The People’s United Party is certain of a victory in Toledo East. That’s according to Prime Minister John Briceño, who is yet to hit the ground in that constituency to lend support to P.U.P. standard bearer, Doctor Osmond Martinez. As we’ve reported, the by-election is set for July seventeenth and three candidates from separate political parties have been officially nominated, including Wil Maheia for the People’s National Party, Dennis Williams for the United Democratic Party and Doctor Martinez for the ruling P.U.P.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I have every confidence in Osmond Martinez. Osmond is a man of the soil. You know, when he was, when I met him and we would go on trips and he would tell me about how he grew up, you know. That’s a story that everybody should aspire or look at and say I’d love if I can be like him. And now, here he is now offering himself to the people where he grew up from, to say, “You know what, I want to be a part of you, I want to see how I can serve you to be able to bring more opportunities for the people. So it’s a success story and a story that Belizeans should look at and say, well, if he can do it then I can do it. And it’s all hard work, determination, making sure that I can get it done.”
Amidst preparations for Hurricane Beryl, you may have missed that on Tuesday, the three candidates vying for the seat in Toledo East were officially nominated. They are Wil Maheia, of the People’s National Party, Doctor Osmond Martinez, of the People’s United Party, and Dennis Williams, of the United Democratic Party. On July seventeenth, one candidate will be selected as the Toledo East Area Representative. Today, we spoke with Wil Maheia to find out how he feels about placing his name on the ballot sheet as the day of the bye-election approaches.
Wil Maheia
Wil Maheia, P.N.P. Candidate, Toledo East
“That’s usually a great feeling to know that your name is on the ballot. You’re one of the persons that will more than likely be the representative for Toledo East. My people that came out and supported me, there are a wide range of people. And I believe that these people have faith in me, and that’s why they came out to support me, and it was so great to be out there, and for the first time, I believe in the history of nominations, that a so-called third party was the first party to get nominated, and again, that’s because of the leadership that I bring. These things also don’t happen, you have to speak up, and you have to try and get things done. I have been involved for a long time now. And I’m born and raised here in the Toledo district. So all my energies have been focused in the Toledo district, and I entered the race because I believe that I could contribute more than what I have already contributed to the Toledo district and especially to Toledo East. I decided to run as a member of the People’s National Party because I believe that Belizeans are just tired of the two-party system, and they want an alternative, and I believe that I’m a viable alternative. And you know, that’s one of the questions I’m asked the most. If you win, you’re only a one person party only candidate that would not be a P.U.P. or U.D.P. But I believe my record has shown that I can work across party lines. When the U.D.P. was in, I worked with them. When the P.U.P. is in, I have a really good relationship with them. I believe that the prime minister of this country is about forty people and will listen to whoever the people want. I believe that once elected, Me, I can work with this government to get things done and I’ve done that without being elected and I want to continue to do that.”
More relief is on the way for the victims of the victims of the brushfires that raged in Toledo during the unprecedented dry season experienced this year. In response to the devastation, the Julian Cho Society, Toledo Alcaldes Association, Maya Leaders Alliance and its partners launched a forest fire relief, restoration and prevention initiative. Through this effort, over thirty-seven thousand pounds of food were distributed to three hundred and seventy-two families. Cristina Coc, spokesperson for the Toledo Alcalde’s Association and Maya Leaders Alliance provided us with more details.
Cristina Coc
Cristina Coc, Spokesperson, Toledo Alcalde’s Association & Maya Leaders Alliance
“Our response was intentional. It was rather than invest in trying to control the fires, which we knew in many instances were uncontrollable, we were gearing up and prepared to provide food relief. and emergency relief in the aftermath of the fire. And so we have been able now to provide food immediate food supply to victims who lost their cornfields and who lost their subsistence farms. We’ve provided them with culturally relevant foods in the form of corn beans, rice, flour and of course, sugar. We did that over the course of the last three weeks, we’ve been delivering that emergency food supply to communities. In the Toledo district and we’ve identified, I think the number is three hundred and seventy-two families that were directly impacted. There were many other families who lost cash crops, who lost. Permanent trees, fruit trees. For those victims, we are going to roll out a program where we’re going to provide seedlings for them to restart their farms. That is in the medium to long term. In the next couple of months or so, we’re going to have those seedlings ready to be distributed. Right now, our priority is the food. We work on a daily basis with these communities. We work on a daily basis with the alkalis in all of these communities, the chairman, the village councils of these communities. And so it is a part of our response. In our relationship with the communities, we know that being is really important. Food security is a big thing in the communities. And it is all our responsibility to respond in a positive way if we can to the communities.”
