Community and Society

San Pedro Town was again well represented at the Belize Band Fest 2024 held in Benque Viejo Del Carmen in the Cayo District on Saturday, July 20th. This year, the San Pedro High School (SPHS) and San Pedro Roman Catholic (RC) Primary School brought home two of the top three trophies. They made history with SPHS winning first place and the RC Primary School securing third place in the annual event that sees the best drum and marching bands from the country and abroad.

Secret Beach is one of the most visited areas on the island by tourists and locals who travel to the popular location for relaxation while enjoying the water, sun, drinks, and food offered at cool restaurants and bars. The area is trafficked by business and property owners who also commute daily. To renovate the only road that accesses this area, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC), in collaboration with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), partnered to gather resources to rehabilitate the road, providing proper infrastructure for a less bumpy ride, reducing travel time and improving comfort. The project began in April of this year and includes reconstructing a portion of the street with cement and pavement.

The Rotary Club of the Ambergris Caye has initiated a program to assist less fortunate students on the island. Their annual "Back to School Supply Drive" aims to identify students in need and provide them with school bags equipped with essential supplies such as exercise books, rulers, folders, pens, pencils, erasers, and geometry sets. The project, which started in 2021, is guided by Rotary International, focusing on supporting education and local children.

On Wednesday, July 17th, the Sarteneja Alliance For Conservation and Development (SACD) held a meeting at the San Pedro House of Culture to work on a strategic plan to manage the terrestrial part of the Bacalar Chico National Park, a World Heritage Site in northern Ambergris Caye. SACD, a non-governmental organization in Corozal District, was given the co-management of this protected area by the Government of Belize in March 2023.

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker residents had the opportunity to update their documents through an Identity and Integration Hub mobile clinic held on Saturday and Sunday, July 13th and 14th. The event, organized through a partnership with the Office of the Area Representative Honorable Andre Perez, included services from the Immigration Department, Vital Statistics, Social Security Board, and foreign embassies, including Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

For our most recent blood drive, the San Pedro Community Blood Drive Group was able to partner with the Washington University of Health and Science. We wish to thank all those who came to donate blood on June 15. Members of the Ambergris Caye community generously donated 18 pints of blood, which can potentially save the lives of up to 54 persons.

After a brief delay due to Hurricane Beryl, the annual Guardians of the Reef Summer Camp is now in full swing. The camp, running from Monday, July 8th to July 19th at the Lion's Den from 8:30AM to 11:30AM, is organized by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) with a clear mission to educate children about protecting and preserving the marine environment. The camp features a rich array of fun and educational activities, outdoor games, and lessons on conservation, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience for the young participants.

The lack of available land for housing in certain parts of Belize has become a long-standing issue, particularly on the Cayes, where many Belizeans are eager to acquire land for building their homes. To tackle this problem, Area Representative Honourable Andre Perez has announced a new housing project for a subdivision in northern Ambergris Caye. The project is currently in the planning stage and is expected to come to fruition in the upcoming months.