Its Done!!

Well, the Santa Martha Government Preschool is finally done! We had the Inauguration ceremony last week and it went off without a hitch, even with all the rain we had that week and the morning of the dedication. And here is the welcome speech I gave to the audience:


Welcome…Minister Patrick Faber, Mrs. Barbara Thummalapally, Ms. Carol Babb, Dr. Marco Mendez, Mr. Ruben Campos, Ms. Carla Alvarez and other Ministry of Education leaders and staff, Matt Cain, Ms. Denise Diaz and other Peace Corps staff, other distinguished guests, the Santa Martha teachers, parents, community and of course students. It is a great honor and privilege to be speaking amongst you all today on this wonderful and special day.

To be honest I am still in disbelief of what we have accomplished here. Only 3 months ago this building next to me had no roof, had no bathroom, was full of holes, and now look at it; it has been brought to life!!

You all are probably wondering how quickly this all got done. Well, let’s go back about a year ago.
I started coming out to Santa Martha last year with the hopes of connecting with the teachers, community, and of course the students. I would often sit and talk with the teachers at lunch and break times and in the back of the pick-up on our long rides back and forth to school and town. We would have much dialogue about many different things. Some days we would talk about the school and I would frequently ask them; how could we make this school better, what does it need, what would you like to see improved. And many things would be brought up, but a common theme was why this community doesn't have a preschool and how it could benefit from one.

Through these months of dialogue between teachers, parents, and the community I began to wonder what was going on with this abandoned building on the school compound and why couldn't we use this building.

Then one day we got serious, enough talk, let’s do something about it and make this a reality. So, Mr. Hernandez and I began working on a proposal in late April and already had a foundation willing to generously donate and support the entire project. We knew we had our work cut out for us to get this school open for the next school year.

Then began the gruelling 3 months it took to get this school ready for this inaugural preschool class of Santa Martha. We all wouldn't be here today celebrating if it wasn't for all the wonderful support we got from everyone. This community has shown just how effective a community partnership can be. Here we stand before this beautiful new school, completed in time for a new school year. Meeting the needs of today. And keeping the promise of tomorrow. This school is symbolic of a community that cares and is willing to join together to do what is needed for its children and grandchildren.

And now, here we are today! With this school completed and the support from so many people locally and abroad. I’d like to thank the Ministry of Education who was absolutely on board through the entire process and helped in every way possible to make things move as smoothly as possible. Peace Corps Belize who’s continual support in any volunteers work is unending. Also, the entire Santa Martha community, the teaching staff, the village council, and the students for all contributing in the development of the preschool.

And of course the ABAR Foundation, who funded the entire project. Unfortunately, they couldn't make it out in time to be here with us, but they asked me to read a few quick words from Ann Hoff, a member of the foundation.

ABAR words: “All of us are really sorry we will miss this exciting event on October 12!!!   We all wish we could be there to celebrate with all the kids, families, staff, workers, volunteers and people who helped make the school a reality!!!  We'll be toasting to all of you from California and Colorado!!!  Our many thanks to everyone involved!!!  I can't imagine all the people it took to get everything ready soooo quickly!!!  It looks fabulous from your photos. We hope all those adorable children have fun at school and enjoy learning!!!”

Now, I’d like to say a few things in Spanish to the community of Santa Martha, so bear with me!:

Santa Martha we did it! Look at what was accomplished here. Without you all, this would not have been possible. You all are the reason why this building is here; take pride and ownership in it. This new school reflects a community partnership. It is a partnership of parents, teachers, community members, students, administrators and local government. This partnership reveals a community that cares and is willing to take action. Together, ordinary people have accomplished something extraordinary here. Today we celebrate that accomplishment.

To the Santa Martha Teachers -Mr. Hernandez, Mr. Keith, Mr. Martin, Mr. Cal, Ms. Seleni, Ms. Marjeli and Ms. Betty – Thank you for everything! For supporting me and taking me in as part of your staff. For being there and listening to me vent on the highs and lows. Without your support through this entire project from beginning to end, I know we wouldn't be here today. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a part of your school. 

To the Santa Martha parents & community – Thank you for taking me in under your wings and looking out for me. For your continual support of the teaching staff and students. And remember you are the foundation of your child’s learning; support them, encourage them, love them, and there is no reason why we can’t see future doctors, teachers, lawyers, or ministers from this community. 

