May 2021 Vol 77
The Consulate of Belize in Florida
Monthly Newsletter
#rememberitsgoodtobebelizean #thewaitisover

Honorary Consul's Monthly Message
Welcome to the May Monthly Newsletter!
We hope that you enjoyed the month of May and all the wonderful things it celebrated and commemorated (Mother’s Day, Commonwealth and Memorial Day). In Belize, Sovereign's Day/Commonwealth Day is a public and bank holiday held on May 24th. This holiday celebrates two aspects that highlight Belize's colonial history - the birthday of Queen Victoria and the Commonwealth of Nations.

In the U.S. today, Monday, May 31st, we observe Memorial Day, a federal holiday to honor the lost lives of the men and women who, throughout history, have valiantly fought for the freedom of the United States. The number of American lives lost in battle totals approximately over 1.3 million. June 6th will mark the 70th anniversary of “D Day” (Normandy Landings) during World War II, when the allies liberated France, Western Europe and laid the foundation of the allied victory on the Western Front.

We take this opportunity too to congratulate all high school and college graduates. You have accomplished so much while navigating in a new challenging world. We wish you all the best as you celebrate this great milestone. Always remember there is no limit to what you can do if you keep on believing in yourself and that the most difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations ahead. Congratulations to all the graduating classes of 2021!

On May 16th, Florida hosted the Miss Universe Pageant at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, where we had the pleasure of witnessing Miss Iris Salguero represent Belize in the competition. Her poise, intelligence and beauty radiated throughout the weeklong event, especially when sharing her message to end violence against women and spreading awareness on the importance of protecting the natural resources in Belize. Indeed, she did a marvelous job in representing the Jewel. Well done!

This month, we share the stories of other high achieving ladies who are making history. We congratulate Belize’s newly appointed Governor General, Mrs. Froyla Tzalam on her historic achievement. Mrs. Froyla is the first indigenous American Governor General in the Commonwealth and we invite you to watch the recording of the Installation Ceremony held on May 27th.

Another Belizean woman who made the news, Dr. Carla Barnett for her new position as CARICOM Secretary General. Dr. Barnett was the first woman to have served as Deputy Secretary-General and in her new position, she will be replacing Diplomat, Irwin LaRocque, who has been in the post since August 2011.  

We also take our hats off to Ms. Julia Bowman, for being awarded nurse of the year by Baptist Hospital in South Florida.  

Included in the line-up of outstanding Belizean women is Belize’s newly appointed Ambassador to Taiwan, Ms. Candice Pitts, and she states how she went from selling Johnny cakes in the streets of Belize to graduating with a Ph.D. and becoming a Diplomat on the other side of the world. 

Indeed, there is hope for all those little girls and boys who have a dream to make something amazing of themselves.

Thankfully, the sectors which suffered in Belize during the COVID-19 lockdown are coming back to life such as Belize’s vibrant tourism sector. New flights are arriving in June from Copa Airlines, cruise operations are expected to begin in August, and the new debut of Marriot’s Alaia Boutique Resort, is expected to attract more travel into the country and aid in the restoration of the economy.  

One less obstacle to travelling to Belize is now in place, which is that as of May 12th, Belize no longer requires visitors to download and complete a Belize Travel Health App form prior to traveling. However, visitors are still required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccines received at least two weeks prior to arrival or proof of a negative PCR test result obtained within 96 hours of travel to enter Belize.
May’s newsletter features the Prime Minister of Belize, the Hon. John Briceño’s with his usual inspiring weekly message, “Together We Prosper” where he speaks about the economic rebound and control of COVID-19 and how it continues at a high-pitched pace. Please find his National Address where he covers achievements between the government and the unions, salary adjustments, and projects aimed at strengthening Belize's economy, among other important topics. 

Another way that the PM is focusing on ways to stimulate the economy after it plummeted during the COVID-19 crisis, is by launching a $50 million Covid-19 relief program towards supporting small businesses.

We also recap the monthly news from the Government of Belize Press Office and share the stories of some visible Belizeans in our “Star of The Month” Section as well as the Front-Line Responders section. Additionally, we highlight this month’s events such as CARICOM week, International Nurse Day, and the story of a Mayan artisan in The National Women’s Commission Series “Women of Power”.

Because Belize is culinary heaven, we will always include some scrumptious dish in both our “Street Food Series” and “Recipe of the Month” so do not miss it!

