Consulate of Belize in Florida Newsletter January 2022

January 2022 Vol 85

The Consulate of Belize in Florida

Monthly Newsletter

#rememberitsgoodtobebelizean #thewaitisover

Honorary Consul's Monthly Message

Welcome to the January Monthly Newsletter!

We are delighted to share the Consulate of Belize’s first newsletter of 2022 with you all. As you may notice, we decided to make some changes to this month’s edition to highlight specific topics and information we think might be of interest.

We thank those who took the time to lend us some feedback. Because of you, the readership for this newsletter has grown beyond our expectations and as it continues to evolve and grow, we will always keep the beautiful Jewel and people of Belize with all the positive news and accomplishments at the forefront of this newsletter.

If there are other news, events, or other topics you would like to read more about in our newsletter please reach out to us through our website “Consulate of Belize in Florida”. We value our readers’ input and strive to create a web presence that offers resources, entertainment, and positive news for our Belizeans at home and abroad.

In this edition, we have separated news into different groups, and we invite you to check out our Business and Markets News, Trending Topics, and our Scholarships Opportunities section to learn more about amazing educational opportunities abroad in countries like Turkey, Romania, and Taiwan, among others.

Belize is Open for Business, and we invite you to keep Belize in mind when deciding to invest. In the upcoming editions, we will be providing you with the necessary information you may need before embarking on investing in Belize.

We also included Build Belize, a new non-profit organization whose objective is to contribute to the overall socio-economic development of Belize. To learn more about the organization and different ways you could contribute to the kids of Belize’s education, we invite you to see this section and check out the different programs that are being offered.

Lastly, we upgraded the Recipe of the Month section to showcase how you can create gourmet recipes with Belizean ingredients, so make sure you check it out! This month’s menu is a delightful herb pan-seared snook with pumpkin puree and for the Street Food Series, we chose the Belizean favorite, garnachas!

As for 2022, let it be about carpe diem (seize the moment), because if there is anything we have understood more than anything since 2020, is that life is indeed very fragile. So, while exercising a great deal of caution in these precarious times, let us at the same time be unapologetic about seizing every moment in life with gusto, leaving behind fear, because fear brings us unnecessary worry that does not solve anything. Together, with faith, love and hope let’s welcome 2022!

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

All my best,

‌

Janine Sylvestre

Hon. Consul of Belize in Florida

Trade Representative of Belize in Florida

Prime Minister Briceño Begins His Tenure as the Chair of CARICOM

“The community is putting in place the platforms to drive growth and sustainable development with thoughtful and thorough strategies and plans particularly in the key sectors of tourism, agriculture, and information and communications technology (ICT) " Read More

Prime Minister's Message on Leadership

Leadership is about stepping to the plate... being in the right place at the right time to represent country and build beneficial relations. Here I am alongside 🇺🇸 Vice President Kamala Harris at the inauguration of Honduras’ first female President. Read More

Prime Minister attends the Presidential Inauguration in Honduras

Prime Minister John Briceño, accompanied by Foreign Minister Honourable Eamon Courtenay and CEO H.E. Amalia Mai arrived in Tegucigalpa for the Presidential Inauguration. Read More

CELAC Foreign Ministers Summit 2022 Held in Argentina

Minister Eamon Courtenay represented Belize in CELAC 2022 Summit, hosted in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) is an intergovernmental mechanism for dialogue and political coordination comprised of 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries. Read More

Belize Acts as Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from 1 January to 30 June 2022.

