Project Belize 2012
5922 Princess Lane
936-560-9437 (home)
; 936 371 2910 (cell)
email:
mcnellie@mcnellie.com
Re: Project Belize 2012, May 17-28, 2012
Date: November 6, 2011
This is the letter for this coming year's trip. The dates are
May 17 - May 28, 2012.
This may seem early, but starting early helps solidify the list
of those going on this next trip and helps those who need a good deal of
advanced planning in order to take off the 11 days needed for the trip. Perhaps
families will pitch in to help with the costs as part of Christmas.
To Prospective Project Belize 2012 Members,
Take a moment and click here to send me an email that says you
are planning to go this year.
mcnellie@mcnellie.com
For those who are new to Project Belize, it is a non-profit,
501-C-03 corporation that was created in 1988 by a group of adventurous medical,
dental, nursing, and community individuals who shared a joint experience of
providing medical and dental care to Mayan Indians and natives of the country
of Belize. The trip is self-supporting by its membership for each year's
trip. Some donations are used from various service organizations, churches,
and individuals to offset some of the cost of medicines and supplies. Each
participating member pays his/her portion of the trip expenses. Each year’s
members serve as its board of directors and the trip and planning meetings
serve as its annual meeting. Its officers are Pam Mueller, Treasurer, Bruce
McNellie, Trip Coordinator, Dr. Quinn Robinson, Medical Director, and a series
of others who have made most of the trips, serving as its officers as the
need arises. We are not associated with a denomination or mission effort.
The group works directly with the country’s primary health care administrators.
Our principal contact has been Dr. Raju, Chief of Staff of the hospital in
Punta Gorda, Toledo District, and Desiree Mejia, Coordinator of Primary Health
Care for Toledo and Stahn Creek Districts where most of our work in recent
years has been. This will mark our 25th annual trip.
In the past the group has been arriving on two separate days,
depending on schedules. The main group will be leaving Houston on May 17th,
2012 to arrive in Belize City around 3 pm, to pick up the vans for the trip.
Those arriving on the 18th, will take a small commuter plane from Belize
City to Punta Gorda. We need at least 11 people to fly from Houston on the
17th to handle medical trunks as one of the two checked bags for each person
will need to be one of the medical trunks used to carry our medical supplies.
There is a 50 lb limit on all bags, so plan accordingly. Our workdays will
be the 20, 21, 22, and 23. May 17th – 19th are for travel and work with the
hospital and villages in getting ready for the clinics, and May 24th - May
27th are for travel and free time. The main group will return to Houston
on May 28th, 2012, but your time is your own beginning the morning of May
24th.
The main group will spend the first night, May 17, 2012, at
Pelican Beach Resort in Dangriga, and the last night of the work portion
of the trip at Sea Front Hotel in Punta Gorda, on May 23, 2012 and we will
have our last group meal at a nearby café that evening. The vans
are reserved and the lodging at Blue Creek and Sea Front Hotel are reserved.
Left are the fund raising things to do for the purchase of medications,
packing, and contact with Dr. Raju and Desiree Mejia, the director of primary
health missions at the hospital.
There is no charge for participating in the trip. Participants
split the costs incurred. Funds that are raised are used to offset the cost
of medical supplies.
Trip Costs: About $1100 to $1400 depending on the cost of this year's flight.
(See the detail below.)
Deposit: Please send $200 made out to Project Belize, Pam Mueller,
Treasurer, 737 Silver Lake, Monticello , FL 32344 as soon as possible but
no later than February 15th, 2012 to secure your spot. This will serve as
a deposit for the trip and will be about half of the group cost of the trip.
