What's in the news in Belize? Triple Murder

This weekend we heard reports of a young mother drowning three of her four children. Today there was confirmation of the story and details were released by the police.

Here is the story as reported by Patrick E. Jones on Facebook:  

TRIPLE MURDER: Police today released details of the tragedy that unfolded on Saturday afternoon in which 3 young children drowned, allegedly at the hands of their mother, identified as Felicia Chen, 22. The victims of the drowning are:Triana Teul, 4; Thomas Teul, 3 and Trinaya Teul, 1. According to the police report, Felilcia Chen went to Belizean Beach on Saturday morning with her four children. Police say that when Chen arrived she “took all her four children and walked with then into the sea until all three were drowned.” The eldest child, Trina Teul, 6, reportedly ran out of the sea and alerted someone on the highway of the incident. Police say the bodies of the deceased children were identified by their grandmother and taken to the KHMH where autopsies will be carried out. Police have since detained the mother of the children, Fellicia Chen, pending the outcome of the investigation.

As I was doing research about this young mother I found another story on Facebook that tells some of her tragic history:

Felicia: student, mother, accused of Filicide
by Jose Sanchez (Notes) on Monday, April 29, 2013 at 2:00pm
When I taught in a classroom, there was this vibrant third forms group 3B2. I had recently migrated from the public school system to a private one. 3B2 students had a good mix of energy from all parts of Belize City, there were students also from P.G. It was easy to notice when one is falling behind because there were so many of them who held promise and an excess of energy. Some students were talking about attending UWI, others were talking about careers. It was a different tune to listen to, as the stories at public high school that I heard were more of this sort “Sir, we can go there?” In response to asking them to view an exhibit at the Image Factory. Or “Sir, police raid my house last night and we had to go to station because they found weed my brother hustle with. Nonetheless, early on that year I had second period Lit. with 3B2. The class would be empty as the girls moved on to third period in the bio./chem. labs. So while I went over some work in the empty classroom, that is when Felicia walked in maybe on two occasions. The school had a system, so after clearing with the office she stopped by her homeroom to take her bags. I asked her about her tardiness. She could only say that she got late taking the bus. But I noticed her repeated absences and I asked her homeroom teacher. But apparently she was being taken in by this school as a ‘comeback kid’ after pregnancy elsewhere. The education system did not give up on her, and this particular institution which has been famed in literature for being harsh on pregnant teens, was giving her a chance. Pregnant teens don’t march for graduation, but they can get their diploma. They may take an exam, but not with their class. I repeat, this part of the system did not give up on her. I also asked her classmates, the ones who had that excessive energy to look into her but they said instantly that she kept to herself. She did not complete the term. The next time I saw Felicia it was on  the January 5, 2009 on News5.




Eighteen year old Felicia Chen, pregnant, and her one year old baby Trina Teul, were hit by a bus. The bus ran over Chen’s left leg and the toddler was bruised and under the bus.


Felicia Chen, Accident Victim



“I was going shopping because I was eight months pregnant so I had to buy the rest of stuff because I don’t know when I would have the baby... I just put my one year old on top of the sidewalk and as I was about to put my foot on the sidewalk I just felt something hit me hard right here. And the next thing I know I just looked and I saw my one year old underneath the bus. And she was, she was just vomiting everything up and then I tried to stop the bus but the bus didn’t want to stop and so my foot went underneath the tire and I was holding the tire and I was holding the tire and I told them to stop because I did not want them to ride over my baby.”


“The only thing I worry about is my baby girl because she is the one that is really traumatized in all this. I feel very sorry for her because she was born premature already, she is a sickly baby and now all of this that went on, I don’t know if she’ll ever get better after this. I just want to tell everybody whoever saw it what happen, please contact my mom or please go to the police station and make a report please because for one I won’t have my life back and worst my daughter because she is in complete shock right now.



I was surprised to see that she was on child number two. Eighteen and two children. She should be like the rest of her former classmates, having fun somewhere dancing, being foolish in love, studying at sixth form...maybe just finishing high school.




But now she’s at the police station being questioned about the death offour year old Triana Elica Teul, three year old Thomas Edilberto Teul and one year old Trinaya Felicia Teul four year old Triana Elica Teul, three year old Thomas Edilberto Teul and one year old Trinaya Felicia Teul.  One year old, Felicia had barely rested from giving birth. Twenty three years old, unemployed, under educated, and being a mother from when the father could have been arrested for carnal knowledge. What hospitals did she give birth? What clinics did she attend? Why did social services miss this case? Let’s stop with the ‘why’ because when will it stop? should be the next question. And Trina, the girl who survived the bus accident and now the loss of her siblings, who will help her?

