SLU Team Visits Belize to Build on Service Efforts

Last October, Saint Louis University, the U.S. Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus and Belize 2020 formed a partnership to improve the lives of the people in Belize City.

The partnership is already off to a booming start.

So much so that this past January, a team of 25 SLU students, faculty, staff and alumni traveled to the country to meet with local and national officials to build on the success they've already achieved.

"What began as a small-scale project undertaken by a few volunteers has morphed into a bigger undertaking," said Thomas Nolan (A&S '69, Grad '70), project chairperson. "We thank Saint Louis University for moving all of this to the next level."

In the few months of the partnership's existence, SLU has already made great strides in improving access to education, health and employment in the region.

Two Belizean teachers are studying to receive graduate degrees in early childhood and special education from the School of Education. When these two educators return, they will be the first teachers in the country with advanced degrees in these areas.
Faculty and students from the College for Public Health and Social Justice have conducted multiple evaluations on the 700-plus children at St. Martin's School to assess PTSD levels resulting from neighborhood violence, as well as nutritional levels.
The Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business will partner with St. John's College to explore social entrepreneurship opportunities for Belizeans, as a way of reducing the 14.4 percent unemployment rate.

During this most recent trip, the SLU contingent discussed these efforts, as well as ways to move forward, with the U.S. ambassador to Belize, the president of St. John's College, the minister of education and others.

The Jesuits have taught that we are to be 'men and women for others.' This new community - worlds apart - has allowed us to use our gifts in a new and interesting way."
John Vatterott (A&S '65)

"The Jesuits have always remained constant in their mission to help educate the poor, and we are so blessed and made richer in many ways from our participation with that mission," said Dave Danis (Law '67), an alumni who traveled to Belize to take part in the effort.

The people of St. Martin's parish, led by Matt Ruhl, S.J., served as hosts for the experience, and Chris Collins, S.J., assistant to the president for mission and identity, facilitated a spiritual retreat at St. Martin's for the Americans and Belizeans involved with the Belize 2020 project.

The retreat was designed to allow participants a chance to reflect on the many strides made in two years, as well as how much more needs to be accomplished.

"The community 'called into friendship for the sake of mission' was a gift," John Vatterott (A&S '65) said about the retreat. "The Jesuits have taught that we are to be 'men and women for others.' This new community - worlds apart - has allowed us to use our gifts in a new and interesting way."

Before getting a tour of St. Martin's school, children organized a program that included performances of various Belizean songs.

SLU is no stranger to working in Belize. Faculty and students from the Doisy College of Health Sciences have been intimately involved with the founding and operations of Hillside Clinic in the south part of the country, which provides comprehensive health care to the indigenous Mayans living in the region. The School of Social Work also has been sending students to Belize for practicum studies at a variety of organizations.

Belize 2020 is a non-profit volunteer organization focused on improving the quality of life in Belize by supporting Jesuit ministries in the country. To learn more about SLU's involvement, visit the Center for Service and Community Engagement website.