This does not include the airfare for Houston to Belize City (which is to
be arranged on your own and is not part of group expenses) and, it does
not count the money needed for those flying from Belize City to Punta Gorda
on the 18th (Once you have decided on your travel plans, contact Pam Muellar
about the amount needed for the airfare from Belize City to Punta Gorda
and on to San Pedro should you decide to go there following the work portion
of the trip. Last year this was $200, either roundtrip Belize City to Punta
Gorda, or BC to PG to San Pedro. For those going to San Pedro you will need
to handle the arrangements for the return flight to Belize City. You can
do this when you land on May 24th at the airport at San Pedro.).
Another payment of $240 or a total of $440 for group cost (in
addition to your airfare to Belize City, which you must arrange on your
own) will be due April 15, 2012. (see detail of budget below).
Send deposit of $200 by February 15, 2012, to:
Pam Warren Mueller, Treasurer
Project Belize
Pam Warren Mueller, Treasurer
737 Silver Lake, Monticello, FL 32344
Email: Muellermont@aol.com
Please email Pam and me that it is on its way. Email: Muellermont@aol.com
and mcnellie@mcnellie.com.
Flights: Note that flight arrangements to and from Belize City
from the US for May 17th and May 28th, 2012 are your responsibility. If
you fly in with the group leaving from Houston on May 17th, 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 bags.
We will need 11 people to check one medical trunk as a second bag or pay
a premium of $100 for each extra trunk.
We will fly on Continental, the flight numbers are listed as
below, Continental's flight that leaves Houston at 1:15 PM. If you cannot
make this flight, be sure you are in Belize City around 3:00 pm on May 17,
2012. It is best if we clear customs together if you are carrying any medications
or supplies as we have a broker meeting us at the airport. If you arrive
earlier than 3 pm on May 17th and need help through customs, wait in the
baggage area until the main group arrives or have customs hold any baggage
that has medical supplies in it until then.
Flight to Belize City:
Continental Airlines Flight CO1410
Depart: 1:15 p.m. Thu., May. 17, 2012 Houston, TX (IAH
- Intercontinental)
Arrive: 2:45 p.m. Thu., May. 17, 2012 Belize City, Belize
(BZE)
Return Flight to Houston:
There are two choices for the return flight from Belize City
to Houston (IAH)
Flight CO1478; Depart: 11:15 a.m. Belize City, May 28, 2012;
Arrival: 2:47 p. m. Houston, IAH;
Or
Flight: CO1406; Depart: 3:35 p. m. Belize City, May 28, 2012;
Arrive: 7:07 p. m. Houston, IAH
Either will work, but for those spending the night of the 27th
in Guatemala, the later flight might be more prudent. In the past we have
talked Continental into letting us get on the earlier flight when we made
the airport in time.
After taxes, this flight was $705 after taxes this past year.
I think most will be returning on Monday, May 28th, but this
is up to personal preference and schedules and it is possible to return to
Houston on May 24th by taking a 7 am flight from Punta Gorda to Belize City.
Several have done this in the past.
Pam Mueller, our treasurer, will purchase in-country flights
for those flying from Belize City to Punta Gorda on the 18th and flying back
to Belize City or to the island at San Pedro on May 24th. We must have exact
flight arrangements nailed down by March 1, 2012, so let me (
mcnellie@mcnellie.com
) and Pam (Muellermont@aol.com)
) know your plans as soon as possible.
The main group, as last year, will fly to Belize City on May
17th, get the medical trunks into the country, pick up the vans, and meet
with Dr. Raju or Desiree Mejia, the director of primary missions on Friday
the 18th. If you cannot fly from Houston to Belize City with the main
group, just be in Belize City by 3:00 pm on the 17th so you can catch a ride
with the main group in the vans on the way to Dangriga for the first night,
May 17th, at Pelican Beach Resort. We will pick up those flying in on the
18th at the airport in Punta Gorda at 6 pm and will all spend the night of
the 18th at the IZE Lodge at Blue Creek, Toledo District.
The group costs will cover most round trip expenses from Belize
City to Punta Gorda, including ground transportation through the 24th back
to Belize City/Houston, group meals for the evening meals of May 18th –
23rd, including one night’s lodging in Dangriga on the 17th, the nights
at Blue Creek Lodge from the 18th through the night of the 22nd, and one
night in Punta Gorda on the 23rd.