An article on CNN quotes Cheryl Meyer, a psychologist at Wright State University in Ohio and co-author of several books on the subject.  He said, according to the article  “it's probable that a mother kills a child somewhere in the U.S. once every three days.  One common trait among women who do not follow through on such harmful impulses is positive social support, she said. But many women are afraid of seeking help because they are afraid of being ostracized or accused of bad parenting... The Ohio psychologist says women who kill with purpose tend to be devoted mothers in their 30s who have suffered some kind of loss, and who murder all of their children at once by a violent means such as a knife or a gun. Those who kill by neglect tend to be younger and of lower socioeconomic status, who do not kill all of their children at the same time, and the cause of death is usually suffocation or smothering.”

Paula Bruce, clinical and forensic psychologist says cases, mothers who turn against their own children have chronic depression. Continual feelings of insufficiency and unexpressed anger can build up over time; killing one's own children is the "ultimate expression of rage," she said.  In some cases of filicide, the mother is unable to think about the experience of the child and can focus only on her own feelings of pleasure or distress, Bruce said."Getting rid of the children is just about getting rid of her own pain, not about thinking about the children as separate from her. Late this evening, Felicia was charges with three counts of murder. This afternoon, I went to buy some lunch and I saw one of her former classmates, Maya. I told her about it, she was surprised. Maya was having lunch with a friend at the Brodies deli having a good time as any person barely over twenty years should be. Felicia could have been sitting on the other end of that table.



Felicia Chen, Charged with 3 counts of Murder

______________________________________________

The murder of these three precious children is such a tragedy and speaks to the need for wider spread access to mental health care here in Belize. As well as that this stigma regarding seeing a therapist needs to end. Fear of people thinking that everyone will know their problem or a fear of what the neighbors will think is killing the children here in Belize.  This girl began having children a year before the legal age of consent to sexual activity according to the laws of Belize and I am left to wonder if anyone was held accountable for that.  One reporter asked the question, "is she a victim or a murderer?"  My answer...she is both.  And sadly she will have to live the remaining days of her life with the consequences of both states of being.  And I pray that someone is there for little Trina, the survivor, as she moves forward in life and seeks to understand what happened that day.

My Body is Precious...

In tonight's news, here in Belize, is a story about a new children's book:

Special Book Launch for Children

The office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children along with the Ministry of Human Development and the United Nations Children’s Fund this morning launched “My body is precious” a book for little ones discussing the topic of child sexual abuse.

The book depicts three children discussing their knowledge of good and bad touch, and the person who blew the life into these characters is Starla Bradley Acosta, the Director of the Community Rehabilitation Department in the Ministry of Human Development.  She told Love News that her inspiration came in part by the Special Envoy for Women and Children, Kim Simplis Barrow who approached her about writing a book on the topic.

Starla Bradley Acosta:
"She approached me through the CEO at the time, even before I was working at the ministry to partner on this project and I immediately said yes because talking about the issue of sexual abuse, it has to start in the home; it's the parents' responsibility to have that discussion.  We are not taking that away from the parent but we are hoping to help the parents by giving them this book as tool to become comfortable with the information and to talk to their children about sexual abuse and to transmit some of the family values that they want their children to have.  It's a primary prevention tool, it's prevention education; this by itself can't stop sexual abuse if a perpetrator is more powerful but it's the first line of defense, if you will, in the sense that is gives children that voice, it teaches them that their bodies are precious , that it should be respected and each part  should be called by name and that other people should respect it too.  Regarding, the distribution, right now we are targeting from Infant 2 to Standard 2 and each child countrywide is going to get a copy but really and truly it's for early childhood up to about 8 or 9 years old; from very young, from the time you start reading to your baby you can start reading this book to them and it's something we hope will not just be read once."

The launching of the book took place at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts and featured the welcome address by Kim Simplis Barrow and remarks by the Minister of Education Patrick Faber and Country Representative for UNICEF, Christine Norton.  Various primary schools attended and were delighted to a skit portraying the plot of the book.

What's in the news in Belize...

Accused Of Helping A Human Trafficker

Last night, 7News told you about the arraignment of 43 year-old Salvadoran Irma Hilda Alaz Azmitia, the woman who was suspected of orchestrating a human trafficking operation through the PGIA. Well today, a Belizean woman was taken to court for allegedly assisting Alaz Azmitia in her operation.


