Belize Global Citizenship 2016

Our blog for 2016 would not be complete without special thanks to our International Community Partners; the Chan Chen Elementary Government School.

All of the our students appreciated the time we shared with you. Teaching Easter Break camp was a highlight because it introduced us to your community your most precious members, your children. The smiles, warmth, questions and energy of the children at your school made an impression that our students will not forget. Sadie said - “Our trip to Belize enabled me to see the world in a new light; I loved being immersed in a different culture. The children in Chan Chen helped me understand that true happiness cannot be found through material means.”

As the students worked together to complete the cantina that was started last year they learned so many valuable lessons about teamwork, and construction in Belize. Kendall said "I gained the experience of creating plans and constructing them." Carl added, “I learned there is a major difference between Engineering Theory, and Engineering Practice. There is also a huge value in real construction experience over a theory of how it should be.”

I truly received amazing the feedback from our students about their experience with you. When the students came home they wrote several reflections about their experience, and these conversations would not have be as deep without your support and guidance in their learning. They also were required to write up initial community assessments and describe how their discipline could contribute to future solutions for intl communities, and the partners they would need in order to complete any sort of project. Their time with you made all of these experiences possible - Thank you!

A poster the students created with some of of their reflections is displayed below.

There are many other people we would like to thank for assisting with our group on site and the permissions we need to implement this International Service Learning Project.

They include but are not limited to:
Carol Babb and the Belizean Ministry of Education

Carlos Itzab and Ms. Escalante, the principle and vice principle of Chan Chen Elementary School, and the teachers at Chan Chen who serve this community every day.

The children of Chan Chen who welcome us and open their hearts.

Department of Youth Services

Mrs. Magana and the Community Health workers who conducted an official Community Health Fair while we were visiting Chan Chen.

Alberto!

The owners and all of the staff at Hok'ol Kin Guest House.
& the whole town of Corozal.

Sharon Matola and all of the wonderful staff at the Belize zoo

Steve Darr, Beth Wright, and all of the Peacework staff who worked to ensure we were fed, had cool water, safe transportation, and a place to rest our heads.

All of the people at Boise State who give their approval and ongoing support.

Our Provost Office
Our Deans, Directors, and Chairs

Vickie Stieha - Foundational Studies Program
Andrew Finstuen - Honors Program
Corrine Henke, Ami Tain - International Learning Opportunities Office
Kara Braschia and Mike Stefancic - Service Learning

and last but in no way the least
Cara Walker - and the Boise State Foundation
who offered their support and resources so we could raise funds needed to complete our projects.
&
All of our generous donors!

Our last day at Chan Chen was busy finishing up our healthy life camp and the cantina, and holding a fun party for the children, both small and large

Cynthia looking like a natural teacher. That's Ms. Escalante (Vice Principal) in the background)

It's all hugs and smiles until you make the kids do pushups! Lauren and Amanda taught the kids a 10 minute home workout which according to Lauren 'felt like forever'

Attendance increased each day

This wasn't part of camp or construction but it was great to see the playground we refurbished 3 years ago still maintained and attracting little ones.

Concurrent with the last day of our healthy life camp, the community health workers held a health fair where the Chan Chen community came for check ups and information

It's Party time

Dancing

Water races

Cake walk

and pinatas

And our final touches to the cantina

Construction management can be exhausting as Carl and Kendall found out

Here's the finished cantina. You can the portion on the right that we added. It was twice the size that we built last year. A tribute to our incredibly hard working team. We were assisted by Alberto Triminius. Over the past 4 years, Alberto has become our consultant, teacher, constructor, and friend.

Below are a serious of photos of Alberto's talents and teaching

Carl and Kendall learned tremendously from Alberto. Alberto speaks very little english, Carl and Kendall no spanish, but they communicated, learned, and respected one another.

Alberto also gave the slack line a try (quite well) with hammer in hand

Carl, Alberto, and Kendall our construction team leads. That's Ford in the cantina photo bombing.

Our relationship has grown stronger each of the past 4 years working at Chan Chen. The elementary school is the nicest building in the village. Carlos Itzab, seated center, is the principal of Chan Chen. Carlos' leadership and commitment to Chan Chen elementary has led improvements to include a lunch feeding program (hence our cantina projects), computer room, internet, and other beautification projects.

Faces of Chan Chen