Project Belize 2010
5922 Princess Lane
936-560-9437 (home)
email: mcnellie@mcnellie.com
Date:
April 14, 2010
Some
updates.
For those flying from Houston, you need to get the Continental airline
ticket that leaves Houston at 1:15 and arrives in Belize City at 2:55
pm, flight number:
CO1628. You should get your ticket soon, it has gone up the past week.
Also for those flying with the
main group on May 20th from Houston, remember to pack so we can allow
one of your two checked bags as one of the medication trunks. The group
will pay for the extra bag fees.
Be talking up any donors you know for medications
for this year's trip.
The annual medication packing party will be at SFASU Nursing department
as in years past on May 16, 2010. Bring friends.
A list of things to bring is listed at the bottom of this letter and
with a link to a printable copy.
Feel free to call me if you have questions:
Bruce McNellie
936 560 9437 home: 036 371 2910
Left are the fund raising things to do for the purchase of medications, packing, and contact with Dr. Raju and Cherrie-Mae Avilez at the hospital.
Trip Costs: (About $1000 to $1200 depending on the cost of this year's flight. See the detail below.)
Please send
$200
made out to
Project
Pam Warren Mueller,
Treasurer
Project Belize
Pam Warren Mueller, Treasurer
737 Silver Lake, Monticello, FL 32344
Muellermont@aol.com
Note
that flight arrangements to and from Belize City from the US for May
20th and May 31st, 2010 are your responsibility. If you fly in with the
group leaving from Houston on May 20th, you will need to check one bag
and allow one bag for of the group medical trunks. We will use part of
the money collected for group expenses to pay for the extra bag.
We will need 11 people to check one medical trunk as a second bag.
We
will fly on Continental, the same flight as below,
Continental's
flight that leaves Houston at 1:20 PM. If you cannot
make this flight, just be sure you are in Belize City around 3:00 pm on
May 20, 2010. It
is best if we clear customs together if you are carrying any
medications or supplies. If you arrive early on May 20th and need help
through customs, wait in the baggage area until the main group arrives.
After
taxes, this flight was $575 this past year.
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I think most will be returning on Monday, May 31st, but this is
up to personal preference and schedules.
Pam
Mueller, our treasurer, will purchase in-country flights for those
flying from Belize City to Punta Gorda on the 21nd
and flying out or to the island on May 27th. We
must have exact flight arrangements nailed down by the first of March,
2010,
so let
me (
If you are going with the main group, you need to leave
For those flying down on the 21st, Pam Mueller will handle booking the
flight
from
The group
costs will cover most round trip expenses from Belize City to
Punta Gordo,
including ground transportation
through the 27th back to Belize City/Houston, group meals for the
evening
meals of May 21nd - 26th, including one night’s lodging in
Dangriga
on the 20th, the nights at Blue Creek Lodge from the 21st through the
night of the 25th, and one night in Punta Gorda on the 26th. Remaining
personal
meals and lodging costs will be in addition to that collected and will
be your
responsibility (Dinner on the 20th, breakfast and lunches during the
trip, and
all meals and lodging beginning May 27th through return to
Houston on
May 31st, 2010.)
Group Costs: (approximate per person)
Flights
RT - Houston -
(*This is a guess until you
book your flight and has ranged from
550 to 600, depending on the airline
and market.)
RT - air from
those flying to
Group fees:
In-country Transportation:
Truck/van/rental: 2@143/day for 7 days)=
$2002
1@75/day for 7 days=
525
Sub-total
for
rental:
2527
Gasoline:
3 @ 100 gal ea @ 5.00/gallon
1500
Baggage handling and tips;
200
Guides:
450
Mules and health care workers:
260
Dangriga group night:
850
Blue
Creek Lodge:
1300
Night in Punta Gorda:
800
Miscellaneous food:
300
Medical Supplies:
500
Total: $8687
Subtotal group
expenses: $8687 divided by 20
(assuming 20
will go) =
$435
Subtotal Group cost for those Flying in on the 21st (190 +435)=
$625
Subtotal Group cost driving from Belize City on the 20th=
$435
Total (Estimated)
Total cost for those flying in on the 21st : $625 + $632air rt
Houston)=
$1257
Group driving from Belize City on the 20th = $435 + $632 rt Houston)
= $1067
Remember the airfare from Houston of $575 is an estimate and could
be more
or
less depending on the final arrangements. Here are the details of
what came
up under their website recently. Once you are certain you are going, I
would
suggest getting this fare as soon as possible due to the increases in
fuel
costs.
There is a
Specific Costs Not
included In the
Above:
Motel costs for nights of May 27th-May 30th for the "rest and
relaxation" portion of the trip.
Food costs for personal meals other than the evening meals during the
work
portion of the trip on Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues and the meal at
cafe at
the end of the work portion of the trip on Wednesday night. Breakfast
on
Thursday morning, the 28th, is on your own as we have to get up early
for the
flights out from Punta Gorda and the van trip back to Belize City.
Transportation other than the round trip costs from
In past years
several have driven to San Ignacio
(the western border of Belize)
and into
Tentative Agenda:
February 15, 2010 $200 group expenses due to Pam Warren Mueller,
Treasurer
By April 1st, 2010 - have
purchased
your own airfare round trip
to Belize City.
April
15, 2010 the remainder of the final
group payment due to Pam Mueller, of $235, or (a
total of 435 less the 200 deposit)
for those traveling on the 21st and picking up the vans. Or $235
plus $190 for those traveling on the 21st.
April
21st, 2010
Pre-trip meeting at
May 16, 2010
Sunday, 1:30 PM, Tentative
Afternoon Packing
Medication Party at SFASU Nursing Department – Bring friends to help.
