Tracy Taegar-Panton, Interim Leader of the United Democratic Party, has reaffirmed her commitment to unity as the party navigates recent leadership changes. Following the resignations of former Party Leader Shyne Barrow and Party Chairman Michael Peyrefitte after the March twelfth General Elections, a petition has been submitted to convene a National Party Council meeting. This move aims to keep the party cohesive and focused on future goals. Despite the departures, deputy leaders and the vice chairman remain in their positions. After discussions with Vice Chairman Alberto August, who was initially reluctant to call an NPC meeting, Taegar-Panton has backed a constitutional petition to convene the NPC. According to the U.D.P. Constitution, a valid petition automatically triggers the call for an NPC meeting. Secretary General Shary Medina and Vice Chairman August are now required to organize this meeting, proposed for either May seventeenth or May twenty-fourth. The agenda includes electing an Interim Chairman to replace Peyrefitte and setting a date for the next National Convention. The U.D.P. is determined to navigate these leadership changes and prepare for its future.
Today, a brand-new firetruck touched down at Philip Goldson International Airport, arriving via military cargo plane. This vital piece of equipment is headed to the Punta Gorda fire station to serve the Toledo District. The generous donation comes from the Racine Rotary Club of Wisconsin, which also provided several pallets of medical, school, and emergency supplies. We caught up with Olive Woodye, President of the Punta Gorda Rotary Club, for more details on this impactful contribution.
Olive Woodye
Olive Woodye, President, Punta Gorda Rotary Club
“ We are receiving a firetruck today for the Toledo District and this was made possible through the Racine Rotary Club of Wisconsin. They have been donating a lot to our community and over the past four years, they we have gotten like they’ve been doing a lot of CPR training in different departments in the Toledo district and also with teachers. Now this is their fourth year of a ten year commitment for the Toledo district.”
Britney Gordon
”Is this a much-needed donation?”
Olive Woodye
“It is a much needed donation. I don’t know if you recall last year, about the fires, that raged through the forest, through our rural areas. And so we have presently, I think one fire truck and this one coming in will, it’ll deeply enhance our district. The firemen can, I think they will better be equipped to be out there. This is our fourth year of a ten year commitment to the Toledo District.”
Britney Gordon
“So we can expect more donations to come from them?”
Olive Woodye
“Definitely. Definitely. And we thank them so much. I think it’s like a combination of different resources from different areas in Wisconsin.”
Ceviche, the vibrant dish from South America, has become a beloved staple in Belizean cuisine. Originally a Peruvian creation made with fish marinated in citrus juice, Belizeans have added their own unique flair to this classic dish over the years. In this week’s edition of Kolcha Tuesday, we catch up with the owners of Don Ceviche, a popular food truck in Belize City, to discover the secrets behind authentic Belizean Ceviche. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with a full story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Ceviche, a dish adored by Belizeans, is a must-have at social gatherings and seaside restaurants across the country. Originally hailing from Peru and made with fresh tomatoes, onions, and fish, Belizeans have added their own twist, making it a beloved national delicacy. In Belize City, you can find this tasty treat at many spots, including the popular Don Ceviche food truck, conveniently parked in front of the Baron Bliss Lighthouse.
Paul Schmidt III
Paul Schmidt III, Co-owner, Don Ceviche
“Ceviche has always been, I don’t wanna say a staple, but has always been around different tables. If you go to a party event, you try it and be like, okay, I don’t like it this time. I do like it. But me personally, I can make ceviche, but really Ruben is, for me, the person who can make the best ceviche. And so when that came about we were thinking of a job to do at the time. And so I said, well, let’s just put a little bit of money together. And we’ll try to do something on the weekends”
Don Ceviche, co-owned by Paul Schmidt III and chef Ruben Mejia Garcia, started as a small venture selling ceviche outside their homes. As word spread and demand grew, they expanded to a food truck, allowing them to offer a variety of ceviche flavors. Today, Don Ceviche is a beloved spot in Belize City, known for its delicious and diverse ceviche menu.
Ruben Mejia Garcia
Ruben Mejia Garcia, Co-owner, Don Ceviche
“It start as an idea from a side job from home, and then it gets bigger because people want it, eventually they want to have more and more in the in the menu because we start only with shrimp ceviche. Then we become to add in more types of the ceviche. And now we have a full menu as you see in the front. We already have depends of the season of course. Because we are just going with the season, the shrimp is the only one that don’t have season right here in Belize and that is the only one that we always have. Then we have octopus, conch ceviche. We have even squid. We try once, but people no, go that way.”
