Prepare for the 2019 trip – our 32nd year!
This is the letter for this coming year’s trip. AND the application for this year is at the end of this long letter!
Our trip limit this year will be around 50, so get your application in soon to hold your slot.
The dates for this year’s trip are May 19 – May 30, 2019.
Application Form
Here is the application for this year. (In a printer friendly format: projectbelize.org/healthform.docx)
It is a very long letter, but it covers all aspects of the organization and details about this year’s trip.
*Last year we had to turn away some, so please keep this in mind when you decide to send in your $200 deposit, due 12/15/2018
.
To Prospective Project Belize 2019 Members,
Take a moment and send me an email that says you are interested in going this year. As you read through the rest of this letter, you will see an application process that will help with the selection of those who will be a part of the 2019 trip.
You will have to make an early decision about whether or not you are interested in going. Send in your deposit to Pam Mueller, our treasurer, and notify Bruce McNellie. Please email me at mcnellie@mcnellie.com when you have mailed your deposit.
Contents
About Project Belize
Trip Costs
Flights
Tentative Agenda
Hotels
The List
Fundraising & Medication
Physical Requirements
Kitlist
About Project Belize
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, 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.
Our principal contact has been the Primary Health Care Coordinator, Punta Gorda, and the director of the Hillside Health Clinic in Punta Gorda, Toledo District. Most of our work in recent years has been in the southwest corner of the Toledo District. This year’s trip in 2019 will mark our 32nd annual trip.
Details: The main group will leave Houston Hobby Airport on Sunday, May 19th, 2019 to arrive in Belize City in the afternoon and pick up rental vans for the trip. We need at least 15 people to fly from Houston Hobby on the 19th to carry 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 May 22. 23. 24. 25. 2019. The days of May 19th – 21st are for travel, and work with the hospital and villages in getting ready for the clinics, and for free time to relax and explore.
Most of the group will have May 21st as a free day and can visit ruins, swim, rest, or tour the area. The main group will return to Houston on May 30, 2019. Your time is your own beginning the morning of May 26th.
The main group will spend the first night, May 19th, at a hotel in Dangriga, although this is subject to change, and the nights of the 20th through the night of May 25th at the Sea Front Inn in Punta Gorda. We will have our last group meal and annual board meeting at the café at Sea Front Inn the evening of the 26th. The vans, the hotel where we will spend the night in Dangriga, and the nights we will spend in Sea Front Inn are reserved.
Left to do are fund raising activities for the purchase of medications, packing, and contact with the new Health Care Coordinator at the hospital, and the director at the Hillside Clinic in Punta Gorda, who have been given our dates for 2019.
Trip Costs
* About $1500 to $1800 depending on the cost of this year’s flight. (See the detail below.)
* Project Belize participants split the costs incurred.
* *Funds that are raised are used to offset the cost of medical supplies. (Exceptions are made for students, but others raising funds must use them for supplies and pay their own way).
**Application and 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 December 15, 2018 to secure your spot. AND email Bruce McNellie, the completed application form. projectbelize.org/healthform.docx
Your application will be reviewed and if you are not selected, your deposit will be returned and your name will be added to the waiting list of applicants for the following year.
Those accepted for the 2019 trip will be notified by January 8, 2019 or earlier of their selection for the 2019 trip.*
*The balance of the group portion of the trip, or $400 will be due February 15, 2019.*
*Group interest is likely to be bigger than we can accommodate so plan ahead to ensure you have a slot. Look over the physical requirements in the sample application at the end of this letter to be sure this trip is a good match for you.*
Please email Pam and Bruce to say that your deposit is on it’s way – Email: Muellermont@aol.com and mcnellie@mcnellie.com.
The $200 will serve as a deposit for the trip. Group payment does not include the airfare 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 who decide to fly from Belize City to Punta Gorda on the 20th or 21st and not take the vans with the main group on the 19th.
