Onced again I am back in Canada, after a rushed weekend to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. I headed down with 4 big bags of donations, and was a little disappointed that we were unable to get a shipping/excess weight discount from our chosen airline. So we paid 307 USD, to have the extra baggage shipped. Upon my arrival to Belize I was shocked to find out that they had misplaced the donations, and that they would be arriving on a later flight. I flew over to the island and checked into my hotel, Caribbean Villas, for the next few nights.

The people at Maya Island Air were very helpful to me, and tried to get customs to release the bags so I would not have to return to the International Airport, but customs was adamant on seeing me. I reluctantly returned to the mainland to face my fate. I was grateful for the generosity and compassion customs had for me.

When I was there the customs people were friendly and helpful. They released all the donations for Holy Cross, Poly Clinic, and Ocean Academy. The only things that they withheld were the medications for the animals at SAGA.

On Monday it was an early start. Our first stop was Saga to drop off some of the collections of IV supplies, and canine medicine from the Community Animal Allies of Niagara. Next it was off to Caye Caulker to visit with Joni Miller, co-founder of Ocean Academy. Ocean Academy is a high school that is fairly young and will have its first graduate class in 2011. We are excited to be trying to assist the school in its vocational expansion as well as taking supplies over. I will be volunteering there, and with Holy Cross during the winter, on a three month sabbatical. We also rented the house that we will be staying in over the winter while we volunteer between the two schools.

After lunch, we headed back over to the island of Ambergris Caye. A stop at the Poly Clinic, to drop off surgical supplies and IV`s for the sick and a quick golf cart ride up to Holy Cross Anglican School to take another load of donations. I took one of the students shopping for his backpack and school shoes, with a generous donation made by DreamMakers, in Toronto, Canada. After that it was back to the hotel to prepare for the next day.

I rented a car and drove west, all the way across Belize to a place called Clarissa Falls, only 4 miles from the border of Guatamala. I was in awe at the beauty of the land, and shocked at the condition of the schools. They were run down, some with only outhouses, and children walking miles to earn their education. I was able to see the need that exists in all parts of Belize.

I stayed at Clarissa Falls, in a small cabin, which was very rustic. I ate a traditional Belizian dinner outside, amongst the mosquitos and moths. I met with Dr. Martel who is on a medical mission there, and also with Keith Fromm, who is the Founder of For the World. We discussed different charities and some of the difficulties within the education system.

The following day, it was back through the country side with a stop in Belmopan, and back to the airport to return to Canada. It is always difficult to return, but I know that much work awaits. Without the support of those in the `first worlds`our missions could never be completed.