As part of its Chairmanship, Belize will host the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM from 28 February to 1 March 2022. Read More

Belize Co-Chairs Successful Colombia-CARICOM Ministerial Summit

Оn Јаnuаrу 28, Міnіѕtеr оf Fоrеіgn Аffаіrѕ оf Веlіzе Еаmоn Соurtеnау аnd Соlоmbіаn соuntеrраrt Маrtа Luсíа Rаmírеz со-сhаіrеd thе ѕесоnd Соlоmbіа-САRІСОМ Міnіѕtеrіаl Ѕummіt іn Ваrrаnquіllа, Соlоmbіа. Read More

Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets with Costa Rican Foreign Minister

H.E. Solano Quirós and Minister Courtenay agreed to pursue tangible areas of political dialogue and international cooperation including exploring new areas of generating foreign trade, agriculture cooperation, foreign direct investments and improving the human development index. Read More

Dear Members of the Belizean Community,

The first month of 2022 is now history. We continue to hope for better times, but here in the USA and back home in Belize, the pandemic struggle continues to weigh us down. Despite not being as virulent as the Delta variant, the Omicron variant has proven to be just as devastating because of its higher transmissibility and its ability to evade immune systems whether that immunity was from prior infection or vaccination. The good news if there can be any is that the vaccines continue to be effective in preventing severe illness, and booster shots are even more effective. So, we continue to urge everyone to get vaccinated! It is certainly disappointing to see our vaccination rate in Belize stuck just below 50% when we know that life will not return to pre-pandemic normal until enough of us are vaccinated to make the COVID-19 start behaving like just another Flu.

Despite the continuing challenge of the Pandemic, there is good reason to expect improvements in 2022. The Belizean economy is once again growing, thanks in no small part to the green bond initiative as well as the attention given to other sectors of the economy that were languishing. And so, we continue to position ourselves well so that we can experience a solid rebound soon.

I want to take this opportunity to publicly thanks Ms. Carolyn McKenzie who will be retiring at the end of this month from her post as Belize’s Vice-Consul in Los Angeles. Ms. Mckenzie diligently served for fourteen years, and we are grateful to her for all that she has done. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

I also ask you to join me in welcoming Ms. Yvette Gentle who will assume the post of Vice-Consul in Los Angeles. Ms Gentle who has already settled in, is a Public Servant with many years of experience in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are certain that she will continue to serve with excellence in her new role and we look forward in working with her to provide our diaspora the best service possible.

Finally, to our Diaspora in the state of California, I want to apologize for the fact that the Diaspora Tour had to be postponed yet again. The COVID spike that was caused by the Omicron variant made it unsafe to hold public events at this time. So, the wise decision was made to postpone the tour until the experts deem it safe for us to have gatherings again. As soon as a new date is finalized, we will let everyone know.

Again, let’s look forward to 2022 with hope and renewed commitment to the betterment of our homeland despite the unprecedented challenges that we face today.

And if you haven’t done so already, get vaccinated!!

His Excellency Lynn R. Young

Ambassador of Belize to the United States of America

& Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States

2535 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.

Washington D.C. 20008

Tel: (202) 332-9636

Email: amb.usa@mfa.gov.bz

Website: belizeembassyusa.mfa.gov.bz

Government of Belize Highlights of the Month

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing Has Commenced Work оn thе Nеw Наulоvеr Вrіdgе, а Prојесt that Mаnаgеd tо Sаvе $30М Whіlе Prоvіdіng а Strоngеr, Wіdеr, Bеttеr-Dеѕіgnеd Brіdgе,” Read More

Minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde and Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise Jose Abelardo Mai busy helping with backyard gardens and greenhouses in Belize District Read More

Minister of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology (MoECST), Francis Fonseca, and Qatar Representative Discuss Educational and Cultural Cooperation Read More

Belize Hosts 2022 Central American Security Conference CENTSEC Read More

Tidbits

Visit our website

Belize Tourism Board Announces New Safe Travel Requirements

Effective Feb. 15, 2022, all visitors are required to apply for Belize Travel Health Insurance – a mandatory insurance that helps protect travelers against incurred medical and non-medical expenses, if they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Belize.

The cost of the policy is $18 USD and provides coverage for up to $50,000 USD in medical expenses related to treatment of COVID-19 for a period of 21 days.

Belize to Host West Africa – Latin America Trade & Investment Conference

Ms. Sheran Palacio, Mayor of Belmopan City, is set to host the West Africa - Latin America Trade and Investment Conference taking place in Belmopan from February 13th through the 20th. Read More

House of Culture Hosts George Price Exhibit

On the occasion of George Price Day and his birthday, the House of Culture (Belize City) has opened an exhibition on his life with images shared by his family. Learn More

The information you provide is strictly confidential and used for database purposes only.

