The Consulate of Belize in Florida
Monthly Newsletter
#rememberitsgoodtobebelizean #thewaitisover
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Honorary Consul's Monthly Message
Welcome to the December Monthly Newsletter!
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It is now only two days until Christmas and the excitement of the young and old still lives in all of us. For the young, it’s experiencing new moments waiting for Christmas morning eagerly anticipating the presents under the tree with the hope that, that one special toy wished for arrived. For the older, it’s the wonderful memories of Christmas past and creating new ones with the children around us that make Christmas special. No matter how old we are, let’s channel the excited child in all of us and enjoy the magic of Christmas!
For the first 11 years of my life while living on Albert and Dean Street in Belize City, we celebrated Christmas in my grandmother’s house and they register in my mind and heart as the best of times. We celebrated with all the old Belizean Christmas traditions when my grandmother painted, varnished and polished the whole house until it shone. The fresh linoleum would also make its way into the house putting a new face to the kitchen floors.
Even today the smell of paint and linoleum takes me back to those days like the delicious aroma of fruit cakes, white cakes and ham drifting from the oven, filling the house with pure joy which I will always remember and cherish. And of course, the music, what would Christmas be without the beautiful carols and songs to get us in the spirit. In this edition, we listed some of the old traditions still practiced in some of the districts of Belize and music plays a big role in each.
For many of us, the nostalgia of those days gone by are comforting and hopeful for joyous times ahead. We hope that we continue some of these family traditions but however way you choose to celebrate Christmas, we hope that love, joy and peace ring throughout all your days because true peace and joy comes from Christ whose birth we are celebrating and because of Him, we always have hope in our lives.
We wish you the most wonderful 2022, filled with good health, peace and joy. Have a very Happy New Year!
On December 1st we commemorated World Aids Day, the first official global health day which started in 1988 in response to the AIDs Pandemic. Today, there have been numerous scientific advancements that have helped decrease the spread of HIV infections and treat the disease to the point where it is no longer a death sentence. This year the United Nations Slogan was “End Inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics.” I invite you to watch Prime Minister John Briceño and H.E. Mrs. Rossana Briceño’s message of support to those affected by HIV and their informative statements to further improve our understanding of this disease.
This month, H.E. Mrs. Briceño was recognized for her 29 years of service to the community and the country. Before becoming Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children, H.E. Mrs. Briceño served as Principal for St. Peters Anglican School where she dedicated herself to the children and education system of Belize. More recently, on December 15th, she helped inaugurate The Hope Haven Domestic Violence Outreach Center in San Pedro, which offers counseling services, parenting workshops, empowerment sessions, among other resources for victims of domestic abuse. We thank you for all that you do for our community.
Furthermore, this month saw various advancements in the digital arena. Starting with the official launch of the digital library of laws. Now you will be able to access information regarding Belize laws and your rights by entering the Attorney General’s Ministry website, www.agm.gov.bz . Additionally, The National Digital Agenda will be beginning in 2022. This plan aims to make different legal processes available online, such as applying for a passport, getting a copy of your birth certificate, or applying for a piece of land. Indeed, these are exciting times for Belize.
Belize is open for business and having additional air carriers come to Belize is one important way to open up more business opportunities. Frontier Airlines made its inaugural flight to Belize from Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 11th . The airline which has built its reputation on offering great fares shared they will also be offering competitive perks such as better baggage and seating policies, as well as different refund options. Hopefully many of you can take advantage of these perks in time for the holidays!
This season was anything but short of outstanding Belizeans. Starting with Belize’s Ek Balam Team, who won the title of World Champions for the sport Poktapok after competing against Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
My dear friend, whom I had the honor of working for as a young Foreign Service Officer when he was the CEO at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador David Gibson, and who remains my lifetime mentor, in his capacity as Coordinator of the Centre for Strategic Studies, Policy Analysis and Research, nominated a pair of non-governmental organizations devoted to conservation and development across disputed Belizean-Guatemalan borderlands. The award was made to Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) and its Guatemalan counterpart, Asociación Balam by Durham University’s 2021 Milefsky Prize.