Remaining personal meals and lodging costs in addition to that
collected and will be your responsibility (Evening meal on the 17th, breakfast
and lunches during the trip, and all meals and lodging beginning May 24th
through return to Houston on May 28th, 2012.) (Many buy lunch and breakfast
supplies in Dangriga the morning of the 18th so they will not have to carry
so much food on the plane.)
Group Costs: (approximate per person)
Flights
RT - Houston - Belize City (approximate)
~$700
(*This is a guess until you book your flight, and has ranged
from
550 to 700, depending on the airline)
RT - air from Belize City to Punta Gorda (PG) (Only for
$200.00
those flying to Belize City on the 22nd for the in-country flight
to PG)
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:
500
Mules and health care workers:
260
Dangriga group night:
850
Blue Creek Lodge:
1300
Night in Punta Gorda:
863
Miscellaneous food:
300
Medical Supplies:
500
Total:
$8800
Subtotal group expenses: $8800 divided by 20 (assuming 20 will
go) = $440
Subtotal Group cost for those Flying in on the 18th (200 +440)
=
$640
Subtotal Group cost driving from Belize City on the 17th =
$440
Total (Estimated)
Total cost for those flying in on the 18th : $640 + $700air
rt Houston)= $1340
Group driving from Belize City on the 17th = $440 + $700 rt
Houston) = $1140
Remember the airfare from Houston of $700 is an estimate and
could be more or less depending on the final arrangements. Once you are certain
you are going, I would suggest getting this fare as soon as possible due
to the potential for an increase in fuel costs.
Specific Costs Not included In the Above:
Lodging costs for nights of May 24th-May 27th for the "rest
and relaxation" portion of the trip.
Food costs for 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, which are
covered). Breakfast on Thursday morning, the 24th, 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 Houston
to Punta Gorda and return to Houston. (the above assumes in-country van
rental for three vehicles from May 17th through May 24th and if some of
you decide to keep one of them you would need to handle the rental after
the 24th on your own. This assumes return of the vehicles on the 24th. Transportation
on or after May 24th, for example, a flight to San Pedro, will be "on your
own" or what you can arrange with others in the group. For those flying,
the $200 rt is figured on getting back to Belize International airport.
If there is a non-stop flight from Punta Gorda to San Pedro, approximately
$95 of the $200 round trip cost set aside in the budget that gets you back
to Belize City , would go toward that. Last year, this covered getting to
San Pedro, but you have to make arrangements on your own for a flight back
to Belize City from San Pedro. Round trip from Belize City to San Pedro
is about $100. Pam Mueller will send you information on this cost as soon
as you let her know your itinerary. The vans will return to Belize City
on Thursday morning May 24th and those wishing to ride overland will save
some money in getting back to Belize City.
In past years several have driven to San Ignacio (the western
border of Belize) and into Guatemala to visit the ruins at Tikal and the
old Spanish town of Flores. (I plan to do that again this year and most of
the food and lodging for those going with me will be covered by a friend
of mine who owns a hotel near Tikal where we will be staying.)
Tentative Agenda:
February 15, 2012 $200 group expenses due to Pam Warren Mueller,
Treasurer
By April 1st, 2012 - have purchased your own airfare round trip
to Belize City.
April 15, 2012 the remainder of the final group payment due
to Pam Mueller, of $240, or (a total of $440 including the 200 deposit)
for those traveling on the 17th and picking up the vans. Or $240
plus $200 (440) for the incountry flights for those flying in on the 18th,
for a total of $640.
April 18th, 2012 Pre-trip meeting at Memorial Hospital cafeteria
at 12:00 noon for those that can make it to answer questions and make last
minute travel arrangements to and from Houston.