Click Here to Register

Barbara McNab Grinage

Born in Belize City, Belize to Rosalee McNab née Gomez and former olympian Denfield McNab, Barbara is the 2nd of four children. She attended All Saints Primary School and subsequently completed approximately 2 1/2 years of high school at Saint Catherine's Academy before migrating to America with her family at the age of 15. During her tenure at Saint Catherine's Academy, she took home economics classes, and that's where her love of cooking was birthed. After first settling in Hialeah Florida, the family soon moved to Los Angeles, California to be close to extended family.

Barbara attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Los Angeles California, for her senior year and graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. She received a scholarship for music and attended the Eubanks Conservatory of Music and Arts, while simultaneously working on a degree in Radio Broadcasting at Los Angeles City College. Barbara graduated summa cum laude with an Associates Degree in Radio Broadcasting and a certificate in Television Broadcasting.

She had her first taste of entrepreneurship in 2002 when she and her husband started their bottle printing business in Bloomington, California. In 2010, while helping her husband Joe run the print shop, Barbara decided to try her hand at writing, and wrote 2 self-published books. One was autobiographical and the other was a cookbook of Belizean recipes. She then created her cooking show, "The Bare Pantry Show" on the YouTube platform as a means to sell her books. In 2018, Barbara decided to redo the Belizean cookbook to improve on it's quality, She renamed it "Beans & Rice Volume ll," and added more of her family's authentic Belizean recipes in this new edition.

In 2020 during the shut down due to the pandemic, Barbara wrote and self-published her second cookbook "The Pantry Laid Bare" a collection of recipes that features comfort dishes, and better than restaurant quality dishes for people to make at home. In 2021, Barbara realizing, that some people's household had gotten smaller due the pandemic, decided to write and publish another cookbook "No More Leftovers", that would include the small batch version of many of her classic recipes and the addition of some brand new recipes that she has presented on her popular cooking show.

"The Bare Pantry Show" has been streamed on YouTube for over 10 years and is just shy of 100,000 subscribers. It's also featured prominently on the Facebook platform since 2018 and boasts over 200,000 followers. The show features Barbara as the host and her husband and their 3 young adult children make appearances.

Barbara and her crew teach the viewers in an easy, fun style, how to make Belizean dishes and other dishes out of very few ingredients. She is an influencer on Amazon with many video reviews of the products she uses on her cooking show. Barbara says her greatest joy is being blessed with the opportunity to share her knowledge about the food and culture of her beautiful home country of Belize with the world.

To keep up to date with delicious Belizean recipes, click the links below.

Youtube: The Bare Pantry Show

Facebook: @barepantryshow

Instagram: @barepantryshow

Twitter: @barepantryshow

Amazon.com/shop/thebarepantryshow

Website: www.barepantryshow.com

We are proud to call you

our Star of the Month!

Belize is Open For Business

Learn About Different Investment Projects You Can Be a Part of, Click the Link to Read About Each Project's Company Information Read More

Browse Companies Showcased in Belize's Investment Summit and Match With the One That Best Suits Your Investment Needs. Read More

Belize and the World

Prime Minister, Special Envoy for Children & Families Meet with US Foundations Read More

Agreement that Abolishes Tourist Visas Between Russia and Belize Comes Into Force Read More

Political Leaders in Belize and the Legacy of George Price – Who will Rise to Lead the Next Generation? Read More

Economic Cooperation Agreement Between Belize and Taiwan Officially Takes Effect Read More

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Racing in Honor of Hon. George Cadle Price Day Read More

Cuba Awards 14 Scholarships to Belizeans to Further Studies in Cuba Read More

Belizean Kendis Gibson Joins CBS Miami As Morning Co-Anchor Read More

FFB Women’s Director Iris Centeno Receives a FIFA Education Scholarship to Pursue a UEFA Football Coaching Course in Spain Read More