And of course the Santa Martha Students – Listen to your parents & teachers! Right? Thanks for allowing me to come to your school and teach you. Believe me when I say, I have learned so much from you all that I will remember for a lifetime and I hope at least a little from me. And have fun learning, there is a world beyond your imagination and anything you work for with hard work can be possible. 

Thank you

And again, to everyone, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Everyone one who helped no matter how big or small the task.

Thank you.

Here are some pictures of the ceremony...enjoy! :)

 The day before the ceremony, everyone helping get the school ready

 Setting up before everyone arrives

 PCV Christen and RPCV Susana

 Ms. Carol Babb and Mrs. Barbara Thummallapally doing last minute corrections

 Speech time

 Minister Patrick Faber singing to the preschoolers!

 Cutting the ribbon with the Minister

 Chatting and giving a tour with the Minister and Dr. Mendez the Area Rep for Santa Martha

 Me, Minister Faber and Mrs. Thummalapally

 Mr. Martin, teacher at Santa Martha

 Chatting with my host family

Natalie and Natalie

 My #1 Fan, Joaquin, my workpartner

The  new preschool teacher, Ms. Betty!

It's Finished...for the most part! :)

After weeks and weeks of stress, sleep-less nights, sweat, blood and tears, the preschool and Santa Martha is finally up and running! :-) It feels good that it is finally up and running and I can take step back and relax and breathe. This whole project was a long time coming and it really wouldn't be a reality without the help of the community of Santa Martha and all the great volunteers and helpers. And also the District Education Centre of Orange Walk, who continually backed with the project and moved things along as quickly as possible with all the logistics and paperwork. And certainly last, but not least, my work partner, Joaquin Dominguez, who allowed me to dive right in with this project and support me the entire way through. I am so overwhelmed with joy and pride, that the village of Santa Martha and the wonderful staff have supported and contributed to helping this preschool become a reality, without everyone's efforts it surely would not have been possible.

I will continue to help out Santa Martha this school year and just this past week got asked to judge the queen contest for the village. What an experience...five young girls hoping and praying to get crowned Queen of the Bay!

This month of September is going to be a fun-filled month because its September Celebrations here in Belize. Basically every holiday in Belize seems to be crammed into this month, we have St. Georges Caye Day, Independence Day, George Price Holiday, School Rallies, Children's Parades, Literacy Day, etc, etc. :) And here is the few funny pics from the last few months! :) Enjoy...

Yes, that is a dog with car seat belt as a collar! awesome!

Gaia lookin much better! And getting a little to comfy on the couch...

Pups for sale in Santa Martha

Having lunch in Caldaritas after a long day of shopping for preschool material in Chetumal; with Barb and Ms. Eleanor

On our way to New Land to get some furniture from the Mennonites...

New Land under development, very new Mennonite community...

No cars...

No electricity...

And an armadillo (wech) for dinner...

Reading with some of the kids at Santa Martha during the construction this summer...

Our very own Coke bottle... :)

Invitation to the US Embassy for September Celebrations!

Well I hope all is well with you all, and I will be home again real soon in October to take the GRE (yikes!) and see one of my besties get married! Go Allie! :) Gotta go and try and get coool, its soooo hot! :) Lots of LOVE! XOXO, Nat. 

Everything Falling Into Place...

So I expected the month of June to end smoothly with a grand trip home for my friend’s wedding, but somehow June ended up being one of my more busy months. I guess that’s what is expected as a PCV, never really plan, don’t have any expectations, and just go with the flow!

The school year was finally coming to close and other projects were coming to an end and others were just about to begin. The parenting classes in Santa Martha were coming to an end, we only had a few more sessions left and started to plan their last session with a big graduation of the COMPAR Program (Community and Parent Empowerment Program) in the beginning of July. The parents of this program have come a long way, we could tell that they were becoming more invested in the classes and actually practicing what we had taught them about having a loving home, being there for your children, and providing a nurturing environment for everyone in the household. When I returned from my trip home, we had a great big celebration for the parents and just about the whole village was out there. The parents performed skits on different things they had learned and each received a certificate and at the end there was so much food, drink, and music for everyone to celebrate. 