(Once you have decided on your travel plans, contact Pam Mueller about the amount needed for the airfare from Belize City to Punta Gorda, and to San Pedro, should you decide to go there following the work portion of the trip. Last year this was about $250, 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 26th at the airport at San Pedro.).
When your application is approved, another payment of $400 or a total of $600 for group cost (in addition to your airfare to Belize City, which you must arrange on your own) will be due February 15, 2019. (See detail of budget below).
Budget Detail:
Flights (Individual flights)
RT – Houston – Belize City (approximate) ~$300-800 (*This is a guess until you book your flight. Southwest was $299 last year.)
RT – air from Belize City to Punta Gorda if needed. (PG) $250.00 This is for those flying round trip from Belize City to PG on the 20th or 21st for the in-country flight)
Group Costs: (approximate per person)
In-country Transportation:
Van/phone rental: ~6@150/day for vans, $75/day for truck, $50 phones for 7 days)=$6735
Gasoline: 7 @ 78 gal ea @ 6/gallon $3276
Extra baggage fees, handling, and tips: $1028
Guides: $1695
Mules and health care workers: $900
Lodging: $14300
Medical Supplies: $2750
Total: $30684
Subtotal group expenses for basic trip: $30684 divided by 50 (assuming about 50 will go) = $615
Subtotal Group cost for those flying in on the 19th or 20th from Belize City to Punta Gorda ($250 + $615) = $865
Subtotal Group cost driving from Belize City on the 19th = $615
Total (Estimated): Total cost for those flying in on the 15th or 16th: $865 + ~$300-800 air (rt to Belize City from Houston).
Total cost for those driving from Belize City on the 14th= $615+ ~$300-800 (rt to Belize City from Houston).
Remember the airfare from Houston of $300-800 is an estimate and could be more or less depending on the final arrangements. As of September 2017 it appears that Southwest will continue flying into Belize City, which will greatly reduce the cost from the past. The exact fare for May 2019 has not been posted, but it appears it will be under $500. *Once your application has been approved* and 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 26th – May 30th, 2019 for the “rest and relaxation” portion of the trip.
Food costs for meals except the evening meals during the trip on Sunday through Saturday evening, which will be buffet meals covered by the group. Breakfast and lunches each day beginning Sunday are on your own, and will need to be out of your back pack. You can buy food in Dangriga the morning of the 20th.
Transportation other than the round trip costs from Houston to Punta Gorda and return to Houston. (the above assumes in-country van rental for five vehicles from May 19th through May 26th and if some of you decide to keep one of them or pick up another vehicle you would need to handle the rental after the 26th on your own.
This assumes return of the vehicles on the 26th. Transportation on or after May 26th, for example, a flight to San Pedro or water taxi, will be “on your own” or what you can arrange with others in the group. For those flying, the $250 rt is figured on getting back to Belize International airport. If there is a non-stop flight from Punta Gorda to San Pedro, approximately $150 of the $250 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 or water taxi.
* Round trip from Belize City to San Pedro is about $150. 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 26th, 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.) The cost of this part of the trip will be about $350: $40 day in lodging and meals, $20 in border fees, $20 in entrance fee to Tikal, $30 for zip line (for those who want to do it), $25 for horse-back riding (one of the mornings), $30 to help with gas and vehicle rental, and miscellaneous costs.) The group going to Guatemala will stay in San Ignacio on 5/26/2019 at Casa Blanca and at La Casa De Don David’s in El Remate, Guatemala (lacasadedondavid.com) through the night of May 30th, 2019.
Flights
For those flying from Houston on May 19, 2019: According to the Southwest Airlines website, for those flying from Houston on May 19, 2019, if we can, we need to get the Southwest Airline flight that leaves Houston Hobby around 11 am and arrives in Belize City at 12:30 pm, Belize time, flight number: Southwest Flight 837. (this is subject to change. This was the best flight this past year, but for now only one flight is showing on Sundays, leaving about 1:30 pm and it is a different flight number. The desk reports that they will not know the flights for May 2019 until November 2018. If we can make the 11 am flight, it would be better as it could save us daylight time once in Belize.) The lower cost and the two free checked bags will make the savings significant.) The return flight leaves Belize City at 4:40 pm, arriving Houston Hobby around 8:15 pm.
