The Consulate of Belize in Florida
Monthly Newsletter
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Honorary Consul's Monthly Message
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Welcome to the
January Monthly Newsletter
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Welcome to a new year! As we enter 2020 we look forward to fresh beginnings and charting new goals and resolutions. Whatever they are, we wish you the very best in accomplishing them! Whilst it is unknown what the new year holds for us, let us live life to its fullest and be thankful to God for each new day we are given to make a difference in our lives and those of others.
We are happy to start off this new year sharing once again our newsletter filled with informative, interesting and positive things happening among Belizeans at home and abroad.
Here are some highlights of this month’s newsletter:
- As we become more aware of protecting and preserving our environment, Belize has taken an important step in ridding itself of plastic and is in the process of the Phase-Out of Single-Use Plastics
- Learn of the Football Federation of Belize’s new initiative and of the results of the 2020 BVA Male National Volleyball Championship
- Read about the new Destination Belize 2020 Theme
- Discover who are the “Top 10 Best Places to Live & Invest in the World”
- Find out who won the title as “Fittest in Belize”
- Reflect on the message for Child Abuse Awareness by the Special Envoy for Women and Children and Spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow
- Familiarize yourself with the Suicide Prevention Video launched by the Mental Health Association
- Read about the results of the 30th KREM New Year’s Cycling Classic
- See what made Belizean-born Dr. Avery August become the “Star of the Month”
- Check out, “What’s Trending”, regarding the International Tourism Trade Fair that took place in Madrid, Spain
- Learn of the visit of American students in Belize and about the selection of ten young Belizeans as 2020 Youth Ambassadors
- Read about NEMO’s press release titled “All Clear Issued for Tsunami Watch”
- Practice and share the preventative measures promoted by the Ministry of Health in Belize and the World Health Organization. You will find these and more resources on the “Prevention is Key: Resources on the Coronavirus (2019-nCov)” article
Watch the New Year’s message video of the Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon. Dean O. Barrow, as well as from the Ambassador of Belize in Washington, DC, H.E. Daniel Gutierez, under “Ambassador’s Desk.” This month, Ambassador Gutierez encourages the Diaspora to visit Belize and shares information about the advantages of the Diaspora Returnee Incentive Programme for those interested in retiring in Belize.
This edition would not be complete if we didn’t include a very unique dish in Belizean cuisine, steeped in rich history and taste. Yes, it’s “Boil up” and it’s here to stay! One cannot resist the surprisingly delicious marriage between all the starches found in the tropics like cassava, sweet potato, green plantain, etc. and boiled fish and salted pork, topped off with a homemade tomato sauce infused with habanero pepper. We hope that you too enjoy having it as one of your favorite Belizean meals.
And of course, don't forget to check out the section
Upcoming Events
to find out more about the next “Town Hall Meeting” of the Belize Association in Florida, “Valentine’s Dance & Dinner”, “Rhodel & the Garifuna Band” and “Street Art Festival.”
For those of you who have not had the opportunity to visit the Consulate's office nor are familiar with the services that we offer, you may visit our website at
www.belizeconsulatefla.com
or follow us on
Facebook
,
Twitter
, and
Instagram
to receive updates about Belize, the Consulate and upcoming events.
As we update our database, and in order to serve you better, the Consulate of Belize in Florida continues to conduct phone calls to its constituents to confirm each's contact information. We appreciate your cooperation and support in sharing your contact information, so that you and your family can continue to be informed about services offered by the Consulate as well as get updates on Belize.
If you are aware of a Belizean residing in the United States who is making a positive impact on the lives of others while contributing to their native country, please submit their story to us so that we may feature them in our newsletter. Perhaps the Star of the Month for February could even be you!
Enjoy and share with your friends!
And remember, it is good to be Belizean!
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Janine Sylvestre
Honorary Consul of Belize in Florida
Trade Representative of Belize in Florida
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From The Office of The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister
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Prime Minister's
New Year's Message 2020
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To watch the full New Year's Message for 2020 of the Rt. Hon. Dean O. Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize, please click on the version of your preferred language below:
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From the Ambassador's Desk
H.E. Daniel Gutierez
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My Fellow Belizeans,
The Embassy and Consular Offices in the United States take the opportunity to bring you warm greetings. We hope that 2020 will be a year of many blessings for all. Your Consular offices will continue to work hard to improve our provision of consular services throughout the United States.