May 20, 2010 Thursday, Main group leaves for
May 21, 2009 Friday, balance of group travels to Belize City, and flies
by small
plane, regular service to Punta Gorda to arrive approximately 6:00 pm.
Group
spends night at Blue Creek Camp/Lodge.
May 22, Saturday Group free day. Clinic arrangements made in villages.
May 23, Sunday First work day
May 24, Monday Second work day
May 25, Tuesday Third work day
May 26, Wednesday Fourth work day, spend night in motel in Punta Gorda,
eat in
Punta Gorda.
May 27, Thursday - Travel day. Group splits up as desired, some to fly
out to
destination of choice, return to
May 28, Friday Free day, spend night your choice.
May 29, Saturday Free day, spend night your choice
May 30, Sunday Free day, spend night your choice.
May 31, Monday Return flight to
Send your
first payment of $200 by February 15, 2010 to:
Project Belize
Pam Warren Mueller, Treasurer
737 Silver Lake, Monticello, FL 32344
Muellermont@aol.com
(Email Bruce when you send your first payment. mcnellie@mcnellie.com)
If you have other questions please contact Bruce McNellie
936-560-9437 home
mcnellie@mailcity.com
or
mcnellie@mcnellie.com
As noted above, mark your calendar for a brief group meeting at
Memorial
Hospital in Nacogdoches if you can make it at 12:00 on
April 21st in the cafeteria at to go over any last minute
details. You do not have to be at this meeting. I will send notes to
those who
can’t make it. We can coordinate some of the after-trip plans as well
as travel
to the airport.
There are several nice hotels on San Pedro. In years past some have
stayed at
the Holiday House - 011 501 2 62014 or 011 501 2 62295; for
approximately
$200/nite for a four or five person apartment, or 90/nite for a double.
They
have a web site too: http://www.sanpedroholiday.com/index.html
Their address is Holiday House, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, P.O. 1140,
And finally, those of you with
connections to clubs or other funding sources, please begin updating
them on our
trip to see if they might be willing to donate for the medications and
dental
supply expenses. We need about $2500 to buy necessary medications. This
year we
are collecting about $25 each as part of group expenses to help defray
costs of
medications, see above in budget. The more funds donated the less of
this will
be needed and Pam will do a reconciliation at the end of the trip.
Make sure your passport is up to date and you know where it is.
You have to have it. It takes about 8 weeks to get it updated or get a
new one,
so get on it soon. You get an application from the district clerk's
office in
the courthouse, have two passport pictures taken and send them with the
completed application and your old passport to
Also, don't forget shots (tetanus every 10 years). Ask your doctor if
you have
questions.
We will all need to take some sort of anti-malaria medication as well
as a good
supply of DEET (insect repellent) to ward off the bugs. Dr. Quinn
Robinson will
help with the prescription for Larium or Chloriquin or one of the newer
anti-malaria
pills (Malarone) if you need one.
A list of possible things to bring is attached to this letter, such as
mosquito
nets, string, canteen, bedding, pillow, soap, washrag, towel, etc.
See you soon. Bruce McNellie, (Home):936-560-9437
For pictures of past years trips and more information on our group,
visit:
http://www.projectbelize.org
Project Belize 2007
936-560-9437 (home) (cell: 936 371 2910)
email:
mcnellie@mailcity.com
This
is list of some of the things I bring and represents a pretty good
check list for most people. Especially important are sturdy shoes/boots
that will not come off easily in the mud, insect repellent, sun screen,
and a swim suit.
The list: Updated 4/14/2010
Mosquito net with string to hang it.
Repellent (deet)
Serious suntan lotion
Passport, make sure it is up to date
Tetnus shot booster if not in last 10 yrs
(suggested, but check with your doctor)
Toilet paper in a ziplock bag
Sheet (I use one sewn into a make shift sleeping bag, folded lengthwise with end and half way up side sewn together)
Small pillow, pillow case
Good sturdy over-the-ankle boots or
over-the-ankle-high walking shoes
such as ‘tennis
shoe’ boots that cover the ankle.
Shoes for around camp/wading shoes/thongs
Moleskin
Personal medication plus prescriptions or prescription bottles
Larium or chloriquin or malarone (anti
malaria medication)
Money, some in travelers checks, especially some $1.00 bills
Fanny pack and zip lock bag for pass port and ticket
Antibiotic ointment for bites, cuts, scrapes
Antiseptic handwash or cloths
Swimsuit
Shirts
Shorts
Light colored and light weight clothing, it
can be very hot and humid
Towel can double as a blanket, it is not cold
Wash rag, and biodegradeable shampoo and bar
soap
String to hang wet
clothes
Knife (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
Flashlight (2) with extra batteries (a
headlamp is great for the cave and camping)
Camera extra film/storage cards
Notebook and pens
One nicer outfit for after trip
Nothing valuable that would hurt you if lost
Shades
<>Extra glasses/contacts/Contact solutionCanteen (2) for full two quarts or more
Water filter (optional); the veterans will
have several so ignore unless you are obsessive
Spoon, fork, knife
Needle and thread
Light blanket or extra towel
Rope/twine
Hat for shade
Food for breakfast from Friday - Wednesday
Food for lunch from Saturday - Wednesday
trail mix,
punch mix, hard candy
(On food, we will be at a grocery store on Friday morning in Dangria
where you can buy food if you wish vs. trying to pack it)
Other:
Needle and thread kits to give out
Balloons, bubbles, small toys
Printed material for teaching personal hygiene
Printed material for teaching importance of vitamins, nutrition, and clean water
Printed material for teaching well baby checkups