For those flying with the main group on May 19th 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 Hobby who will be checking in at the same time as the main group.)
This past year, this flight from Houston to Belize City was about $300 after taxes and airport fees.
Additional Detail
Note that flight arrangements to and from Belize City from the US or elsewhere for May 19th and May 26th, 2019, are your responsibility. If you fly in with the group leaving from Houston Hobby on May 19th, you will need to check one bag and allow one bag for group medical trunks. We will use part of the money collected for group expenses to pay for the extra bags if necessary. We will need about 15 people to check one medical trunk as a second bag or pay a premium of about $100 for each extra trunk.
Most of the group usually returns to the US on May 30th, but this is up to personal preference and schedules and it is possible to return to Houston on May 26th, by taking a 7 am flight from Punta Gorda to Belize City or by riding in one of the vans which will arrive in Belize City by 11 am. Several have done this in the past.
For those flying in on May 20, or 21st, Pam Mueller, our treasurer, will purchase in-country flights from Belize City to Punta Gorda and flying back to Belize City or to the island at San Pedro on May 26th. We must have exact flight arrangements nailed down by March 1, 2019, so once your application has been accepted and you know you are going, let Pam (Muellermont@aol.com) and me (mcnellie@mcnellie.com) know your plans. We have been able to get a discount on these flights in the past, so go through Pam Mueller to make these arrangements.
The main group, as last year, will fly to Belize City on May 19th, get the medical trunks into the country, and pick up the vans. They will meet with the director of primary health care missions, and our guides at noon on Monday, May 20th. If you cannot fly from Houston to Belize City with the main group, just be in Belize City by 12:30 pm on May 19th so you can catch a ride with the main group in the vans on the way to Dangriga or SeaFront, Punta Gorda for the first night, May 19th.
We will pick up those flying in on the 20th or 21st at the airport in Punta Gorda and will all spend the nights of the 20th through the 26th at Sea Front Inn in Punta Gorda.
The group costs will cover most round trip expenses from Belize City to Punta Gorda, including ground transportation through the 26th back to Belize City/Houston, group meals for the evening meals of May 19th – 25th and breakfast and lunch on the 20th, including possibly one night’s lodging in Dangriga on the 19th, the nights at Sea Front Inn from May 20th through May 25th. You can also buy lunch and breakfast supplies in Dangriga or Punta Gorda the morning of the 20th so you will not have to carry so much food on the plane.
Remaining personal meals and lodging costs after the work portion of the trip will be your responsibility, including the remaining breakfasts and lunches during the trip, and all meals and lodging beginning May 20th through return to Houston on May 30th, 2019.
Tentative Agenda
Today send me an email if you’re interested in coming along. mcnellie@mcnellie.com
December 15, 2018 Deposit – $200 group expenses due to Pam Warren Mueller, Treasurer. Deposit payment generates an application form.
January 1, 2019 Completed application mailed to mcnellie@mcnellie.com
January 8, 2019 or earlier: Notification of acceptance of the group of 45 for Project Belize 2019. Deposits will be returned to those who are not part of the 50 selected for the 2019 trip.
February 15, 2019 $415 balance of group expenses due to Pam Warren Mueller, Treasurer. This is the remainder of the final group payment due to Pam Mueller, of $615, or (a total of $615 including the 200 deposit) for those traveling on the 19th and picking up the vans. Or the balance of $415 plus $250 ($665) for the in-country flights for those flying in on the 20th or 21st or flying home the 26th. Check with Pam for the exact amount for this year.
