SWINE FLU UPDATE-BELIZE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Ministry of Health
UPDATE
Swine Flu Activities
April 30, 2009

Public Awareness
 The General Public is reminded of the postponement of all major public gatherings including the following:
*Morgan Heritage Musical Concert, Belize City,
*The University of Belize Fundraising Event – Spring Fling 2009, Belmopan
*National Agriculture and Trade Show, Belmopan
*Cashew Fest, Crooked Tree
*Hermanos Ponce Circus, Belize City.

A Press Conference was held this morning at 9 am with the objective of informing the public about the decision.
Surveillance
 Central Health Region Epidemiologist reported there is a total of 9 “cases of interest” being followed up. In most cases there is an apparent connection with Mexico by having traveled there or of being in contact with someone who went there.
Health Education
 Information on general hygiene and specific measures to prevent infection with Swine Flu continues by Ministry of Health Personnel.
Borders
 It has been reiterated that the closing of borders is not recommended as it is not recommended by International Health Regulations. Surveillance and screening of visitors at the northern and western border continues. 
Cruise Ships
 Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Company issued a press release indicating its temporary suspension of port calls in Mexico. The company indicates that it has implemented the Influenza Prevention and Response Plan developed with experts from US CDC and its Medical and Public Health Office.
Hot Line
The Ministry of Health has established a Hot Line for the public and the number is:
629-5604 and will be handled by Nurse Augustina Eligio, stationed at MOH HQ.
 No. of Cases in Neighboring Countries
 Of the suspected cases in Quintana Roo only 2 turned out as probable cases being positive for a Type A virus test. However these still have not been confirmed as Swine Flu.
Guatemala has tested 14 suspected cases and ALL HAVE BEEN NEGATIVE.
CRITICAL ISSUE
 A meeting is scheduled with the Ministry of Education for today at 11:00 am to discuss the PSE examinations for Monday, May 4, 2009.

 

CASHEW FESTIVAL POSTPONED: SWINE FLU UPDATE

URGENT
PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Health
Belmopan, Belize  

April 29, 2009

In light of the ongoing global epidemic of Swine Flu, the World Health Organization has raised the level of alert to Phase 5. This means that the virus has caused sustained community level outbreaks in two or more countries in one World Health Organization Region.

With the underlying principle of preventing any potential transmission of Swine Flu in the country of Belize, the Ministry of Health through the Director of Health Services, in accordance with Section 83 of the Public Health Act, has issued a directive to postpone all major public gatherings until further notice.

This includes the following events:
· The Annual General Meeting of the Holy Redeemer Credit Union Belize City
· Morgan Heritage Musical Concert, Belize City
· The University of Belize Fundraising Event – Spring Fling 2009, Belmopan
· National Agriculture and Trade Show, Belmopan
· Cashew Festival, Crooked Tree
· Hermanos Ponce Circus, Belize City

We ask that organizers and the general public adhere to this public health notice.

Hot Line
The Ministry of Health has established a Hot Line for the public from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm. the number is 629-5604 and will be handled by Nurse Augustina Eligio, stationed at MOH HQ.

Number of Cases in Belize
Blood samples have been sent to CAREC Trinidad today from suspected cases from: San Pedro Ambergris Caye (1), Belize City (2) and Orange Walk (1)
To date 7 countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases.

The Ministry of Health is working closely with the Pan American Health Organization and will keep the public updated as to the development of events in regards to the outbreak in Mexico and USA.

 

CROOKED TREE VILLAGE CASHEW FESTIVAL

Get ready! Are you ready? I said, Are you ready?


Crooked Tree Village will celebrate 17 years of a Taste of Crooked Tree and Village Life.


For those of you unfamiliar with this festival, the rules are simple; Visitors and locals pay a small fee at the Cashew Fest Grounds, where over 50 vendors participate in making and selling food and wine made from the Cashew Apple (fruit). You can buy all kinds of cashew products- jams, jellies, fudge, syrup, cookies, cake and the famous cashew wine; some of it is quite drinkable and no need to fear Napa Valley!! There is even a Ms. Cashew Queen, live bands, dignitaries, speeches and prizes. Nowadays, the visitors come from all over the world.