And we even made history as Tony Rocha was the first Belizean to win the United States Major League Soccer Championship. This holiday season brought with it even more cheer and joy! Congratulations to all of you!
This edition’s Star of the Month showcases an impressive interview that takes place between the Los Angeles Tribune and Belizean – American Inventor Mr. Andre Gray, who has been described as “The Godfather of Internet Inventions” and as one of the most “Prolific, impactful and original inventors in history”. I invite you to read about this talented Belizean and his trajectory within the Tech industry, you will be amazed to learn how many of his outstanding inventions are used daily by people around the world.
Also in this edition, Belize saw the launch of an infusion suite at The Juliet Soberanis Belize Cancer Society with the support and collaboration of the Belize Cancer Center in Dangriga. This state-of-the-art Infusion suite was made possible by the generous donations of large and small donors. First among these, is Global Reach Health through their Global Reach Foundation, a Miami based Company whose core business is providing specialty medications for catastrophic illnesses. Wayne Talamas, his wife Marlena, a Belizean and their partner Sergio Ruiz, saw the need and responded.
Marlena is the granddaughter of Dr. Clarence James McCleary, Fellowship of International College of Surgeons (FICS) and Mrs. Frances McCleary who was given recognition by the Belize Cancer Society for Dr. McCleary’s contribution to medicine in Belize for over a quarter century (1955-80), when Dr. McCleary established The Holden Memorial Hospital and brought quality medical care to Belize. It was a huge undertaking and we wish the new infusion suite every success for the future. Please find Mrs. Talamas opening speech here, Address by Mrs. Marlena Talamas.
Finally, in celebration of the holiday season, we included a delicious recipe for Rum Popo, sure enough to satisfy your sweet cravings and lift the spirits more! Be sure to check it out under our Street Food Series section. And for our Recipe of the Month, we included a juicy Christmas Ham recipe with hints of sweet and savory flavors (Belizean style!)
Do not forget to check out the section “Upcoming Events” to find out more about scholarship opportunities, school drives, and other events.
Enjoy scrolling through the news in the areas of tourism, community engagement, the environment, and much more in this edition:
- Watch Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño’s Message for World AIDs Day.
- Learn about Belize’s Amnesty Program Being Launched in 2022 and how it will Affect CARICOM Migrants.
- View Ambassador H.E. Lynn Young’s monthly message from Washington, DC.
- Read about Belize’s National Digital Agenda and the Impact it Promises for the Country’s Further Development.
- Learn about Scholarship Opportunities in Hungary and Colombia.
- Find Out What Belizean Product is Getting Ready to be Sold in the European Market!
- Learn About the Belizean Organization that Won this Year’s Durham University’s Milefsky Award.
- Check out Frontier Airlines’ New Flights from the U.S. to Belize.
- Learn About the New Therapy Clinics Being Offered in Belize for People with Disabilities.
- Get inspired by our Belizean Star of the Month, Acclaimed Inventor Mr. Andre Gray.
- Check out our upcoming events where we share different activities that are being held next month.
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 to serve you better, the Consulate of Belize in Florida continues to conduct phone calls to its constituents to confirm each contact’s information. We appreciate your cooperation and support in sharing your contact information. This is 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 could even be you!
Enjoy and share with your friends.
And remember, it is good to be Belizean!
#rememberitsgoodtobebelizean #thewaitisover #staysafe
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Janine Sylvestre
Hon. Consul of Belize in Florida
Trade Representative of Belize in Florida
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Prime Minister's Christmas Message 2021 |
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We invite you to watch a special holiday message from the Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño. |
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Message on World AIDS Day. |
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A Joint Message from Prime Minister Hon. John Briceno and H.E. Rossana Briceno, Special Envoy for the Development of Families & Children on the Commemoration of World AIDS Day.