As we told you, Azmitia was busted with 4 minors - 3 boys and a girl, and an 18 year-old female at the Phillip Goldson International with false Guatemalan passports and counterfeit US Visas. When the authorities were called in, the minors were interviewed about Azmitia's operation, and one of the boys revealed the identity of 50 year-old Belizean Francisca Flores, a resident of Belama Phase 2. According to the boy, an adult placed him in Flores's care while he waited for other travel arrangements. According to the boy, he stayed at her house up until March 14.

As a result, the Immigration Department detained Flores, and questioned her, who admitted to them that she did indeed provide lodging for the child. She was subsequently charged with harboring a person to remain in Belize illegally, and she was arraigned today before Magistrate Adolph Lucas.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge, but admitted a second time to the court that she did harbor the child. She said that she didn't know that he was in the country illegally, and that a man who she knows called her and asked that she take care of him for a short period of time.

Magistrate Lucas granted her bail of $1,000 but ordered her to surrender her travel documents to the court. She was able to meet bail, and she must return to court on April 22, 2013.

What's in the news in Belize?

These are just a few of the stories making headlines here in Belize:



The Mauling of a Monkey
7 News Belize
A foursome of high school aged schoolboys and their teacher face a penalty of one thousand dollars or six months in prison for the illegal hunting of howler monkey - which is a protected species in Belize. As we understand it, the Forestry Department is trying to put together the charges and expect to file those before the end of the week. And while public opinion may be split - because after all boys will be boys - the video we've seen fo the assault on the monkey is truly appalling. This was capture don someone's cell phone as the young men tied up the monkey after they had already felled it with slingshots and dragged it into the compound. It shows them terrorizing the already brutalized animal with impunity. We note that the law states that hunting means quote, "to kill, take or molest by any method and includes attempting to kill, take or molest by any method any species of wildlife."

Cop/Chess Teacher Accused of Exploiting a Child
7 News Belize
Tonight, 50 year-old Special Constable Santos Carvajal, a resident of Fairweather Street, is at prison tonight after he was taken to court for allegedly having sexual relations with a 12 year-old girl.
According to police, the girl reported that sometime in the month of November, 2012; she visited his home, and he was supposed to teach her how to play chess. Upon arriving at Carvajal's residence, she sat in a chair in the hall area of the house and waited for Carvajal to start his training.

That's when Carvajal allegedly made advances toward her, professing his love her, and then, he reportedly disrobed the child and had intercourse with her. As a result of this report, police arrested and charge Carvajal with carnal knowledge, and he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith today.

Carvajal pleaded not guilty to the charge, but due to the nature of the offence, he couldn't be granted bail. As a result, he was remanded to prison until his next court date, which is scheduled for April 25.

We note that he is the second Chess Teacher being involved in child abuse. In 2009 US Citizen Robert Snyder - who was teaching Chess in Belize - turned out to be a fugitive on the run from authorities in the USA where he was a convicted sex offender accused of preying on his young students.


Mother and Step Father Charged in Disturbing Carnal Knowledge Case
Channel 5 News
In a most disturbing story tonight, the stepfather and mother of an eight year old girl have been detained by police for the crimes of Carnal Knowledge and Abetment. On Monday, the minor along with her aunt, visited the Belize City police station and reported the alleged heinous crimes. The minor complained to her aunt that she has been experiencing pain in her stomach and vagina and when questioned, she reported that her step-father had sexual intercourse with her. A medical examination was conducted on the minor; it certified that she was carnally known. The child was admitted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for further attention.

What's in the news in Belize?

Here are some of the news stories published by the various media outlets here in Belize:

(to read the stories just click on the titles below the photos)

Three Indian Nationals Disappear

Prison Officer Fined 10K for Weed Smuggling at Prison

Prominent Businessman Killed in Broad Daylight

Belize Needs to Prepare for a Larger Population of Older Persons

A Bible You Can Relate To

So other than politics...what's in the news where you live?

What's in the News in Belize?

Yesterday a torch run left from Belmopan and went down to San Ignacio for a peace rally.  As the run began Tom and I were watching on PlusTV.  After the torch was lit by their mother, Ivolene, it was heart wrenching to see Keran Belisle,the sister of murder victim Norvil Belisle, carrying the torch out of the city with the mayor of Belmopan running by her side.

All of the local businesses closed down as a show of support.  This video is one of the news reports covering the event.  It was great to see the people, young and old, banding together to speak out against the violence and the injustice that has been happening in the country.  

Why would a ten year old girl commit suicide?