For those many Belizeans planning to return to the motherland to retire, please remember to contact your Embassy of Belize so you can take advantage of the Diaspora Returnee Incentive Programme. Through this program, the Government of Belize via your Embassy in Washington DC will assist your return by facilitating your application for duty-free entry for your possessions.
Belizeans going home to retire have a right to bring back household effects with an exemption of up to USD$20,000, a vehicle (not older than 5 years), a plane, and a boat with an engine.
If you are one of the many Belizeans returning home this year, we congratulate you on this decision and look forward to having you return to your place of birth. There are many citizens of the United States, Canada, and other countries seeking to retire in Belize, believe us you are not alone in regarding Belize as a premier place to rest and relax after many years of hard work.
For those Belizeans not yet ready to retire, remember to pay a visit this year if you are able. Whether it is your close or extended family, whether it’s the sand on our cayes or a nice cold Belikin, there is no place like Belize. We look forward to having you home for a visit.
Again, may 2020 treat you well.
Sincerely
His Excellency F. Daniel Gutierez
Ambassador of Belize to the United States of America
& Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States
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What's New...
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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LIV Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA)
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Photo Credit: Government of Belize Press Office
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Belmopan. December 22, 2019.
The representatives of the heads of state and government of Central American countries assembled in San Salvador, El Salvador for the LIV Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
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Best Places to Retire & Invest Abroad in 2020
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Photo Credit: Marlena Gomez
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Phase-Out of Single-Use Plastics: Enactment of Environmental Protection (Pollution from Plastics) Regulation, 2020
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Photo Credit: Government of Belize Press Office
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Belmopan. January 14, 2020.
Today, January 14th, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration, Hon. Godwin Hulse, signed into law the Environmental Protection (Pollution from Plastics) Regulations, 2020, which comes into force on January 15th, 2020.
For more information, please contact:
Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development
Tel: +501-822-0160
Email: ceo.sec@environment.gov.bz
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FFB's New Initiative:
Belmopan Soccer School
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Photo Credit: Football Federation of Belize
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January 14, 2020.
A new initiative by the FFB President, Executive members, Technical Director and Belmopan Football Association has brought a whole new initiative to Belmopan. The soccer school is spearheaded by Jonathan Hoopper and is aimed at promoting grassroots football for children to have fun, make friends and develop athletic skills and discipline.
The soccer school takes place every Saturday from 9am to 12pm and is open to all children in the respective ages:
Two categories
- U6 to U8 - 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- U9 to U10 - 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
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Sticking to your goals with the Fittest in Belize!
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Photo Credit: My Beautiful Belize
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January 13, 2020.
Liliana Nuñez is a CrossFit Coach, athlete and fitness enthusiast who has been in the fitness industry for ten years. She began with her Personal Trainer certification from the National Personal Training Institute and also obtained the Level 1 CrossFit Trainer and Mobility certification. She coaches at "one of only two affiliated boxes in Belize, CrossFit Wolf in the San Pedrito area of Ambergris Caye."
Liliana was recently named "Fittest in Belize 2020" and looks forward to participating at the CrossFit Games the week of July 29th through August 2nd in Madison, Wisconsin to fight for the "Fittest in the World" title and make Belize proud! Are you also sticking to your goals?
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ALL CLEAR
ISSUED FOR TSUNAMI WATCH
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28 January, 2020.
The National Meteorological Services of Belize and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) had to quickly issue verbal and WhatsApp/Facebook circulated alerts to advise the general public that an earthquake occurred off the coast of Cuba. The USGS later upgraded the earthquake off the coast of Cuba to a magnitude 7.7 earthquake. If a tsunami was generated the expected arrival times in local time were as follows: Kingston, Jamaica, 3:24 PM ET Cozumel, Mexico, 3:34 PM ET Puerto Cortes, Honduras, 3:38 PM ET Belize City, Belize, 4:48 PM ET Santa Cruz Del Sur, Cuba, 5:16 PM ET Nueva Gerona, Cuba, 6:45 PM ET.