Enjoy scrolling through the news in the areas of tourism, community engagement, the environment, and much more in this edition,
  
  • View the monthly message from the Office of The Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceño, and his national address covering Belize’s economy and other important topics.
  • Watch the Installation Ceremony for Governor General Mrs. Froyla Tzalam.
  • Read how Belizean Courts are pioneering the new electronic filing system.
  • Learn how students in Belize can Benefit from Pilot Programs on CARICOM Economics.
  • Find out more about the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between Belize and Taiwan.
  • Read how Belizean Ambassador to Taiwan went from selling Johnny Cakes in Belize to being a Diplomat.
  • Watch this month’s guest for The National Women’s Commission: “Women of Power”.
  • Check the updated requirements needed to travel to Belize.
  • See how a Belizean Frontline worker was awarded Nurse of the Year in the United States.
  • Do not miss five spring art shows inspired by botanical guides and photographs taken in jungle camps in Belize.
  • Learn why Belize is linking tourism growth to distinctive cultural treasures.
  • Get inspired by the life story of our Belizean Star of the Month!
  • Check out our upcoming events where we share different activities that are being held in the 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
 
All my best,
‌
Janine Sylvestre
Hon. Consul of Belize in Florida 
Trade Representative of Belize in Florida
From the Office of the Prime Minister
of Belize

Hon. John Briceño
Weekly Message: Together We Prosper
"Our fight for economic rebound and control of COVID-19 continues at a high-pitched pace"
National Address by Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño where he covers achievements between the government and unions, salary adjustments, and projects aimed at strengthening Belize's economy among other important topics.
Installation Ceremony of Governor General Mrs. Froyla Tzalam
Belize and Costa Rica Hold Bilateral Political Consultations
For a Full List of This Month's Government Press Releases Please Click the Button Below
Students in Belize to Benefit From Pilot Programs on CARICOM Economics.
Students from Belize and Guyana will benefit from a pilot program on CARICOM economics. The new initiative is being introduced by the CARICOM secretariat.
Educator, Eletha Johnson from Queen’s College in Saint Kitts will virtually teach students from the Ladyville Technical High School in Belize. “This online pilot is a precursor to a proposed activity for teacher exchanges, where they would travel and be attached to classrooms across CARICOM to observe and share experiences in the host Member State,” said the Secretariat in a statement.