There is tragic and truly sad news coming out of the Orange Walk district. The reports I am getting say that a 10 year old girl from San Lazaro village committed suicide by hanging herself. Multiple reports are that the primary school girl was found hanging by her mother. It is truly a tragic and sad situation.  ~Patrick E. Jones

I saw this horrific news on Facebook last night.  There were well over 100 comments made on this story.  A few were expressions of condolence for the family.  Some wondered if it was linked to some type of abuse. A few even sounded off about how it could be a murder and not a suicide.  Most were in shock that a ten year old would think to do something like this.

What kind of trauma happened in the brief life of this little girl that caused her to lose all sense of hope?  Was it a lack of love?  Or because of physical or sexual abuse?  Was it related to depression?  Was she being bullied? All we can do is speculate until more facts are released for this case.  But it left me wondering...just how common is suicide in children?

I searched for statistics on child suicide and discovered that it is the third leading cause of death for children aged 10-14.  Doesn't that boggle your mind?  Back in 2011 the Ministry of Health in Belize put together a suicide resource pamphlet teachers.  However, most of the discussions here are centered on teens and not on younger children.

Suicide prevention was discussed at a Mental Health Conference in September last year.  In May of this year counselors from Orange Walk Technical High School spoke with the press to discuss suicide in adolescents and it was reported that the number of suicides for 2012 at the time was five.  While compiling information for this post I could not find any stories or statistics related to young children committing suicide here in Belize.

As we wait for more details regarding the death of this ten year old we pray for families whose lives have been affected by suicide here in Belize and around the world.  For children to find hope in the midst of despair.  And for families, teachers, counselors, and all who work with children to be vigilant to any signs that a child might be at risk.

Won't you join us in prayer?

What's on your prayer list?

I designed this graphic for a blog post I wrote yesterday for The Child Development Foundation.  You can check out the blog by clicking here.  This list of 7 ways to pray is not exhaustive by any means.  But, these are the ones I have personally focused on lately.

Several news stories on Twitter and Facebook and in our news here in Belize have weighed heavy on my heart this week.  Stories of children and young women being sold, violated or exploited kept me on my knees.  There is strength in praying together and I invite you to pray with us over some of the news stories that were in the Belizean headlines this week.

click on any of the titles to read the full story

Convicted Sex Offender Accused Again

Belize Child Prostitutes Called During School

13 year old child claims 21 year old man had sex with her

So what's on your prayer list this week?

Miss World Pageant...

This beautiful young lady, Chantae Guy,  is representing Belize at the Miss World pageant in China. 

I met Chantae's mother, Anna, not long after we first moved here to Belize.  And it is so exciting to watch her daughter reach for this goal.  Join us in showing her support by liking her Facebook page. 

Best of luck to you, Chantae...Belize is rooting for you all the way!!  

66 yr old man with a 17 yr old girlfriend...

John McAfee of McAfee Virus Scan had his Tower Hill Estate in the Orange Walk district here in Belize raided by the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU).  The GSU claims there were rumors of illegal activity on the premises.  McAfee contends the raid was a political retaliation for him refusing to donate funds to the political party that is currently in power here in Belize.  As I read the details of this story this line stood out to me:

Present on the premises at the time were John McAfee, his girlfriend who is a 17 year old Belizean minor, and five security guards.

The article goes on about an unlicensed weapon on the premises, evidence of antibiotics being manufactured on the premises without a licence and that only two of McAfee's security guards are licensed to act as security guards.  Three security guards were arrested  and charged with providing security services without a license, McAfee was initially detained for the unlicensed weapon and there is an ongoing investigation into that matter.  And a decision will be made about charges regarding the antibiotics after the forensic analysis becomes available.

Nothing further is mentioned about the 17 year old girlfriend.  I find this appalling.  A man of his age, his wealth, and his prestige with a minor for a girlfriend.  The legal age of consent for sexual activity in Belize for a female is 16.  So "she has her age" as they say here.  But, to me...all I can think of...is sexual exploitation. I wonder if her family is benefiting financially from her relationship with him?  Who introduced them? And what do they have in common? I cannot imagine a 17 year old girl providing any intellectual stimulation for a 66 year old man.

 I cannot stop shaking my head in disbelief...my heart truly hurts for this girl.

What's in the news in Belize?

Man Caught Allegedly Trying to Traffic a Teenaged Girl 

53 year-old Jose Alfaro, a Guatemalan businessman of Ladyville, was arraigned for attempting to commit human trafficking when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith.

It is alleged that sometime between February 22 and March 16 of this year, and on March 17, he tried to recruit a 16 year-old female minor to become a prostitute in his bar in Ladyville.

Alfaro pleaded not guilty to two counts of the same charge, but he couldn't be granted bail because the prosecutor objected on several grounds.