"Every year on December 1st, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. Belize joins people around the globe in unity to show support to those infected and affected by HIV, and to remember too who lost their lives to this tragic disease. This year's world AIDS day theme is end inequalities, end AIDS, and end pandemics."
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Hon. John Briceno on UNICEF's Anniversary of Belize |
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I congratulate UNICEF Belize as the organization celebrates 75 years of partnership and service to children in our country. Our gratitude to the entire national and international staff working in country with our government and Civil society partners. |
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Congratulations H.E. Mrs. Rossana Briceño for 29 years of Service! |
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"A day of giving thanks with partners of the Anglican Diocese of Belize. I truly appreciate the recognition for 29 years of service to community and country as Principal at St. Peter's Anglican School. Education is my vocation." |
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Minister of Foreign Affairs Eamon Courtenay in his role as Senator for Government Business announced that G.O.B., through the Ministry of Immigration will be launching an Amnesty Program in 2022. It will be offered to tens of thousands of undocumented Central American and CARICOM migrants who have been living in Belize for years. Today, senior officials from the Ministry of Immigration broke down the process and why it is being deemed necessary. |
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Discussions on Agriculture Trade |
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Ministers Eamon Courtenay, Abelardo Mai and Ramon Cervantes lead their teams on discussions today to define the country's parameters in agricultural trade as Belize moves to grow trade with Guatemala and Mexico. |
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Ta’Amay Center for Training Headquarters |
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Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay together with the Director of the OAS Office in the AZ & Mayor of Benque Viejo Del Carmen signed an agreement to install the Ta’Amay Center for Training Headquarters. |
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Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan) Hold the Second Disbursement Ceremony for Beneficiaries of the Women Empowerment Project in Belize |
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Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, today signed a memorandum of understanding with Mrs. Michiyo Hashiguchi, resident coordinator for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), on the Development of Agriculture Cooperatives and the Improvement of Management Capacity. |
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Mexico has been a strong regional bilateral partner to Belize over the years. On December 16, the Prime Minister had a courtesy call from Mexican Ambassador Her Excellency Martha Zamarripa Rivas and the President of Comparmex (Chamber of Commerce) Quintana Roo Sergio Leon. Belize has been invited to participate in the upcoming business summit in that Mexican State. |
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MCC’s Board Selects Belize & Zambia for Grant Assistance
“I am excited to announce MCC’s new partnerships with Belize and Zambia,” said MCC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Mahmoud Bah. “These governments have demonstrated a clear commitment to democratic governance, investing in people, and pursuing economic freedom. We look forward to working together to develop programs that reduce poverty and enable sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”
Selecting Belize for a compact allows MCC to partner with a country that has demonstrated a clear commitment to democratic governance, but that is facing rising poverty rates and significant challenges to economic growth. With this new partnership, MCC will support the Government of Belize’s efforts to build economic resilience and address its most binding constraints to growth.
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Dear members of the Belizean Community,
As I pen this message, we are five days away from Christmas. Everyone is busy with their final preparations and many of our diaspora have gone back to Belize to spend the holidays at home. It is a happy time. But the shadow of the Pandemic continues to loom over us. All hopes of spending a “normal Christmas” have been dashed with the discovery of the Omicron variant. We must now be very careful to practice all the protocols and if you have not yet been vaccinated, then please do so, and take good care of yourself. Although the Omicron has not been identified in Belize yet, it is just a matter of time. This is especially disappointing because Belize has only now been getting over the spike caused by the Delta variant.
Despite the gloomy news on the COVID front, we have much to celebrate. The Belizean economy has been turning the corner, and 2022 is expected to continue that trend.
Meanwhile, here in the US, we were made aware of another Belizean American doing fantastic things and making us proud. Andre Gray was interviewed by the Los Angeles Tribune which recognized him as “one of the most prolific, impactful and original inventors in the entire history of the world”!! The interview can be read by clicking the following link Read More
Andre was also unanimously selected by the editors of the Washington Mail as their Person of the year! You can read that article here Read More.
