Licensure Received

The Town Board approved the LTA building plans on August 10th.  Since that time we have been waiting to receive our licensure (building permit).  Every week we visited the Town Hall to see if we could pick up our permit.  After 2 weeks the mayor and Board reduced the fee to receive our license by 50%.  We are very thankful for their support.

Yesterday we picked up the letter of approval, paid for the permit, and received the building permit sign.  (Every building site posts a similar sign on the Island.)  As soon as the building begins our sign will be posted on site as well.

Thank you for all your prayers and continued support!

Wall, Delivery, Approval, Bodega

Wednesday, August 10th, we saw many things accomplished.  First, workers diligently finished building a wall of harvested sticks to keep the lodo (mud) on the property.  

Secondly, we had materials delivered at the end of the road for the building of a bodega (storage shed).  By experience, we knew the road would not be able to hold the weight of the truck.  Regardless the driver decided to try anyway; the truck got stuck!  Struggling to get the truck out for several minutes, we saw the heart of the Belizeans as workers from across the street quickly came to assist our volunteers when they heard the spinning of tires.

After a few loads back and forth from the main road to the property, we were able to successfully stack the materials at the building site.  In the process, our Belizean draftsman called and informed us that the building plans for the school building had been approved!  We now have to pay to get our license then the building for the schoolroom can begin! This building will serve many functions until the campus is completed.

By late morning we started on the bodega (storage shed); by early afternoon the framing for the floor was squared up, and the flooring was almost complete. 

 

We ended the day with a word study of the Bible with our fellow Belizean brother.  What a day!

Receiving Building Plans and Delivering to the Town Board

Tuesday, August 9^th LTA building plans were submitted to the Town Board in amazing time. 

Our Belizean draftsman waited all day and instructed us that the updated building plans would arrive from Belize City at 1pm via Tropic Air.  In addition, the Town Board meeting was moved up to 2pm instead of the regular scheduled time of 4:30pm.  We arrived at the cargo pickup only to find out the plans had not arrived at 1pm.  Although they were in the system to be delivered in San Pedro, they would not arrive until 3pm.  With this news we wondered if the plans would have to be submitted the following week but spoke not a word.  Never the less, we moved forward calling the Belizean draftsman to give him an update.  He made a call to the Town Board and found out that due to the chairman’s schedule, the meeting had been postponed until 3:30pm.  We still had the ability to get the plans in on time for this week!

The plans arrived on the 3pm flight.  With great haste we drove over to the San Pedro clinic to meet up with the Health Inspector.  She needed to sign the plans prior to the meeting although she would participate in the upcoming Town Meeting.  God’s timing was amazing.  We knocked on the door only to find it locked and no one available.  Getting ready to call her, we turned around to see her walking down the opposite hall way.  She willingly checked out the plans and gave her stamp of approval.

We then proceeded to the Town Hall turning in our application and plans.  By the grace of God we had all the other necessary paperwork including the deed, sight plan, and receipt for the application fee.  The building inspector accepted our application even though it was suppose to be turned in by noon.  The Belizean draftsman joined the Town Meeting.  We were told we would hear the results within a couple of days.  

Signing the application and waiting for the meeting

Picking up the building plans at the airport

Health inspector stamping approval

Health inspector checking out the plans

US and Belize Draftsman and Property Update

The week continues to quickly pass as we work diligently on the property.  The water is down so we can clearly see the road again however the potholes on the main road are atrocious!

We now have six volunteers in San Pedro.  (Our Stateside draftsman arrived yesterday to view and assist on the property.)  We started this morning by working the land.  The main focus is establishing a turn around for the trailer and filling the land where the first building will be built. 

This afternoon staff and volunteers met with a Belizean draftsman who will be working with us to ensure our plans are appropriate for Belizean building standards.  We need to fill out an application and present the plans to the Town Board.  The draftsman should have the plans ready in a week. 

Work Continued and Meeting with Mayor

Today we continued to see the property rise with sea grass donated from our neighbors.   

We also had a meeting with the mayor of San Pedro who agreed to supply the town truck for collecting sea grass on the north side.  The truck has a regular routine through the town during the week, but the mayor said she would arrange for the truck to help us on the weekend.  At the end of our meeting we prayed with the mayor for her upcoming condos to sell (so be in agreement and prayer with us to see this come to pass).  Let’s see signs follow believers!  