The prosecutor told the court that Alfaro is a flight-risk because he is a Guatemalan national. Secondly, the prosecutor asked the court to consider the serious nature of the crime, its penalties, and the age of the victim. He also objected to bail on the grounds that he may be able to interfere with the victim and the witnesses.


After considering the prosecutor's objections, Chief Magistrate Smith remanded Alfaro to prison and adjourned the matter until April 26.

Legalize it!  Regional Security Meeting Discusses Drugs 

A regional security meeting was held over the weekend in Guatemala. It was billed as a summit but only two heads of government attended. 


Panama’s president Ricardo Martinelli and Costa Rica’s President Laura Chinchilla were in Antigua for the meeting. Belize was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington and Minister of National Security John Saldivar. Representatives from Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua also attended the meeting which was chaired by Guatemala’s President Otto Perez Molina. 


The meeting was proposed by Perez Molina to legalize drugs in the region as part of a regional security plan. The Guatemalan president proposed several options for dealing with drug-related violence in Central America, including creating a regional court to try drug trafficking cases, getting economic compensation from the United States for seized drugs and decriminalizing the transport and consumption of drugs. 


Panama’s president said that the proposal deserved more consideration and analysis. The leaders did not come to an agreement during Saturday’s meeting but Perez Molina described the summit as a success. Elrington and Saldivar have returned to the country, but we have not confirmation as to what position Belize took at the meeting.




Taxicab Operator Propositions Female Passenger

Lincoln Miguel, 38, a taxicab driver of Belize City, was today brought before Magistrate Hettie-Mae Stuart to answer charges of unlawful imprisonment and common assault.
  
It is alleged that on March 20, 2012, a 23- year-old female left her home and caught Miguel’s taxi, a grey Honda Civic bearing license plates #D6733, and asked to be taken to her work.
  
Whilst en route to her work, Miguel told her that he wouldn’t take her to work; that was when he asked her how much money she made and propositioned that he would pay her that amount of money if she stayed with him.
  
The female, who became fearful for her life, managed to jump out of the moving vehicle and run into her work place as the car was passing by.
  
No plea was taken from Miguel, but he was offered bail of $6,000 and a “suitable surety”; the bail was offered under the condition that he does not interfere with the complainant, her family or any of the prosecution witnesses.
  
Miguel could not make bail and was remanded to prison until his trial. The case was adjourned to May 2, 2012.

a just cause...

There was a Family Focus Forum held at the University of Belize on Tuesday. Tom was asked to represent the Child Development Foundation and give a 10 minute presentation.  The issue being discussed is the removal of sodomy laws here in Belize.

Our involvement is related to how the repeal of this law would affect male children and teens. As this sodomy law is the only law Belize has right now to charge pedophiles with who prey on young men.  There has been much in the media lately about teen boys being violated  and this part of the issue needs to be heard when the case about repealing section 53 goes to court in December.

Tom is introduced in this video at minute 6:52.  Please keep this issue in your prayers!

What is in the news here in Belize?

Sadly, we continue to hear stories of abuse in our counseling office and more stories from the community are in the news.  While we cannot talk about what we hear in the office we can share with you the news from the community.  Please keep all of the children involved in your prayers.    Two Disturbing Sexual Assaults; One By A Step-Father, One By a Pastor

Mon, October 24, 2011

There are two disturbing stories of sexual assault to report tonight.  A 42 year old man who allegedly committed a sexual assault on his 11 year old step-daughter, was denied bail after he appeared today in the Magistrate's Court and was charged with aggravated assault of an indecent nature. The man pleaded not guilty but the prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that the defendant is on parole for a conviction of indecent assault on a previous step-daughter. When asked to give a good reason why he should be granted bail, the man said he met his common-law-wife about 2 years ago and she did not tell him she has 3 children.  He said the 11 year old does not like when he disciplines her and she comes home late at night and sometimes she comes home with money.  But because he is on parole for a similar offence, Chief Magistrate Ana Marie Smith remanded him into custody until November 24. The incident occurred on September 29. The child reported to the police that her step-father fondled her private parts.  And a student of Belmopan in the presence of his mother reported that sometime in the month of June of this year, while at his pastor's house - namely Jason Neal- in Roaring Creek, he was sleeping on his sofa when he was awakened by Neal who was touching his private parts.He also reported that in the month of July of this year, Neal had touched him inappropriately.  As a result Police arrested 37 year old Pastor Jason Neal of Roaring Creek Village and charged him with 2 counts of Aggravated Assault. ___________________________________________________________________ We have not heard any updates about the step-father but regarding the pastor we have heard that he was fined $3000 for each count and that he has until December 16th to pay this fine or he will have to serve jail time. CDF has done sensitization training to make the problem of sexual abuse and exploitation known in all of the high schools here in the area and also some of the elementary schools.  For the little ones there is a Yell and Tell campaign and for the teens there is the "My Body, My Future" project. Valley of Peace We at CDF have spoken at churches, and to women in  villages and to youth.   Since September when a four year old was raped there have been more people who are willing to tell their stories and more cases are coming to light.  This does not mean there is more abuse going on than in the past...just that people now have the courage to talk about it. Orange Walk Town Pray for us as we seek to understand the existing laws and help make changes in these laws regarding how these cases are handled and the penalties involved.  Pray for the funds to continue doing outreach to various communities on this issue.  Pray for continued bravery for children, youth and adults to speak out when they or someone they know is being abused. supporting one another in prayer in Esperanza *clicking on the highlighted words will either take you to a news story, website or a blog post that will give more information on that subject.