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2020 BVA Male National Volleyball Championship
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Photo Credit: Full Memory
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January 29, 2020.
The 2020 BVA Male National Volleyball Championship was held at the Belize City Civic Center on January 25 & 26, 2020. The general public was invited to come out and experience the excitement as the top male volleyball teams from all over the country competed to become Belize's National Volleyball Champion 2020. The award ceremony was Sunday afternoon with the following results:
1st Place:
SQ Dragons
2nd Place:
T-Rebels
3rd Place:
Corozal Massives
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Special Envoy for Women and Children's Child Abuse Awareness Message
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Video Credit: Special Envoy for Women and Children
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Let's Start Saving Lives:
Mental Health Association Suicide Prevention Video
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Photo Credit: Mental Health Association
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January 7, 2020.
The Mental Health Association launched a Suicide Prevention video last month since the holiday season is unfortunately the season when suicide rates increase dramatically.
Therefore, it is important to stay informed on how we can collaborate and be supportive to our coworkers, family members, friends and those we come in contact with.
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Introducing the Destination Belize 2020 Theme
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Photo Credit: Destination Belize
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For over 20 years, readers have referenced a Destination Belize magazine for its compelling narrative storytelling, stunning photography, and unbiased advice on the activities and attractions to do and see in Belize. The Destination Belize magazine is a free indispensable guide for travelling the length and breadth of Belize.
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Belize Has Quietly Become a Caribbean Hotspot
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Photo Credit: Cayo Espanto
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January 21, 2020.
Long a well-kept secret for travelers in the know, Belize has quietly become a full-fledged Caribbean hotspot in recent years, buoyed by one of the region’s fastest rates of tourism growth.
And now it’s borne out by the data — Belize just set a new all-time record for tourism arrivals to the destination, Caribbean Journal has learned.
The buzzing destination on the Caribbean coast of Central America topped the half-million mark for stay-over visitor arrivals for the first time last year.
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KREM hosts 30th New Year’s Cycling Classic
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Photo Credit: 7 News Belize
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This year marked the 30th year of the New Year's Cycling Classic with Oscar Quiroz in first place, Joslyn Chavarria, second place, and Richard Santiago, third place.
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Heads of Mission Encounter 2020
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Photo Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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January 23, 2020.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the Heads of Mission Encounter at the NEMO Building in Belmopan on January 16-17, 2020 bringing together all of Belize's Ambassadors to discuss the country's key development keys and objectives.
Mrs. Janine Sylvestre, Honorary Consul of Belize in Florida, and the Honorary Consul of Belize in Chicago were among others, including Ambassadors representing Belize's Embassies in Washington DC, New York, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Taiwan, Brussels and London. Presentations on the bilateral and multilateral state of affairs were given by each Head of Mission and the topic of the
Diaspora Initiatives
was discussed
including
how the Consulate in Florida has successfully maintained an electronic newsletter for the past 5 years to keep the Diaspora engaged and informed.
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Prevention is Key: Resources on the Coronavirus (2019-nCov)
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Photo Credit: Ministry of Health in Belize
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January 29, 2020.
The Ministry of Health in Belize participated today in Love Fm's, The Morning Show at 7am, and in Krem WUB Morning Show at 8am, discussing what is known about the new strain of Coronavirus, the country's national and regional response plan, and stressing out the importance of prevention.
Some of the preventative measures include:
- Washing your hands
- Covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with tissue or flexed elbow
- Avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
- Getting proper vaccines
- Staying hydrated
- Informing Public Health if you are aware of someone who has recently visited China.
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Tidbits...
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Photo Credit: Conde Naste Traveller
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Caracol, Belize: One of the Seven Wonders of the World for 2020
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We all know it but now the world acknowledges it too. Belize is simply great!
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The Belize Investment Spotlight, January Edition is Now Available!
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Read more about the Economic Updates, Investment Opportunities and Success Stories of this month.
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Photo Credit: 7 News Belize
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Want to learn more about the Future of Archaeology in Belize?
