I was able to speak with a Social Work professor at the University of Mississippi who has been traveling to Belize for years. It began as a vacation for her, but, a true social worker, she soon built relationships with some of the children and mothers in San Pedro. She discovered San Mateo community- the resilience of the families there, the injustice of unfulfilled government promises, the many needs- and began volunteering. She started taking students down on service learning trips, working on community development and other projects. Recently, students on the trip were inspired to help raise money to build a road for the community. Thought the government has promised for 14 years to enhance the infrastructure of San Mateo, the utility companies refuse to do anything until there are roads. As it stands now, there are only the "london bridges," unstable wooden planks between the disease-ridden, murky, waste-filled water. Students saw this problem, and decided they didn't want their trip to just be another college class where they learned a little and went home. They wanted to make a change. The community was on board, and are currently building the road as they materials are funded, bought, and delivered by students' fundraising.
The professor is interested in collaborating with Temple students, if that works out. I am excited to see so many leads and possibilities for a future trip to Belize!
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