We are of course very proud of Andre who was born in Belize City and has plans to assist young children in Belize to achieve and be the best that they can be. Indeed, we are very proud and grateful to all the Belizeans in the Diaspora who have been very successful and continue to reach out to assist our young generation back home.
I am also very happy to tell you about some of the work that the Attorney General’s office is doing back home. The AG’s office has been working at a record pace to revise and update the laws of Belize, some of which still reflect outdated principles from colonial times. These changes are an important element of the Government’s efforts to make it easier to do business in Belize. In addition, efforts are underway to digitize all the government services. One service that is set to benefit from this initiative is that of Vital Statistics. We look forward to the successful completion of these initiatives which in addition to making government business more efficient, will make it much easier for us in the diaspora to engage in the development back home.
These and other efforts by the government has not gone unnoticed. This month, Belize and Zambia were selected by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for a grant assistance. The MCC is an independent U.S. foreign assistance agency whose purpose is to help lead the fight against global poverty. In selecting Belize and Zambia, the MCC’s acting CEO Mahmoud Bah said “These governments have demonstrated a clear commitment to democratic governance, investing in people, and pursuing economic freedom. We look forward to working together to develop programs that reduce poverty and enable sustainable and inclusive economic growth.” Successful countries have in the past, received grants worth hundreds of millions of dollars, so Belize stands to benefit significantly, in addition to the recognition of our work in improving good governance.
To find out more on the website of the MCC Click Here
The last two years have been two of the most difficult years the world has faced, and Belize has had its share of problems brought on by the pandemic and related economic challenges. Nonetheless, we welcome the new year with much excitement and hope. Truly there is a deeper awareness as we wish each other “Merry Christmas and a most prosperous new year”.
Do enjoy it wherever you are, but remember the protocols, and be safe!!
Sincerely,
His Excellency Lynn R. Young
Ambassador of Belize to the United States of America
& Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States
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Special Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Wu |
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The Embassy of Belize to the United States of America received a kind donation of 10,000 professional face masks to help combat the COVID-19 Pandemic in Belize.
The donation was made by Mr. and Mrs. David Wu, friends of Belize and Belizean Diaspora living in the United States of America. The donation was sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration of Belize for further distribution to those institutions in need. The Embassy of Belize on behalf of the Government of Belize extends our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. David Wu for this generous gift.
Sincerely,
His Excellency Lynn R. Young
Ambassador of Belize to the United States of America
& Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States
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For a Full List of This Month's Government Press Releases Please Click the Button Below |
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Garifuna Jankunu Dance
In Dangriga, Christmas afternoon is normally reserved for Wanaragua or Jankunu. The dance became common during the Christmas time because it was the only time that the families had free to come together and make fun of their European slave masters. Now, days after Christmas, there is a Jankunu competition in Dangriga which is a competition between the senior Jankunu dancers of Southern Belize – namely Dangriga and Seine Bight.
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Maya Deer Dance
This dance is popular in the Santa Cruz area and is performed by 24 dancers dressed in colorful costumes. These dancers include a jaguar, a joker, a man dressed as an old woman, a man dressed as a maiden, a hunter, 2 dogs, some soldiers and 6 deer. The Deer Dance tells the story of a maiden being kidnapped by the jaguar who is then pursued by the hunter. While this is happening, the two dogs will chase the deer as the joker makes fun of everyone.
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Las Posadas
Las Posadas is celebrated in Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo, and begins on December 16th. This nine-day tradition involves prayers, music, songs, dances and food. The celebration begins when the Santos (saints – normally statues of Mary and Joseph) are taken from the Church through a procession of marimba music, candles and fire displays leading to a preselected home.