The week before I left I had the opportunity to help a fellow PCV, Gayla, who lives in a village in Corozal, called Cristo Rey. She refurbished the village community center into a youth center, where the kids from her village can come read, play games, color and just hang out with their friends. It was the first day of her opening the center and she had about 50 kids in the morning and afternoon! I was glad to be there and help and see what a success it turned out to be. The same week I got to see one of my good friends, Ingrid, head off to India for study leave! I’m so proud of her!! She is going to be studying English there for three years. Her family had a going away party for her and we all celebrated her next endeavor in life.

Also this month I finally got, Gaia, spayed! It was a long time coming. But, a volunteer who finished her service came back in June with some US veterinarians to do mobile clinic in her old village of Sarateneja. So, Gaia and I made the long trip up to the sleepy fisherman village on the very bumpy and flooded road. The surgery went very well even though she pulled out her stiches to her incision and then pulled her staples! That little butt! J So, when we got back to Orange Walk, I just had to keep it wrapped and clean and keep her not moving as much as possible, which is very difficult because she is such an active dog with me. In the end, everything is great with her. She is all healed up and her mange is getting so much better!

When we got back from that long weekend, the following day all the PCV in the North had an In-Service Training with some of the PC Staff. But, before that afternoon when our training started, Barbara (who also works at the Education Centre with me in Orange Walk) and I got word that we would be able to go out to Santa Martha Primary School graduation! We were so excited because we didn’t think we could because of transportation out to the far village. We knew it would be cutting it close, but we took the chance anyway. We had worked all year with this school and thought it was most important that we be there. We figured everything was going to go smoothly on the way out, of course we were wrong! Right before we left the Education Centre the principal called me and asked if I could get the certificates/diplomas from our office, no problem if the office was open! We were leaving before 8AM when the office was open, so we had to call our District Manager to get her keys and the fish through the entire office to find these papers and make sure they were signed. Thirty minutes later we were on our way, so we thought. Five minutes later we got another call from one of the teachers saying that the car they were riding in had broken down! They needed a ride out of the village! So we picked up the principal and another teacher, who could fit in our truck and were finally on our way to Santa Martha. The other teachers were going to be on their way in another vehicle they had found. As you can imagine, the graduation didn’t start on time, but it in the end it all worked out. Barbara and I were able to get our ride back to town just in time for our 1PM training session with Peace Corps and our work partners. What a morning!! J But, I will never forget that day!

The training went well and I since I had requested annual leave prior to the training I only could make it to a day and half of the training because the next day I left for my trip home! FINALLY! It had been 15 ½ months since I had been home. My trip home was very short, but well worth it! I went home for my friend’s wedding and it was so great to see all my friends there. I got to see both my brother as well, my twin brother from Michigan, came out in an impromptu trip and it was awesome! I got to just relax, watch TV, go to the beach, eat great food, drive a car and do some shopping! J Even though it was a short trip, I’m so glad I got to see everyone I could, especially my family, friends and boyfriend. But, of course Belize beckons and I had to get back for the summer activities that were happening.

When I got back, it was right back to Santa Martha Village for the Parenting classes’ graduation. And then having only a few days to prep and organize for Camp GLOW in the Cayo district. I was in charge of all the food, snacks and catering for the campers and camp leaders and volunteers. Camp was AWESOME! Everything went so smoothly and the girls seemed to really enjoy themselves. Some highlights from the week was field trip to Chaa Creek butterfly farm and museum, the pool volleyball games, the campfire, zumba classes, and the talent show! The camp was a lot of work and a lot of long days and nights, but it was all worth it for the girls to have a good time! When I got back to Orange Walk, the running club I have was signed up to run in a duathalon the next day, so on little sleep and not really working out, we were out there Saturday morning to run 2.5 mi, bike 5 mi, and run 2.5 mi again. It was loads of fun because I had never done anything like that (the closest thing to a triathlon for me). I actually ended up winning for the women, which was very exciting and Neli, who runs with me got second! Needless to say that the whole weekend following was just getting R&R from everything!

One last thing, the funding for the preschool is finally here!! The contractor and I went out to start purchasing items and material to start working on the preschool starting Monday! I am so happy that it is finally in because that has been a burden every day for me. We have 5 weeks until school starts and I think and believe it will be finished by September 3 when the first day of school starts! So this next month of August is going to be spent out in Santa Martha any free time I have to help and finish this school for the village.

Hope everyone is well and hopefully by next time the preschool will be open! J 


Miss you, love you, and we’ll talk soon! XOXO J