November 26, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

A Visit with a Mennonite Family in Shipyard Village

Belize is home to over twelve thousand Mennonites who migrated from Canada and Mexico in the 1950s. Drawn by our fertile land and the chance to practice their faith and culture in peace, they settled in remote areas and became cattle ranchers, dairy farmers, carpenters, and mechanics. In today’s edition of Kolcha Tuesday, we take a brief visit to Shipyard in Orange Walk, a Mennonite community deeply rooted in their Christian faith and traditional way of life. While many men engage in business and use cell phones and fuel-operated vehicles to transport their cattle for export, their lives at home remain simple. There’s no television to watch the news, no cell phones in use, and instead of a 2024 Ford SUV parked out front, you’ll find a horse and buggy. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Katarina Dyck, a Mennonite wife, mother, and grandmother, lives in Shipyard Village, Orange Walk. She has dedicated her life to her culture’s traditional lifestyle, embracing her role as a homemaker. For Katarina, this means staying home to cook meals, do laundry, clean the house, and sew traditional clothing for her family. She loves what she does, saying it’s simply her way of life.

Katarina Dyck, Mennonite Housewife, Shipyard Village

“Eso es mi vida.”

Shy of the camera and able to speak only Spanish, Katarina shared just a few words with our camera. The rest of her skills she showed us.

We arrived at the Dyck residence at 10:30, just in time for lunch—yes, lunch! Instead of the usual dairy-based Mennonite meal, we were treated to a delicious serving of traditional Creole rice and beans. Instead of having a single person lead the prayers, everyone individually offers their own thanks. Katarina’s husband, Cornelius Dyck, let us in during their mealtime hours.

Cornelius Dyck, Mennonite Businessman, Shipyard Village

“We eat seven o’clock a.m., and we don’t do snacks from seven to ten or ten thirty. Then from ten-thirty to two o’clock we eat again. The Mennonites do everything like Belizeans.”

We believe Cornelius when his daughter, Maria Thiessen lists off the dishes they also cook and eat.

Maria Thiessen, Mennonite Housewife, Shipyard Village

“We make rice and beans or relleno or barbeque.”

Cornelius shared that many Mennonites in Shipyard continue to uphold their traditions by avoiding television sets and speaker systems for home entertainment. Instead, they prefer the simplicity of horse and carriage for transportation, rather than fuel-powered vehicles.

Cornelius Dyck

“It’s for tradition and religion. We use the horse and carriage because it’s cheaper and our religion does not permit us to use cars and technology. We don’t use televisions, computers and cell phones at home. But there are other younger Mennonites who use these things. The family we visited are all Belizean-born, but they don’t speak much English. Their only languages are German and Spanish. Why? Their first language was Spanish from their Mexican ancestors and when they settled in Belize, the first people who they had interaction with were the Mestizos in neighbouring communities who they hired to work as farm hands. That too became a part of their Belizean tradition. I didn’t learn Spanish in school.”

Today, Katarina was making a pair of work pants for one of her sons. She explained through her daughter, Maria what occasions these outfits are used for.

Maria Thiessen

“We use this design for all occasions, but for weddings we use dark colours and for regular occasions we use purple and blue and other colours. For our head dress, married women use only black and unmarried women use white. When we go out of the village we use shoes with socks but when we go right in the village we wear our slippers.”

Maria’s husband, Peter Thiessen, who is also camera-shy, took us on a ride to a cattle ranch just a quarter mile away. A mechanic by trade, Peter shared that he crafts carriages for sale and is sometimes called to Belize City to repair heavy-duty vehicles. Although their family won’t be watching this story on a television set tonight, they warmly welcome Belizeans to their community for business. Marion Ali for News Five.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow Appoints New Standard Bearers

Leader of the Opposition, Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow, has been shaking things up within the party, naming standard bearers for key constituencies. On Monday, Barrow’s team took to Facebook to announce that David Almendarez will be running for the U.D.P. in Belize Rural North. Additionally, Tyrone Louriano has been tapped as Barrow’s candidate for Caribbean Shores. However, Tracy Taegar-Panton has criticized these appointments, calling them arbitrary, unilateral, and a complete mockery of the U.D.P.’s constitution. We caught up with Tyrone Louriano, who lost in the March 2023 municipal election under the U.D.P.’s Nelma Mortis slate in Belize City, to hear about his aspirations.

