Video

I thought I would post videos so people could get some sense of what goes on down here in Belize. To read about some of this is one thing, but to actually see it is another. So I hope you all enjoy these videos.




Man on his way to work crossing a flooded bridge, while carrying his boots, a gun AND his bike. No big deal. What route do you take to work?

Video

Garifuna Settlement Day 2009 - Dangriga, Belize

Video

100 Days

So I only have about 100 days left in the Peace Corps. Pretty crazy. School let out for the summer vacation. I am working on creating a Leader Manual for the It's Up To Me program. One of my main concerns is long-term sustainability, but with a Student Workbook, a Leader's Manual and the support of the Principal, the program should stick around for a long time. The school received a replacement Peace Corps volunteer to continue some of the work with the program and for our first project together we are building a trellis over the garden. I thought it would be cool if we could turn the gardening area into a permanent gardening area.

Julie and I are going to Tulum, Mexico for our last vacation next month.

COS conference is coming up in July.

My official COS date is September 22, 2010.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

New Experience

Well I don't know how to put it any other way: one of my co-workers at E.P. Yorke was murdered last week. Apparently he was driving around the downtown area at 11 p.m. and a group of "gang bangers" stopped his car and shot him in the head and then took his car. After shooting him, they then tossed him into the street and drove off with the car. Cops later chased down the vehicle and captured 3/5 criminals.

I can say that this is a new experience for me. Never have I personally known someone who has been murdered; to have one of the people you work and interact with on a daily basis taken away is painful. He worked at the high school for the last 10 years and he was a really good basketball player in Belize. I can't recall a day on campus that we didn't joke around or speak to each other. Just recently he started calling me "rich white bwai" because he asked what my parents did for a living. I stated that sure my parents are doing well but as for me, well let's just say that the $79 in my US Bank account would not take me very far.

So yesterday I attended my first Belizean funeral and it was very large even for US standards. They had to use the University of Belize gymnasium for all the people that showed up. The Prime Minister, Minster of Education, The Ambassador of the United States along with other dignitaries were in attendance. My co-worker was the son of the mayor of Belmopan. They are hoping that this senseless murder will be the turning point for the violence in Belize. In my opinion, the corruption will prevent any real progress from taking place.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

It's Hot

What's the temperature down here right now? Thought you'd never ask:

99 Degrees
Feels like 117 Degrees

Can't wait for June.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Mention in the Miamian

Check out the article: Snapshots of Service in the Spring 2010 Miamian: Miami University Alumni Magazine:

http://www.miamialum.org/s/916/internal.aspx?sid=916&gid=1&pgid=2249

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss