Last week Janelle Chanona visited the Headquarters of the US Army Southern Command where she found out about their strategic interest in Belize. But it's not all just drug transshipment in submarines that Southcom is looking for; there's also the hearts and minds component where the US military builds goodwill with civil projects.
And that's where New Horizons Belize comes in. The operation is staged in Belize regularly and it was officially opened at the Ladyville Technical High School today.
This year, the project is focuses on providing medical and dental treatment and building classrooms throughout Belize. The US Ambassador explained:
H. E. Vinai Thumalapally - US Ambassador to Belize
"This exercise, allows us to work with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and the Belize Defense Force on mutually beneficial programs of New Horizons, while we continue to cement our very strong relationship. This exercise is unique. U.S air men and soldiers from active and National Guard Units will build 4 new classrooms in the Belize and Orange Walk Districts, and render medical services in different villages and towns throughout the country of Belize. These infrastructure projects are being built in underserved areas, and the medical component will complement medical services currently being offered by the Government of Belize while providing valuable training to both the US and Belizeans Military engineers and medical professionals. New Horizons, a humanity and civic persistence exercise, is schedule to construct class room buildings at Crooked Tree Government High School - Government school I meant to say, Trial Farm Government School, Louisiana Government School and right here in Lady Ville Technical High School, where we're all gathered here today, for this momentous and wonderful occasion. There will also be 6 medical exercises providing free medical services; such as General medical care, Family health care, Public health education, Dental, Ophthalmology, Plastic surgery and ENT - ears nose and throat surgery's. These class room buildings will greatly improve the capacity of Belize's Ministry of Education and allow principals and teachers to expand their vision, by providing a good learning environment for even - for ever more youth in Belize."
Approximately 500 U.S military personnel will participate in the exercise on a rotational basis. Another 150 Belizean military personnel are scheduled to participate including 120 civil engineers and 30 medical personnel. Doctors and medical specialists from the U.S, Canada and Belize will also be providing medical treatment to local communities.
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