Tyrone Louriano, UDP Standard Bearer, Caribbean Shores

“I entered the political arena as a city councilor candidate earlier this year and it has always been my ambition or passion to enter into service. I am currently a career educator, so I am living a life of service, through my profession. So, I want to, like I said, for me it is all about doing more. When I did the municipal election, I wanted to say thanks for the voters who voted for me. On my slate, among my colleagues, I ended coming in second in terms of the most number of votes. The only person ahead of me was Alisha Craig. So, that gave me the drive or the push I need to say you know what, you can do this. So, when I saw what I taking place in the UDP at this time, being the educator I am I asked all the hard questions. So, honorable Shyne and I had dialogue throughout this. So some of my principles and his principles align. So, I see the alliance at this time on Facebook and some of the things they are saying and perpetrating to the public is a bit disheartening to me but it is not surprising. It is a bit expected. I am a novice. I am not new to the word novice. IN everything we do, each expert was a novice. So for me it is nothing new. I am willing to face the challenges ahead. I know it is going to be rough and tough. But while all this infighting is taking place, the people are the ones being neglected.”

Political Novice to Face Political Giant in Caribbean Shores

We asked Louriano about his chances against the current Area Representative for Caribbean Shores, Kareem Musa. Lauriano admitted that Musa is a political heavyweight but confidently added that he’s ready for the challenge.

Paul Lopez

“Having lost at the municipal level, what gives you confidence that you can unseat the honorable Kareem Musa?”

Tyrone Louriano, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Caribbean Shores

“Well, there are a lot of things that the People’s United Party has taken for granted. While we are here divided, there are certain things they are doing going unchecked. We cannot continue to ignore the things we are doing. Kareem Musa is a political giant, but that does not deter me from putting my best foot forward. I am a career educator, and I have interacted with a lot of young people. So, I am leaning on their ability to see what is taking place at this time, if they are watching. Come out, and this is the time for young people to have a voice. I am passionate about change. I am an agent of change. And when the UDP was going through their change after the previous leader I said this is a good time for us to make some change. And I am hoping to be one of those changes, a beacon of positive change.”

New Book for Children and People of All Ages

Kids have a new book to spark their imaginations! Today, author Karryn Dawson launched her children’s book, Dream Powers: Where Dreams Become Reality. The launch event was held at the Lake Independence Public Library in Belize City. According to the author’s daughter, Zyrah Noralez, the book’s themes resonate with readers of all ages. Here’s News Five’s Marion Ali with the full report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Today, Karryn Dawson launched her debut book, Where Dreams Become Reality. This inspiring book encourages children to chase their dreams. Dawson’s daughter, who helped with the project, shared that it all began with a dream.

Zyrah Noralez, Daughter of Author

“It really generally started off when my mom had this dream and she has a lot of dreams and so, and she has this thing where she’s dreaming, she’s feeling so she knows how to dictate and how to express what’s happening. So, this was a dream that she had. And she said it was after many more than she had. And she said, why would I keep holding this in? I could make a book out of this and out of many life stories.”

The author explained what she did after she had the dream and that the dream included some suspense.

Karryn Dawson, Author

“I dreamt it two to three years ago. I wrote it immediately, but I never put it in a book form until about, uh, last year. And then I officially made it a publication in January of this year.”

Britney Gordon

“So this entire story was inspired by a dream you have. What can readers expect when they dive into this story? What are we truly following?”

Karryn Dawson

“Well, we’re expecting suspense. We’re expecting excitement. The reality is that the book encourages you to dream. It’s letting you know that it’s okay to dream. And I’m trying to think of the right words to say without revealing what’s going to happen in the book, because it is a short book. You can sit and read it in one sit down, but what I can tell you is that there’s a part two coming.”

Zyrah Noralez explained that she and her mom share some real-life challenges that some of us can relate to.

Zyrah Noralez

“We are both clumsy people. So we could make a reality show out of our lives at this point. And this book was written by my mom and I oversee it. And I thought that It would be beneficial for her to turn it into a book, and I think it’s nice, and I think that, um, even if you’re above the age range, which is 6 to 10 years old, I think that children before the age of 6 could also read it, because you know they have some children who are advanced, and also children who may not be able to read it themselves, but their parents or guardians may be able to read it to them, and I feel like they would find it very amusing.”

