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Hilux For Chiquibul
posted (September 15, 2017)
The Friends for Conservation and Development, which co-manages the Chiquibul National Park, has received the donation of a brand new, 2018 Toyota Hilux pickup. It was donated to the FCD by a group of private citizens and companies, who want to help them in the battle to curb Guatemalan encroachments and poaching of the park's natural resources.

So, these concerned individuals and corporate entities began their fundraising efforts with a site visit to the Chiquibul for themselves. And after weeks of putting the money together, the local Toyota dealers, Belize Diesel and Company matched their funds to bridge the gap, so that they could hand over the 80-thousand-dollar vehicle to the committed conservationist group.

That happened today at Belize Diesel's Belize City office, and we got a chance to speak with both the donors and the recipients. Here's what they told us about how the pickup will be used:

Ryan Marin - Operations Manager, Belize Diesel and Equipment Company
"Today, we're handing over a 2018 Toyota Hilux, 4 by 4. And, this was an initiative that was originally thought up by Belize Diesel, but we wanted to create awareness about the Chiquibul, and about the challenges that the management of the Chiquibul are facing, and they've been long time users of Toyota vehicles. And so, we felt that it was necessary to upgrade them to a new vehicle, but also spread the awareness about the challenges. So, we wanted to involve 21 other corporate partners, as well as private citizens who participated in our Chiquibul expedition, where we went to the Chiquibul for an overnight to experience and see firsthand the challenges, and the beauty of the Chiquibul. Almost everybody that we reached out to was behind it, and these partners are business partners of Belize Diesel. They have been long-time supporters of these kind of efforts from about 10 years ago, when we used to have Toyota Tours. So, we thought that through this medium, we can afford to give the FCD a new truck. The value of this new truck is $80,000, however, not all that money was raised through the initiative. So, the company did put in a portion to match any other gap that was there. And, by no means was this a profit-making endeavor. This was something that we truly believed in, to get FCD a new vehicle, so that they can carry out their duties, and that was what was done today."

Rafael Manzanero - Executive Director, FCD
"This vehicle is certainly for the mobilization of staff into the area. Our vehicles that we had been purchases, or that we have been using has been basically over the last 6 to 7 years. So, certainly with the road conditions in that, you bet that our vehicles are breaking down. So, this vehicle, as one that's from Toyota - and Toyota is really a good vehicle for us back there. So, certainly, it's going to be used for mobilization from the area of Cayo, all the way to Chiquibul. It is a very innovative initiative that we have done, and thanks so much to BDE, Mr. Marin and his family, and of course, the Roe Family, and others who became involved. It's really one of those first initiatives of having the corporate involvement, for us. So, certainly, it's one of embracing a whole new slate of stakeholders in the Chiquibul, even though it may seem so far away. Certainly, that is one that is very much encouraging for us. So, we would want to embrace that concept, because we want more people to feel a part of this. And in this way, I think it provides that opportunity for this kind of corporations to be a part of the Chiquibul. So, we are very grateful, and we would hope that this won't be the first, that it's just a beginning that corporate responsibility and involvement in the Chiquibul forest."

Today, the Operations Manager told us that they will work with the FCD to try to make the maintenance and upkeep of this vehicle as affordable as possible.

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