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Young Belizean, Sylvia Batty, Collection's manager at NICH explains how monuments and artefacts came to be protected in Belize and what's contained within Belize's national collection.
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...of the Month!
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Video Credit: See Belize Channel
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The building that stands as the Belize Supreme Court building today was built in 1926 and is the third incarnation of the facility. The first two burnt to the ground, first in 1820, then again in 1918.
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Let us preserve and protect our historical landmarks!
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"
Same knife kill sheep kill goat.
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Meaning:
The thing you do to others can be done to you.
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Belizean Star of the Month!
Dr. Avery August
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Photo Credit: Avery August
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Dr. Avery August is currently a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor, Professor of Immunology and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Cornell University. He is also Co-Director of the Cornell Center for Health Equity, and a member of the Cornell Institute for Host-Microbe Interaction and Disease and the Cornell Center for Immunology at Cornell University. Dr. August was born in Belize City, Belize, and attended St. John’s Primary School (now Anglican Cathedral College), and St. Michael’s College (now Maud Williams High School), before leaving Belize to join his mother, Ms. Alice Robinson (nee August) in Los Angeles. There he attended Los Angeles High School, before leaving in the 11
th
grade to earn a GED and attend Los Angeles City College where he made the Dean’s Honor List. He then transferred to the California State University in Los Angeles, where he also made the Dean’s Honor List and subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Medical Technology. At California State University in Los Angeles, he was introduced to research, working in the research laboratory of Dr. Phoebe Dea. He then attended Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences at Cornell University in New York City, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Immunology. At Cornell he performed research to understand how T cell in the immune system are turned on during infection.
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"Some of my most favorite memories growing up in Belize was the time I spent being with friends, traveling to the cayes, visiting the Mayan artifacts and former temples and communities, and to the other districts."
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Photo Credit: Cornell University
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The staff at the Consulate of Belize in Florida had the opportunity to interview Dr. August and ask him questions pertaining to research, the possibility of starting a non-profit in the future, and the existence of partnerships between Cornell University and schools in Belize. These were the answers of Dr. August:
Q1: How could the youth in Belize be motivated to gain an interest in research?
"All children are naturally curious. My interest in research actually started when I lived in Belize, before I even knew what research was. I was always curious and experimenting. It was not until later I realized this was research, and that it is so important for scientific advancement and development of new industries. Highlighting role models, encouraging curiosity, supporting science and math classes and teachers, and developing after school activities that support and encourage scientific explorations are activities that could motivate young Belizeans to pursue research."
Q2: If you could start a non-profit or social project in Belize what would be the mission and vision of such?
"I would develop a program targeting late primary school (standards 4-6) to encourage participation in Science and Math Courses, and to reduce drop-out rates."
Q3: Are you aware of any partnership that Cornell University might have with schools in Belize?
"Cornell University has a number of initiatives already in place in Belize. They include the Cornell University’s College of Veterinary’s Medicine partnering with the Belize Zoo to open a new veterinary clinic at the Belize Zoo. The Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs (CIPA) and SUNY-Cortland has teamed up to fund raise for this initiative (see story here
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2014/10/cipa-students-raise-money-belize-zoo
). Veterinary students from Cornell travel to Belize frequently to work in the zoo. In addition, there is a course offered at Cornell that includes learning experiential gardening-based learning in Belize, where Cornell students travel to Belize."
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Dr. Avery August targets Asthma in Animals and Humans
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Video Credit: Cornell University
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"Now looking back, I revel in the incredible diversity and deep history of Belize."
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Dr. Avery August and Dr. Bettina Wagner explain
How they are treating Feline Cancer
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Video Credit: Cornell University
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Dr. August has published over 120 research papers that have been cited over 6,000 times, and sits on the editorial board of a number of research journals and advisory boards, including on the Board of Trustees of the New York Blood Center. Dr. August has won a number of awards and recognition for his research and teaching, including the ASHI Scholar in Basic Sciences, Community of Scholars Teaching, American Society for Cell Biology E.E. Just Award, The American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award, American Society for Microbiology/Indo-US Science & Technology Forum Research Professor, Outstanding Alumni Award from the Weil Graduate School of Medical Sciences at Cornell University, and recognized as one of 23 STEM superstars of PBS Newshour.