WHEN: May 2^nd and 3^rd 10 a. m- 7 p. m.
WHERE: Crooked Tree Village, a short 33 mile trip north of Belize City.
TIP: Don’t come out too late, the good stalls tend to get raided early.


The Cashew Apple is very unique in the botanical world, having the nut hanging outside the fruit and is easily twisted off. Together it is one of the most fascinating sights in nature. The cashew apple comes in red or yellow, is very fleshy, soft and juicy, and looks like a bell pepper. The nuts can be prepared manually or by mechanical methods, unfortunately only the manual method is done in Crooked Tree Village.


The nuts are roasted over an open flame in its thick outer shell and cracked by hand. The outer shell contains the cashew nut shell liquid oil. The oil has many industrial uses in India such as varnishes, paints and adhesives. In Brazil a tea is made from the cashew bark and is used to stop diarrhea, while the shell oil is used to treat skin infections, warts, intestinal worms and parasitic larvae beneath the skin.


Within this outer shell is the soft white kernel, covered by a delicate layer called the testa membrane. The kernels are then dried to reduce the moisture or to kill any possible insects. The next process is to roast the kernels in an oven to a golden and crispy hue, and then the testa membrane is removed, which gives the whole beautiful appearance that we are familiar with in the stores. Salt can be applied to this most delicious nut.


Cashew nuts from Crooked Tree Village are 100% natural, no cholesterol, no chemicals or artificial flavors and are a good source of protein. The cashew apple is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin B2. The Vitamin contents are higher that most major tropical fruits. It also includes fructose sugar, which is a diabetic tolerant sugar. 


I should mention that the Crooked Tree Village Cashew Festival is musically a very lively place, with a wide variety of musical styles and instruments. A lot of the music is Caribbean rhythm with variations such as Punta Rock, Soca and Reggae. One very unusual arrangement is three tortoise shells attached to the player’s waist and he would play them the same way as you would play the drums. I am unfortunately, a complete musical illiterate, so I can’t give you an adequate description, but if you love music, food and wine, come on down to Crooked Tree Cashew Fest. 


Overall, Crooked Tree Village and the country of Belize are blessed with a lot of musical talents.

WISHING WELL

Mr. Walter Wade sitting on Community Water Well

Access to clean drinking water is critical to human survival and is an essential ingredient to improving the lives of millions of people in the developing world. According to UNESCO, more than one billion people in the world do not have access to clean water. Water related diseases are the leading cause of death in the world, taking the lives of 6000 people a day. 40 billion hours are spent annually hauling water, a chore primarily undertaken by women and girls.

We all know that Crooked Tree Village is blessed with plenty of water, but in the dry season, the lagoon evaporates to less than half the size and the lack of rain and low ground water levels can cause severe water shortages. 

I know many of you will recognize this well, but do you remember who dug it? In 1964 Crooked Tree had two community water wells, one in the “Staine” area and the other in the “Pine Ridge” area. There are several stories going around about the construction of the water well in the Staine Area, the “Pine Ridge” water well is no longer in existence, so we will leave that alone.

First, let’s start with the land. According to reliable sources, the land where the Crooked Tree Village Community Center and the Stain Community Drinking Well was bought from Mr. George Belisle for BZ$90., Mr. Belisle is the father of Denton Belisle, City manager of Belmopan, Belize.

A contract was given to Mr. Percy Flowers, the only mason in the village at that time and he hired Mr. Robert "Bob White" Tillett with his sons, Winfield, Murvin, Clarence and the late Burton Tillett to dig the well by hand. The well was dug to about 30’ and has been renovated from time to time.

Today, this well is still functioning and a few families are still drawing water from it.

The people of Crooked Tree Village appreciate the work of Mr. Robert Tillett and sons.

 

VIEW FROM CROOKED TREE VILLAGE

Mr. Gerald Tillett and wife Gilda Wade, in their garden

Mr.  Gerald Tillett with daughter (L) Bernadine(on ten days vacation in Belize) and wife, Gilda Wade

HARRISON PARKS BELIZE DISTRICT CRICKET COMPETITION 2009

 

Press Release

President: Mr. Elihue Bonner

Email: letselec@yahoo.com

Results of schedule matches played 18^th April, 2009 in the Harrison Parks Belize District Cricket Competition.

