Q&A

Since mom emailed me some questions (and I think you are the only one reading it, mom), I thought I would answer them. I don’t have much else to write about right now.

What is the number one health concern?

So I ask each community chairperson or health worker I talk to what they think is the most prominent disease in their community. I am surprised that many communities say hypertension or diabetes. We learned about this in public health classes. There is a global trend that developing countries are now starting to suffer from chronic diseases rather than infectious diseases. It makes me happy to see that people are aware of these diseases, but I hope something can be done earlier rather than later to address these issues.

How are the schools structured?

This one was taken me a while to grasp. They do not call them grades, but rather Infant and Standard. Infant 1 and 2 are similar to preschool. From there you have Standards 1-6 (you graduate from standard 6 around age 14) and then high school (which you graduate at age 17). The schools do not always get out at the same time for summer break. Right now, the high school here in PG is out but the primary school is still going. And different primary or high schools aren’t always on the same schedule. It makes no sense to me, but it does to Cordillya who just explained it to me. She also said that most people these days do go on to high school but it just depends on their financial situation.

What were the crazy chairs at the circus?

I never found this out because I didn’t attend the circus. But I did find out that everyone REALLY wanted to see the tiger that danced like Michael Jackson. It is also in Spanish.

What is the next holiday?

Well obviously, Father’s Day is this Sunday. They celebrate it similar to us. I am not sure what holiday comes after that but I will be sure to celebrate whatever it is in Belizean style.

What do they think of America?

I haven’t heard a lot of what they think of America. My home stay family loves it. Several of them have been to L.A. or have relatives living there and love to visit. Evert, the village chairperson for Elridgeville told me he has been to Chicago. He said he liked it but it was too busy for him. I know there are definitely misconceptions, but I’ll have to find out more about what they are. Although Ms. Consuela asked me last night if men in the U.S. have more than one woman. I told her most of them do not. Apparently, it is not uncommon here for men to have more than one woman or families.

How has technology influenced changes in their lives?

MANY people here have cell phones. They also have an electronic system at the hospital for keeping some records (not all). I haven’t discussed technology much with people. Not all of the villages have electricity, but most do. I will have to find out more and get back to this one.  

Traditional Spanish meal Olivia made me

Olivia's son Elvin

The bus stop in Eldridgeville

Evert's house in Eldridgeville that he welcomed me in