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September 25th, 1959 - January 16th, 2020
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Register as a Belizean in Florida
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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WHAT'S TRENDING
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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FITUR: INTERNATIONAL
TOURISM TRADE FAIR IN MADRID
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Photo Credit: Belize Tourism Board
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Photo Credit: Belize Tourism Board
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Photo Credit: Belize Tourism Board
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Students from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Visit BELTRAIDE
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Toy Donations to Biscayne School in Belize!
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Photo Credit: Belize Association of Florida
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Congratulations to the Ten Talented young Belizeans selected as 2020 Youth Ambassadors!
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Photo Credit: U.S. Embassy of Belize
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Congratulations to Abbie Godoy, Recipient of the Commonwealth Caribbean Rhodes Scholarship 2020!
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Recipe of The Month
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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History:
This recipe has strong African elements incorporating the basic starches that were readily available as well as proteins (fish and salted pork). It is said that it comes from the Kriols who descended from the African slaves of the English and Scottish woodcutters that settled in Belize in the 17th century. It has always been a dish enjoyed by all in Belize and continues to be a delicious delicasy in Belizean cuisine.
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Main Dish Ingredients:
- (2 lbs) Fish (sliced)
- (1) Small piece of salted pork (diced)
- (2) Eggs
- (1) Yam
- (1) Cassava
- (2) Large sweet potatoes
- (2) Ripe plantains
- (4) Green bananas
- (3) Tomatoes / can of diced tomatoes
- Water
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Tomato Sauce Ingredients:
- 1lb onion, sliced
- 1/2 lb sweet pepper, sliced
- 1 lb tomato, diced
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- salt & black pepper
- Habanero pepper (Optional)
Directions for the Sauce:
Sauté in medium heat onion, sweet pepper and tomato in coconut oil. Add salt and black pepper, stir until caramelized. Remove from heat and let it sit for 10-15 mins.
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Boil Cake Ingredients:
- 1 lb flour
- 3 Teaspoons baking powder
- 2 cups water
Directions for Boil Cake:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and kneed well. Roll into 3-inch balls and flatten out into 1/2 inch thick round tortillas.
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Preparation:
- Prepare the boil cakes by combining the flour, baking powder and water to form soft dough.
- Separate the dough into three inch balls and flatten each.
- Prepare a tomato sauce by first sauteing onions and then adding diced tomatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. For a spicy twist, add Habanero pepper.
- Peel the yam, cassava and sweet potatoes.
- Chop the yam, cassava and sweet potatoes into chunks measuring about three inches.
- Remove the skin off the green bananas and slice.
- Peel the ripe plantains and chop into cubes.
- Fill a Dutch oven pot with water and bring to a boil.
- Add the chopped ground provisions together with the green bananas and plantain cubes.
- Add the cubes of salted pork to the pot.
- Cook the pork, bananas, plantains and ground provisions until tender.
- A few minutes before it is cooked, place the boil cake dough in the water.
- When cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove everything besides the salted pork.
- Add the raw fish slices to the pot containing the water and salted pork.
- Cook together until the fish starts to become tender.
- Place the eggs into the pot and hard-boil them.
- Remove the eggs from the pot, drench in cold water and remove the shells.
- Slice the eggs in halves.
- Plate all of boiled foods on a shallow dish.
- Place the boiled eggs on top of the provisions, bananas, and plantains, boil cakes, fish and salted pork.
- Finish by pouring the tomato sauce over everything.
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ICJ - Be Informed
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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On May 8, Belizeans voted "Yes" to take the territorial dispute with Guatemala to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Click the video below to learn more about what happens next.
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The Road to the ICJ: What Next?
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(Photo Credit: Government of Belize)
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Now that Belize has gone to referendum and Belizeans have voted “yes” to going to the International Court of Justice, many want to know “what’s next?”. In a sitdown with Ambassador H.E. Alexis Rosado, our Belize Now Team found out what are the next steps for “The Jewel”.
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Click image to see full video
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Minister Elrington at the OAS Permanent Council Session
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The Work of the OAS in the Adjacency Zone
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Upcoming Events
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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