Unstuck Belize - The Beginning

Mired down by personal, spiritual and professional issues, Kim Bartling headed for a sandy beach in January and unstuck herself. Now she hopes  16 University of Sioux Falls students will have equally life-changeing experiences. Seven weeks after Barling returned from the Central American country of Belize, the theatre professor and the students will create a playground for the schoolchildren; in addition, she would like to teach them drama and athletics.

The kids at Holy Cross Anglican School on Ambergris Caye won't be the only ones to benefit.
"I fully expect our students will be the people who are changed forever and will want to continue to do this type of traveling," Bartling says. "I'm fully expecting our students will walk away so much richer than any type of monetary things we can bring down and truly wanting to live the mission of the university, serving the world and God."

Belize, once known as British Honduras, is 25 miles long and 1 mile wide. It has three streets. Front Street offers white sand beaches and lavish hotels. Middle Street offers cafes and shops. But Back Street's dwellings are where it is revealed how desperately poor most Belizeans really are.  Despite that, Bartling awoke every morning to the sound of laughter - children, often riding three on a bicycle, elatedly heading off to school.

When Bartling returned to USF, she attended a Tuesday morning chapel service and asked to speak. Normally reserved about her faith, she found herself wanting to share her experience. And she proposed returning during the college's spring break in mid-March.  "I'm so proud of the University of Sioux Falls for saying, yes, we'll support you in doing this," Bartling says. "Our mission is like Gandhi's, to be the change you want to see in the world."

Bartling put out the call for students to go with her and ended up with 18 volunteers, not just from her department but from across the campus.  Anne Wentworth, a 21-year-old junior from Stickney, expected to spend spring break traveling with the USF choir on a concert tour to Chicago, Iowa and Wisconsin. But the communications and theater major woke up about a week ago, knowing her spring break travels would take her even farther.  "I woke up, and I'm like 'I'm going to go to Belize because I feel called,' " Wentworth says.  Wentworth, who has taken on roles as varied as Cinderella and a 60-year-old woman, had to tell her choir director, David DeHoogh-Kliewiter, about her change in plans.

He was disappointed but supportive, she says. "He said, 'OK, we pray blessings on your mission trip' and released me to go," Wentworth says.

Colin Koth, also a 21-year-old junior, had traveled to Guatemala on a mission trip with Linwood Wesleyan Church while in high school.  Earlier this month he was in Geneva, Ohio, participating in the NAIA indoor track and field meet. He won the men's 400 there. But a small corner of his mind was mulling over the possibility of going to Belize, and he spoke with Bartling by phone several times.  When he returned, he knew he was going to Belize.  "The thing is, you go down there expecting to make a difference for those people," Koth says. "I found this out in Guatemala. You learn a lot from them. You learn how they love life, each moment of every day."

The USF students will play sports with the kids, most of whom can't afford things such as soccer balls and softballs. They also will perform this year's USF children's play, "Page to Stage," which adapted kids' books such as "The Stinky Cheese Man" and "Olivia Forms a Band."  "We want to show them you can make a play out of anything," Wentworth says. "You don't need expensive things or a stage or curtains or a script. You just need ideas."

The USF students fly out on March 18 and 19. The days until then will be spent raising necessary funds. It will cost about $3,000 to put together the playground, Bartling says. Students are responsible for raising the $950 each plane ticket will cost.  USF's campus ministries has agreed to pay for the cost of extra luggage, which will be filled with the items donated for the Belizean children.  "It sounds cliched to say we're going to grow," Koth says, "but we will."

-  Jill Callison's columns   Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, SD     3/10/211

Ivo: 1st Mtg to 1st Day of School

Ivo

I first met Ivo in January of 2012.  He is a street kid, and upon our finding each other, it has been a lovefest. He has an infectious smile and a heart looking tos share its love. When my sister met him this past December, she agreed that if this kid was in the states, he would grow to be a rock star!
 He lives with his father, his father’s girlfriend, his sister Valerie, new baby brother Victor, and the girlfriend's mother in a small shed behind the house I was renting. 

Ivo’s mother took Ivo and his sisters to her native Honduras, to escape her domestic situtation. During this time, she had an opportunity to return to the states (she has a complicated life story which includes a reversed adoption as a child).  While here, Ivo's father went to Honduras and took the children out of her mother's home and took them back to Belize. 

