Clark-Peterek Belize

Darien Book Aid Plan

The Darien Book Aid Plan is a Non-Profit Organiza- tion based in Darien, Connec- ticut.  Their goal is to “build a foundation of peace, understanding, and friendship through the free distribution of books.”  The Darien Book Aid Plan is an all volunteer organization and was founded by a group of women in 1949 to help alleviate the book shortage in war ravaged Europe.  The Darien Book Aid Plan relies on private donations.  They receive book donations from individuals, schools, libraries, and publishers.  Since its beginning, Darien Book Aid has shipped millions of books, both domestic and abroad, to more than 180 countries all over the world.  Today about 60% of the shipments fulfill specific requests from Peace Corps Volunteers. As part of my Primary Project, working at St. Benedict R.C. School, I hope to build up our classroom libraries, as well as the school library, providing access to age appropriate reading materials.  Last week, St. Benedict R.C. school received a 30 lbs box of free used books from the Darien Book Aid Plan.  The teachers and students were so excited.  The books are already being put to use.  Thank you Darien Book Aid Plan.  To learn about the Darien Book Aid Plan and find out how you can help click here.

Garifuna Settlement Day

The story of the Garifuna begins in the early 1600’s when two Spanish ships carrying slaves from West Africa were shipwrecked off the coast of St. Vincent.   The survivors found refuge in the Carib Indian settlements on the island, and for the next 150 years, these two people mingled and intermarried, thus creating the Garinagu, or Garifuna Culture. In the late 1700’s the Garifuna people were forced to leave St. Vincent by the British, and they landed off the coast of mainland Honduras in Roatan.  Soon the Garifuna migrated, and in the years that followed established villages on islands and along the coast of Northern Honduras, Guatemala, and southern Belize. The first Garifuna settlers reached Belize, British Honduras at the time, on November 19, 1832, what is known today as Garifuna Settlement Day, a time to celebrate, embrace, and learn more about the Garifuna Culture.

In Punta Gorda the celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day began early in  the week with a Garifuna Service at the PG Methodist Church & School on Wednesday evening. On Friday, St. Benedict School attended a re-enactment of the Garifuna landing in Belize at the wharf put on St. Petere Claver School, and then we celebrated Garifuna Mass at St. Peter Claver.

The celebration carried on into Friday night with the 2nd Annual Battle of the Drums competition.  Garifuna drummers from all over Belize competed and displayed their talents showcasing traditional Garifuna drumming.  Later on the evening, Plenty Belize sponsored a Karaoke Competition at the Ocean View.

The Garifuna Festival started early Saturday morning with a Torchlight Parade, Garifuna singing, drumming, and food, and it continued on through Sunday.  Sunday was an all night celebration, and early Monday morning we attended the Yurumein Re-enactment at the wharf, where once again locals reenacted the landing of the Garifuna Settlers in Belize.  Traditional clothing was worn, and people sang and danced as the crowd processed to the church for a Garifuna Mass.  The Official Ceremony and Parade followed along with an all day block party.   

Garifuna Settlement Weekend was quite the celebration.  It was amazing to witness so many people embracing and celebrating the Garifuna culture. 

Andy Palacio

Andy Palacio is an icon  in Belize.  He is Garifuna, a unique culture and ethnic group that is based on the Caribbean coast of Central America  and is a blend of West African and Native Caribbean heritage.   The Garifuna Culture is under threat, and Andy Palacio has made it his mission to help preserve the Garifuna Culture and its traditions.  This week Any Palacio was honored by UNESCO, the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization Council, as an Artist for Peace. 

Watina, a unique album that celebrates the Garifuna culture, is the latest from Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective, a group of musicians from Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Watina is a beautiful collection of songs based on traditional Garifuna rhythm with lyrics in Garifuna and English. 

You can buy Watina on or at Stonetree Records, where you learn more about Andy Palacio, the Garifuna Collective, and other Belizean artists.

Welcome Home!

The Homestay portion of our service has come to an end, and last week we moved into our new home.  We live in a great little apartment in a family compound.  We have been busy unpacking and setting up, and we are so excited to finally have a place of our own. 

The Snack Shack

The Snack Shack is a Peace Corps favorite.  They have great food, a relaxing atmosphere, and good prices.  Here are some of our favorites!  The French Toast w/fruit,  the Breakfast Burrito, and of course, the Belizean Breakfast, complete with eggs, cheese, fry jacks, and beans. 

Market Day

Saturday is the big Market Day in Punta Gorda. Front Street is lined with vendors selling fruits and vegetables, fisherman selling the day’s catch, merchants selling baskets and other crafts, along with breads and dry goods. You can even buy popcorn, peanuts, coconut candy,and fried chicken.  People from neighboring villages, hours away, make the long trip to PG to visit the market, buy supplies, and stock up for the week ahead.

Julian Cho Society

The Julian Cho Society made a visit to St. Benedict R.C. School earlier this week.  Named after a man who led the movement of fighting for Maya land rights, the Julian Cho Society, focuses on education and outreach in the Maya communities of Belize.  In recent news, the Julian Cho Society helped win a landmark case concerning the custodial land rights of local Maya Villagers.   

Mr. Thomas Caal and Mr. Morvin Coc gave a presentation to the Standard I and II students as a part of the Maya Area Cultural Heritage Initiative.  The MACHI project is a grassroots  educational program serving the Toledo District.  The program focuses on maintaining and preserving the Maya culture and heritage.  The presentation included a brief history of the Mayas in Belize, the cities where they lived, and the influence of the ancient Mayas on present day communities.  Around 75% of the students at St. Benedict are K'ekchi Maya and Mopan Maya.  It is important that they begin to understand the significance of their Maya heritage and how important it is to value their Maya culture.