informed
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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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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Upcoming Events
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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End of The World Marathon and Half Marathon
Placencia, Belize
December 8th, 2019
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Belize Krismus Brukdong Festival
Belize City, Belize
December 21st, 2019
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