On Feb. 23, a high-level delegation from Belize travelled to Atlanta in order to engage with the community and strengthen tourism ties. Led by Minister of Tourism and Belizean Diaspora Relations Anthony Mahler.
Even in an environment with seemingly abundant food supplies, 44.5% of children live in poverty. A Broader View works hard to make a difference for these vulnerable young people and their families.
1. Belizean Diaspora in Belize City
Belizeans living abroad eagerly anticipate returning home either for retirement or investment purposes, and the government welcomes this re-entry with open arms through policy-making and essential information sharing. In order to be eligible, repatriation applicants must demonstrate they have a consistent monthly income from either retirement savings or investments.
Belize, located in the southernmost corner of Central America, is a relatively small nation with a population density slightly below that of Massachusetts. About one-fourth of its people reside in its capital city Belize City which serves as a bustling commercial center with a strong tourism industry as well as numerous museums galleries and festivals.
Belize’s major cities showcase its diversity of Belizean Diaspora, with residents including Mennonites, Garifuna people and descendants of the Maya peoples. Other areas offer more isolated experiences; visiting Five Blue Lakes National Park will reveal jungle wildlife, Mayan ruins and lakes with names that derive their hue from sunlight reflection.
Belize boasts an abundant tourism industry due to a combination of natural factors, including one of the longest barrier reefs in the Western Hemisphere and numerous idyllic islands with white-sand beaches. Agriculture and telecom are also key industries, drawing significant U.S. investments. Private North American investors also play a critical role in the economy, with many focused on agriculture or real estate investment. The Embassy, together with the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, will promote increased tourism, business, and trade ties during its visit to Atlanta from Feb 23-25. During their time here they will meet with business leaders, community groups, media outlets and press outlets before honoring two local businesses owned by Belizean diaspora members – Victory Insurance Group and C-Town Bikes and Fitness respectively – at Rockdale County Hall of Government during a ceremony scheduled for Friday afternoon.
2. Belizean Diaspora in Corozal Town
Corozal Town is the capital of Belize’s northernmost district and shares its border with Mexico, providing visitors an authentic taste of Belize. An increasing number of expats are drawn here for its relaxed charm, proximity to medical treatment in nearby Mexico and easy accessibility for everyday needs.
Corozal Bay was once an important Mayan river and sea trade center, while today it serves as a popular tourist destination. People flock here for its relaxing seaside setting, close proximity to Mexico, and excellent duty free shopping at its duty free zone. Corozal is home to Mestizos, Creoles, Mayans, Garifuna people as well as East Indian, Chinese, and North American expats who make up its multicultural mix.
Consejo, Corozal’s northernmost community, can be reached with a slightly longer drive from Corozal city proper and can provide stunning views across to Chetumal city from its shoreline. While this area does have resorts, most residents here are retired individuals preferring life away from tourist centers and enjoying coastal fishing, bingo and butterfly tours to create its quaint village atmosphere.
Food and beverage costs tend to be significantly less expensive here compared to more tourist-oriented areas, while medical care in towns and villages offers basic healthcare free of charge through clinics, while more advanced care can be found at regional hospitals. Furthermore, all children are entitled to receive primary education for free as part of the public school system.
3. San Ignacio
San Ignacio is the main town of Cayo District and draws ecotourists looking for adventure in the rainforest. Home to premier jungle lodges, cultural attractions and a flourishing restaurant scene – San Ignacio draws visitors looking for ecotourism adventures in its lush jungle landscape.
San Ignacio’s population is an array of cultures, with around 43.7% identifying themselves as multiracial (Mestizo). You will also encounter pockets of Mennonites, Garifuna people and descendants of ancient Maya in San Ignacio.
Barton Creek Cave, Belize’s longest subterranean river cave, is an enjoyable day trip from San Ignacio. Visitors can canoe, inner tube, or swim their way through its waters and cathedral-like chambers – once used by Mayans as an altar site – in canoes and inner tubes to explore this majestic natural wonder.
San Ignacio boasts several schools, such as Sacred Heart College of Catholic denomination and Eden Seventh Day Adventist High School. Galen University can be found a few minutes east of the town center while the University of Belize maintains an agricultural campus at Central Farm.
Many of the villages in the countryside are comprised of descendants of Maya indigenous people. While they still reside within their villages, they no longer depend on subsistence farming for support; rather they rely on tourism and remittances from relatives abroad for survival.
The diaspora is working hard to foster economic development in Belize and unite Belizeans abroad with their communities at home by organizing medical brigades that bring doctors from Venezuela and the US into Belize and offer free clinics, as well as engaging Belizeans who work in the military or law enforcement to offer training sessions for their counterparts in Belize. They’re also hosting a pen pal program so children from the diaspora can connect with children back home through pen pal programs arranged by this organization.
4. Spanish Lookout
Belize offers visitors many natural attractions and is an attractive travel destination. Additionally, its distinctive culture has led to a flourishing agriculture sector and robust economy.
Spanish Lookout in Cayo District hosts one of the nation’s largest Mennonite communities, located primarily as farmers but also operating businesses such as automotive workshops and construction suppliers. Furthermore, locals benefit from additional services offered such as childcare assistance.
Mennonites began migrating to Belize during the 1950s and 1960s in search of peaceable environments to practice their religion and raise crops. Spanish Lookout Mennonites have earned themselves a reputation as progressive, even while still employing old-fashioned farming techniques and wearing traditional attire. Additionally, these Mennonites speak Plautdietsch – an offshoot of German – as well as English and Spanish languages.
Spanish Lookout stands out as an exception among Mennonite communities by welcoming visitors of all cultures into its community and culture. From exploring ancient Mayan ruins to visiting local markets, Spanish Lookout provides plenty of ways for visitors to experience Mennonitism at its core.
The Belizean diaspora in the US has experienced rapid expansion. To promote enhanced tourism and business opportunities in Belize, Belize’s government is working on strengthening ties between them and their children living here – specifically through plans for a pen pal program that will connect children of Belizean immigrants living here with those back home. A high-level delegation arrived in Atlanta on February 23rd to discuss future partnerships between them and Belizean diaspora members here, and back home.
5. Orange Walk
Belize may be small in size but its people are incredibly welcoming and hospitable to visitors. Their culture encompasses multiple traditions that co-exist peacefully – in fact, Belizeans are considered one of the world’s most diverse and tolerant societies.
The Diaspora Relations Unit’s aim is to engage and partner with Belizean diaspora members so as to support local community initiatives. Their objectives include increasing Belize’s profile on an international stage, growing the economy through increasing exports and inward investments, promoting trade between Belizean diaspora members abroad, encouraging expertise exchange, as well as finding avenues of philanthropy.
Cayo District in western Panama hosts a large community of Garifuna families that celebrates their heritage with an annual national festival. This festival includes reenactments of the boat landing, oral history delivered by village elders, music, food and dance – providing visitors with a rare glimpse into a unique culture while showing how its people work to keep it alive in an increasingly modernized world.
At this annual celebration of Garifuna culture and high-ranking government officials, not only is there a reenactment of the boat arrival but there is also a special mass for Garifuna members and high-ranking government officials alone; celebrations continue with traditional foods, music and paranda and punta rhythms blending Caribbean with African rhythms with indigenous sounds pulsing through this cultural festival that stands alone from any other. Hands pound drums as hips snap like scarves to its unforgettable beats – an absolute must see for any visitors to Belize!
