Regular folks from the south went out in a virtual flotilla of boats on Saturday to Silk Caye near Placencia in celebration of a 3 year anniversary rescuing the island from being lost to the tides. The measures they took to save the caye from terminal erosion are why it's still standing today, and the man who led that initiative, Eworth Garbutt had a few things he needed to say as he reflected on how far they have come.
It started out in mid 2022 when a group of locals set out to save Silk Caye from slipping into the sea, and three years later, on Saturday, 300 Belizeans came out to celebrate the success of that initiative - and underscore the importance. of taking the intuitive:
Eworth Garbutt
"I cannot call out any NGO if I haven't backed my weight so I believe that step up being a part of your community and I'm talking at the lowest level, why it's low? because they say below I am with thee."
"Charity starts at home and we can't continue to only call out politicians without looking in the mirror."
And on Saturday, the turquoise seas mirrored the community's best hopes, freely socializing at the only Caye in the area where Belizeans can visit without seeing a private property sign. Saving Silk Caye is about more than sand and seawater.
Eworth Garbutt
"Belize, the heritage, the environment and mother nature is our best kept opportunity not just secret because they say it's a secret this is no secret this is something that keeps us alive, food security, tourism and just come out here social and have it. Well today this island is closed off for Belizeans to come and enjoy that's what this is about."
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