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Christmas Dinner
Food preparations for Christmas day begin from Christmas Eve, and the grand meal consists of rice and beans, potato salad, turkey, breadcrumb stuffing, cranberry jelly with cherry and pineapple embellished ham. Mestizo’s usually celebrate Christmas with white relleno consisting of chicken with stuffed pork and mechado olives served with hot corn tortillas. Majority of Mayans celebrate with chicken tamales as their traditional meal.
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Christmas Tree Lighting
The Christmas tree lighting has been an annual tradition in Belize City where everyone would gather at the Battlefield Park to witness the Mayor lighting the tall Christmas tree officially kicking off the Christmas season in Belize. Now, the occasion has moved to Mule Park.
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Midnight Mass
With a large portion of the population belonging to the Christian faith, midnight mass is an integral part of the Belizean culture. Everyone puts on their finest outfit and heads out to their church to celebrate the birth of Jesus with joyful singing and prayers to bring in Christmas morning.
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Belize’s First National Digital Agenda |
To enter a period of rapid and disruptive transformation, the E-Governance and Digitalization Unit under the Ministry of Youth, Sports & E-Governance successfully launched Belize’s first National Digital Agenda 2022-2025: Towards a Digital Belize. The four-year National Digital Agenda will serve as the Government of Belize’s integrated transformation and modernization plan to address key areas from digital infrastructure and connectivity programs to inclusion, open government, innovation, and new technologies application programs to achieve a digitally enabled society and public administration. Watch the video below to learn more about the National Digital Agenda. |
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Tony Rocha Makes History! First Belizean to Win United States MLS Championship |
The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) has congratulated Tony Rocha, the first Belizean to win the United States Major League Soccer (MLS) championship. Rocha’s team, New York City FC (NYCFC), on Saturday won the MLS Cup 4-2 in a penalty-kick shootout over then homestanding Portland Timbers in Portland after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes of play.
“The Football Federation of Belize takes this opportunity to congratulate Tony Rocha and his club the New York City FC for claiming the championship title in the Major League Soccer Cup,” wrote the FFB on Facebook. “It’s always a great day when Belize is represented on the big screen!! FFB congratulates you Tony Rocha! Thanks for representing the jewel.”
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Belize Turmeric Producer Naledo Soon to Sell Products in Europe |
Belizean turmeric paste produced by Naledo will soon be selling in Europe in countries like Switzerland, Germany, and France after the company signed a distribution deal with Swiss distributor Sparkling Revolutions SA. The agreement took three years to complete after Naledo participated in SIAL, the world’s largest food innovation exhibition, in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the initial interest by Sebastian Möbius at Sparkling Revolutions but it was rekindled in 2020. The first shipment to Europe will consist of 1,500 bottles of Naledo’s flagship ‘Truly Turmeric’ paste in two flavours – original and black pepper.
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Belize Joins Regional
2022-2026 United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
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Belize has become the first of 18 countries in the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean to officially launch the new 2022-2026 United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (MSDCF).
On Thursday, Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration of Belize, and Birgit Gerstenberg, United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) for Belize and El Salvador, signed the papers at a ceremony at the Leigh Richardson Building in Belmopan.
