The Iris
Foundation for Education (http://www.theirisfoundation.com) is
raising funds to assist the Bladen Mayan community in Belize's
southernmost Toledo District in building a new school.
Marilyn
Beckstead, the founder and executive director of The Iris Foundation (a
Canadian registered foundation) recently visited Bladen, and following
is an email message from her and pictures taken at Bladen. If
you'd like to assist in Bladen in helping its kids, you can contact
Marilyn at either nskry@yahoo.com
or
info@theirisfoundation.com.
From: Marilyn
Beckstead, The Iris Foundation [mailto:nskry@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 27 April 2004 11:14
Subject: Bladen
I paid a visit to Bladen last Tuesday and gave them a cheque for $4000
BZ. I'm not sure if we have enough to give them any additional funds at
anytime soon, but if not, hopefully we will raise more $$$.
The villagers held a work bee on the weekend and roofed the three
buildings.
They have made a deal with 3 local saw mills for donations of lumber for
the walls in return for a recommendation to the government for logging
concessions.
The government provided free trucking for roofing materials. So things
are progressing. My Italian friend Erwin Lizzari has approached an
Italian organization for a donation so maybe something will come of
that.
As you can see from the photos, this is a very poor village. They are
working very hard on this project and are deserving of our support.
Please note: services
and goods in Belize are subject to a 12.5%
general sales tax (GST). Hotels/resorts must charge a 9% hotel tax
on accommodations.
By law, all rates quoted for goods and services must include the GST, but
quoted hotel room rates need not include the hotel tax. All of our package rates include both
GST and hotel taxes. As required by law, rates for tours quoted on our
Website include the 12.5% GST. Many hotels and resorts also
impose a service charge. We have included service charges in package
rates unless specifically stated otherwise.
Send emails to
mtoy@destinationsbelize.com. Please
Note: Belize sometimes has significant phone and Internet service problems. If you do NOT
receive a response to your email within 24 hours, please try resending - and
we apologize for the inconvenience.)
Mailing Address:
General Delivery, Stann Creek District, Placencia, Belize
Phone:
Belize:
Land
Line:
523-4018 (from outside Belize dial
011-501-523-4018)
Cell:
610-4718 (from outside Belize
dial 011-501-610-4718)
Fax:
Use US Fax (see below)
U.S. Fax or Voice Mail Messages:
1-603-386-6632