Marriott Makes Its Debut in Belize
Marriott International has announced the launch of its newest boutique resort, Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection on Belize’s Ambergris Caye island. Spread across more than 20 acres and home to more than 1,000 feet of beachfront, the new eco-luxury development marks Marriott’s debut in the nation.
Alaia Belize channels its stimulating location in the historic town of San Pedro with a design from Brazilian architect Debora Aguiar that was conceived to invite touch and evoke a connection to nature. 
Belize Releases New Set of Health Protocols As It Prepares to Resume Cruise Operations
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) released a new set of health and safety protocols that will guide the restart of cruise operations in Belize.
The BTB noted that “These protocols are the result of many hours of hard work by the Belize Cruise Taskforce, working in collaboration with the Americas Cruise Taskforce and the Central American Cruise Subcommittee, to develop special health and safety protocols in line with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) conditional sail order. These protocols also incorporate recommendations from the Healthy Sail Panel, Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness, and local stakeholders via consultations,”.
Copa Airlines Coming Back to Belize in Early June, Tourism Sector Welcomes the News
Copa Airlines, which suspended flights to Belize back in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is returning to Belize in early June, according to Aviation Online.
“Initially they will have a weekly flight, which varies between Monday and Friday, and will be operated in Boeing 737-800 with capacity for 154/160 passengers. Representing a monthly offer of 1,256 seats,” Aviation online explained. Sources in the tourism industry tell BBN that Copa is one of several carriers that are preparing to resume their flights to Belize, which is welcome news to the tourism sector. Belize has waived mandatory quarantine requirements for travelers who are fully vaccinated from COVID-19 and is the only country within the region to have rolled out that initiative.
Belize Receives Second Shipment of COVID-19 Vaccines Through COVAX
Belize received its second shipment of 33,600 doses of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility, a global partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Gavi, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Belizean Courts Pioneer New Electronic Document Filing System
Courts in Belize have made a historic switch to a new electronic filing system designed to do away with the expensive and time-consuming paper-based system of the past.
The Folio e-Filing system, developed by APEX, the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions, has propelled Courts in Belize into the digital era at a time when other jurisdictions in the Caribbean continue to battle with the delays and inefficiencies that come with manual case filing processes.
No Malaria in Belize for Two Years
Belize joined the world in commemorating World Malaria Day 2021, which is dedicated to raising awareness of the disease. The theme this year is “Maintaining the Zero Malaria Target”. Belize has made massive strides towards meeting the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016 – 2030 (GTS). The number of cases of malaria in Belize has plummeted from 10,000 in the 1990’s to zero local cases in the past two years. This places Belize right on track to join El Salvador in being certified malaria-free as early as 2022.
Belize Places Temporary Ban on Visit to India and Bangladesh
The Belize government has placed a temporary ban on travel to and from India and Bangladesh as a result of the increasing cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in those two Asian countries.
The brief government statement gave no details as to how long the temporary ban would be in place for, nor did it indicate when the measure goes into effect.
Kids in Belize’s Most Remote Village Ready to Learn, Despite Challenges
In this remote village, where natural beauty abounds, they may be off the grid, but the students want to be on the path to learning.
“I notice that the students are really excited, they were here bright and early, and they were here, they were ready, just that we are following the protocols of the COVID 19 and our school have a system of staggering time to begin classes. It is working well, we begin different categories with different timings and it’s working well.”
Belize Tourism Board Launches Belizean Traveler Campaign
“This year’s campaign takes on a new life as it evolves from a summer campaign to an essential part of BTB’s unfading marketing messages and promotions throughout this year. The BTB is committed to developing domestic tourism in a meaningful and sustainable way and as an exceptional platform for year-round tourism,” explained Evan Tillett, Chairman of the BTB’s Board of Directors.
Legislature Adopts Taiwan-Belize Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
Taiwan's Legislature on Tuesday ratified the treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the governments of Taiwan and Belize, which will allow them to cooperate on crime prevention and prosecution. The treaty comprises 22 articles under which the two countries will be able assist each other in the areas of crime prevention, criminal investigation, prosecution, and court procedures
Family of the Late Kenya Barona Makes Donation to Belize Emergency Response Team
May 6th would have been Kenya Barona’s 35th birthday. However, the Supal Street resident died on March 13, under circumstances that brought the Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT) under fire publicly, after neighborhood residents said it took over an hour for an ambulance to arrive. Today, Barona’s family made a donation to BERT in her honor and said that they hope it will be used to help save lives.
Carlos Fuller Takes Seat in New York as Belize United Nations Representative
Belize’s new Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York City, Carlos Fuller, began his tenure with a courtesy call on the supranational organization’s secretary-general António Guterres, having previously presented his credentials to the Secretariat on March 12.He succeeds attorney Senior Counsel Lois Young.
Miss Universe Belize Iris Salguero Rocks the Stage at Miss Universe 2021
Salguero is a survivor of domestic abuse and is fighting to end violence against women. She is also part of the organization S.H.I.N.E., which is dedicated to “building healthy self-esteem for teenage girls.”
Salguero took along a Belizean flag that she received from the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), her cultural costume inspired by the Baron Bliss Lighthouse, as well as the hopes and pride of her nation.
Amado Cruz, First Canoe Athlete to Represent Belize in Tokyo Olympics
Amado Cruz will be representing Belize at the Tokyo Olympics in July this year. The news comes after the International Olympic Committee’s tripartite commission decided to give Belize and Mozambique the two tripartite quotas for canoe sprint athletes for Tokyo. The 33-year-old is Belize’s first ever canoe athlete to participate in the Olympics Games.
Belize’s Maya Forest Corridor a ‘Missing Link’ to Giant Rainforest Reserve 
Belize sits on the cusp of protecting the key piece of the largest rainforest preserve north of the Amazon. In April 2021, the Nature Conservancy and a consortium of conservation organizations purchased 368.75 mi2 in northwestern extent of the country, which is now the Belize Maya Forest.
This area connects protected areas in Belize and adjacent protected areas of La Selva Maya in Guatemala and Mexico. With nearly 40% of its lands under protection, Belize already contributes significantly to the IUCN’s post-2020 biodiversity framework of preserving 30% of the planet by 2030.
Belize’s Cross Country Team Heads to Central American Championships in Guatemala
Brandon Adolphus and Ana Lopez-Camp lead the Belize National Cross Country Team which will represent Belize at the CADICA Cross Country Championship in Chiquimula in Guatemala on June 11-12.
Belize will compete in nine categories at the Central American Championships.