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Inauguration of the Hope Haven Domestic Violence Outreach Center |
Watch the inauguration of the Hope Haven Domestic Violence Outreach Center that took place in San Pedro on Wednesday, December 15th 2021. Stakeholders, donors, volunteers and Hope Haven Family met to take the first step in addressing the Domestic Violence situation on the island. This project could not have been completed without Mr. Mike and Lydia Brown, the center's Directors and staff and especially our donors. |
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Prime Minister John Briceño and Mayor Bernard Wagner Celebrate Senior Citizen’s Birthday |
Leonora Patnett is celebrating her 108th birthday today, making her among Belize City’s oldest residents, and she had two special guests in town to help her celebrate – Mayor Bernard Wagner and Prime Minister John Briceño. Born in 1913, Mrs. Leonora was around for some of the earliest events in modern Belizean history. |
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Frontier Airlines Warmly Welcomed to Belize |
Frontier has made its name on “low fares done right,” which means not only lower airfares – US$168 from Orlando to Belize next Saturday – but also options for baggage, seating, refunds, and other hassles larger airlines are clumsier with. The flights are once a week each, on Saturday, from Denver (Flight F964 arriving at 1:24 Belize time and leaving at 3:55 Belize time) and Orlando (Flight F955 arriving at 2:50 p.m. and leaving at 4:29 p.m. Belize time). |
Belize’s Ek’Balam are the World Poktapok Champions |
Belize’s Ek’Balam Team has returned home after successfully defending their title as the World Poktapok Champions over the weekend in Merida, Mexico. In solidifying their place as the best players in the world, Ek’Balam won every single game against their competitors from Mexico, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. A ceremony was held for the victors in Orange Walk Town. |
San Francisco-Based Publication Highlights Several Destinations in Belize for Travelers Seeking Overwater Bungalows |
The San Franciso-based SFGate is helping travelers find an over-water bungalow experience without having to go all the way to Bora-Bora, and resorts in Belize showed up on the list three times.
SFGate’s recent article “12 overwater bungalows closer to the U.S. than Bora Bora” list the accommodations, countries, and prices allowing travelers to find something within their budget. The article featured the private island Little Peter Oasis, private bungalows in Hopkins, and award-winning Cayo Espanto.
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Savemart - The New Superstore in Belize |
Every new investment or business expansion is an expression of entrepreneurial belief in our economy. "This morning, I stood alongside the Punjabi family helping to cut the ribbon and open Savemart Superstore. It’s a modern store with a wide variety of facilities including a beauty parlor, barber shop, coffee shop and phone center.
We thank the Punjabi family for showing great confidence in the country." - PM John Briceño
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Black Orchid Resort to launch first-ever Belize River Valley Wine Festival |
The Black Orchid Resort (BOR) in Burrell Boom Village, Belize District, brought together lovers of local wine and producers of local wine from the Belize River Valley for its first-ever wine festival held on December 19 which featured live music by the Black Orchid Resort Jazz Ensemble. |
Better Belize It: You don’t Have to Choose Between Surf or Turf Fun |
Travelers seeking rum cocktails and glassy warm waters go to Bimini. Nature nuts hoping to capture capuchins with their Canons go to Costa Rica.
But those longing for the best of both, should check their suitcases all the way in sunny Belize. Often overlooked for its more famous Caribbean neighbors, the pandemic has given quarantine-weary travelers new reason to Be-lize in the tiny costal country.
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Belize City Gets its Own Cancer Centre
Marlena and Wayne Talamas
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Since October 2008, the Belize Cancer Centre in Dangriga has been providing care to patients across the country and from abroad. The center’s main purpose, according to its official website, is to improve lives and restore hope through holistic oncology services. Fast forward some thirteen years after its opening, the center and its partners have realized another milestone with a second center in Belize City.
The Belizean community thanks donors such as Marlena Talamas, her husband Wayne Talamas, Sergio Ruiz, owners of Global Reach Health who made the donation through Global Reach Foundation. This Organization's mission is to help the most disadvantaged. Making this tremendous donation will fill the need to help those suffering with cancer finally get access to the help they need. This donation was organized through their Belizean counterpart, Commonwealth Trading Corp., owned by Mrs. Maria Elena Sylvestre and Mother of Marlena Talamas.
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New Therapy Clinics in Belize |
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The Government of Belize is partnering with Autism Belize and Therapy Adventures, a Chicago-based organization, to offer therapy clinics for people with disabilities in Belize starting in 2022. The stakeholders held their first meeting on December 1st and we spoke to a few of them about their respective roles in the project. |
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The Research for Durham University’s Centre for Borders Research, has awarded its fourth annual Raymond Milefsky Award to a pair of non-governmental organizations devoted to conservation and development across disputed Belizean-Guatemalan borderlands. The award is being made to the Belizean non-governmental organization Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) and its Guatemalan counterpart, Asociación Balam.