By February 15, 2019 Have purchased your own airfare round trip to Belize City. Make sure your application is approved before making your flight arrangements. Double check your flights to ensure they are for arrival in Belize City on May 19, 2019, and depart on May 30th, 2019 and fit with the travel times noted in this letter or your personal itinerary.
April 24th, 2019 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 12, 2019 Sunday 1:30 PM – Afternoon Packing Medication Party at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 904 North Street, Nacogdoches, TX – Bring friends to help.
May 19, 2019 Sunday Main group leaves North Street Church of Christ Parking lot at 8:30 am for Houston Hobby. Arrives in Belize City, picks up vehicles, and spends first night in Dangriga.
May 20th or 21st, Monday or Tuesday Balance of group travels to Belize City, and flies by small plane, regular service to Punta Gorda. Entire group spends night at Sea Front Inn from the 20th through the 25th.
May 21st, Tuesday Group free day (Cave tours, Blue Creek, Rio Blanco, swimming, Lubaantun ruins which are about 30 minutes from the hotel), while some visit villages to make arrangements for clinics.
May 22, Wednesday First work day
May 23, Thursday Second work day
May 24, Friday Third work day
May 25, Saturday Fourth work day, hold board meeting that evening.
May 26, Sunday 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 of the 26th your choice.
May 27, Monday Free day, spend night your choice.
May 28, Tuesday Free day, spend night your choice.
May 29, Wednesday Free day, spend night your choice.
May 30, Thursday Return flight to Houston.
If you have other questions please contact Bruce McNellie 936-560-9437 home; 936 371 2910 cell, email 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 24th, 2019 in the cafeteria at to go over any last minute details. You do not have to be at this meeting. Bruce 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.
Hotels
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 110/night for a double. They have a web site too: http://www.sanpedroholiday.com/
The 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 year 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 $4000 to buy necessary medications. The more funds donated the less of this will be needed and Pam will do a reconciliation at the end of the trip. In years’ past people have helped with medical supplies for the trip, providing medical supplies for first aid supplies for the villages.
Fundraising & Medications/supplies
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 6, 2019*, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Bring friends to help.
Amazon Smile Also an easy way to help with fund raising, ANY time you buy from Amazon.com go first to smile.amazon.com & select projectbelize.org from the list of 501-C-03 partners with Amazon. Amazon makes a donation of 0.5% on all purchases made using the Amazon Smile site to the charity you designate. If you did this & got your friends to do this as well, it would greatly help our fundraising efforts.
Feel free to call me if you have questions: Bruce McNellie, mcnellie@mcnellie.com, 936 560 9437 home: 936 371 2910 cell
Physical Requirements
Excerpt from the Application for Project Belize 2019
There will be at least three significant hikes involved in the clinics served by Project Belize 2019. Participants are likely to participate in one or more of these. These hikes are often through muddy, unmarked trails through the rain forest including a number of significant hills and river crossings. Also there are several significant hills with little shade. Temperature and humidity are routinely in the 90’s. The issue of personal fitness matching the needs of the hikes is important in ensuring no one is hurt as this could detract from the mission of the group and put oneself and others in harm’s way. Consider a typical hike to include walking across uneven and muddy terrain up and down hills in 90 plus degree heat with 90 plus humidity, carrying a 15 to 20 lb pack for up to 3 hours. If this gives you pause, you should explore other opportunities.
You will be asked to acknowledge and agree to the following statement on the application.
I attest that I am able to meet the criteria set for Vigorous activity+, Greater than 6.0 METs* (more than 7 kcal/min) as noted in the attached link as defined by the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/pdf/PA_Intensity_table_2_1.pdf
_______________________________
Project Belize 2019 Participant
For pictures of past years’ trips and more information on our group, take a look around the site!
And finally, a suggested list of things to take. This has been revised somewhat recently because of our staying in a hotel.