Alta Resources Announces Expansion of its Belize City Office, Including an Additional Site and Several New Career Opportunities
Alta's Vision is to be an industry leader for global, customer-related outsourcing solutions. Many of Alta's client partners are world-class global brands and strategic expansions such as this one in Belize, help serve the global needs of their respective industries, and consumers.
Opened in 2019, Alta's Belize office initially launched with a 70-person team providing care for a global footwear & fashion brand. Since then, the company is proud of the creation of over 130 new jobs providing brand differentiating customer care.
Government of Belize is Launching $50 Million COVID-19 Relief Program Geared Towards Supporting Small Businesses
On May 28th, Prime Minister John Briceño announced that as a part of the Government of Belize’s economic recovery strategy, arrangements are being made with the Central Bank of Belize for a COVID-19 relief program valued at $50 million geared towards assisting businesses.
Briceño said that the COVID-19 Liquidity Program will provide chap financing to micro small medium and large businesses with a specific focus on job creation and export earnings.
Congratulations to Belize’s Newly Appointed Governor General, Mrs. Froyla Tzalam
Her Excellency Froyla Tzalam was sworn in as Belize’s third Governor General on 27 May 2021, taking over from former Governor General Sir Colville Young. The ceremony took place at the Government House Belize House of Culture in Belize City. In her inaugural address Tzalam stated “I am honoured to stand before you today as a Belizean Maya Mopan woman and to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for this recognition. I am very aware of the responsibility that comes from holding this office and I will do my work as I have done elsewhere with passion and commitment to do good to the best of my ability."
Congratulations to Dr. Carla Barnett, on Her New Position as CARICOM Secretary-General
Belizean Dr. Carla Barnett, the first woman to have served as Deputy Secretary-General from 1997 to 2002, has been elected as the new Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General replacing the Dominican-born diplomat, Irwin LaRocque, who has been in the post since August 2011.
From Selling 'Johnny Cakes' to Earning a Doctorate Degree and Becoming a Diplomat.
As a child, Dr. Pitts helped her mom sell johnnycakes on the streets of Belize City. Dr. Pitts spent her early years in Port Loyola and she dreamed of becoming an Attorney but her journey led her to being elected for City Councilor and now, a diplomat.
“Fortunately, I am one of those people who have been exposed to opportunities and so I have been able to transcend the life (I had) in Port Loyola,” she said in an interview in Taiwan.
During her free time as a child, Dr. Pitts would educate herself and applied for scholarships to reach her goals. “When I was informed that I would become the Ambassador to Taiwan, it was a big deal, you know, because you are the Ambassador to a significant ally of your country,” said Dr. Pitts.
“I am really (here) to foster the relationship between Belize and Taiwan, and to avail myself to the President, to the Government of Taiwan, to the people of Taiwan, be at their disposal, to act whatever I can to ensure that.”
Belize is celebrating CARICOM Week!
Click the button below to find out how Belize has benefited from CARICOM and how it continues to impact the lives of many in the country.
National Women's Commission Presents:
Women of Power

Click the button below to learn more about our guest Ms. Donatila Chun, a Mayan Artisan and why we see her as a Woman of Power
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.

  • 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.

  • You 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
For more information about the Covid-19 vaccine, please click the button below.
Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño Receiving His First Jab of the COVID-19 Vaccine at the Newly Reopened Luisa Manzanero Health Center.
The PM was diagnosed with COVID-19 in November 2020, and so waited the requisite time before taking his first jab. As the first vaccine recipient at the center, PM Briceño encouraged all residents to take advantage of the Ministry's ongoing vaccination program.

The Prime Minister now joins the more than 40,000 Belizeans who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Belizean Named Nurse of the Year at Florida Hospital
On May 12, 2021, Julia Bowman, originally from Stann Creek District, Belize was awarded Nurse of the Year by Baptist Health South Florida. She currently works in the Ambulatory Surgery Center Department of the hospital. We congratulate Ms. Bowman for her tireless effort and for her stellar representation of Belize abroad.
Tourism Tidbits
Belize Linking Tourism Growth To Distinctive Cultural Treasures

Straddling the Caribbean Sea and Central America, Belize exemplifies the region’s remarkable diversity. Belize’s abundance of distinctive natural environments and its Maya, Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo and even Mennonite culture influences combine to make Belize an exceptional Caribbean travel destination.
Trade and Investment Tidbits
BELTRAIDE Hosted a Virtual Launch of the 4th Annual National Competitiveness Month