Ambassador David Gibson, Coordinator of Centre for Strategic Studies, Policy Analysis & Research (CSSPAR) nominated the FCD for the Raymond Milefsky award.
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The following two videos are a part of the National AIDS Commission's ongoing World AIDS Day communications campaign, created in partnership with UNDP Belize and the Ministry of Health & Wellness. |
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New Digital Library of Belize's Laws |
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Belize has updated and consolidated its laws and released its digital library of revised edition 2020 laws of Belize. You can access them by clicking the button below. |
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President Joe Biden Nominates 2-Time Olympic Medalist Michelle Kwan as Ambassador to Belize |
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Over 6.3 million visitors thus far at Expo 2020 Dubai and it’s only going up from here. Visit the Belize pavilion in the Opportunity District to learn about our Diverse Cultures, Tourist Attractions, Investment and Trade Opportunities. |
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Belize Travel Health & Safety |
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Things to Know Before Traveling to Belize |
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- Vaccinated travelers must present a vaccination record card, with full inoculation completed at least two weeks before their arrival into Belize.
- Persons entering Belize are no longer required to download and complete the Belize Health App prior to arriving.
- International tourists must book a stay at a Gold Standard hotel and present confirmation at immigration.
- All travelers must present a negative PCR Test taken within 96 hours of travel or a Negative Rapid Test taken within 48 hours of travel.
- You can also take a Covid-19 Test at the airport upon arrival, the cost is $50 USD per person, and only positive cases will receive a notification within 24 hours.
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Belize Tourism Board and Diaspora Relations |
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Discover #SICCS, the Tourism Quality Seal of Central American Countries
The seals of tourism quality are imposed at international level. They guarantee the quality of tourism services and reinforce the confidence of tourists. Discover #SICCS, the Tourism Quality Seal of Central American countries and how it can help improve your business. Raymond Mossiah, Chief Tourism Officer in the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, talks about how the #SICCS seal can help tourism businesses.
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Trade and Investment Tidbits |
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Belize and Taiwan to Strike Trade Deal
Belize and Taiwan are looking to finalize an economic trade agreement that would see import taxes reduced on Belizean goods going into Taiwan. The agreement will also see Taiwan benefiting from lower taxes on some thirty-three Taiwanese industrial products coming into Belize.
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Miss Earth Belize Makes History
Destiny Wagner returned home to Belize over the weekend, bringing with her the title of Miss Earth 2021, a victory that has made Belizean history. Yahoo News reports that Wagner is the second “black woman” to ever win the pageant since its launch back in April 2001.
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The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is the primary cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Belize. Based in Belize City and built during 1812 to 1820 with bricks that had been used as ballast aboard ships, it was the first church to be built in the colony of British Honduras.
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English Translation:
The days break one by one.
Meaning:
Time slowly changes all things.
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Let us preserve and protect our historical landmarks & protected sites |
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An Exclusive Interview with Great Inventor Andre Gray |
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As one of the most prolific, impactful and original inventors in the entire history of the world, Belizean-American inventor Andre Gray is responsible for many of the technologies we use today as a regular part of our daily lives. Indeed, he single-handedly revolutionized the internet and smartphone in their infancy and infused them with artificial intelligence. As the winner of the one-time, highly prestigious Johannes Gutenberg Inventor Prize in 2002, Gray is often cited as being responsible for at least 80% of how smartphones work and just as high a percentage of how the internet works, thanks to his invention of the world’s first internet bot–”inkling” in 1988. Since creating the “Internet Big Bang” on August 8, 1988, Gray has been ranked as the world’s No.1 inventor every year for the past three decades by various publications from around the world and he is widely regarded as one of the five greatest inventors of all time. We know a lot about his inventions and even certain aspects of his adult life that informed his inventions, but little about the childhood of this lone genius, so that will be the focus of this interview. But before we start the interview, here is a list of all the inventions solely credited to Andre Gray
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Starting in 2022 and beyond, I will turn some of my attention to my birth country of Belize. I want to work closely with every single orphanage in the country on initiatives like providing each orphan with his or her own laptop or tablet, building a STEM lab in every orphanage, giving each orphan a Raspberry Pi or an equivalent device, and paying for their IT certification exams like IC3, which is a global certification. As for my future inventions, I am working on multiple inventions at the moment and I feel quite optimistic about them. Also, a building in Hartford, CT will be named in my honor that will serve as the city’s largest after-school STEM program with very high technical standards. There are also two more proposed buildings in North Carolina that will be named after me and offer the same STEM curriculum. One thing is for certain, if I am going to lend my name to a building and STEM program, the building aesthetics would have to be on a five-star level and the STEM program itself would have to be second to none or the deal will not happen. |
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We are proud to call you
our Star of the Month!