Across Latin America, ceviche is made with a variety of proteins, but in Belize, shrimp and conch are usually the highest in demand.
Paul Schmidt III
“The main menu is shrimp, conch, octopus, if we have it, even fish ceviche sometimes, when we can do it. And we also do sal picon as well. So sal picon I don’t know if it’s, I think it’s more a Belizean thing. The way how we prepare it, because I know sal picon like in Mexico is more like a stew in Mexico, but sa;l picon for us is basically we substitute the protein, the fish or in this case, the shrimp for pork. So it’s either smoked pork or it might be arrachera beef.”
Chef Ruben Mejia Garcia, originally from El Salvador, had seen ceviche in his homeland but never truly appreciated it until he moved to Belize a decade ago. It was here that he fell in love with the dish, embracing the Belizean twist on this South American favorite and making it a central part of his culinary journey at Don Ceviche.
Britney Gordon
“ Have you had ceviche before you came to Belize? Is this something that’s made in El Salvador?”
Ruben Mejia Garcia
“This is something that is Latin American. Everybody knows how to do ceviche, but they have their own recipe. And when I was in Salvador, to be honest, I never tried to do ceviche. Until when I came here is when I learned to do ceviche.”
According to Schmidt, while ceviche is a simple dish, everyone prepares it differently and those subtle changes can be the difference between a good and bad bowl.
Paul Schmidt III
“ I think what we stay true to is freshness. We always try to make sure that it is made fresh. So he’s really the one who makes ceviche. So when we even thought about the name or when I thought about the name, I said, if you’re the one that is the boss of ceviche, or like a mero mero we say in Spanish, right, which is like the best and you’re the don. So I said, you’re gonna be Don Ceviche.”
The owners try to support local fishermen and farmers by locally sourcing all their ingredients.
Britney Gordon
“Which one is your favorite to make and to eat?”
Ruben Mejia Garcia
“Well to make is the conch because that is what people like. But if you ask me to eat ceviche, I will prefer shrimp that I could eat every day.”
Britney Gordon
“Do you ever get tired of ceviche?”
Ruben Mejia Garcia
Not really. That is something that I think when you love what you do, you no get tired.”
Schmidt and Garcia have grown a loyal customer base in the seven years they have been in operation and are confident that their business will continue to thrive as long as Belizeans continue to love ceviche.
Paul Schmidt III
“Ceviche is sort of a luxury food. And you want to have ceviche with a drink. You know, we don’t have drinks here at the park. Or we don’t have a license for that, but some guys, you know, some families will come out, maybe they’ll have a beer in hand or something, or some drink, or they’re gonna go home with their beers and what they need, their ceviche. So it’s a part of their staple now, you know, at least a weekend staple.”
On Saturday, a group of at-risk children from Belize City embarked on an exciting adventure at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. Guided by dedicated mentors, the kids explored the sanctuary’s diverse landscapes and wildlife, finding inspiration and hope in nature’s beauty. This memorable trip was part of an initiative to support and uplift vulnerable children from crime-ridden neighborhoods. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Over the weekend, a group of at-risk kids from Belize City enjoyed a day of adventure at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, thanks to the mentorship of Timmy Stamp and Perry Smith. The children participated in various activities, including birdwatching, as part of an initiative by the Jah Love Foundation. This grassroots organization, founded by Stamp and Smith, aims to support vulnerable children from crime-ridden neighborhoods, offering them a chance to experience nature and find hope for a brighter future.
Timmy Stamp
Timmy Stamp, Manager, Jah Love Foundation
“Jah Love da wah group weh work with kids, weh try sih that we have a better future for the kids them because if dehn da di leaders ah tomorrow then it’s only right that we try our best to try guide dehn eena tomorrow.”
In response to the pervasive gang violence gripping many communities in Belize City, the Jah Love Foundation has stepped up with a powerful solution: mentorship.
Perry “Stix” Smith
Perry “Stix” Smith, Jah Love Foundation
“Todeh we have youths from George Street, Taylor’s Alley, Third World, PIV. We integrated youths from different communities and bring dehn out ya da Crooked Tree to be a part of the wildlife sanctuary; view the birds, get to see cashew roasting, and to me it’s a beautiful experience, a beautiful experience.”
