Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007
  • –
  • Home
  • About Belize
    • My Move to Belize
    • Living in Belize
    • Belize Tourism Board
    • Blog Press
    • tacogirl.com testimonials
  • Flights to Belize
    • Flying in Belize
    • Flights From Belize
    • Duty Free Belize
    • Aerial Tours
    • World Nomads Travel Insurance
  • Belize Vacation
    • Vrbo Belize – A Paradise within a Paradise
      • Vrbo Ambergris Caye – Sunshine, Luxury & Fun
      • Vrbo San Pedro – Food, Fun, and Adventure
      • Vrbo Placencia – A True Getaway
      • Vrbo Hopkins Belize – Experience Culture
    • Ambergris Caye Accommodations by Price
    • Belize Resorts and Hotels
    • Pet Friendly Hotels
    • Belize Vacation Deals
  • Flight Discount
    • Big Belize Travel Deal
  • Travel Store
    • tacogirl Recommendations
    • Easy Donations
    • Eco Friendly Belize
  • Fun Activities
    • Getting Around Ambergris Caye
    • Google Maps Guide
    • Fitness
    • Things to do in Belize
    • Belize Excursions and Tours
    • Voluntourism
  • Travel
    • Central America
    • Yucatan
  • Home
  • Belize Weather
  • Belizean Food
  • Restaurants by Price
  • Beach Bars
  • Nightlife
  • Discounts
  • Hand Up
    • SAGA Humane Society
    • RRR Emergency Response Team
    • Island Road Safety
    • Road Safety Assessment
Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right place for Belize Resources and Information.

  • –
  • Home
  • About Belize
    • My Move to Belize
    • Living in Belize
    • Belize Tourism Board
    • Blog Press
    • tacogirl.com testimonials
  • Flights to Belize
    • Flying in Belize
    • Flights From Belize
    • Duty Free Belize
    • Aerial Tours
    • World Nomads Travel Insurance
  • Belize Vacation
    • Vrbo Belize – A Paradise within a Paradise
      • Vrbo Ambergris Caye – Sunshine, Luxury & Fun
      • Vrbo San Pedro – Food, Fun, and Adventure
      • Vrbo Placencia – A True Getaway
      • Vrbo Hopkins Belize – Experience Culture
    • Ambergris Caye Accommodations by Price
    • Belize Resorts and Hotels
    • Pet Friendly Hotels
    • Belize Vacation Deals
  • Flight Discount
    • Big Belize Travel Deal
  • Travel Store
    • tacogirl Recommendations
    • Easy Donations
    • Eco Friendly Belize
  • Fun Activities
    • Getting Around Ambergris Caye
    • Google Maps Guide
    • Fitness
    • Things to do in Belize
    • Belize Excursions and Tours
    • Voluntourism
  • Travel
    • Central America
    • Yucatan

Setting Strong Foundations

by tacogirl 19/08/2019
written by tacogirl 19/08/2019
Building a house in San Mateo Belize

A wonderful group from United Methodist Church in Johnstown Colorado (UMC) took a volunteer summer vacation and came back to San Pedro. They have done group mission trips 3 times in Belize now. Hope Haven had a great project for them. A Lady named Daisy and her five kids greatly needed a new house.

It all started with this…..

Building a house in San Mateo Belize

The lot had less than ideal conditions for building a house. As soon as Maureen, her husband Tracy and I toured the site with Hilton (the site foreman), our minds sprang into action. We learned that because this job had originally been slated for a later date, there was going to be no fill at the initial stages of the construction. Thankfully it came sooner than later.

We reported the situation back to Lee who was coordinating the group that was yet to come, to add tallish rain boots to the list. I was upfront with Lee and said that I did not believe that water would test clean. They needed to know just what they were getting into when volunteering to set the foundation.

Lee is a strong woman and barely flinched. Everyone understood that this was beyond our control. They were sticking by their mission and giving us all a good example. Even though life sometimes hands you less than perfect circumstances, your original intent of wanting to get your hands dirty and do something really good will reach far and wide.

As you can see above and below, The Johnstown Co. United Methodist Church made sure to budget for many details. Not only did they sign up to be the starting crew on the new house, but they also thoughtfully fell in love the family they were helping and shopped for some practical, fun and educational materials for the kids. I took Maureen and youngest team member Briley to both Caye Supplies and the expanded A&R to choose some decent priced backpacks and learning materials. As you can see in the picture below, the kids were happy. The few times I visited the site, I saw them constantly smiling when the UMC group was there and working on the first stage of a brand new and very exciting chapter of their lives.

