Clark-Peterek Belize

Peace Corps Week

Celebrate Peace Corps Week!  This week marks the 48th Anniversary of Peace Corps, founded on March 1, 1961, when John F. Kennedy signed an executive order establishing the governmnet agency.  Read more about this week-long celebration and find out about local and nation wide events here. 

Gibnuts vs. LDS United

After a three month hiatus, the Peace Corps Gibnuts Futbol Team returned to the field on Sunday night in a match against LDS United in San Ignacio, Cayo. We had fourteen players ready to to claim another victory. The Gibnuts had great hustle on defense and an offense that refused to give up. Although the opposing team picked up some speed in the second half, the Gibnuts left with the W. The final score was Gibnuts 6, LDS United 5.

After the game, the team and fans headed to Belmopan for some celebrating and the annual All Volunteer Conference and In-Service Training. With their second victory, could the Gibnuts be on a winning streak? We'll find out at their next match in San Vincente Village at the end of next month.

Home Garden Contest

Students all over the Toledo District are preparing for the 2nd Annual Home Garden Contest sponsored by Plenty Belize.  The contest was announced in November, and many students have been working hard tending to their home gardens.   The judging will take place in just a few weeks at the Toledo Food Fair. Students will be judged on the following areas: variety of plants, mulching & fertilizing procedures, aesthetics and beauty of garden, amount of produce, and logbooks. John and I have been making the rounds to our students’ gardens, checking on their progress and offering help and advice. We have seen some great gardens and some potential winners. 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Benedict Butterflies

Teul’s Bakery recently relocated a block from St. Benedict R.C. School.  Every afternoon the scent of fresh baked bread fills the air.  The St. Benedict Butterflies recently visited Teul’s Bread Bakery and enjoyed watching the process of baking pack bread (sandwich bread), hot dog buns, sweet bread, and bun (a loaf of sweet bread).  The owners were very patient with the girls and all their questions.  The highlight of the visit was when, Mr. Armando shared several loaves of fresh baked bread with the girls.

St. Benedict Valetine's Fair

On Friday, February 13^th, St. Benedict hosted its first annual Valentine’s Fair.

 

Cold cups were a popular at the snack table. 

 
Some great items were found in the Variety Stall, which is much like a Rummage Sale.

 
Infant II students provided some dancing entertainment.

 
If you picked a lucky number you could win a bottle of Juice, Coke, or shampoo at the Bottle Stall.

I was in charge of the Cake Booth, and we raised over $500 selling pre-ordered milk cakes. 

Punch the right paper and students won a variety of prizes at the Punch Board.

 
I love this picture of one student dressed in her Valentine's best!

This was a major fundraising event and was a successful day full of fun, food, games, prizes, and excitement.

Happy Valentine's Day

 Valentine Butterflies made from toilet paper rolls and scraps of construction paper.  The St. Benedict Butterlifes had a great time with this craft project.   

Water Fountains

A few weeks ago water fountains were constructed at St.Benedict R.C. School.  This project, which also includes building and upgrading restroom facilities at all primary schools in the Toledo District, was organized by TOLCA, the Program for Toledo Children and Adolescents.  TOLCA is a network of government and non-government organizations that share a common goal of improving the lives of women, children, and adolescents.  This water sanitation project was funded by UNICEF. 

The teachers at St. Benedict have been working with the students on how to use the water fountains properly.  The kids have been so excited about the water fountains and love to "practice" drinking water.  Most have a gotten the hang of it, can't wait for break time to have a drink. 

Infant I Students practicing how to use the new water fountains. 

Cattle Landing Community Center

Last weekend we celebrated with fellow Peace Corps Volunteers and communty members at the re-opening of the Cattle Landing Community Center and the unveiling of the Cattle Landing Historical Mural. 

 

Cattle Landing is about a mile outside of Punta Gorda, on the final curve of the Southern Highway next the Caribbean Sea.  John and Cheryl, fellow PCV’s, worked with Village Leaders, community members, and students at St. Phillip’s R.C. School to clean up, refurbish, and paint a mural depicting the history of Cattle Landing Village. 

The Cat Landing Community Center was packed and the ceremony included performances by community members and students.  The Toledo East Area Representative, Honorable Eden Martinez, Minister of Human Development and Social Transformation, addressed the crowd, as did the school principal and Village Council Chairperson.

 

John and Cheryl have done some outstanding work in Cattle Landing. It was great to see a community come together and support such an important project.  The ceremony was wonderful, and we were glad to be a part of this joyous celebration. 

Great work John and Cheryl!