The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), hosted a virtual launch of the 2021 National Competitiveness Month (NCM). The launch marks the fourth celebration of the annual event and is being observed under the theme “Facing Challenges and Forging Resilience through Business Diversification and Competitiveness.”
Cultural Tidbits

Five Unmissable Spring Art Shows

Inspired by botanical guides and photographs taken in jungle camps in Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, Orlanda Broom’s neon-toned acrylics depict an unfamiliar paradise. Her lush tropical landscapes is a reflection of the natural world and how it is mutating as a result of the climate crisis. Until 11 June, a new body of works painted over the past year are on show at the new London space Grove Square Galleries, in an exhibition titled Rewild.
Museum of Belize
Set inside the historic Museum of Belize, located in Belize City. Perfect for anyone interested in learning about Belize’s history and culture. At the museum you can witness various year-round small exhibits which include ancient Maya relics, insect gallery, a stamp collection and vintage photos of Belize.

No sen lee boy fu do man job.
English Translation:
Don't send a little boy to do a man's job.

Meaning:
Get qualified workers.
Let us preserve and protect our historical landmarks & protected sites
International Day for Biodiversity
International Day for Biodiversity is observed annually on May 22. This year’s theme is “We’re part of the solution #ForNature”.

One of the activities that the National Biodiversity Office in Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management held to commemorate this day was a national poster competition. Three entries from Corozal came out on top.
First place went to Carissia Gomez, Rosella Correa garnered the second place title, and Kristyn Tillett came in third. The winning posters will be displayed in front of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management. The aim of the competition was to engage youth on the measures that can be taken at an individual and community level to contribute to reducing the threats to biodiversity in Belize.
Belizean Star of the Month!
Osmer Balam
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean #thewaitisover
Born in Belize City but raised in the village of San Jose Palmar in the Orange Walk District, Osmer Balam was passionate about languages, music, and literature since childhood. He attended Muffles High School, where he was actively involved in the Poetry Club. During this time, he started writing his first poems. He subsequently published a collection of poems online, on voicesnet.com. During his time at Muffles Junior College, he participated in the Lion’s Club National Public Speaking Contest. As the winner of this contest, he was awarded a full scholarship by the Prime Minister of Belize to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in English at the University of Belize.

In 2008, he was awarded an Organization of American States scholarship to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. After his return to Belize, he taught at the Regional Language Centre (University of Belize). In 2011, he was awarded a fellowship to pursue doctoral studies in Hispanic Linguistics at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. During his time in Gainesville, he became increasingly interested in the study of Spanish/English ‘code-switching’ (also referred to as ‘Spanglish’) in the Spanish-speaking world.

Osmer became interested in this topic because there was very limited research on Spanglish in Belize despite the fact that Spanish/English language practices are very frequently used in Belize, in particular among Norteños from Orange Walk, Corozal and San Pedro, who have a very distinctive way of speaking Spanish not only in Belize but Central America as well. He published his first paper on the unique Spanish variety spoken in Belize in 2013, and has subsequently published several articles in refereed journals on different bilingual constructions, but especially bilingual verbs. These are verb constructions such as hacer buy ‘to buy’ or hacer celebrate ‘to celebrate’, which are commonly used in everyday conversations among Orangewalkeños and Corozaleños.

More recently, Osmer’s research analyzes the similarities and differences between Spanglish varieties in Belize and the U.S. An interesting fact, that many Belizeans are unaware of, is that the Spanglish varieties spoken in Belize and certain parts of the US, such as New Mexico, share striking similarities. Ultimately, Osmer’s research seeks to give greater visibility to Belize’s unique linguistic diversity. In the summer of 2018, Osmer was awarded a Language Diversity in the World research grant to conduct comparative linguistic research on Belize, Puerto Rico, and New Mexico at Leiden University in Leiden, Netherlands. Today, he is a Visiting Professor at The College of Wooster (Wooster, OH) and a Guest Researcher at Leiden University Center for Linguistics, where he continues to conduct sociolinguistic research on the unique Spanglish/Spanglishiol varieties spoken in Belize.