Bunkbeds will be going in and everyone is going to get a lot more personal space plus some much-needed quality common areas.

Maureen, her husband Tracy and daughter Briley and I made a thorough list during our site inspection with Hilton. Afterward, Maureen, Lee and I brainstormed it all out by phone. Hope Haven provided an official letter, which allowed Lee and the 15 remaining group members to bring many of the items needed after the house is built. They also contributed some locally purchased construction materials. Even though they could only pack so much, UMC did a great job of filling the needs list by providing the following: smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, faucets, mattresses, sheets, windows, some kitchen wares, bath towels, toiletries, and many other general household items.

Once the house is finished we may still be putting out a call for help to really turn this cute house into a home.

Meanwhile, if you are in Belize and want to go to either store mentioned above, and purchase some useful school supplies or any basic items for kids and drop them off at Hope Haven Shelter, you would be boosting the local economy and helping kids in need. Currently, there are nine children being housed there full time. Grocery donations are also welcome for the shelter kitchen which feeds between 130 – 170 people weekly. That’s a lot of mouths.

  • Local San Mateo Belize Kids
    Daisy’s kids courtesy of Maureen Shulz-Sowder

This volunteer project would not have been possible without the main sponsor Jamie Terry Phillips Realty Company, and Hilton Claasen, GoodWorld Trading Ltd.

Thanks also go to all Hope Haven volunteers and Brittney O’Daniel for helping the group proceed along the way. And providing everyone the opportunity to be a part of such a life-changing event.
  • Building a house in San Mateo Belize
    Posts went in before fill. Courtesy of Tracy Sowder

They worked long and hard to get the foundation finished.

Thanks to UMC the foundation was set (posts in concrete), the ground has been filled and the walls got partly framed. That was a big start to a very important job.

Similar words came from many team members “We have not only built a foundation and started a house, but we’ve also built a foundation for a family to start a new life. These projects are not just about the physical work, it is about connecting with the family, loving new people and integrating ourselves into a different culture. It was also about working with the people in charge on the ground and understanding the needs of the family we were helping instead of trying to not impose what we thought they needed.” Maureen Shulz-Sowder on behalf of UMC Colorado group.

At the end of the last day on the Job, everyone stopped at Sandbar on the way home to celebrate.

This event was so special that two group pictures were warranted. One at the job site in front of their hard work, and one on the beach to celebrate. They were then free to enjoy Lobsterfest and the big Block Party.

Building a house in San Mateo Belize

Thanks to Hilton Klassen and Trevor Devalle for sharing progress pictures on the Hope Haven house building project in San Mateo. It is coming along nicely. Thankfully there has not been a lot of rain since the job started.

  • Building a house in San Mateo Belize
    Closer to finished courtesy of Hilton Klassen GoodWorld Trading Ltd Hilton.
  • Building a house in San Mateo Belize
    Daisy’s House Courtesy of Trevor Devalle – Hope Haven Board

UMC Johnstown Colorado helped countrywide

  • Enter tacogirl flight code - horizon in promo section when booking online at Tropic Air
    Aerial group shot courtesy of Tracy Sowder via his wife Maureen ?

While traveling in Belize, UMC also supported the Belize Cancer Center in Dangriga and Blue Water Grill community effort on Ambergris Caye which is currently helping subsidize Hope Haven Shelter’s monthly expenses. At no extra cost, you too can help this important cause by using tacogirl flight code – horizon (in promo code field) when booking online at Tropic Air.

Flight code update, thanks to my generous readers and 19 UMC volunteers for being a wonderful contributing factor. With your help, $172 Belize dollars go to both organizations for the month of June. Stay tuned for July’s donation update.

While dropping off the money to the Blue Water Grill Restaurant, I ran into Mukul part-owner, and he was very grateful for the monthly flight code addition to their fund. We both agree Hope Haven Shelter is a great cause. They really work with the community and try to help people from slipping through the cracks and give people a hand up versus just a handout.

Your free flight code use currently helps Hope Have Shelter by helping to manage ongoing monthly expenses of housing nine full-time children and feeding between 130 – 170 people weekly. In helping feed hungry people healthy meals, you are also feeding their souls.

As for the countrywide group being helped… The Dangriga Cancer Center is invaluable.

The center opens it’s doors to patients across Belize. Currently, 54 people a month need subsidized cancer treatment. Additional extra monthly expenses required by financially disadvantaged patients. Pricing below is in Belize dollars, (half it for USD.)