Schedule matches:

·         Bright Star of Sand Hill Village Vs. Brilliant of Crooked Tree Village

·         Reggae Boyz  of Scotland Half Moon Vs. Unfinished Business of Biscayne Village 

·         Sunrise of Lords Bank Village  (Rest)

Ø  Brilliant of Crooked Tree Village defeated Bright Star of Sand Hill Village with six (6) wicket spare, Bright Star all out at one hundred runs (100)Landis Wade top score with forty two (42) runs, Lawrence Banner (captain) with twenty eight (28) runs not out, R. Conorque with fourteen (14) runs, S. Smith six (6) runs not out, A. Anthony six (6) runs, A. Tillett one (1) runs for best bats. Best bowler Landis Wade took four wickets (4)

 

Ø  Bright Star Gliksten Bennett top scored with thirty (30) runs all out, A. Vaccero with seventeen (17) runs, Andy Vaccero with fourteen (14) runs, Joseph and Samuel Suckhnandan with three (3) runs each and Elihue Bonner with two (2) runs. Best bowler Gliksten Bennett took two (2) wickets and Elihue Bonner Bowled eight (8) over and took two (2) wickets with fifteen (15) runs scored.

uUnfinished Business defeated Reggae Boys all our with fifty six (56) A. Chavez top scored twenty two runs (22) runs, W. Bradley with nine (9) runs. Myvette with five (5) runs. Best bowler, Allwin Dawson took four (4) wickets and C. Chavez took three (3) wickets.

 

Ø  Reggae Boyz, David Moody top scored with fourteen (14) runs, Kyle Lewis with six (6) runs, Ian McFadzen with six (6) runs for best bats. Best bowlers Jian  McFadzen took Seven (7) wickets and Elvis Moody took two (2) wickets.

Ø  Matches schedule for this weekend April 25^th 2009 is as follows:

 1.     Brilliant Vs. Unfinished Business in Biscayne Village

2.      Sunrise Vs. Reggae Boyz in Scotland Half Moon Village

3.      Bright Star (rest)

 

YOM HA SHOAH - HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Today, April 21st is the commemoration of the Jews who perished and those who showed resistance and heroism during the Holocaust. Up to 7000 people, most of them Jews from across the world, took part in the annual march from Auschwitz to the crematoria of Birkenau in Southern Poland to pay tribute to the millions of Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War Two. In the years 1933-1945, millions of Jewish people suffered under the terror of Nazi rule, where anti-Jewish propaganda, segregation, and mass murder took place.

The German anti-Semitism was based on racial ideology which stated that the Jews were sub-human and the main cause of Germany's problems, while the Aryan race was ultimately superior. In the Holocaust, approximately 6 million Jewish men, women, and children were murdered, in addition to millions of others such as Gypsies, gays and the mentally ill.

Six million Jews, among them one and a half million children, a third of the People of the Covenant, were sent to their death in the gas chambers of Europe. AUSCHWITZ, DACHAU, BUCHENWALD,TREBLINKA, BERGEN-BELSEN, THERESIENSTADT

You may read more about the Holocaust at the following links: Yad Vashem - The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority; The Knesset site; and Wikipedia

SMOOCHES FROM OBAMA

President Obama kisses Belize's first lady Kim Simplis-Barrow, in blue, during the official Summit of the Americas dinner in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad on Saturday night. Seated at the table are Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Belize's Prime Minister Dean Barrow, and Trinidad and Tobago's first lady Hazel Manning.

(Thanks to Huffingtonpoststyle)

VIEW FROM CROOKED TREE VILLAGE

Mr. Rudy Crawford, Vice Chairman of Crooked Tree: Coming from Blackburn

click on photo to enlarge: Photos by Becky Crawford

Mr. Osmond Tillett, former JP of Crooked Tree and Mr. Horace Adolphus: Relaxing before dinner!

THE NEED TO KNEAD

CROOKED TREE VILLAGE LADIES GROUP COOKBOOK: AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE VISITORS CENTER-CROOKED TREE VILLAGE

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

For the past month I have been trying to make the perfect “Johnny Cake” and “Tortilla”. Each time I try, I always get a different texture or consistency.

