Have We Accomplished Anything?

Yes. Success at last. The process took almost eight months, but now that marvelous child we met during production is 1) safe in a Home with three square meals a day, constant attention and a roof over his head and 2) in a school for Special Needs Children where he is growing remarkably. Read more in Kyoko's Blog

This child touched all our hearts and we were fortunate enough to be allowed to pitch in. Through that child we have met many, many others that need help and themselve are very, very special. So we ante'd up and we got involved. We can't get too detailed because the Web is a wonderful but scary place so we're going to leave all the kid's names and what few photos we have are anonymous and approved by the authorities.

Kyoko's trip in March 09 let her check the progress on our young friend and meet many more at Marla's House of Hope. They are doing a wonderful job. They need your help, too. Check out their web site. She visited the Special Needs School United Evergreen, met his teacher and had a very rewarding time in general. She met with the NARCIE's Ms. Neal, Ms. Martinez and Ms. Castillo concerning our projects to review their needs and our plans. The meeting went very well and our projects are now safely in development.

Nancy Meyers, of Give a Toy, Get a Smile gave us a a bunch of singing toothbrushes and coloring books to take down in Octobe of last year. They were a massive hit with the kids. She's also hooked us up with TripAdviser.com and given us a tutorial on Paypal, asking tourists for 'bring with' clothing donations and introduced us to a bunch of like minded people. Thanks Nancy!

We have made contact with three remarkable people working in Belize for Special Needs Children, both in care and in education. They are Ms. Neal, National Resource Center for Inclusive Education and Ms. Martinez, Director of the NRCIE. Our friend, the JICA Volunteer Teacher at the Stella Maris School has been an incredible help with resources, time and advice. Our thanks also to our friend and JICA Volunteer in Corozal Town who went out of her way to do research and introductions. JICA volunteers are across Belize and are just fantastic people. Thanks to each and every one of you for your phenomenal work, untiring help and putting up with a bunch of nattering film people from Mexico.

Paula Vera, social worker for the southern district of Belize has been working with us since the beginning and has wrought miracles from the get go.

And what do we do, personally? Besides doing construction and repair work, we have recieved approval to do a pair of documentaries, still photos, web and design work for both the National Resource Center for Inclusive Education and a look into the lives of the many volunteers who help children in Belize. The latter project is spearheaded by Kyoko, the former 'global' project we are working on together.

Want to volunteerto help kids in Belize? Here's the place to go.

The Pictures
Cinematographer Michael Geoghehan and Best Boy Grip Dean 'Umbrella Man' make movies from the top of a Bedford truck in Belize City. Image Courtesy Spank Films. Click to see the film.

Spank Films put together a grand flicker site with everyone's images from the shoot. You'll see the filmmaker's version of Seine Bight and Belize along with the reality... Flicker Links

See the film the final work in Seine Bight and Belize City for the British Army... you'll need to click on the link 'Women in the Army'. British Army Film Link