An average of three patients per month require Herceptin, which is a medically preferred hormone replacement therapy for patients with hormone-positive breast cancer. Generally, this is a medication prescribed in a cycle of 6 doses at a total cost of $3000.

An average of five patients per month requires financial support to pay for diagnostic laboratory and imaging studies. This includes CT scans, other radiology studies, and other lab tests. Almost all of these patients are financially disadvantaged and have little to no resources. Your flight code use goes a long way to helping those who need it most.

This is exactly what your tacogirl flight code use is helping.

The cost of a CT scan which is accessible only in Belmopan and Belize City and is approximately $580.00 BZD. An average set of lab work which includes CBC, Chemistry, and Tumor Marker Test cost approximately $150.00 BZD.

All of the above places a big financial challenge monthly for the Cancer Center and they are extremely grateful tacogirl readers have stepped up to help through a monthly flight code use donation.

The main reason this cause is so near to my heart (RIP Cheryl Morley). She fought a strong battle and now she has gone to the big party in the sky. She reached out to me to help the struggling center and it has been a life-changing experience ever since I took her for treatment one day and learned about Dangriga’s Vital Role in Belize’s Health Care System.

Your flight code horizon use, when you book online at Tropic Air at no extra cost to you, directly helps cancer patients and their families who need a hand, at a most critical time.

Use tacogirl flight code horizon when flying in Belize

Your flight code use also helps me keep providing you with dreamy tropical shots as you can see from my flight to San Pedro above and interesting urban views, below with the Municipal Airport runway in Belize City. You can easily fly to Belize City for the day do a self-guided tour of the Museum and a few other landmarks and be back on the last plane to Ambergris Caye. Teddybear is a great cab driver and he uses WhatsApp: +1 501 600-5002

Ask him to sing for you, he has a great voice. I have sent a few readers on tour with him and they loved it. So did my cousin and her husband.

Related

tacogirl

Laurie 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.

previous post
Tacogirl Tips on Reducing Your Footprint When Traveling to Belize
next post
Truth Be Told About Crime in San Pedro and I Was a Bad Girl

You will also like

Repeat Offenders Club of Ambergris Caye

15/02/2022

Whose Handling The Food?

12/05/2020

Vacation Volunteering in Belize

19/02/2020

A Different Kind of Birding in Placencia Belize...

11/02/2020

I Ate Bones and Recently Got Stolen From

08/11/2019

TK-421 and the Satellite Tracker

04/10/2019

Solar For 5 Schools In Belize

20/03/2019

I Dodged a Bullet and Admired Some Fancy...

22/11/2018

Heartbreaking and Heartwarming

13/11/2018

Sea and Ocean Conservation

22/10/2018

Leave a Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Search Belize by Category

