In 2004 two American missionaries were vacationing on the island when they noticed an appalling number of school age children wandering the beaches alone. Because the public school was far past capacity and the private schools were beyond most people's means, these children were left to fend for themselves.
Francis and Vernon Wilson decided to work with the Belize government to build a school that would benefit the community of San Mateo. In 2006 its doors opened and enrollment has soared. The school has provided education, food and healthcare to the community.
This emerging success story is being threatened by the very resort development that employs many of those living in San Mateo. Encroaching beyond the mangroves are condos and the threat of displacement. The most immediate threat is to the school which rests as a buffer between development and the community.
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- travisdmathews
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- credits:
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- travisdmathews Producer, Editor
- video added October 17, 2008
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Great POD
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Yes this is all true; I have lived here a short time and have walked the area. Great video. It is hard to look around at the hotels, resorts and beautiful Caribbean Sea and then cross the bridge north and see where these people live. There has to be a way to help these children and keep the developers happy.
Mary Mooney, SP Belize -
God bless the Wilsons for all they've done for this community. I fear, however, that the developers will ultimately have their way...living in a resort area myself, I see how the developers are often deferred to, in terms of land disputes. Educating and caring for the children or increasing tax revenues and promoting tourism? I know what MY priorities would be, however, I fear that the local authorities and power brokers care less about the education and well being of these families. It's a shame.
Keep fighting the good fight, Francis and Vernon, and I'll pray for miracles to occur!