I believe Ivo's father is - at the core - a good man.  However, with the delivery of a baby over Christmas, his focus is his new family.  He has never made his children accountable to school, and like many parents, use "lashing" as their only form of discipline. He has 2 other daughters too.  One of them is 14 and just had a baby.  She is currently in a girl's home in Belize City.

After a year of work, I finally found a school on the island that would enroll Ivo. Because he has never gone to school, he was too old - at the ripe old age of 9 - to be accepted into most of the schools. Until January 7th, 2013,  Ivo spent his days and nights  in the street.

He is doing well considering he is in an 8-3 structured environment for the first time.  He is currently learning his alphabet and seems to find math  his most natural subject.  Our biggest concern has been his lack of discipline in the classroom.  In addition to an entire lack of education, he has limited language. Also, physicality is his only language for frustration.  God Bless the teacher who is not only teaching her regular class, but is now also having to start at the beginning with Ivo.

I am proud to say, that my former O'Gorman student Jacob Barclay -  now a teacher himself -  is graciously paying for Ivo's education, as there is no public education in Belize.

Ivo runs away a lot. I am not sure if it is because of a lack of food (as he always claims he is hungry) or emotional negligence..However, in is not uncommon for him to knock on doors of some of my friends and an elderly relative on his mother's side.

Since my return to the states, I have found and am in communications with Ivo's mother.  She is living in the US and wants nothing more than for Ivo and his sister Valerie (age 13) to join her.  However, this is a tricky immigration case. 

Please pray for safety and compassion for Ivo and his entire family.  Please pray for patience and guidance for his teachers and the Isla Bonita school. As I continue to work with lawyers to assist in Ivo's and Valerie's most to the states, I ask for your prayers. 

My Newest Extended Family

Erick, Moises and Family

On my last trip to Belize, I found yet more children of which I fell in love. Locals are now tracking me down to look in on families that they feel deserve "a chance." Please understand that when I describe living conditions and individuals, I do it with the highest of respect.

Esperanza is native of Honduras. I am still confused by how many children she has. There may be two older daughters (17 and 19), as they were described as part of the family when I first arrived. They were there doing wash every day, but because of their age, they did not live in the “house.” The children I came to meet were Erick (12), Nayeli (11), Moises (7), Nardo (4) and new baby Janell.

One would think that the presence of an Amazonian blonde just showing up asking a lot of questions about family and education would intimidate some. Not here. I have yet, had anything but a gracious welcome in any Belizean home. I explained that I was a teacher and interested in the children. I asked about their scholastic history. Only Nayeli was currently in school. Unfortunately, it was St. Peter’s, which is a half day program, questionable reputation. In fact, the education consulate just shut it down at the end of the school year. Erick had attended school in Belize City, but had not been re-enrolled since moving to Ambergris Caye 3 years ago. Therefore, he had – maybe 2 years of education.  I asked their mom…who am I kidding…my Spanish sucks, Erick asked his mom, if he could accompany me to the beach so I could “see what he knew.”  When it comes to this family, it is a package deal, so off to the beach we went – the three boys and I.  

While Nardo and Moises swam, Erick and I went through his letters (check), did some math (quite good), and tried reading (he takes cues from the pics, but no real phonic skills). Mostly, we just talked. This kid and his brothers, snagged my heart immediately that Sunday on the dock - no pole – no net. Erick didn’t want to stop doing schoolwork. This is a very good sign.

The next day, Monday, I started my routine. Since there is no “true” public education, the first issue is tuition. Schools like Holy Cross and the Roman Catholic school are certainly more affordable at under $100 a year, but they are busting at the seams. Even if the principals could take them, putting a 12 year old in a 1^st or 2^nd year classroom is not fair to Erick or the other students, especially if it a classroom of over 30. Therefore, I need to find a smaller classroom; this means higher tuition.

I decided to try New Horizons, the 7^th Day Adventist School, located over a mile south of San Pedro town.  Principal Miguel was impressive. Frankly, all the principals that I have met are extraordinary people. I gave him my Erick pitch.  Principal Miguel wanted to meet him personally. Back on my bike to Erick’s home I go.

I explained to Erick that he needed to be interviewed. That meant clean shorts and shirt. We went to the store (all the clothing stores for locals – me included – are 2^nd hand/thrift). It was like preparing Tyler for his first day at O’Gorman. Collared shirt, khaki shorts, socks, and a clean face. What else could a girl ask for?  As we were leaving his house, Moises who is painfully shy said, “Miss, when can I go to school?”