The book is available in both Spanish and French. Dawson’s second book, Less is More, offers a faith-driven perspective on redefining success through purpose, impact, and balance. Marion Ali for News Five.

OIRSA and Belize Step Up Measures Against New World Screwworm

Belizean officials are on high alert after a case of New World screwworm (NWS) was detected in Catazaja, Chiapas, near Mexico’s border with Guatemala.

Fermin Blanco, the country representative of OIRSA in Belize, told News Five that concerns surrounding the detection of the New World screwworm in Mexico and its potential impact on the region are being addressed. Blanco explained that the detection of the disease had raised alarms due to the damage it can cause.

He stressed that Belize remains free of the disease and that the export protocols to Mexico are unchanged for now. However, he acknowledged that if the disease was to be detected in Belize, it would lead to the implementation of stricter protocols, similar to those imposed on Guatemala, which includes increased inspections, sanitation, and measures to ensure that animals are free of ticks or flies. Additionally, animals might need to be treated with insecticides and undergo an Ivermectin injection to guarantee protection against the pest.

OIRSA, the Ministry of Agriculture, BAHA, and the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) are working together to prevent the introduction of the New World screwworm fly into Belize. He stressed that the movement of cattle, particularly the illegal transportation of cattle from neighbouring Central American countries, plays a major role in the spread of the disease.

Blanco explained that producers would now have to manage and treat wounds in animals more carefully, as the pest is attracted to the smell of blood. Even routine practices like ear tagging and dehorning would require attention to avoid creating conditions that attract the fly.

National Agriculture and Trade Show 2025 Set for May

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise has announced the dates for the highly anticipated National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) 2025. The event will take place from May 30 to June 1, 2025, under the theme “Integrating Sustainable Food Systems: Mitigating Climate Change, Strengthening Agricultural Resilience.”

Preparations for the event are already underway at the showgrounds. The NATS Committee will soon provide details on the reservation and sale of concession stands, food stalls, and commercial booths.

Rising Rivers and Flood Risks Across Key Regions

A flood warning remains in effect for rivers and tributaries across the northern, central, and southern regions of Belize, including the Rio Hondo, Mopan River, Sittee River, and rivers along the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains. Severe flooding persists along the Belize River and its tributaries, affecting communities in the Belize River Valley and downstream areas. The San Ignacio Low-Lying Bridge and Iguana Creek Bridge remain closed, while the Crooked Tree Causeway is impassable due to rising water levels. Residents in affected areas are urged to exercise caution and stay informed of further updates.

Residents in Region 7 are advised to monitor waterways and exercise caution. On the Rio Hondo, flood stage levels are expected to increase at Blue Creek North, Santa Cruz, and San Antonio, while persistent flooding is anticipated from San Roman and Douglas to the coast. Similarly, the New River is expected to reach bankfull stages at Hill Bank, Tower Hill, and Caledonia to the coast.

In Region 9, residents are urged to exercise extreme caution. The Mopan River at Benque Viejo Town is predicted to maintain flood stage levels. On the Macal River, reservoir levels at the Chalillo, Mollejon, and Vaca spillways remain active, though flood levels at San Ignacio are expected to decrease. The Belize River at More Tomorrow is also seeing a reduction in flood levels, but rising flood stages are anticipated at Double Run. Meanwhile, water levels in the Crooked Tree Lagoon have exceeded the causeway and continue to rise.

Region 11 residents should stay vigilant near waterways. On the Sibun River at Freetown Sibun, flood levels are decreasing, while above-normal levels persist at the Southern Lagoon in Gales Point Village. Watersheds on the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains and the Sittee River at Kendal Bridge are expected to remain above normal levels. Flooding is anticipated along branches of the Monkey River, particularly at Swasey and Bladen. The Deep River at Medina Bank is maintaining normal levels, but above-normal levels are expected at the Rio Grande near San Pedro Columbia and Big Falls South. The Moho River at Blue Creek South and Jordan, as well as the Temash River at Crique Sarco, are also expected to maintain above-normal water levels.

In Region 13, above-normal water levels are expected along the Sarstoon River.

What’s Causing Deforestation in Belize’s Selva Maya Rainforest?