I do not rely on bread machines or stand mixers for my kneading. I figured at some point you’ll have to handle the raw dough yourself, so why not do it from the beginning.

Kneading bread is a practice that goes back thousands of years. Remember the Israelites, rushing to prepare their bread in anticipation of their freedom from the Egyptians over 5000 years ago, or our mothers making bread every Saturday in their kitchens? Talk about getting in touch with your roots!!

The technique for kneading is easy to learn and very easy on the hands. The first thing you do is to make sure your hands are clean whenever you are going to work with dough.

Kneading is simply a repetition of mix, fold, press and rotate. Why then, do my “Johnny Cakes” and “Tortillas” not come out like my niece’s, Pamela’s; “Perfect and Delicious”!

Here are the steps that I take: Make sure the bowl and/or counter top is clean.

Ingredients: 2 cups flour

                        2 teaspoon baking powder

                        2 tablespoon shortening (Crisco butter flavor)

                        ¾ cup warm water

                       ½ teaspoon salt

Mix all the ingredients together until the flour is hydrated and all the ingredients are uniformly distributed. Knead by hand for 10 minutes, or until dough is smooth.

Form dough balls, flatten with the heel of one hand on top and press down and forward to desired flatness.

Place the flattened dough on a baking sheet and bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven until golden brown, 20- 25 minutes.

OH! One more thing; remember I said earlier that the method is easy on the hands? Here is what I also do to get that delicious taste: as I stand in front of the counter, I place one foot forward and the other back. While I knead, I rock gently and rhythmically back and forth between my front and back feet. I mix, rotate and fold while humming and rocking. By doing this, I build up energy to continue kneading.

After all this, my Johnny Cake is still not perfect; sometimes brittle, sometimes hard or puffed-up! Let me know what I’m doing wrong!!

SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS

On Friday, April 17^th, 2009 the fifth Summit of the Americas is set to open in Port-of-Spain, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

As chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister Dean Oliver Barrow of Belize will be heading to Port-of-Spain, Trinidad tomorrow, April 15, 2009 to prepare in advance.

The gathering of participants from thirty four heads of state of the Western Hemisphere will focus on human prosperity, energy security, climate change and sustainable development. The theme of the summit is: “Securing our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability”

The heads of state and government of the nations of the Americas will come together to discuss and take action on political, economic and social issues that are of concern to all countries in the region.

President Barack Obama of the United States will be attending this Summit of the Americas also, and we hope that leaders of the region will discuss the deportation of citizens of the region from the United States without proper coordination with their respective governments.

Other members of the Belize delegation to the Summit of the Americas are Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Hon. Erwin Contreras, Minister of Economic Development, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Protection; Ms. Audrey Wallace, Chief Executive Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister and Belize’s Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Nestor Mendez.

Prime Minister Barrow will return to Belize on Tuesday, April 21, 2009. During his absence, Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment will serve as Acting Prime Minister.

BELIZEAN GOVERNMENT DELEGATION VISITING LOS ANGELES

The Office of the Consulate General of Belize

 Invites the Belizean Community

 To Join Members of the Government Delegation Visiting Los Angeles

APRIL 25 & 26, 2009

HOLY NAME OF JESUS SCHOOL

1955 W. JEFFERSON BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA. 90011 (Cimarron & Jefferson)

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2009- OPEN DOOR RECEPTION- BRING YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS

4:P.M.- 6:30 P.M.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2009- TOWN HALL MEETING-QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSION

3: P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Confirmed

HON. GASPAR VEGA

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment

HON. WILFRED ELRINGTON 
Attorney General

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

HON. PETER EDEN MARTINEZ

Minister of Human Development &

Social Transformation

MAYOR ELSA PAZ

Mayor, San Pedro

HON. RENE MONTERO

Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries

Contact Consulate of Belize: (323) 634-9900 or belizeconsulate@sbcglobal.net

CROOKED TREE VILLAGE SCHOOL GIRLS WIN NATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

THE PARADISE WARRIORS OF CROOKED TREE VILLAGE WITH HON. PABLO MARIN

click on photo to enlarge

On Tuesday, March 31, 2009 the crowds came from all over Belize City to Rogers Stadium, the home of softball, to watch the Belize District Primary School Softball Championship game.