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Our deep condolences to the families of Belizeans at home and abroad who have lost their lives to COVID-19.
May they rest in peace.
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Ministry of Education and cultural stakeholders mourn the loss of Myrna Manzanares
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By Benjamin Flowers: The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology (MOECST), and many other cultural stakeholders under its purview, have joined in mourning the passing of culture icon, literary artist, and educator, Myrna Manzanares (M.B.E.).
The MOECST joined along with the Institute for Social & Cultural Research (ISCR), Institute of Creative Arts (ICA), National Institute of Culture & History (NICH) to express sadness at Manzanares’s passing and reflect on her contributions to Belize. Read more
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Street Food Series:
Rum popo
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Ingredients
- 3 Tins of Condensed Milk
- 3 Large Tins of Evaporated Milk
- 3 Nutmegs
- 1 Pint of Caribbean Gold
- 6 Eggs
- Powder Cinnamon (additional)
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Directions
- Open and mix the condensed milk and evaporated milk together in a bowl.
- Beat the eggs into the mixture well.
- Pour in the Caribbean gold and beat again.
- Grater the nutmeg over the mixture and stir well.
- Add cinnamon for addition taste. (Not mandatory)
- Pour the mixture into a bottle and refrigerate before serving.
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Recipe of the Month:
Belizean Christmas Ham
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Ingredients
For Ham:
Directions
- Place ham fat side up in roasting pan.
- Spread Grace Yellow Mustard over surface of ham.
- Roast (covered with foil) approximately 13-17 minutes per pound.
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Remove ham 20 minutes before finishing.
- Remove any skin.
- Cut ham's fat surface in uniform diamond shapes and insert cloves in each diamond.
- Brush on glaze.
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Bake 10 minutes (uncovered).
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Reapply glaze and cook for another 10-20 minutes or until glaze brown.
- Ham should be 135 degrees in center to ensure that cooking is complete.
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Missed an Issue of our monthly newsletter? |
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November 2021, VOL. 82 Read More
October 2021, VOL. 81 Read More
September 2021, VOL. 81. Read More
August 2021, VOL. 80. Read More
July 2021, VOL. 79 Read More
June 2021, VOL. 78 Read More
May 2021, VOL. 77 Read More
April 2021, VOL. 76 Read More
March 2021, VOL. 75 Read More
February 2021, VOL. 74 Read More
January 2021, VOL. 73. Read More
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Upcoming Events
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean #thewaitisover
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Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships |
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Applications are now open for the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) - a unique opportunity to study a two-year Master’s degree in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country.
Closing date: 10 January at 16:00 UTC
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The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program was established by the Hungarian Government to promote the internationalization of Hungarian higher education and to attract top foreign students from all around the world who can establish personal and professional
attachments to Hungary while enjoying high-quality education in the heart of Europe. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) of Belize and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary signed an MOU of Cooperation within the Frameworks of the Stipendium Hungaricum Program for the Years 2020-2023. This MOU provides scholarships for Belizean nationals to pursue university studies in Hungary.
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