Episcopal Relief and Development Network Conference
Belize City, Belize – By the Rev. Linda Vosburgh

This year the Episcopal Relief and Development Network Conference was held in Belize so that the delegates could visit first hand some of the ongoing partnership projects, and how they are engaging the Belize people in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Belize is located on the “bottom” of Mexico above Guatemala, and was once a British colony called British Honduras. The area was used by the colonial powers to extract the dense hardwood, especially mahogany logs. West Indian slaves were brought there to harvest sugar cane. Belize City where we stayed was the colonial capital. When the British left the city’s economic base rapidly declined. This coupled with a series devastating hurricanes severely crippled the economy which is still struggling today to recover. There is a great deal of natural beauty, some Mayan ruins, a rain forest, and a spectacular barrier reef so a tourist industry is developing. There is also oil in the Caribbean Ocean, but that resource has developed very slowly. The population today is made up of Mestizos , the descendents of the Mayans and Spaniards, and Creoles, who are the descendents of the slaves, and the British. Belize is the least densely populated nation in Central America.
The meeting was held in The Princess Hotel, which is locally owned, and one of only two hotels remaining in Belize City. The first night of our stay we were bused to the Anglican Cathedral, St. John the Baptist for an opening Eucharist celebrated by the Bishop of Belize The Rt. Rev. Philip Wright, with a sermon by the Rt. Rev. Robert O’Neill, Bishop of Colorado. The cathedral was started in 1813, and was the first cathedral building in Central America. The Anglican Church, as well as many other denominations, plays a large role in the daily life of Belize. Education is compulsory through the age of 14. The government of Belize pays teacher’s salaries, but the churches are responsible for the schools buildings and infrastructure. The compulsory age will be raised to 16 next year. Many in Belize are illiterate. This is a problem the country is working hard to improve.
The next morning we boarded busses to go to two Anglican Schools far outside of Belize City. The bus I was on broke down twice, and so we were very later getting to the school, but did interact with many students still on the school grounds, as well as observing a class of hearing impaired children doing a lesson on HIV/AIDS. After a delicious lunch of a “real Tamale” baked in a plantain leaf we boarded a new bus, and returned to Belize City without incident. That afternoon we had a question and answer session with the director of the Anglican Schools in Belize. She is a very feisty woman fiercely dedicated to the education of the children of Belize and very appreciative of the role Episcopal Relief and Development plays in this important project. We were briefed by Episcopal Relief and Development staff on various issues such as the effects on fund raising resulting from the recession, and the long term program needs in Haiti.
The morning of the second day we bussed to a Mayan ruin called Altun Ha. Onsite there were several artists who had received microloans to improve their business capacity. One of the artists had purchased a chain saw and other tools so that he could produce more art from the mahogany he farms responsibly. We also visited a farm, and a “fast foods carry out” restaurant. The microloan program is called BEST (Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology) Microloans range in amounts from $4000.00 to $10,000.00 Belize dollars, which are valued at about ½ of U.S. currency. The pay back rate is very high, and the only defaults are the result of the loan recipient becoming ill or getting injured so they cannot work. The farmer we visited is starting her third microloan. She is going to buy 4 dairy cows, and expand her operation to include cheese and milk. Approximately 40% of people in Belize live below the poverty rate which is $4500.00 Belize dollars per year. The long term goal of the microloan program is to help people raise their income level above the poverty rate in 5-7 years. Illiterate people are eligible for loans, and receive help doing the paperwork aspects of their business. Upon return to the hotel we had a question and answer period with the director of the BEST program – another very dedicated woman working in partnership with ERD on the Millennium Development Goals. We were also briefed on the progress of relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. Fan Fan, who is a Haitian man working with the Bishop of Haiti on the long term recovery, showed us a very poignant slide show, and reminder of how truly devastating the earth quake was in Haiti. An update on domestic disaster relief in the Gulf region – both from hurricane Katrina and now the oil spill, followed.
Saturday evening before dinner we were treated to a cultural event presented by children from the schools with native costumes, dancing, singing, and lots of drumming. Both the Mayan and Creole cultures were presented as well as the history of Belize. This was the perfect end to our most interesting visit to Belize. They are a charming and industrious people who only need an opportunity to work for a better future. For more information on Episcopal Relief and Development’s work to “Heal a Hurting World” please go to their website at www.er-d.org/