Three teams were vying for the title of Belize District Championship: The Salvation Army and St. John’s of Belize City and Paradise Warriors of Crooked Tree Village. The Paradise Warriors hammered Salvation Army 16 -4 and edged out St. John’s 16-13 to take the Belize District Champion.

Setting goals was the first step taken this season by the Paradise Warriors. They knew from the beginning that the ultimate goal was the National Championship crown. Everyone knew what was expected of them and the team worked diligently to accomplish those goals.

After sweeping the Belize District title they were on to Corozal to represent and defend their title against the Cayo District, Toledo District and Corozal Districts respectively. On Friday, April 3, 2009 they flew into action at the Corozal Stadium and quickly demolished Corozal 21-3.

On Saturday, April 4, 2009 the Paradise Warriors stood a mere three games away from achieving their goals. In the first game they sprinted pass the Cayo District 15-5 and had no mercy on Toledo District, 27- 3. In the final game, again against the Cayo District, they prevailed 16-3 to clench the title.

The Paradise Warriors made history by winning the National Champion of Belize Primary School Softball. This is the first time Crooked Tree Village has ever won the championship title and their coaches said that they are extremely proud of their girls, they competed like they practiced; no laziness and much concentration.

The Belize Minister of Health, the Hon. Pablo Marin was on hand to deliver the individual medals and team trophy in the closing ceremonies.

Amber Wade of the Paradise Warriors was crowned the MVP of the games. The health minister was so impressed with the Crooked Tree team that he gave them BZ$100.00 donations on the spot.

If anyone would like to help the teams with their uniforms for next season, please send your e-mail to Verla Jex at verlajex@yahoo.com.

Whatever you can contribute would be greatly appreciated.

Corrections: In my March 23 posting, I erroneously stated that Mrs. Winnie Gillett was the assistant Principal of Crooked Tree School. For the record, she is principal for one year, while Principal Verla Jex is on leave of absence.

BELIZE DISTRICT CRICKET COMPETITION 2009

President: Mr. Elihue Bonner

Belize District Cricket Association

Press Release

Email: letselec@yahoo.com

Results of schedule matches played 28^th March 2009 in the Harrison Parks Belize District Cricket Competition.

Schedule matches;

• Unfinished Business vs. Bright Star at Biscayne Village
• Brilliant vs.  at Sunrise at Crooked Tree Village
• Reggae Boyz of Scotland Half-moon Village (Rest)

 

• Unfinished Business of Biscayne Village defeated Bright Star of Sand Hill Village by a score of 95 runs. Marlon Rhaburn top scored with 14 runs, Michael Seguro scored 13 runs, Allwin Dawson scored 12 runs, Lansford Gideon and Fredrick Bonner scored 7 runs, Captain: Andy Dominguez scored 5 runs, Andrew Armstrong and Wilbert Dawson scores 4 runs Leon Flowers Scored 1 runs, it took the last wicket for Biscayne to bat order for them to won the game. Frederick Bonner not out.

Marlon Rhaburn took 5 wickets

Andy Dominguez took 2 wickets

Allwin Dawson took 3 wickets 

• Bright Star of Sand Hill Village won the toss and batted first and scored 92 runs all out. Edwin Flowers top scored with 25 runs, Ashton Vaccero scored 22 runs,Lencho Moralez scored 12 runs, Samuel Suckhnandan and Joseph Suckhnandan both scored 8 runs, Elihue Bonner(President BDCA) scored 3 runs(not out) and Berris Reyas, M. Dawson and Ardel Vaccero scored 1 runs.

 

• The matches between Sunrise of Lords Bank and Brilliant of Crooked Tree Village were postponed and will be played as a back match.

 

Elihue Bonner (BDCA president) took 4 wickets

Ashton Vaccero took 2 wickets

Mark Dawson, Samuel Suckhnandan took 1 wicket 
 

Regular matches will resumed after the Easter break, on the 18^th April 2009, the Belize District Cricket Association take this opportunity to wish all Cricketers, Fans and their family

A SAFE AND BLESSED EASTER