Treking All Over Belize!

After two weeks of internships, we got back into the “meat and potatoes of science” with stream ecology led by our fearless professor, Dr Dan Ippolito from Anderson University! Stream ecology consisted of hiking up and down tropical stream systems (which is especially nice in this hot and humid weather) and of course testing water quality, collecting macroinvertebrates, and seining for fish in the different stream systems throughout our region. We started the first day at Barton Creek where we saw for the first time Tamryn’s passion for being in the water, as well as Joelle’s determination to “work together” to catch a fish she had her eyes on. The second day, we took the long trek up to Mountain Pine Ridge and studied Slate Creek, Privassion Creek and finally, after waiting all semester, traveled up to the Chalillo dam. At Chalillo we were able to get out on top of the reservoir to have a look around, talk to the operator and see for ourselves the ecological impacts the dam has had on this river valley. Dan shared with us about the impacts of dams in general on stream life, and it was good to finally see it after reading the book, “The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw”, a great read on the fight against the construction of this particular dam. On Wednesday, we traveled down the Hummingbird highway and visited St. Margaret’s Stream and then explored the Sibun River in search of cichlids (a group of fish found in the tropics).

The highlights of the week were: Heidi and Derek discovering a caddisfly that lived in a leaf casing, Dan finding and “pickling” a pike killifish, seeing Tamryn in action with the little green fish net, and meeting Enderson, a young Belizean boy who helped us collect macros and will someday become a stream ecologist (the seed has been planted!). The students were really challenged and learned a lot during this course, and now have a greater appreciation for even some of the smallest and oddest (have you seen an immature dragonfly’s labium?!) members of God’s creation found beneath the rocks and leaf litter of our tropical streams here in Belize.

During Stream Ecology, we were also able to have our second birthday party of the semester! Ashley turned the big 2-6, which doesn’t scare her as apparently 30 is the new 20 as she has been told... We celebrated this event by surprising Ashley with her favorite meal, eschebeche, and led her on a scavenger hunt all over Nabitunich with the end result being a surprise party at the director’s house! There everyone presented her with certificates and presents, and ate our favorite desert, chocolate cake! A good friend, Miss Martha even showed up and surprised Ashley! The event was really special!

We also had the opportunity to celebrate Heidi Doty over the weekend, as Heidi, due to a pressing medical situation, had to leave our community early and head home to Iowa. Although this caused much sadness, we were able to celebrate Heidi, her passions, gifts, and the woman of God she is, and the community really was blessed during this time. These events included a jammed-packed weekend of checking off things on the “bucket list” (the list the students created of things they want to do by the end of the semester”) like going to Sweet Ting, souvenir shopping, having a dance and slumber party, and writing poetry for Heidi to take back home with her. This weekend was a beautiful picture of community, as we came together, hurt together, laughed together and celebrated together the friendships we have made in such a short period of time.

After a weekend to rest from tromping through streams, we were off again and started the second week of Sustainable Community Development. Dr. Jonathan Warner from Quest University joined us for the week, and we headed up to Patachakan, a small, rural, sugar cane village. This field trip exposed us to a lot of information as we looked at several different development operations and asked the question, “Is this good for Belize”? CCSP’s good friend, Alfonso Vallejos, hosted us in Patchakan and shared with us his perspectives on the sugar cane industry, papaya industry, and village needs. We learned that in the northern districts of Belize, the three major industries are sugar cane, papayas, and the free zone found on the border between Belize and Mexico. We visited Alfonso’s sugar cane field and learned the arduous process of producing and harvesting sugar cane as well as the problems they face due to being dependent on a foreign market and the technology Belize currently has. We also visited an international corporation’s papaya fields, the Presbyterian Clinic in Patchakan, and Jacob’s Farm, a rehabilitation home started by Alfonso’s brother. Here we met Russell and his friend, “Miss Piggy” and heard first hand how caring for the land at Jacob’s farm can be an agent of healing.

After stopping at the Kolbe Foundation Prison, where we learned about the steps that have been taken to empower the prisoners there to take charge of their lives with valuable skills once they leave, we traveled up to Bermudian Landing and visited the Community Baboon Sanctuary. No one really knew what they were about to experience, and were all happily surprised when on the tour we met our furry friends up close and personal! The tour guide has built a relationship with these wild howler monkeys (some of the largest monkeys in the New World!) over the years, and the monkeys therefore felt comfortable enough to exercise their inquisitive nature and come in for a close inspection!! This also provided for some great pictures! After spending some time with the monkeys and our tour guide Robert, we talked to Ms. Jessie Young, the president of the Women’s Conservation Group, which runs the baboon sanctuary. She told us the purpose of the Sanctuary, how and why it was started, and what community development projects the Women’s Group has helped establish in several other communities, like fish and organic farming. The Community Baboon Sanctuary is an excellent example of an ecotourism that has been started and maintained by the local community, and has been working hard at conservation and development.

After several days of traveling Belize and witnessing first hand some both effective, and not so effective projects, we returned to Nabitunich, and started processing what we had seen. The weekend was spent recovering from out adventures and enjoying the Succotz Festival. Oh, how we love the village of Succotz and the blessing they have been to us!