University Partners with St. Martin de Porres Parish in Belize and the Jesuits of the Central and Southern Province
In a celebration of solidarity and collaboration, leaders of the Jesuits Central and Southern Province, Saint Louis University and St. Martin de Porres Parish in Belize City, Belize, signed a compact of cooperation Oct. 21 at Saint Louis University.
The event was sponsored by the university and Belize 2020, a grassroots group of volunteers focused on improving the quality of life in the Central American nation, particularly in the economically poor area surrounding St. Martin de Porres.
Fr. Provincial Ron Mercier joined Saint Louis University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., and St. Martin de Porres pastor Fr. Matt Ruhl in signing the agreement and speaking at the event hosted by the university and Belize 2020. In his remarks, Mercier noted that "Belize is in the DNA of the Jesuits of this province. It is so much more than a mission; it is an essential part of who we are.
"Educating the young, fostering health, and nourishing the hearts and souls of all people form the core of any way forward," Mercier said. "These needs cry out for a response that can help Belize prosper."
Ruhl has served as St. Martin's pastor since July 2011. He expressed his admiration for his parishioners and his gratitude for the generous support of the parish from Belize 2020 and Saint Louis University, its faculty, staff and students.
Educating the young, fostering health, and nourishing the hearts and souls of all people form the core of any way forward," Mercier said. "These needs cry out for a response that can help Belize prosper.
Although St. Martin is surrounded by poverty and violence, Ruhl said he loves the work there "just about as much as anything I've ever done." He also acknowledged that love is not enough; it takes work. "In this room tonight," he said, "I see the resources that the Society gives me to get this job done."
The Need and a Plan
Last year, a group of people from the province, Saint Louis University, St. Martin de Porres and St. John's College in Belize got together to create a plan to address problems of drug and gang violence, unemployment, forced immigration, poverty and family instability in Belize City. The multi-year plan includes programming in education, economic development, health care and pastoral services. The initial project - focused on education - is at St. Martin de Porres parish school.
St. Martin de Porres parish and school, administered by the Jesuits of the Central and Southern Province, is in one of the most violent neighborhoods in the country; the school serves more than 700 students. The programming provided by Belize 2020 and Saint Louis University includes early childhood education, counseling, art and music programs, extended-day and extended-year programs, and health assessments.
A second project, in collaboration with St. John's College, focuses primarily on teacher education. Saint Louis University is providing two full-tuition fellowships each year to Belizean educators seeking graduate degrees. Recipients commit to returning to Belize for a minimum of five years. Within the coming year, two teachers educated at SLU will return to Belize, one with the country's first doctorate in early childhood education, the other with a master's degree in special education. Both will affect policy and programs for the entire country.
The evening was hosted by SLU Assistant to the President for Mission and Identity Fr. Christopher Collins, who serves as the Belize 2020 Core Team Chair. It featured a reading by well-known Belizean author Zee Edgell, remarks by Ruhl, Mercier and Pestello, and the signing of the compact. There was a festive air, and a great deal of excitement over the successes to date. But, as Craig LaBarge, a member of the Core Team of Belize 2020, noted, "We have a lot of work left to do; we're really just getting started."
Financial support for the project comes from:
- The Jesuits of the Central and Southern Province
- Saint Louis University
- St. Martin de Porres Parish and School
- Private foundations
- Individual contributions.
Belize 2020
Saint Louis University, Wuller Hall
3711 West Pine Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-977-6364
info@belize2020.org
Online donations can be made at https://connect.jesuitscentralsouthern.org/donate