Although Osmer has focused on publishing academic work, he hopes to publish an anthology of English and Spanglish poems in the future. The following excerpt provides a snippet of his free verse poetry (from the poem “I will tell you the things”)
One November night, my life, like a lost black pearl,
Timidly tumbled into your pallid palm…
As we held hands, our veins and arteries meshed and merged,
Single magical pulse binding shadow, body and soul.
When the last drop of rain kissed the barren earth
The last rose petal in paradise fell to the ground,
The last crimson flame lost to the wind,
The toxic smoke enveloped this sleepy tropical town,
You stayed. By my side.
In that abandoned canvas of cursed green and burning blue,
That stormy ocean, amidst the crashing waves,
Dying purple seahorses terrified to look at the ashen sky,
Debris washing up on our shoreline, shattered seashells at our feet...
You still held my hand, moon and darkness, perfect symmetry,
Above us, three stars lined up, the island sky shone bright as ever.
From the first Mayan glyph that was carved to the very last
On that lost, sinking temple of jaguars.
You knew they had foretold the dulcet tragedy of my love,
Yet, knowingly, you waited for centuries for me to kiss your lips.
With every mile I blindly walked towards you,
Through burnt Mayan villages and crumbling cities in Europe,
Your echoing laughter, your voice, and your sad eyes
Tugged at my wanderlust feet, my wanderlust feet,
And I walked and walked until I found…
You.

We are proud to call Osmer our Star of the Month!
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.
Coconut Mango Crisp
Ingredients:
  • 4 large mangos, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 c. butter or margarine
  • 1/3 c. brown sugar
  • 1/2 c. oats
  • 1/2 c. grated coconut (or shredded coconut)
  • 1/4 c. coconut milk
  • 1/2 c. white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 c. flour
Directions:
Place mango slices in a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with white sugar and cinnamon. Cream brown sugar and butter. Add egg, vanilla, coconut milk and coconut. Stir in flour and oats. Spread batter over mangos. Bake at 375 degrees for 55 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 4 to 6.
Belizean Stewed Chicken 
Ingredients:

  • 4 whole chicken legs (thigh and drumsticks, separated into 8 pieces)
  • 1 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 Tbsp recado rojo or achiote seasoning/paste
  • 2 Tbsp white vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup sliced yellow onions
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (Mexican if you can get it!)
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp granulated sugar substitute (I used erythritol)**
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • DON’T ADD SALT
Directions:

Combine the recado or achiote paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce), cumin, oregano, pepper and sweetener in a large bowl. Mix well, Add the chicken pieces and rub the marinade into the skin. Marinate for at least one hour up to overnight. Place the insert in your Instant Pot and set to saute.
Heat the coconut oil and brown the chicken in batches, skin side down for about 2 minutes per side (reserve the marinade to add back in later.)
Missed an Issue of our monthly newsletter?
April 2021, VOL. 76 Read More
March 2021, VOL. 75 Read More
February 2021, VOL. 74 Read More
January 2021, VOL. 73. Read More
December 2020, VOL. 72. Read More
November 2020, VOL. 71. Read More
October 2020, VOL. 70. Read More
September 2020, VOL. 69. Read More
August 2020, VOL. 68. Read More
July 2020, VOL. 67. Read More
June 2020, VOL. 66 Read More
May 2020, VOL. 65 Read More
April 2020, VOL. 64 Read More
March 2020, VOL. 63 Read More
February 2020, VOL. 62 Read More
Click the Buttons Below to Learn More About the ICJ Process
Upcoming Events
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean #thewaitisover
Mission: Belize 2021
This summer, June 19-26, young adults at Church Project are invited to travel to Belize for an opportunity to serve Jesus, and experience His Church, in a different context.
International Center for Global Leadership Conference
The International Center for Global Leadership hosts an annual conference in Belize as a forum for those interested in obtaining leadership skills in the conceptual, interpersonal and technical areas.
June 26 - 27, 2021.
Hopkins Mangu (Mango) Fest
June 8th, 2021
In Garifuna, "mango" is known as "mangu." In the village of Hopkins, the soil of the area is rich in nutrients and allows for local farmers to grow a variety of different mangos.
BELIZE V ST LUCIA 07.06.2021

Find all the news, links, tickets, merchandise, viewing options and much more relating to Belize v St Lucia on the link below.
Scholarship Opportunity

Advancing Open Government in the Caribbean: Strategies and Tools to Increase Transparency and Citizen Participation in Public Policy
Scholarship Opportunity

The Organization of American States(OAS) has convened its 2021 Call for Applications of the Academic Scholarship Program for graduate and undergraduate studies and/or related research.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize acts as the National Liaison Office (ONE) and the deadline to submit applications is JUNE 18th , 2021 .
‌