February 5

A perfect sunrise and a celebration of the Eucharist on the beach in San Pedro with friends from Holy Cross and from Water Missions International was a beautiful way to begin our last full day in Belize.





After the service we went to Holy Cross, for a tour of all of the changes that had been made since we were last there. There were many exciting improvements. The computer lab (its floor built by St. Annians 5 years ago!) is fully operational. The Holy Cross library is now the largest school library in all of Belize. There are now composting toilets and 24 stalls - a huge change from the 2 stalls that had previously served hundreds of children. There is a new playground going up and a preschool class started this fall. Though money remains tight, so tight that the breakfast program at the school was cut, Holy Cross is doing well. It was a joy to see that much of what had once been dreams, visions, hopes and prayers, is now reality. It is a joy to know that St. Anne's has been, and is, a part of making that happen.



We also toured the small neighborhood of San Mateo. San Mateo is located just adjacent to Holy Cross School, and is one of the areas on Ambergris Caye where people are in the most need.


San Mateo is a neighborhood built, literally, on swamp that has been filled in with garbage and sewage. Homes are built of found material - discarded boards and tin, nailed together. When we were last there, the neighborhood had no running water and very few homes had electricity. not very long ago, conditions there were so unhealthy that a 3 year old child died due to infection, after she fell into contaminated water.


Things are looking a little better now. Since our last visit, we found that the persistence of many caring people have resulted in some small but important changes that have made a difference. A gravel road had been installed, which allowed electricity to be connected to most of the homes in San Mateo. The road also allowed water pipes to be laid and many homes now have access to water. The lack of a sewer systems means the water still shows dangerous levels of contamination, but residents are being informed as to how to treat the water to make it safe.

The poverty is still overwhelming, by United States standards. It is still difficult to reconcile the these living conditions for children with the multi-million dollar vacation homes and resorts within walking distance. But there is change in San Mateo. And there is hope in San Mateo. There is love in San Mateo, and where there is love, there is life.



It's going to be hard to say goodbye to Belize!