belize specialist certificate

Duty Free Discount

Find tacogirl On Facebook

Find tacogirl On Facebook
tacogirl Belize blog
tacogirl Belize blog
5.0
Based on 49 reviews
powered by Google
Darrell Moore
Darrell Moore
13:15 18 Apr 22
Laurie was super helpful in providing places to eat, things to do and best yet had ongoing blogs that allowed us to... look back on other places that she pointed out. A fantastic resource for both first time and return visitors of Ambergris Caye!read more
B W
B W
18:01 08 Feb 22
Fantastic service .I needed to find a place where I could buy a local sim card as my UK sim doesnt work in belize and... Tacogirl put me on the right path .Decided to walk across town and discovered so much more in beautiful San Pedro.Many thanks.BWread more
Kristi Palm
Kristi Palm
20:40 12 Oct 21
We have been using TacoGirl for what feels like decades when planning our trips to Belize! It has only been a few... years but she is the first place we stop to see what is happening in our favorite vacation spot. She knows all the best spots to get away and do so many fun things - whether it is relaxing or exploring! We are planning our next trip with our twins and she was the first person I reached out to. Knowing we have a resource like her, makes trip planning a breeze!read more
D Zep
D Zep
12:39 01 Oct 21
Found tacogirl while doing some research on an upcoming trip to Belize. This is the place for all the information you... need to plan your vacation. Incredibly helpful and responsive. I sent an email with lots of questions and received a very quick and detailed response that helped us finalize our plans.read more
Kelley Adams
Kelley Adams
20:19 21 Sep 21
We have been following TacoGirl for years now and before booking any trip to San Pedro we check to see what is... currently happening. We love the emails to let us know when a new blog has been posted. Keep up the great work Laurie, we feel like we know you.read more
Pamela Nixon
Pamela Nixon
18:36 20 Sep 21
I first got my Passport in 2012 and Taco Girl was my first connection back then Great then and Marvelous Now! She's... blossomed and developed into a wonderful contact for any and all information Belize. She goes above & beyond to respond with information that you need whether visiting Belize or relocating! I wasn't able to fund the move then but now that I have much more equity I am doing it.This time she was the 1st person I reached out to! Now I am selling and moving to Belize. She responds immediately! Like I do in my Pet Sitting Business! I was so impressed I followed her all this time. And was not disappointed!Pamela Nixonread more
Chris S
Chris S
17:12 17 Sep 21
Wanted to give a shout-out to tacogirl belize for helping us! She is a plethora of knowledge and was super helpful and... responsive in helping us find longer term stay on the island. Thank you so much for your help!read more
Ty Willingham
Ty Willingham
01:47 20 Aug 21
I've spent the last month exploring Belize. I'm retired & seriously considering moving down to Belize permanently from... the US. I contacted the local San Pedro expert "Taco Girl" to help me get started in finding an apartment to rent. With her help, I've located several places that meet my needs & budget requirements. Thank you Laurie!read more
Greg Cox
Greg Cox
18:58 04 Aug 21
I am very glad I found you and asked you a question about a spice in Belize. You helped me figure out the name of it... and where i could buy it. You went above and beyond to help. Thanks again.read more
Katherine Jones
Katherine Jones
18:41 02 Aug 21
I am so grateful for the time and energy Laurie has taken to share about her experiences traveling to and living in... Belize as well as provide thorough recommendations for planning a trip there. I was so thankful (and honestly surprised) that Laurie took the time to respond to several of my questions via email. I highly recommend reading Laurie's blogs and helping to support her business. Thank you Laurie!!read more
Greg R
Greg R
02:12 29 Jun 21
tacogirl was very nice to share her knowledge with us and assisted with planning our trip to Belize; thank you for the... help and info, it was helpful and allowed us to plan utilize our time accordingly while both on the mainland and islands of this great country.read more
Katherine Carlson
Katherine Carlson
18:46 02 Jun 21
As a Canadian—tired of long winters—I cannot wait to spend some time in Belize. I haven't set foot yet, but I am... yearning for lots of Caribbean adventure. Thanks so much to tacogirl for her endless enthusiasm and generosity of spirit. She is a constant stream of up-to-date information. Her knowledge and love of the area is priceless, and I will need her expertise for future endeavours!read more
Kathleen Ward
Kathleen Ward
18:29 02 Jun 21
We started coming to Ambergis Caye in 2014 and stumble on to Tacogirls blog, so glad we did! We used her 15% discount... at The Premier Duty-Free shop in the airport! It worked great all we did was let them know we read it on her blog . She has great information awesome pictures, we have tried several places she has recommended, all were amazing. Highly recommend reading her blog. Kathleenread more
ksniegoc1
ksniegoc1
17:45 02 Jun 21
It was my first time visiting Belize and San Pedro so naturally I had a ton of questions when it came time to planning... the travel. Taco Gril's blog was an invaluable source of information for all the travel questions in Ambergris Caye. I was able to learn a lot of basic information, as well as many tips and tricks. In addition when I reached out to Taco Girl for advice on finding a local photographer and a restaurant recommendation, she was very quick to respond and gave me many helpful suggestions. She also provided a lot more information from a local's point of view, which was much for valuable than than a typical guidebook. Thanks to her helpful suggestions we were able to celebrate my daughter's birthday at a nice restaurant, and had a great photo family session with a local photographer. I'm very thankful for all her resources and knowledge.read more
Myra F
Myra F
01:30 25 Mar 21
I started coming to San Pedro Belize in 2007 and that is when I met the online presence of Taco Girl. Her blogs on the... island and area are very personable and informative. She gives out promo codes from time to time so watch out for those. You cannot go wrong with someone who was a tourist and now lives here for quality info. Thanks Taco Girl for helping make my trips memorable!read more
Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
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
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
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
Heidi
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
15:58 23 Nov 19
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
Kimberly Robinson
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
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
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
Next Reviews
js_loader

 

 

Belize Humane Society

 

 

john mcafee story

 

 

 

 

 

Get the latest posts by email

Tripadvisor logo

Search Belize by Month

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Flickr Youtube

Belize Blog Est. 2007

belize travel specialist

ABOUT ME

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. If you have any questions or want Belize help planning and booking, please feel free to contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

A few childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age. Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Flickr
  • Youtube
  • Email

tacogirl.com San Pedro Belize © 2021 Content of this website may not be used elsewhere without permission. Sitemap


Back To Top