What's in the news in Belize?

As I was reading the news online last week I came across a story that is absolutely disgusting to me.  It involves a missionary accused of sodomizing three brothers who is currently in prison awaiting trial.

The organization we work with here in Belize is fighting to eradicate the exploitation of children. Most of the people who come into our counseling office have been sexually abused.  We have been in the schools here in our area teaching the little ones to Yell and Tell.  We have been in the high schools speaking about purity and sexual exploitation.  Not long ago we were in the area about 40 miles from where this missionary was working.  CDF held a National Youth Rally and we had over 120 youth come out to hear about sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and purity.  This case is one of exploitation.  This man was providing for the family and was in turn exploiting the three boys.

We have heard about girls being abused but girls are not the only victims.  Boys are being violated as well.  Boys are vulnerable here because of the lack of father figures in the homes.  Men leave to go find work in the U.S. or have other families and then abandon one family to start another.  It is sad.  There are men who are standing up and we are excited about that.

I tried to find more information about this person.  I found a Facebook page and a few words here and there  online about his work.  According to his Facebook page this missionary had a heart for the teens he found here in Belize:

Belize churches are in trouble. So many teens are spiritual orphans. Churches here are weak and stability and unity are not their strengths. Most pastors have no spiritual covering, accountability or training. Another missionary from Nicaragua and I have declared it our mission to share the doctrine of spiritual paternity and our visions are so equal it is amazing. God is going to do great things in the next few years here!

Such a stark contrast to what was written about him just a few years later...

It came to light on Saturday - and a doctor has since confirmed that they were sodomised. The man accused of the crime is Bryan Sears - a missionary who had been in the community for three years - and that's what makes the already hideous offence even more disturbing, that he used the cover of Christianity to gain the community's confidence and prey on three brothers.

I agree with the reporter that what makes this story truly appalling is this missionary using the cover of Christianity to prey on the spiritual orphans he felt called to serve.  He is now in Hattieville prison awaiting his next court date.

I realize that he has not been sentenced yet...so I should say allegedly and things like that.  I tried to write about this last week and was just too angry and appalled to put a coherent sentence together.  At first I wanted to write to the church he came from or send a Facebook message to his mother.  But, I didn't do either one.  I prayed and waited to see what would happen next.  Since then the story broke in his home state.  We have heard that he now has a lawyer and his next appearance in court is November 15th.

I pray for these young men and for the churches in the area.  I pray that there won't be an aversion to all Americans or all missionaries because of this.  And I pray that sexual abuse and sexual exploitation comes to  an end.

Sex Tourism and Belize

This article comes from 7 News Belize:

Sex Tourism and Belize

Wed, October 5, 2011

We all like to talk about tourism - and right that we should - it's the country's leading foreign exchange earner - but the ugly underside of that is sex tourism - which in many cases, involves the exploitation of male and female minors and children.Today, building on the success of the national symposium on the commercial sexual exploitation of children in August of 2010, the office of the special envoy for women and children turned its attention to the tourist industry.At opening ceremonies for a one day workshop they discussed the demand in certain areas of the tourist sector for children: Hon. Eden Martinez - Minister of Human Development "We need to focus our attention in curbing the demand, in deterring the demand, in making it difficult and downright perilous for those who want to buy our children. In the fight to curb demand, the tourism sector is key, hence the reason for this meeting, today." Kim Simplis - Barrow - Special Envoy for Women and Children "Sexual abuse and exploitation exists because there is a demand for sex with a child. We must never blame the victim. There is an adult out there who wants to pay, and will pay, in cash or in kind for sexual gratification with a child. And yes, it is a fight, a fight against something that has become so widespread and common, that we cannot allow ourselves to become de-sensitized to its occurrence. We implore of you to trust your judgment when you sense that a situation between an adult and a child just doesn't seem right. Take action by reporting such instances to your supervisors and the authorities. We ask that you turn down financial offers for you to acquire children for sexual predators. And we beg that you go even further, and report that person to the authorities. Report, as well, those locals who you know are involved as brokers, or rather simply 'pimping out' our children." Jim Scott - President, BTIA "Within tourism, it's pretty common knowledge that through some taxies and some tour guides, they will facilitate young girls - young boys, for you if you come to Belize. And knowing the internet, and the market out there, the information is there. So, people know how to access that, and we really need to tighten up in that regard." Hon. Eden Martinez "I know that we are all interested in the growth of tourism in our country. It is one of our major revenue earners, but we must pause and think of the quality of tourism product that we are selling. Are we prepared to have the trading in the flesh of our children to be part of the package that we are selling? Are we prepared to have the exploitation of our children to be part of the appeal of what draws people to our shores?" The office of the special envoy has launched a PR Campaign and is pushing legislation for the protection of children against such exploitation.

Belize turns 30...and is in mourning

On Monday the founding father of Belize, The Honorable George C. Price, passed away...funeral services are on Saturday.  Condolences have been pouring in all week.  One was even sent by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.  I am just starting to learn who this honorable man was.  Two words that keep coming up to describe him are service and humility.

Yesterday Belize celebrated the 30th anniversary of her independence and the first without her founding father...he will be greatly missed.  We have heard that Monday will be a public holiday in honor of the late George Price.

What is in the news in Belize?

We were!!

Our time in Orange Walk Town this weekend was incredible!  I cannot find the video but here is a link to the transcript of two of three interviews>> CDF Holds National Youth Rally

The news cameras showed up near the end of the rally while Pastor Antoinette, a local pastor, was leading the youth in a purity pledge.  They even filmed Tom, Patrice and I handing out New Testaments. As people were clearing out they interviewed Jadine, a CDF board member, along with Patrick and Esmerelda, members of the drama team from Mt Hope. We had 130 youth show up and some parents too.

The program began with prayer and then the Belizean national anthem followed by several performances from the youth group that went up with us from Mt Hope Church in Unitedville. We had worship and then I gave my testimony, followed by Patrice, a volunteer, giving a talk on who CDF is and what we do.  After lunch we split the large group into three small groups.  Jadine took the kids under 12 and she taught them about personal safety.  Patrice, took the parents and taught them how to talk with their kids to protect them from abuse or exploitation.  And Tom and I, had the largest group, ages 12-18+, and we took turns teaching about the emotional, psychological and spiritual effects of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.  It was an awesome day!

Getting ready to start

Youth from Mt. Hope performing a rap song

Drama team from Mt. Hope

Late comers in the bleachers

Worship

Father-Daughter

Mother-son

Belizean flag

Break time

Signing in

Everyone was given lunch 

Pastor Antoinette

New Testaments to be handed out

Patrick being interviewed

We had to cancel the Saturday event because of Tropical Storm Harvey coming through.  The plan is to reschedule so that we can go back and do a presentation to the community and the surrounding churches.  Parents were very receptive to our message and the teens were engaged all throughout the day.  We hope that word of mouth along with the story making the news will draw out even more people when we go back.

Thanks for all of your prayers!

What is in the news in Belize?

UN helps Belize fight highest incidence of HIV/AIDS in Central America

3 August 2011 – 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing an HIV/AIDS grant agreement with Belize to treat and prevent the disease among the large number of teens and young adults in the country, which has the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS in Central America.“Scaling up treatment isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s a practical possibility, even in poor countries,” Jeffrey O’Malley, Director of the HIV/AIDS Group in the UNDP Bureau for Development Policy, said yesterday of UNDP’s agreement to manage the $3.1-million grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, & Malaria.

The fund is an international financing institution that to date has committed $21.7 billion in 150 countries to support large-scale prevention, treatment and care programmes for the three diseases.
“This partnership between the Global Fund and UNDP is the best of both worlds,” said Francisco Roquette, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative in Belize, which has a total population of just 333,200, 35 per cent of whom are younger than 14. “It’s a perfect combination of very global knowledge with very concrete understanding of the challenges on the ground.”

