What We Do
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 received 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 meetings.
Officers are Pam Mueller, Treasurer, Dr. Bruce McNellie, Trip Coordinator, Dr. Quinn Robinson, Medical Director, Barbara Cordelle, PhD, RN, Secretary, and a series of others who have made most of the trips, serving as its officers as the need arises. We are a non-profit, 501-C-03 not associated with a specific denomination or mission effort. Our group works directly with the country’s primary health care administrators and Hillside Clinic, Punta Gorda.
Our principal contact has been Dr. Sajia, Director of Primary Care of the hospital in Punta Gorda, Toledo District. Most of our work in recent years has been in the southwest corner of the Toledo District. We have made annual trips to the Toledo District since 1988.
Who Receives Treatment
The villagers are descendants of the Mayan culture and live much as they have since the fall of the Mayan empire around 800 AD. Thatch roofs, dirt floors, and open fires are the norm as is bathing in and drinking from the river. They are primarily subsistence farmers and their principle diet consists of corn, beans and rice. Most of the groups work is with women and children of the villages and the majority of each year’s treatment is for upper respiratory infections, skin disorders, colds, cuts, and infected sores.