Nestled just off the Phillip Goldson Highway, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is a sprawling sixteen-thousand-acre haven of natural beauty. This sanctuary features a diverse landscape of lagoons, creeks, logwood swamps, broadleaf forests, and pine savannas. It’s not just a birdwatcher’s paradise; the sanctuary is also home to crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, and turtles. This adventure provided them with a unique opportunity to interact with nature, exploring the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the sanctuary.
Derek Hendy
Derek Hendy, Site Manager, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
“We usually work with school groups. As they come here we give them a little education outreach about the types of vegetation within our wetland system and give them a little tour, show them some different species of birds so that they can appreciate the nature of the environment.”
The experience aimed to inspire and uplift these children, offering them a refreshing escape from their everyday challenges.
Dajahaun Hope
Dajahaun Hope, Participant
“I like it because we gaan and see di sea, di river, di animal tracks, foot tracks.”
Mentorship is crucial for at-risk children because it provides them with guidance, support, and positive role models. Having a mentor can steer children away from harmful activities and towards healthier, more productive choices.
Timmy Stamp
“We try open different lee evening schools eena different communities fi try organize di youths dehn fi come together, bring dehn together, yoh undastand me, bring dehn together instead ah have dehn fight gainst one another, just bring dehn together. We have da problem fi forty-two years, you know, weh nobody seem to care about. By we bringing di evening schools together we could have di kids dehn from different communities and ker dehn pan different lee trips and have dehn mingle with one another.”
This sanctuary is a paradise for bird lovers, boasting over two hundred and fifty species of resident and migratory birds. The Jabiru stork, one of the sanctuary’s most famous residents, nests here from November to April.
Derek Hendy
“What happened, we covered the boatbill heron trails and we covered the limpkin trails. Again, the basic things that we try to find are the different species of animals that we can find on the trails and the different plants.”
Limpkins, those intriguing large wading birds, are a common sight in the wetlands of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. With their long legs, elongated necks, and distinctive heavy, slightly curved bills, they might look a bit awkward at first glance. However, these birds are surprisingly graceful in their wetland homes, effortlessly navigating floating vegetation and foraging in shallow waters. Their unique appearance and elegant movements make them a fascinating subject for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Janelli
Janelli, Participant
“I see lots of birds. We went by the riverside and we went over bridges.”
Kenjay Thomas
Kenjay Thomas, Participant
“What I like bout di trip [is] that we had fun and we got to see a lot of things.”
Field trips provide a holistic approach to learning and personal development, making them an invaluable tool for supporting at-risk children. These excursions offer new experiences, hands-on learning, and social interaction, helping kids build confidence, relieve stress, and find inspiration. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
In celebration of International Girls in ICT Day, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology joined forces with the Ministry of E-Governance to host an inspiring event aimed at empowering young women through technology. This initiative seeks to uplift and encourage female youth to explore and excel in the tech world. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us more on this exciting event.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Every fourth Thursday in April, International Girls in ICT Day shines a spotlight on the need for more girls and women in the tech sector. For years, the Ministry of Education has been championing this cause, promoting learning, innovation, and inspiration among young women nationwide. Adriani Coleman, Director of E-Governance, shares how girls are stepping up and taking charge in the world of technology every day.
Adriani Coleman
Dr. Adriani Coleman, Director, E-Governance
“Let’s be real, the world needs your energy. You’re smarts. And yes, even your TikTok honed problem-solving skills. Who else has fixed a group project crisis via WhatsApp? I don’t think the young people today use WhatsApp. They use Discord or Teams, or maybe you’re chatting on ROBLOX or Minecraft, who knows? Nowadays, just a side note, at the Ministry of E Governance, fifty three percent of our team are women. Woo. Yes. Yes. That’s amazing Right? So we already have women in the field. I feel you need to know that because it shows that when we lead like a 501 girl, we become women who lead as well.”
The recent celebration of International Girls in ICT Day was packed with engaging activities and interactive sessions, including decryption and computer programming, all aimed at fostering learning, innovation, and inspiration. Stephanie Sylvester, co-founder of the classroom AI tool Avatar Buddy, captivated the audience with her insights on the skills needed to thrive in the AI industry and lead with confidence like a true 501 girl.
