On Friday, November 22nd, 2024, Julian Cho Technical High School hosted its Annual Cultural Day. The event began with an official ceremony featuring students performing dances, singing, and showcasing various cultures. The festive atmosphere included numerous booths displaying aspects of different cultures, such as traditional foods, tools, and more. One of the main highlights of...
Last week Tuesday morning, Front Street by the Cooperative Wharf in Punta Gorda Town was alive with Garifuna colors as the community celebrated Garifuna Settlement Day with the reenactment of Yurumei. The event featured lively drumming and dancing as participants made their way to St. Peter Claver Church for a Garifuna Mass, which was captured...
On Thursday, November 14th, the 15th annual Primary Schools Garifuna Translation Contest was hosted by the Battle of the Drums as part of the November celebrations leading up to the 19th. Ten primary schools participated, each represented by two students. The competition tested participants’ ability to translate words, phrases, sentences, and proverbs from standard English...
On Wednesday November 13th, the Punta Gorda Methodist Church paid tribute to the late Teacher Jane Locario, honoring her contributions to the church, community, and Belize as a whole. A memorial service was held in her honor at the Punta Gorda Methodist Church. Many attendees wore traditional Garifuna clothing, and the sound of drums filled...
Thomas Vincent Ramos, a Belizean civil rights activist who championed the interests of the Garifuna people, passed away on November 13, 1955. Since then, he has been recognized as one of Belize’s national heroes. Wednesday November 13th, the People’s National Party, known for highlighting prominent figures who have contributed to the country’s development, organized an...
The St. Joseph Sodality Group from the St. Peter Claver Parish Church recently celebrated their one-year anniversary. This group of men is dedicated to working within the community under the guidance of the pastor of St. Peter Claver Church. On the morning of November 10th, the Sodality Group marked their anniversary with a mass. Following...
On November 7th, the NGC Pieni Branch hosted a discussion on the St. Vincent Block, commonly known as “Cerru.” The session provided valuable insights into the area’s history and the process through which it was reserved. The conversation centered on the ownership and trusteeship of the land, with a focus on clarifying a common misconception....
On November 8th, the High School Battle of the Drum took place at the Russel “Chiste” Garcia Auditorium in Dangriga Town. This year’s event was held under the theme “Embracing Cultural Diversity in Our Oneness as Belizeans.” Seven high schools participated: Toledo Community College, Independence High School, George Town Technical High School, Delille Academy in...
The first-ever Primary School Battle of the Drum took place on Friday, November 1st, at the Punta Gorda Sporting Complex. This event provided an opportunity for primary school students to showcase their talents in drumming, singing, and dancing. It also created a space for children to interact within a culturally rich environment. Nine primary schools...
As the Garifuna celebrations continue, the National Garifuna Council has organized a series of events set to take place in Punta Gorda Town. One of the main events is the Miss Garifuna Pageant. On Saturday, November 2nd, the NGC Pieni Branch hosted their pageant, where four candidates competed for the title of Miss Garifuna Pieni...
Last week, we reported to you that several, up to eight, Guatemalan boats were spotted inside Belizean waters engaged in illegal fishing. The Punta Gorda Fisheries Department evidently took our report seriously and, on Thursday, conducted patrols in the Sarstoon Temash area. They found four gill nets that had been illegally set. The gill nets...
With less than two weeks remaining before Tropic Air ceases operations in Punta Gorda, residents gathered at the airline’s local office today to send a clear message to the government: Punta Gorda need air connectivity and cannot simply be cut off. The demonstration comes as the community prepares for the loss of Tropic Air flights,...
Exactly one month after the Guatemalan armed forces violated Belize’s sovereignty, they did so again on Saturday October 10th, when the Belize Territorial Volunteers made an unannounced trip to the Sarstoon River. The trip discovered that the Guatemalan armed forces continue to occupy the river, but more than that, the trip also found that up...
Toledo District’s very own Ymanoli Garcia has been named Oceana’s 2026 Wavemaker of the Year for the district. The announcement was made during Oceana Belize’s Annual General Meeting. Over 300 Wavemakers, partners, and allies from across the country came together in celebration of their shared commitment to protecting Belize’s marine environment.
At the beginning of the week, World Pediatrics was in town at the Punta Gorda Community Hospital, hosting a specialized training for nurses, midwives, and healthcare professionals involved in the process of delivering babies and providing maternal care. The training focused on strengthening the knowledge and skills of healthcare workers.