Belize has an HIV prevalence of 2.1 per cent among adults, the highest in Central America and third-highest in the wider Caribbean after the Bahamas and Haiti, according to a 2007 study. UNAIDS, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, estimates some 3,600 people are currently living with HIV in Belize, 2,000 of them women.

“Strong partnerships across multiple ministries of government, and between governments and communities, are absolutely essential,” Mr. O’Malley said. “Prevention works when it focuses on and involves those most at risk of HIV infection.”

Bordering Mexico and Guatemala, Belize faces numerous challenges that can drive the HIV epidemic. With high rates of poverty, unemployment, chronic malnutrition, drug abuse, and violence, the country is highly vulnerable to economic shocks and natural disasters. Provision of adequate health care is significantly hindered by the steady outflow of many professionals, including health-care workers.

The grants program aims to deliver life skills-based HIV education to secondary school students; provide access to condoms and subsidized referrals and testing for sexually transmitted infections; design and deliver psychosocial support to people living with HIV; provide support services to children affected by AIDS; and offer anti-retroviral drugs free of cost at all treatment points.

what's in the news where you live?

Here is one of the stories in the news here in Belize.  After a little research on Google I found more info on the clinic they worked at and where the doctors are from.  I added those links into the article.

Belize Cataracts "Difficult to Remove"
June 22,2011

Cataracts are among the leading causes of blindness in Belize and a visiting eye specialist from the United states says the cataracts he's seen in Belize are the toughest and most difficult to remove he's ever encountered.

We found Dr. George Pronesti and Dr. Don Sivick in action at the BCVI clinic today where they were taking out cataracts - with great difficulty. Here's the story.


Jules Vasquez Reporting:
Dr. George Pronesti from Philadelphia does about 15 surgeries a day for his four days in Belize. He says the cataracts he encounters here are nothing like the ones back home.


Dr. George Pronesti - Ophthalmologist
"The cataracts here are generally worse than the ones that we in the United States because we take them out earlier, and when you take them out earlier, they're a bit softer - they're a bit easier to do. Here they're in for a long time; people don't have the same access to the care, so by the time we get them, they're very hard. And a harder lense is much more difficult to remove. Cataracts take a long time to get the the stage that we're seeing them. They go through stages from 1 to 4, and many of these are 4+; they're beyond 4. And it takes years to get to 4."




Carla Musa - Public relations, BCVI
"I think a lot of people just brush it off, and you still somewhat see, or you're afraid to access the treatment. You're afraid of surgery, and people don't come in and get the treatment. They don't realize how easy it actually is."








So easy that the procedure is wrapped up in a few minutes:
Dr. George Pronesti - Ophthalmologist
"Surgery in our facility takes about 4 minutes. I think my kids timed me one time when we were in there. The best I've done is 3 minutes and 9 seconds. So it's a very quick procedure. Here, It's averaging 15 to 20 minutes."
And those longer, more difficult surgeries are benefitting this doctor.
Dr. George Pronesti - Ophthalmologist
"Seeing 15 in a row is going to make me better doing surgery, but the anology I use is like a baseball batter. I'm swinging like 8 bats before I get up to the plates; by the time a get to the plate, the bat seems very light to me. So when I get home, I'm going to be swinging a light bat, no problem."
And while he gets practice in extreme cases, for patients, the reward is, vision:
Carla Musa - Public relations, BCVI
"In most cases, we can definitely see an improvement in the patient's vision the day after the surgery. I will not be 100%, but as we had with a case yesterday with a husband and wife, the lady had not seen her daughter in 2 years, and had her patch removed, had her glasses removed, and she saw her daughter for the first time. So it's as immediate as that. There are occasions where there is some swelling, and some blurriness to the vison, but it's generally the day after, you can notice the results."
But with early detection, most can avoid losing sight completely; so here's what to look for:
Dr. George Pronesti - Ophthalmologist
"Blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, halos and starbursts around lights, lights bothering your eyes, just lights shining in your eyes making it more difficult to see. Those are the kind of things you look for. If it's blurry at all, come and see someone. It's much better to get seen earlier than to wait until you're blind. If you wait until you're blind, it's a very difficult complicated surgery to do. If you do it earlier, it's actually very simple."
Carla Musa - Public relations, BCVI
"There are thousands of Belizeans who can definitely benefit from these treatments. And it's not just cataracts; that's one of the leading causes of blindness, but we also have glaucoma; we have diabetic retinopathy. And I think the main concern from a BCVI perspective is prevention; the earlier you come in, the earlier you get your eyes tested, the earlier you're diagnosed, the easier it is to treat."
The medical team got supplies donated for all the procedures. They wrap up on Thursday.