Local organizations in the Toledo District have launched a relief and restoration initiative against the severe drought and rampant forest fires near the communities. As a result, communities in the Toledo District have suffered devastating losses. A statement issued on Wednesday by the Julian Cho Society, Toledo Alcaldes Association, and Maya Leaders Alliance stated, “Thousands of acres of forests and wildlife have been destroyed in this inferno. The devastation is insurmountable, beyond anything we have seen before.”
Despite efforts from communities and partners to contain fires, many were uncontrollable due to the severity of the conditions. According to the press statement, this prompted organizations like the Julian Cho Society, Toledo Alcaldes Association, Maya Leaders Alliance and its partners to “launch a forest fire relief, restoration, and prevention initiative.”
This initiative includes distributing food supplies to aid three hundred and seventy-two families from thirty-two villages and distributing seeds for replanting damaged crops. The initiative plans to continue supporting farmers in restoring their agroforestry farms and replanting forests.
Over the weekend, Mabil Ha Village, a Maya community in Toledo District, broke ground for a new water supply system. The project has been long in the making. Residents have had to rely on water sources that are not the safest, including creeks and natural springs. But all that is about to change thanks to a partnership between the Caribbean Development Bank, the Ministry of Rural Transformation and The Belize Social Investment Fund. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Having no access to potable water may be an unimaginable thought to many Belizeans. But for the residents of Mabil Ha Village, this kind of access has been one of their longstanding desires. Well, the village is finally getting a water supply system. A groundbreaking ceremony was held over the weekend in the community. Jose Salam, the Chairman of the village says he has been waiting all his life.
Jose Salam
Jose Salam, Chairman, Mabil Ha Village
“Water is an essential source of life, and it has been thirty-eight years that I have been living in this community and our life desire was to have potable drinking water implemented in our community. I know that this will have a significant positive impact on the livelihood of our villagers. This is a number one step forward in the development of our community. Even though we have other important needs to the development of our community, we chose water because it is second to oxygen we breathe, and these are the main priorities of living.”
The project comes by way of a partnership between The Belize Social Investment Fund, the Caribbean Development Bank and the Ministry of Rural Transformation. Entire families attended the ceremony, some sat under the tent provided while others watched on from under the shade of surrounding trees. Oscar Requena, the Minister of Rural Transformation was present.
Oscar Requena
Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation
“I want to say to you water is very important, and we have something over there that speaks about goal six. Goal six speaks about ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all and that is important, because just like how the people in Cayo, Corozal, Belize City want clean safe, potable water, the people of Mabil Ha and everywhere in this country deserves safe, clean, potable water and Mr. chairman as you said, we have worked very diligently, we have worked hard with our prime minister, John Briceno and this government under Plan Belize to ensure no one is left behind. And me Oscar Requena I will always fight for the rural people I will always fight for the poor people like you who live in the villages, because I grew up in a village. I grew up without water. I used to go get water in a creek so I understand the poor people and what they feel.”
Residents of Mabil Ha have relied on creeks, natural springs and hand pumps to meet their water needs. Not only are these methods time-consuming, but they also pose significant health risks. That will soon be a thing of the past. Carlos Tun, the Executive Director at Belize Social Investment Fund, says every resident will have access to clean water when the project is completed.
Carlos Tun
Carlos Tun, Executive Director, Social Investment Fund
“The sub project will provide for the construction of a supply well and a reinforced concrete pump house to provide ground water. This pumping station equipped with two five thousand gallons storage tanks will be powered by solar systems ensuring sustainability and efficiency. Additionally, a standby generator will be available to supply supplementary power when necessary. The installation of over seventeen thousand feet or four inch and two inch pipes will form the back bone of this system along with fifty-four service connections to provide water to the school, residents and churches. This infrastructure will transform the way water is supplied in Mabil Ha, ensuring that every corner of the village is adequately served.”
