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San Mateo Update

by tacogirl 08/06/2011
written by tacogirl 08/06/2011
San Pedro Belize beach pictures

Oops somehow this posted and it should not have as there was no text added yet – which made a bunch of miscellaneous code show up on front page. Truth be told I know how it happened I was in desperate need of lunch so I went to go float in the pool with the girls and eat my burger and I must have hit publish instead of send.

Been busy in San Mateo this morning with Heather and Jo. We went to Miss Shirley’s house to pick up the map and her son Jarris to bring him to the meeting with Pastor Peter and Brenda from mission group about the San Mateo Composting Toilet project. We are headed out shortly to meet Latitudes girls and work out more details for the San Mateo Summer camp and them meet Andy to talk about sailing lessons for the kids.

How fantastic everyone we spoke to said yes is loving the toilet project and the idea getting some of the older San Mateo kids to a water themed summer camp. Dee Dillon at Consolidated water was very interested in what Heather had to say and they are going to help out with  the 55 gallon barrels needed. The guys at Harmouche Hardware were right on board and set Heather up with a supplies account and will be making contributions along the way as the toilets start getting installed. Changes in Latitudes are on board on board to help out with the summer camp. Last stop was Caribbean Villas Resort to attend the San Pedro Sailing club meeting and find out about Sunday sailing registration for the kids.

If you are going to be in town this weekend or live here –  there is going to be a big beach party at Caribbean Villas this Sunday being put on by the San Pedro Sailing Club. happening for the sailing club. There will be beach barbecue – bouncy tent for kids – hobie cat lessons – discounted parasailing and loads of fun. If you are on the island and know any kids who are from disadvantaged homes that would like sailing and swimming lessons please get them to come to Caribbean Villas Sunday to sign up.

A  word from Heather about her visit and the project status ….

Hi Heather here…. Although the first build didn’t happen, we were able to spend a tremendous amount of time working with the community and collecting information that was necessary for the success of the project. My research has discovered that 90% of sanitation projects fail if we avoid the planning and information gathering step of the project.

Building stronger relationships with the people is as valuable as installing the first system.  This week we were able to look at every home in the area, document what we found and make sure everybody was counted and considered for a system.  I am so grateful we were able to spend a great deal of time with the people living in San Mateo, answering questions and sharing information.

As part of the initial information gathering I realized it was important to map out the area on this visit. I was lucky enough to get a realtors map with all the plots marked out and learn that Pastor Peter from the Maureen and Tracy’s mission group was a cartographer at one point in his life. This allowed us to do a walk through through of the neighborhood and mark valuable information on the map, if lot was filled, house height, number of dwellings on the lot and things like if they had, cistern, town water, electricity or not. This will all factor into where the first build will go because we need to find the areas with the highest probability of success for the first couple of builds.

Once we get our 2 first builds successfully up and running Cory Mcdermot said if he likes what he sees he is committed to helping us raise the funds needed and make sure this effort comes to completion.

I know we are getting closer to the installation of the first system, and I can tell you the community has expressed serious interest in the project.  I will continue to bring the pieces of the project closer,  and I assure you, I am not doing this alone.  It is the help of so many that continue to drive this project forward.

I’ll continue to keep tacogirl posted as things move forward.  Thanks to everyone for all you do to help see this much needed project through for the people of San Mateo.  -Heather

karen brodie
A Little Hammock Fun by Karen Brodie Photography
dale wallace junior san pedro belize
Dale's mechanic shop in San Juan
belize food
Creole shrimp
dragonfly pottery made by belize artist ruby hand
Dragonfly pottery Artisan Ruby hand

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tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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8 comments

brenda from j-town 29/06/2011 - 6:38 am

i’m so glad to hear of the ‘rising tide’ of enthusiasm for the sanitation project. i feel a little frustrated not being there to DO something to help it along. so what i do is talk about here to anyone who will listen. thanks for keeping it in the news!!

Reply
tacogirl 29/06/2011 - 7:30 am

You are all doing a great job from afar Brenda.

Reply
Dennis 12/06/2011 - 9:57 pm

Is there any information available for ther design if the composting toilets?

Dennis

Reply
tacogirl 13/06/2011 - 9:17 am

Hi Dennis. Heather has a blueprint in her binder. I am not sure if she has a jpg of it or not. You can reach her at heatherzw[at]gmail.com to find out more details. I know it involves a 55 gallon drum and there will be a solid and a liquid waste removal component to each one.

Reply
RDD 09/06/2011 - 9:58 am

GREAT cause…and we are here to help!! I’m always amazed at the continued energy people have to help San Pedro. I feel blessed to be included!! Keep us posted all you can and we will get the word out…the more hands helping always the better. RDD

Reply
tacogirl 09/06/2011 - 1:56 pm

You guys [Changes in Latitudes] do a great job of helping the community RDD – thanks for being available to work on this important cause.

Reply
Jana Reed 08/06/2011 - 12:07 pm

Thanks for the pictures Laurie!!

See you soon!
Jana

Reply
tacogirl 08/06/2011 - 2:34 pm

Anytime Jana.

Reply

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I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
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Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
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Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
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I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
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18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
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Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

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