St. Andrew's High School Youth - Belize '09

Friday

2009-06-28T09:38:00.001-07:00

Friday was a tearful day at the school. The youth played with the kids in the morning...many of them visiting the kids' homes. After lunch and many hugs, kisses and tears, the team left for Xunantunich mayan ruins. Xunantunich is about 8 miles west of San Ignacio and to get to it you have to cross the Mopan River on a small hand-cranked ferry. Its name means "Stone Woman" in the Maya language (Mopan and Yucatec combination name), and, like many names given to Maya archaeological sites, is a modern name; the ancient name is currently unknown.
Most of the structures date from the Maya Classic Era, about 200 to 900. The core of Xunantunich occupies about one square mile, consisting of a series of six plazas surrounded by more than 26 temples and palaces. One of its structures, the pyramid known as "El Castillo," the second tallest structure in Belize (after the temple at Caracol), at some 130 feet tall.

Friday at Xunantunich

2009-06-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

Party Day

2009-06-26T06:09:00.001-07:00

Thursday was PARTY day!!!! We sponsored an End of the School Year party for the students of Billy White. The youth played football (soccer); jumped ropes; played Red Rover; did face-painting; handed out stickers; played card games; sang; did arts & crafts...with all of the kids from the school. We fed the students Rice & beans, stewed chicken, coleslaw, watermelon and juice for lunch...and even had enough left over for our group to enjoy some with our sandwiches. Extremely hot weather today!!! It was 100 in the shade...but we kept hydrated and sun-blocked. Forgot to tell you that yesterday, the students set up a clothing distribution for the kids and handed out at least one outfit to every student at Billy White school...there was some clothes left over so we gave them to Miss Orlinda to give to some of the people in the village. Every afternoon we return to the hotel and everyone enjoys time in the pool...delicious dinner and devotions every evening. Pictures to follow soon.

Pinata - a contact sport in Belize

2009-06-26T06:04:00.000-07:00

End of the School Year party

2009-06-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

Monday thru Wednesday

2009-06-24T19:14:00.001-07:00

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday have been spent working on the school room. Monday the youth prepared the area for the laying of cement block. Tuesday, they sifted sand, added gravel and concrete mix to make the mortar to use with the cement block. They have laid almost 300 cement block, while also mixing all of the mortar mix by hand. They have also been enjoying playing with the kids of Billy White.
Weather has been very hot but all are keeping hydrated and taking many breaks. Tuesday was a short work day, leaving Billy White right after lunch and returning to the hotel for rest and cooling off in the pool. All but the guys and Jack returned to Billy White on Tuesday evening to attend the graduation ceremony for 8 students graduating from Standard 6 (our equivalent of 8th grade).
Wednesday was even hotter than the day before...but we put up some tarps over the work area to provide some shade for the workers.
The following pictures show what the youth have been doing the first half of the week.

Work and play

2009-06-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

Still working hard

2009-06-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

More work

2009-06-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hard at work

2009-06-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

Summary of Sunday

2009-06-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

Sunday started with service and communion overlooking the 1000 foot Falls. Next it was on to Rio Frio Caves for a look inside at some Mayan artifacts. Lunch was enjoyed at Rio On Pools along with playing in the water and sliding on the natural granite slides. The final adventure was to Five Sisters Falls where all were brave enough to jump from the cliffs and enjoy the waterfall. The following pictures are all from Sunday.

Five Sisters Falls

2009-06-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

Lunch at Rio On Pools

2009-06-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

Rio Frio Caves

2009-06-24T16:36:00.000-07:00

Communion at 1000 foot Falls

2009-06-24T16:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday - 1000 foot Falls

2009-06-24T16:26:00.000-07:00

WE are alive and well in Belize!!!!!

2009-06-24T06:12:00.001-07:00

We have had many glitches in the system...but should all be taken care of by tonight. Can get emails out but are working on the blog and picture aspect. All is well. Youth are working hard and all are enjoying the kids. Promise...pictures tonight and all the updates!!!!

Arrival at hotel

2009-06-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

We are in Belize!

2009-06-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

The group arrived at San Ignacio Resort Hotel around 5:30 local time. The group is
excited about being here, but tired from the traveling. Off to Caracol early in the
morning. More later with pictures.

Welcome

2009-05-26T15:31:00.000-07:00

We will be doing a daily update while the high school youth are in Belize. Check back with us and see photos and stories about what the youth are doing. You can stay in communication with your youth by using my email address....sjeve411@gmail.com