Belize is a small country of only around 400,000 souls in Central America. Since it is a former British colony, English is spoken here. Many of its inhabitants are migrants from other Central American countries, however.
Agriculture is the main source of economic income in the country, and many people are living and working on the banana, orange and coconut plantations. Tourism is also important, and building work in the main tourist areas is a major source of employment, as is shrimp farming. Generally, though, this work is poorly paid, and mothers working on these farms are often forced to leave their children in the care of friends, neighbours or relatives.
Many young people, however, see a life of few opportunities, and many of them end up sliding into drugs and crime. Youth gangs are widespread. Other young people look for a better life abroad and emigrate – above all towards the United States.
The Catholic Church is making every effort to improve the life chances of such people. Since 2013 a community of the St Vincent Sisters have been working in 14 villages of the Sacred Heart parish in the rural Stann Creek District in the south of the country. The three sisters come from Mexico, Nicaragua and Colombia respectively, and in their ministry to the poor they seek to „pass on the passion for the Kingdom of God among the poor and needy“, they tell us. They are actively engaged in the youth apostolate, in catechesis and the training of catechists and also organise Bible study courses, visit and support families and care for the sick – a precious service they offer in all 14 villages of the parish.
Their mission is somewhat hampered, however, by the fact that they have no convent of their own. Up till now they have been living in a rented property in one of the more remote villages, but this is proving too expensive in the long term. Besides, a house of their own would give them greater security and benefit their religious life. And so they now want to build a convent in the strategically well-placed village of Bella Vista. But they are poor, and the local people cannot contribute much either, so that they are dependent on outside help.
We have promised the sisters 20,000 Euros so they can build a safe and permanent home. Will you help us to help them?