Back to the store.  Their neighbor, a taxi driver, became intrigued as to what I was doing. Erick enthusiastically explained. Ruben said he would give me a good rate so that we would not all be sweaty when we got there. Done.

The boys did great. Principal Miguel agreed to their enrollment. They were begin the next day.  However, he wanted to meet their mother - another round trip. You can’t just call a babysitter in Belize. So, I packed the whole crew up -Esperanza and all 5 kids. Thank God Principal Miguel speaks Spanish. My speaking of it is terrible, but my understanding of it is quite good.  He made it VERY clear that what I was doing, was a chance of a lifetime for her and her children. He told he that he would make sure that must keep up her end as their mother; get them up, make sure they are clean, oversee homework (I am not holding my breath on the last one).  There were a lot of “Si’s.”

The rest of the day revolved around getting ready for their first day of school.  Each school has specific uniforms; so, first on the agenda, was to find a seamstress, buy fabric, and get both measured. In the meantime, we had to go back to the store to find collared shirts and shorts in the same color palette to get by.  Backpacks, shoes and school supplies were purchased. Finally, I needed to find a wood worker. Each student must supply his own desk. Is it any wonder why so many children are not in school? The financial total on this day alone was close to $500.

They were dressed and ready to go, when I got to their home at 7 am the next morning. I don’t know who was more excited and proud, the kids, their mother or me. We took a cab the first day (which was another hurdle I was going to have to cross). By the time I got done paying the lunch lady, Erick was already thick into a game of soccer. As the boys are rarely out of each other’s periphery, Moises was off to the side, watching their new packs. 

Back to the lunch lady… Lunch ladies are universal. Lunches in Belize are not provided by the school, so a grandmother-mother-daughter combo set up their “kitchen camp” in one of the small buildings. A meal is $2.50 a day. However, like all lunch ladies, they also scoop out equal parts of motherly discipline and hugs. 

Moises’ second day of school began at 4 am with his class trip.  This kid only has one day of classroom under his belt, and he hasn’t been off the island since he arrived 3 years ago. Furthermore, he has never spent a night away from his family. Now, here I was, picking him up and heading to the water taxi with the rest of his class for an overnight trip to the mainland.  Bonus - Moises has extreme motion sickness. This trip includes boats and buses. I dubbed it the “Vomit Vacation.” 

After a day of the Belize Zoo, A National Park and cave exploration, we head to St. Ignacio where we were all responsible for our own hotel rooms and dinner. Moises and I were bushed. We decided on pizza and ice cream – what else do you feed a kid who has been tossing his cookies all day?  I am going to be an awesome grandma someday.

The next day, we went to a butterfly farm and one of the Mayan ruins. One day we are holding on to ropes being lower to the depth of hell in a Cave. The next we are overlooking the country of Belize from the top of ruins – no ropes and no fences.  This would never happen in The States.  The fact that I am the guardian of a 7 year old that I just 3 days ago, is just a taste of the trust of the Belizeans.  I learned oodles on this trip about the country, its history and its culture. I also fell in love with a little boy.  Moises is so quiet, but his heart and smile is loud and clear.

The boys would come to my house every morning at 7 am for tutoring. I would check their homework, and many times, ride with them to school.  Oh yeah, I bought them bikes – easy answer to the taxi issue. Moises still doesn’t know how to ride his, despite our nightly tries on the beach.  It will happen, but in the meantime, he rides on Erick’s handle bars.

Today, July 9^th, I got the boys’ grades. Both of them are going to have to repeat, which we all knew since they didn’t begin until May.  However, their scores were in the 60-80 percentile. I will take that as a victory; thank you.

Post note…

I need to describe their family dynamic and living conditions. This family lives above a barrack like structure (long building with small rooms with outside doors) built on a combo of sand and pounded garbage.  The women living in this housing unit have some obvious addiction issues, and well, based on the structure description, you can guess their source of income. I need to be clear, that they are lovely to me. They offer me food, invite me to sit and visit on their beds, and give me many, many, many smiles and hugs. I accept each invitation. They are doing the best they can.  Esperanza and her five younger children, share a room of approximately that is “maybe” 12’ long and 8’ wide. She and the man of the baby sleep in a bed with Nardo and the baby. Erick and Moises share a hammock hung above.  Nayeli sleeps on a folded futon mattress. This is their home. It includes a burner, a small dorm fridge, and all their belongings.