Science, Technology, & Infrastructure

6 Newbie Tips for Comparing Cryptocurrencies Read More

Haulover Bridge Replacement Project Read More

Rural Transformation Project Bringing Access to Safe Potable Water for 800+ Households in Libertad & Concepcion Villages Read More

Business & the Market

Caye International Bank in Belize, Chaired by Joel Nagel, Named Best Offshore Bank in the Caribbean Community Read More

Belize’s Economy Set to Grow in 2022, ECLAC Report Read More

Belize to Benefit from Multi-Million-Dollar Grant Funding Provided by Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Read More

Belize Government to Invest $15 Million into Citrus Industry Read More

Trending Topics

Belizean Dr. Aisha Nicole Andrewin honored as Officer of the Order of the British Empire for public health services in Anguilla Read More

Belize has the 10th Most Powerful Passport in the Caribbean Read More

Climate Financing Accreditation Project Underway Read More

Belize Joins Central American Bicentennial Scholarships Program During Visit of CABEI President Read More

Scholarship Opportunities

OAS Scholarships Read More

Tuition and Living Expense Scholarship in Taiwan Read More

International Scholarship Opportunity to Study in Romania Read More

The Republic of Chile is Offering Belizeans the Opportunity to Pursue a Master’s Degree at Several Chilean Universities. Read More

Study in Taiwan Read More

International Scholarship Opportunity at Top Universities in Turkey Read More

The 2021 UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is Open for Applications Read More

Educational Grant Programs Offered by the Republic of Azerbaijan

Travel

Belize Tourism Board Announces New Travel Insurance Requirements Read More

Why I Traveled to the Rainforests of Belize to Learn About Medicinal Plants Read More

These 4 Airlines Just Added Nonstop Flights to Belize This Winter Read More

Build Belize Inc. is non-profit organization whose purpose is to empower and improve the lives of disadvantaged Belizeans through education, health, and community service, and support the Belizean diaspora in contributing to the overall socio-economic development of Belize.

General Education Fund - Sponsoring a Belizean Child Learn More

Laptop Drive Read More

Preschooler Kits Read More

Herb Pan Seared Snook with Pumpkin Puree and Cauliflower Fritter

Recipe inspired by Maya Beach Hotel in Placencia, Belize.

For the Snook:

Once your snook is cleaned and filleted, cut into six pieces and pat dry with paper towel. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Season with salt and pepper and lightly dust with flour.
Place your pan over medium-high heat. Add the butter and oil. Once butter has melted and the oil is hot, add the snook and sear for two to three minutes on each side. You will need to do this in batches.
Place the snook on a parchment lined baking dish and bake for about ten minutes, until cooked throughout. The cooking time will vary depending on thickness of the fillets.
If a butter knife slides into the center of the fish with ease, it's done. If there is some resistance, continue cooking time in two minute increments.
Top off with herbs of your choice or this lemon herb sauce Read More

Ingredients for Cauliflower Fritters

2 cups shredded zucchini
2 cups shredded carrots
2 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup sliced scallions (green and white parts)
2 Tablespoons olive oil

View Recipe

Ingredients for Pumpkin Puree

1 small baking pumpkin, 4 to 6 pounds
Fine sea salt, optional

View Recipe

Belizean Garnachas

Ingredients

15 oz. Refried Beans
4 oz. Asiago Cheese (shredded)
8 Tostada Tortillas
1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
1/2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
Pinch of Salt & Pepper

Onion Pepper Sauce

1 Yellow Onion
1 Bell Pepper
2 cups White Vinegar
1 Carrot (large)
1/2 Habanero Pepper *optional*
Pinch of Salt & Pepper

To view the full recipe click the link below.

Visit our website

Belize Travel Health & Safety

Things to Know Before Traveling to Belize

Vaccinated travelers must present a vaccination record card, with full inoculation completed at least two weeks before their arrival into Belize.

Effective Feb. 15, 2022, all visitors are required to apply for Belize Travel Health Insurance. The cost of the policy is $18 USD and provides coverage for up to $50,000 USD in medical expenses related to treatment of COVID-19 for a period of 21 days.

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.

For more information Click Here