Jose Salam
“Various administrations have passed but they were not able to react to our cry. Therefore, I take this opportunity to thank the honorable Briceno and his administration for acknowledging and taking into consideration the harsh realities and challenges we face in this rural community of the Toledo West.”
The Ministry of Rural Transformation and Community Development broke ground for the new Mabil Ha water system. On Sunday, the ministry held a ceremony at Mabil Ha Village, Toledo District, celebrating the start of the long-awaited project that marks “a significant achievement in our mission for rural transformation.”
According to the ministry, the project is a collaborative effort between the ministry, the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF), and the funding support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
The project is designed with sustainability at its core and “will harness the power of solar energy and feature a backup generator on-site, ensuring a reliable water supply for years to come,” says the Ministry, “a significant achievement in our mission for rural transformation” to provide the people with “safe, clean, portable water.”
At the ceremony, Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation and Community Development said, “In two weeks time… we are going to see the work get started in Mabil Ha.”
Water, light, and a structure to provide shelter from the elements are things many people have grown to take for granted, but for Yuri Choc and her family of ten, it is all they are asking for. In early May, the family was displaced after a fire destroyed their home and have since been living in a building used by the local church for a kitchen. This structure has no beds, plumbing, and no space for her children and elderly parents to live comfortably. We visited Choc in Trio Village today, so she can, once again, make an appeal to the public.
Yuri Choc
Yuri Choc, Fire Victim
“When the house started burn I think the ashes dropped on top of the house. Then da right there we see that the house don catch fire and we can’t wet it because we no got no water and the well dry. That’s why the house get burned too, if we got any water, at least we got the water in the well, maybe we could try save the house, but we never have no water in the well, it’s dry.”
Britney Gordon
“Where have you guys been living now that the house burned down? Where are you staying?”
Yuri Choc
“We stay in the church and kitchen, that’s where we stay right now. Yeah, because ney tell we make, we stay right there at the church kitchen. Da right with dih stay but we know can’t take long right there.”
Britney Gordon
“What what’s it like living in this house? Do you guys have beds? Water. How is it there?”
Yuri Choc
“I ah tell you the truth, we not got no water. The church weh paat ney have the kitchen. ney not got no water. We barely get some water with neighbor. We just ask some ney have and some ney no have. And we not got no bed and everything get burned in the house and all the kitchen stuff all get burned. Yeah, everything get burned and we don’t got nothing. We never save no clothes.”?
Britney Gordon
“Have you received any help recently? Has anyone reached out to you and offered you support?”
Yuri Choc
“Yes, I want to tell you the truth. We received twenty bags of cement, but only cement we get help for that, but we need them like zinc or blocks or sand at least somebody could support me for the zinc or sand or blocks and steel. We need everything for the house.”
Choc and her family can be reached at the number six-six-five-eight-five-five-seven.
June twenty-first is World Refugee Day, which is a day to acknowledge and welcome the millions of people around the world who are forced to flee their home countries and seek asylum elsewhere due to circumstances like war or persecution. This year, World Refugee Day focuses on solidarity, open doors and finding solutions to their plights. Today, news Five’s Britney Gordon visited Trio Village, one of several communities in Belize where asylum seekers are relocated by the U.N. Refugee Agency. The U.N.H.C.R. hosted a football game to bring the community together. Here’s that story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
There are over four thousand refugees currently registered in Belize and every year, the country’s melting pot of cultures only becomes more diverse as it gains about five hundred more. About twenty percent of those refugees are living in southern Belize. So today, on World Refugee Day, the team at the U.N. Refugee Agency, U.N.H.C.R. gathered the community in Trio village to participate in a football match. Myrat Myradov, U.N.H.C.R. Head of Office told us why community bonding activities such as these are important for refugee heavy areas.
Myrat Myradov
Myrat Myradov, U.N.H.C.R. Head of Office
“We’re focusing on a number of the community projects because we’re not only looking from legal protection and documentation point of view, but also making sure that people are able to integrate in the community. And we have a number of livelihoods projects income generation, so they’re not dependent, they’re able to have their business opening a possibility of opening businesses. We have English as a second language courses available to children. Access to schools is also available and possible so kids can receive proper education. Projects related to access to health and working with the local. local clinics. So a lot of community related work and the community volunteers, mobilization of community, the matches like that, also a part of sports strategy and engaging youth more in various sports projects as well.”