May 13, 2012 Sunday, 1:30 PM, Tentative Afternoon Packing Medication
Party at SFASU Nursing Department – Bring friends to help.
May 17, 2012 Thursday, Main group leaves for Belize City, picks
up vehicles, and spends first night Pelican Beach Motel in Dangriga.
May 18, 2011 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 19, Saturday, Group free day (Cave tours, swimming,
Lubaatun ruins
(which are near the lodge), while some visit villages
to make arrangements for clinics.
May 20, Sunday First work day
May 21, Monday Second work day
May 22, Tuesday Third work day
May 23, Wednesday Fourth work day, spend night in motel in Punta
Gorda, eat in Punta Gorda.
May 24, Thursday - Travel day. Group splits up as desired, some
to fly out to destination of choice, return to Houston , or some to drive
vehicle back to rental agency in Belize City. Spend night your choice.
May 25, Friday Free day, spend night your choice.
May 26, Saturday Free day, spend night your choice
May 27, Sunday Free day, spend night your choice.
May 28, Monday Return flight to Houston.
Send your first payment of $200 by February 15, 2012 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; 936 371 2910 cell
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 18th,
2012 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/night for a four or five person apartment, or 90/night
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, Belize
City, Belize , Central America . San Pedro Holiday Hotel,
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Phone: 713-893-3825, Skype Name: sanpedroholidayhotel,
Fax: +501-226-2295, Email holiday@btl.net
Last time they gave us a discount so identify yourself as with Project
Belize.
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 Houston with about
$100 in a money order or cashier’s check. (Sorry, having this much fun is
not cheap, but this trip represents a pretty cheap 11 day vacation.)
Also, don't forget shots. You only need to be sure your tetanus
shots are updated (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 mosquitos. 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. Contact me and
I will forward your request for a prescription to Dr. Robinson.
A list of possible things to bring is noted below, such as mosquito
nets, string, canteen, bedding, pillow, soap, washrag, towel, etc. Think
of a Scout camping adventure where sleeping arrangements are in small cabins
with bunk beds and flush toilets (thankfully). Bathing is in the river near
the lodge.
See you soon. Bruce McNellie, (Home):936-560-9437, (Cell) 936
371 2010.
For pictures of past years trips and more information on our
group, visit:
http://www.projectbelize.org
Project Belize 2012
5922 Princess Lane
Nacogdoches, Texas , 75961
936-560-9437 (home) (cell: 936 371 2910)
email:
mcnellie@mcnellie.com
Also here are some websites to pictures from last year’s trip:
https://picasaweb.google.com/projectbelize2011/ProjectBelize2011
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 11/6/2012
Mosquito net with string to hang it.
Repellent (At least 25% deet)
Serious suntan block/ lotion and hat
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
Personal electric fan/extra batteries (the small ones at the dollar store
is fine)
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. Likely will be walking in deep
mud from time to time.
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 hand-wash or cloths
Swimsuit (we all bathe in the river)
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-cloth, and bio-degradable shampoo and bar soap (Ivory is a good choice
as it floats)
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 solution
Canteen (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
Food for breakfast from Friday – Wednesday (you can buy this at a super
market in Dangriga on the 18th)
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
For Eddie, and his wife & kids:
Dvd’s, candy,video tapes and Sewing stuff for Mary Tulcey
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.
Also for those flying with the main group on May 17th from Houston, remember
to pack so we can allow one of your two checked bags as one of the medication
trunks. (This only applies to those ticketing in Houston who will be checking
in at the same time as the main group.)
The group will pay for the extra bag fees.
Be talking up any donors you know for medications for this year's trip
and get them to Bruce McNellie or Quinn Robinson in time for the packing
on Sunday, May 15, 2011, at the SFASU Nursing Department Building.
The annual medication packing party will be at SFASU Nursing department
as in years past on May 13, 2012. Bring friends.
Feel free to call me if you have questions:
Bruce McNellie
936 560 9437 home: 936 371 2910 cell