Mesoamerica’s largest tropical rainforest, the Selva Maya, is rapidly disappearing. Stretching across 150,000 square kilometres of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, this vital ecosystem is home to diverse wildlife and ancient ruins—but decades of deforestation are threatening its future. Satellite data reveals that large parts of the forest have been cleared in recent decades, with Guatemala’s Petén region experiencing a loss of 23% of its forest cover between 2001 and 2023, and 33% in Petén alone.

As cattle ranching and palm oil plantations expand, experts fear this once-thriving rainforest could vanish unless urgent action is taken. “The spread of cattle ranching has been the major driver of deforestation in Guatemala,” said Diego Incer, a remote sensing expert. Additionally, the rise of palm oil plantations has contributed to the loss, as land dedicated to oil palms surged from 30 square kilometres in 2001 to 860 square kilometres in 2017.

“According to forest cover loss data collected by Landsat satellites and processed by the Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD) laboratory at the University of Maryland, Belize lost 3,020 square kilometres (1,170 square miles) of forest cover between 2001 and 2023, a 17 percent decrease.”

Earth Observatory reported that Belize-born Emil Cherrington, a NASA scientist, explains that much of the deforestation is driven by farmers clearing land for crops and livestock. However, the article added that forests may have also degraded due to other factors—such as fires, insect infestations, or hurricanes—can also appear as forest cover loss, especially in protected areas like the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, said Santos Chicas, a Belizean remote sensing scientist based at Kyushu University who has studied Belize’s susceptibility to wildfires.

Although deforestation rates have slowed in recent years, from 100 square kilometres per year between 1980 and 2010 to about 80 square kilometres per year, experts, including Edgar Correa from the Belize Forest Department, stress that the rate needs to decrease further to meet international climate goals by 2030.

Efforts to monitor forest loss are underway, with NASA’s SERVIR program helping Belize improve its monitoring tools. Cherrington noted that protected areas in Belize have been effective at reducing deforestation, although illegal farming continues along the border with Guatemala.

Cherrington added, “But this is a country where I see deep interest across a broad spectrum of society and government in tapping into remote sensing data and keeping forests intact.”

Mexican President Sheinbaum Warns Trump’s Tariff Threats Will Backfire, Hints at Retaliation

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum cautioned U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday about the severe economic repercussions of his proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports. Speaking at a press conference, Sheinbaum criticised the plan, warning it could spark a retaliatory cycle and endanger shared economic interests.

“To one tariff will follow another in response, and so on, until we put our common businesses at risk,” Sheinbaum said in a letter she read publicly, which she plans to send to Trump. She said that such measures would likely lead to inflation and widespread job losses on both sides of the border.

Sheinbaum also announced her intention to request a call with Trump and reach out to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss the issue.

Trump’s tariff proposal, announced on Monday, is intended to pressure Mexico and Canada into addressing illegal drug trafficking—particularly fentanyl—and curbing migrant crossings at the U.S. border.

Mexico currently stands as the United States’ top trade partner, accounting for 15.8% of total trade as of September, with Canada following at 13.9%. Sheinbaum argued that escalating tariffs would especially harm U.S. automakers with manufacturing facilities in Mexico, such as General Motors and Ford, and could disrupt Mexico’s critical automotive sector, which represents over 35% of its manufacturing exports.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal signed during Trump’s first term in 2020, could also be at risk of violation if such tariffs are imposed.

Sheinbaum highlighted Mexico’s efforts to combat the U.S. fentanyl epidemic, reduce migrant apprehensions at the border, and halt caravan arrivals. However, she criticised the lack of accountability for U.S. weapons flowing into Mexico, fuelling violence.

Multilingual Children’s Books Launched at Lake I Public Library

Today, author Karryn Dawson launched her children’s books Dream Powers: Where Dreams Become Adventures and Less is More: Faith-Driven Progress for Service Providers at the Lake Independence Public Library in Belize City. The event blends imagination, faith, and entrepreneurship, offering something for everyone—from children to parents, educators, and service providers.

Dawson’s first book, Dream Powers, is inspired by her dreams and encourages children to make their dreams a reality and lead the way to success. It is available in both Spanish and French, aiming to reach a wider audience. Her second book, Less is More, offers a faith-driven perspective on redefining success through purpose, impact, and balance.

The event also celebrates Dawson’s dedication to creativity and her work with Quiet Collab Solutions Limited.