We also found out that the adjacent property to LTA is owned by the mayor’s brother.  The day was filled with blessings.  Thanks for your continued support and prayers!

Rock and Architecture

LTA put another load of rock on the road today to get closer to the property.  The tide has been in again so the water level on the road has been high; therefore the previous load of rock that was planned to be placed as far back to the property as possible was used to build up the current path.

Tide coming in....

Drivable now but lots of water! (Side of golf cart)

Tide leaving (water still on the side)

On a different note, the architect, Froylan Alvarado, who we met with responded to LTA stating, "It was pleasure to have met with you and your team, I think the idea and the project is a noble one as well as visionary."  Highly recommened to LTA, Froylan works in design, construction and engineering.  His interest in the presentation style of the classroom so that the architecture followed suit was appreciated.  We look forward to sharing more of the vision of LTA with him in the near future.

Roof top of one of Froylan's designs

Architect Meeting

LTA BOD representatives and volunteers with expertise in building, met with Mr. Froylan Alvarado (Belize Architect) this morning.  We shared the current design, the idea of being a green campus, as well as the overall vision for LTA.  He shared his understanding of building placement based on the sun and wind, therefore suggesting the classrooms be positioned North to South. Generally the wind flow in Ambergris Caye comes from the Northeast.  After our meeting with him, we all started paying even more attention to the surrounding architecture.

Fun and Meeting

Yesterday LTA volunteers enjoyed snorkeling and kayaking next to the barrier reef within binocular distance from the staff house.  With the kayak having a see through bottom and the water being so clear, volunteers were able to see the seabed from the kayak.  Some parts of the sea were only a couple of feet deep, however there were some drop offs to the barrier reef.

In the afternoon while driving through town, the team stopped by the Manager of Education’s office to touch base on the overall project of LTA.  Representatives had met with Ms. Armstrong during a previous visit, however this was our initial visit since the purchase of property.  She was thankful for us keeping her informed of our progress.

Touring South Side and World Famous Event

Yesterday our meeting with the Manager of Education in San Pedro was cancelled due to a last minute emergency at school.  We took this opportunity to tour the South Side of San Pedro and look at architecture, as well as visit the Victoria House.

Since we were in town on Thursday afternoon, the team stayed around to see the world famous "Chicken Drop" in San Pedro.  If you do not know about it, ask our volunteers.  Mostly tourists participated in this event.

Meeting with Mayor and Council

LTA representatives met with Mayor Elsa Paz and the San Pedro Town Council on Wednesday, April 27^th.  Just like the meeting with the Building Authority, this meeting was an introduction allowing LTA to get to know the council, as well as share our heart and vision for the school and outreach center.  All of the members of the council listened intently and provided their thoughts; everyone enthusiastically embraced the concept of education presented by LTA. 

Two of the members of the Building Authority joined the meeting; one of which is also a representative on the town council.  The council has a total of six representatives. 

One of our main objectives for the meeting was to find out the educational needs for Ambergris Caye. All members were in agreement that a primary school would be a priority and a high school would be secondary.   Furthermore the direction given to LTA was to have a meeting with the Ministry of Education in Belmopan, then schedule a follow-up meeting with the council to update them on our status.

In closing, Mayor Elsa Paz stated, “Education is the foundation of a country and a family.”  We look forward to working with the Mayor and Council.  

Local Building Authority Meeting

LTA representatives met with the Ambergris Caye Local Building Authority yesterday afternoon.  This introduction meeting allowed LTA to get to know the local authorities for building, as well as share our heart and vision for the school and outreach center.  All of the members of the committee were very receptive and helpful.  They directed us to the Ministry of Education stating that education is the primary focus of the Belizean government.  They also stated that the Belizean government has a process in place so that all students would not have to pay for education including high school.  Once the Ministry of Education gives site and building approval, the Local Building Authority will also give their stamp of approval.  (Let the building begin!)

Meetings with Council

 

LTA representatives meet with the local building authority next Tuesday, then Wednesday with the mayor and town council.  This meeting is to develop a relationship and partnership with the local government and San Pedrans.