Stephanie Sylvestre
Stephanie Sylvestre, Co-founder, Avatar Buddy
“We have resiliency, we have resourcefulness, and we have creativity. So when we talk about resilience, it means not giving up, right? When you make a mistake, when you write the piece of code, when the software blows up on you, when you’re trying to put the electronics together and it just doesn’t come on, the light doesn’t come on. You followed all the instructions and you’re like, why doesn’t this work? This is not time for you to give up. This is a time for you to take a few deep breaths, look around, maybe go get some help, maybe just walk around and then come back and do it again. And if I did not have resilience, I wouldn’t be standing up here today because in 2016, when I started my company, everybody. I mean, everybody told me I was absolutely insane, not possible. And I kept on going and going until I met the first friend that said, okay, Stephanie, this is like mind blowing. The reason why people are saying it’s not possible is because you’re blowing up their mind.”
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is dedicated to fostering inclusive access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through its annual events. These initiatives aim to prepare Belizean girls for success in the digital age. Namrita Balani, Director of Science and Technology, passionately shared her vision for empowering girls across the country who aspire to careers in ICT.
Namrita Balani
Namrita Balani, Director, Science & Technology
“ You’re not too young, you’re not too new. You can already start inspiring others. Very soon you’ll enter competition mode where you’ll be exposed to new areas of technology. Be open-minded, be curious, be fearless, and when you leave here, share what you learned with another girl who did not get a chance to be here today. That’s how we grow this movement. So when we meet here again next year, we won’t just be celebrating another event. We’ll be celebrating the impact of the steps you took. The girls you inspired, the bold actions, you turned into pledges because one day if we keep up this momentum, we’ll reach a point where we no longer have to talk about gender imbalance in ICT because it simply won’t exist.”
The ministry encourages young women throughout the nation to follow their theme and Lead Like a Girl. Britney Gordon for News Five.
This week, a wave of gratitude and admiration is sweeping across Belize as the nation celebrates Nurses Week. Clinics, hospitals, and homes are honoring the dedicated men and women at the core of our healthcare system, including midwives who touch every Belizean life from the very start. Today, a special ceremony at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital honored over forty nurses for their invaluable work in keeping us healthy and alive. News Five’s Marion Ali was on the scene to capture the heartfelt tributes and filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Today, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital dedicated an hour to honor over forty of its most outstanding nurses in a warm award ceremony. This event is part of the celebrations recognizing the invaluable contributions of healthcare professionals who tirelessly work in the crowded wards of the country’s busiest hospitals, clinics, and rural health outposts. CEO Chandra Nisbet-Cansino emphasized the importance of acknowledging these professionals, noting that such recognition serves as an incentive for their demanding and essential services.
“It’s important for us every year to ensure that we recognize them and we thank them and that their voices are heard. It’s now competition among not only the world, but within Belize itself – have a lot of healthcare institutions opening that are now hiring nurses. So we want to ensure that we get the best of the best nurses that the institutions are producing now.”
Registered Nurse Uriel Cowo joined the KHMH in December and has already had an enlightening first four months on the job. Although he needs to complete at least one year to qualify for an award, his positive attitude and dedication suggest that his name will be called in due course. Cowo’s promising start hints at a bright future in healthcare.
Uriel Cowo
Uriel Cowo, Registered Nurse, K.H.M.H.
“It has its challenges, but that’s within a job, right? What you need to look at is the type of profession that you signed up to be in. So I signed up to be a nurse. What that is – what does that entail? It entails me embodying what we call altruism, giving myself to others. If you can’t put others before yourself, then maybe this isn’t the right profession. I think the awards are important because it gives you a sense of recognition that out there they’re seeing us, that our administration appreciates us, and just a little appreciation goes a long way because we come here to do a job that I believe is very difficult. Not everyone can do the type of work that we do.”
Renita Pop, President of the Belize Nurses Association, showered praise on the nation’s dedicated nurses, with a special nod to midwives. “Midwives are the backbone of our maternal and newborn care services,” Pop wrote. “From the first heartbeat to the first cry, you stand at the very beginning of every Belizean’s life journey.” Her sentiments were echoed by Nisbet-Cansino, who wholeheartedly supported Pop’s view, highlighting the crucial role midwives play in the health and well-being of mothers and newborns across Belize.
Chandra Nisbet-Cansino
“We have a fairly high rate of deliveries, especially here at Karl Heusner, so they are the backbone of delivery at the delivery department. We were in a very significant shortage, but again, there is the program that has – we have quite a few graduates. I think it was about 20 that were graduating and certainly we hope to get some of those midwives here to help us bridge that gap.”
The Belize Nurses’ Association is inviting the public to show some love for their favorite midwife or “mid-husband.” In an exciting twist, three lucky midwives will win a cash prize, generously donated by Dr. Gilberto Landero, Dr. Veronica Rosado, and Renita Pop, the association’s president. This initiative aims to highlight the invaluable contributions of midwives to maternal and newborn care in Belize. Marion Ali for News Five.