Kitlist
(Suggested)
This year, 2019, we are staying in a hotel, so many things are furnished,
such as linens. The rooms are screened and air-conditioned and you will not need a mosquito net.
I have noted in the past that wash cloths are not standard in central
America, so you might pack some of these if you need them.
This is list of some of the things I bring each year and represents a
pretty good check list for most people such as string, canteen, washrag, extra towel, etc.
Especially important are sturdy shoes/boots that will not come off easily in the mud,
insect repellent that contains at least 25% DEET, sun screen, and a swim suit.
*Don’t Forget!*
* 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 $120 in a money order or cashier’s check. You can check
at the county courthouse to get the exact amount.
* 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. Also, check with your doctor about anti-malaria medication
(Malarone or Chloriquine) as well as a good supply of at least 25%
DEET (insect repellent) to ward off the mosquitos. The CDC has taken Belize off the
list of malaria prone areas, so it is not required. The most important issue is
wearing insect spray for mosquitos for Zika. We will not plan to out much after dark, so
we are somewhat protected from the usual carriers of the disease. Dr. Quinn
Robinson will help with the prescription for Chloriquin or the newer
anti-malaria pills (Malarone) if you decided to take antimalaria medications. (It is strongly
suggested you not take Larium. There have been some complications
with this medications and we are advising against using it.) Contact
Bruce and he will forward your request for a prescription to Dr.
Robinson.
*Vital* Passport, make sure it is up to date and in a zip lock bag to keep
it dry.
* Canteen (2) for at least two quarts or more
* Water filter (optional); the veterans will have several so ignore
unless you are obsessive
*Sleeping* This year we will be in a hotel with air-conditioning all nights of the trip.
*Toiletries*
* Insect repellent (Containing at least 25% deet)
* Serious suntan block/ lotion and hat
* Toilet paper in a ziplock bag. We may use outhouses or the woods this year in the villages we visit, so bring your own toilet paper.
* Extra glasses/contacts/Contact solution
*Clothing* for about 5 to 6 days or more before you will have access to a laundry.
* Good, sturdy, over-the-ankle boots, or over-the-ankle-high walking shoes such as ‘tennis shoe’ boots that cover the ankle. It is likely
we will be walking in deep mud from time to time.
* Shoes for around camp/wading shoes/thongs/Crocs
* Swimsuit (we may swim a few times during the trip)
* Shirts
* Shorts
* Light colored and light weight clothing, it can be very hot and humid
* One nicer outfit for after trip
*Shots/Medication*
* Tetanus shot booster if not in last 10 yrs (suggested, but check
with your doctor)
* Personal medication plus prescriptions or prescription bottles
* Chloriquin or Malarone as desired. See your doctor about this. (anti malaria medication)
* Personal electric fan/extra batteries (the small ones at the dollar
store are fine)
* Antibiotic ointment for bites, cuts, scrapes
* Antiseptic hand-wash or cloths
*Miscellaneous*
* Moleskin for blisters
* Money, credit cards work in some areas, and some $1.00 bills
* Fanny pack and zip lock bag for pass port and ticket (plan on
getting wet)
* Wash-cloth
* 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
* Nothing valuable that would hurt you if lost
* Shades
* Spoon, fork, knife, cup
* Needle and thread
* Extra towel for swimming
* Rope/twine
*Food* for breakfast and lunch from Tuesday – Saturday (you can buy
this at a super market in Dangriga on the morning after we arrive)
* Trail mix, punch mix, hard candy
* (On food, we will be at a grocery store on Monday morning in Dangria or Punta Gorda
where you can buy food if you wish vs. trying to pack it or you can
pick some up when you arrive if you fly in to Punta Gorda)
*Other*
* Needle and thread kits to give out
* Bubbles, small toys, favors to hand out during clinics
* 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 (These are friends of ours who live in Punta
Gorda)
Application Form
Here is the application for this year. (In a printer friendly format: projectbelize.org/healthform.docx)