Trio village is one of several southern communities where refugees are integrated into. A resident, who goes by the name Cristina, said she’s grateful for being able to make a life for herself in Belize.
Cristina
Britney Gordon
“Do you like being a part of this community?”
Cristina, Refugee
“Yeah, I like it.”
Britney Gordon
“Have you been able to make friends with the Belizeans here? Do you feel like a Belizean living here now?”
Cristina
“Yeah, I like it.”
Britney Gordon
“How long have you been living here”
Cristina
“Twenty years.”
Britney Gordon
“And now being a part of this program, do you feel like it’s made your life better?”
Cristina
“Yeah, for me better.”
Britney Gordon
“Would you recommend other people to be a part of this program too if they need the help?”
Cristina
“Yeah, I recommend to people who want help and make them go look for them.”
The U.N.H.R.C. helps to ensure that displaced people can access documentation, education, work and healthcare. Grayson Rash, a Trio Village community volunteer, told us how much he loves being part of that mission.
Grayson Rash
Grayson Rash, Community Volunteer
“It has given me many experience. It has given me ideas and it does even changing the way I see. Society or persons, because a lot of time we might see individuals walking in the streets, running, but we don’t know exactly why are they walking, why are they running, or where are they going to. And then, this has opened opportunities for me to speak to these people, to get to know people, get to know agencies, and also to provide more information to these persons or refugees who need help. So this also helps me to get more knowledge about these refugees.”
What may have looked like an average football game to onlookers, is but one small part of a greater endeavor, ensuring that the millions of people who are forced to flee their countries from war or persecution are able to call their new host countries home. Aida Escobar, U.N.H.C.R.’s Senior Information Assistant, said that offering the support and peace to the refugees that were not able to find in their homes is a great way to create a close-knit community.
Aida Escobar
Aida Escobar, U.N.H.C.R.’s Senior information Assistant
“We wanted to bring together both refugees and members of the community. And it’s very important for us to do that because in Belize, refugees live side by side with Belizean, with others who live here all We see that for the most part, once you get to know them, once you welcome them a little, you say hi. They’re really nice. They’re very grateful to be here. They’ve gone through a lot of traumas and tragedies because refugees, they didn’t have a choice. They were forced to flee their home because their life was in danger. They were in a situation that was unsafe in their countries. And so they found peace in Belize. They found asylum. And so coming here, when you talk to them, they’re super grateful and they just want to give back to the community.”
As we reported on Tuesday, a writ of election has been signed by Governor General Froyla Tzalam ahead of a by-election in Toledo East on July seventeenth. Three candidates, including the People’s United Party standard bearer Dr. Osmond Martinez, U.D.P. standard bearer Dennis Williams, and P.N.P.’s Wil Maheia will contest the vacant seat. Earlier today, the Elections and Boundaries Department issued a notice that the Nomination Day will be held on Tuesday, July second. The Elections and Boundaries Department has also released a list of polling, nomination and counting stations.
A three-month sewing training programme is expected to benefit underprivileged girls and women in rural Toledo. The training programme was launched on Monday in Pueblo Viejo Village, Toledo District, by the government of Belize and the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) under the name “Sewing Training to Underprivileged Adolescent Girls and Women.”
This initiative focuses on exploring entrepreneurship and enhancing financial stability among the participating women, and is part of the project “Enhancing Economic Empowerment of Women in Belize in the COVID-19 Post-Pandemic Era.”
The project aims to empower disadvantaged women with sewing skills. It will be managed by the Tumul Uj Pueblo Mopan Women’s Group.
At the launch, Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Local Government, and Labour, said, “What this project seeks to do is really to provide trading for our women, to improve their entrepreneurial skills, to improve their sewing skills, to improve their collaborative efforts of working together. And to be able to pass on those traditional and cultural skills that our women have.”
Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, commended the women participating in the programme, “such programme will build up self-confidence, and form a network of mutual support that helps the participants fulfill their potential.”