Long before the COVID pandemic swept the globe, hospitals and clinics were grappling with a severe shortage of nurses. This issue continues to plague the nursing field in Belize, driven by an aging population, increasing burnout, and more attractive incentives in developed countries. Despite these challenges, Chandra Nisbet-Cansino, C.E.O. of Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (K.H.M.H.), assures that the hospital is doing everything possible to retain its dedicated nursing staff.
“There’s a global crisis; however, we now have programs within the country – nursing programs that are really helping us now to build back up our staff. The Ministry of Health and Wellness offers scholarships, and so that offers a lot of opportunities for nurses to study. And so, I think slowly but surely, we’re creeping back up to where we want to – not there yet, but getting there.”
Reporter
“Do you find that when they come here, they’re inclined to stay?”
Chandra Nisbet-Cansino
“For the most part, yes. Karl Heusner [Memorial Hospital] is the place to come for experience. Here you will get a little of everything, and then you have nurses that you know, further specialize or retire, et cetera, but the best experience that you can get as a nurse is to come to Karl Heusner.”
Earlier this year, the Cabinet approved a massive write-off of over $50 million in unpaid hospital bills at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. These debts had accumulated over the years, mostly from patients who had either moved away or passed away. Despite this financial relief, there have been complaints about stricter enforcement of payment for medical tests. Today, Nisbet-Cansino addressed these concerns, assuring the public that no patient in need of a test will be denied care due to lack of upfront payment.
“At no point is care refused at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital if you cannot pay. Yes, we do try to collect on some of the bills, but as long as you come, especially through the Emergency Department, or if you are on the unit and you need any kind of – whatever test we offer here, be it lab, radiology, that is provided to you without prepayment. Elective surgeries require prepayment, but not any other care that happens at the K.H.M.H. The Cabinet approved a write-off. That was in excess of $30 million, so we are now in the process of going through that, well, engaging the persons who that applies to and reaching out to them. So it’s a lengthy process because it dates all the way back to probably the nineties. So that is what we are doing now.”
Marion Ali
“And what system do you have in place to ensure that it doesn’t recur – you don’t build another arrears bill that reaches another few million dollars in the next few years?”
Chandra Nisbet-Cansino
“It’s very challenging because Karl Heusner [Memorial Hospital] is the only tertiary hospital in Belize. We treat a lot of less fortunate persons. People can’t afford the private sector, so we cannot refuse treatment to anyone. So we will probably always be in a deficit because persons that need care access it care and the challenges is collecting.”
Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado has indicated that minors may not be exempt from a possible 6-month State of Emergency (SOE) aimed at restoring public safety. “We will do what we need to do, and as law enforcement officers, our job is public safety, and whatever needs to be done to maintain the safety on the grounds, we will do it.” That is what he said when he was asked if minors will be arrested under the SOE.
According to the Commissioner, the situation between rival groups, primarily the PIV, BLC and their affiliates, has reached a dangerous tipping point. “Presently, from our assessment, we have made it’s only the PIV, BLC and its affiliates that are going after one another. And it is at a critical stage right now that drastic measures must be taken.”
The police commissioner said discussions are underway with the National Security Council about implementing a minimum of 6-month State of Emergency, which he believes is necessary given the current critical situation. A decision is expected later today.
Newly appointed Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado has confirmed that discussions are underway with the National Security Council regarding the possible implementation of a state of emergency (SOE).
“With the death of Brandon Baptist, the security threat was high, and with the shooting of Rojas, it has now escalated to a critical level,” Dr. Rosado told reporters this afternoon. He added, “Presently we are discussing with the National Security Council to see if we will implement a state of emergency, but I do believe that at the critical state it is right now, there’s a need for it.”
The commissioner said he is “lobbying” for the SOE to be enforced for “6 months at the very least.”
As previously reported, over 60 alleged gang members are currently in police custody following the increase of gang-related activities, which Rosado described as a “network” requiring “extensive investigation and interview of all the players them, hence the reason they were detained.”
Dr. Rosado assured the public that the department is “using all available resources, deploying all available resources, to ensure that we restore peace, safety and normalcy to the street.” He added, “I am not perturbed, I am not disturbed, and I am not overwhelmed by what’s happening; we will do what we need to do.”
A decision from the council is expected later today.
