Loving Belize episode 9 - What's the US army doing in PG? Barranco and the history of the Garifona.

In this heart warming episode you will be introduced to the children in the Saint Peters Claver school in Punta Gorda town where I give them and workshop in stop animation and mural art. Also in Punta Gorda I interview two US Marines, who explain about US aid in Belize and around the world. Then I take you to the beautiful town of Barranco and I am guided around the village by a charming local 'Fish' who takes me to see the village historian Carlson Tuttle, who gives us a lesson on Garifona history and culture. From Barronco back to PG where you are introduced to courageous drum maker Emmeth Young who has open a drum school 'The Maroon Creole drum school' to help get the kids off the streets of Belize and learn to build drums and earn an income. From drums made from hard wood from the jungle of Belize to dried tropical fruit, met Jack Nightingale who has an amazing life story and now has settled in Belize to start a dried fruit company called 'Fruit Full' - Nothing added but the sun. Finally you are taken to a very special place, which is very close to my heart, with people I have come love deeply. Mr and Mrs Coleman. To lovely people in their 70's, hard working and honest, pure and gentle souls. Their song will fill you with love.

Loving Belize episode 10 Education in Belize, Punta Gorda, Belize City, San Pedro Columbia

This is a special episode dedicated to showing you just what Belize has to offer it's children. As Joseph Stamp Romero says in the beginning credits "You see a lot of negative things some times high-lighted about our young people, we also take a lot of time to focus on their positive side."

In this episode you are introduced to some of the things Belize has to offer it's children - Belize's education system, talent competitions, a couple passionate about educating the youths in their town who are straggling to open a high school in San Pedro Columbia, and even Belize's first Flash Mob at the Cacao festival organized by a fabulous young dancer Prem Pop.

I interview Us Capital energy, a company exploring for oil in Belize, who is one of the biggest supporters of education in Belize, donating computers, repainting schools, building roads and libraries.

I interviewed Joseph Arzu head gardener at Belcampo who teaches High school students about organic farming and who shows you the amazing farm and lodge at the luxurious resort.

I also interviewed people from San Pedro Columbia to illustrate just would difficult it is for, most families, to send their children to secondary school, the extra work they all have to do to offer their children an education.

With an interview from Dr Carmen Lopez from the ministry of education who explains the subsidies the minister of education Patrick Faber put into place in 2010 to help send children to high school.

This is an interesting episode full of information, and talented and beautiful Belizean children.

Sit back and enjoy the show.

Loving Belize episode 11 - Lubaantun Mayan site, Lobster fest Placencia, El Pilar Mayan site

In this episode of Loving Belize you are taken to Lubaantun a Maya site in the south of Belize with an interview from a local man who has looked after the site for 30 odd years. Then you are whisked away to Placencia for the lobster, where you see the local fishermen diving for lobster and learn some of the local recipes. You travel with the 'Black pearl' Biker group from Placencia to San Ignacio along the beautiful Humming bird highway. Lastly you are taken to El Pilar Mayan site and shown around by the archeologist who found the site 30 years ago Anabel Ford.

Loving Belize Episode 12 - Oil drilling Belize, Hopkins, Caye Caulker, Bush doctors, Boxing

Welcome to last episode of Loving Belize, this one is a whirlwind tour of Belize. - In this episode you are taken to the Archeology symposium in San Ignacio, with interviews from leading archeologists.

- Then you are taken to Benque Viejo del Carmen a town 3 km from the Guatemalan border for the festival of the virgin Carmen, lebrates the day of Benque's patron saint Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Nuestra Seņora de Monte Carmelo) with traditional marimba bands.

- From there we go to Spanish Lookout, where we get a look into the oil drilling business in Belize.

- From there we travel across the country to the island of Caye Caulker where you'll met the organizer for the Poor and Famous Boys club.

- Then we visit the village of Hopkins where you'll be enchanted by the Garifona community.

- Across the country again and right down south to San Perdo Columbia where a poetry and rap festival to promote the Rainforest Academy will bring a smile to your face.

- Back to San Ignacio to it's lively market, and it's sister village Santa Elena where I give a work shop in stop animation in the local Library to the children.

- Then you are taken on a very educational journey through the jungle of Belize with a Maya Bush Doctor.

- Then you are taken to a village which was split in half when the border of Belize was laid down, the village of Arenal on the border of Belize and Guatemala, divides a football pitch in the heart of the village.

- Finally We go back to San Ignacio for an out door box match between Belize and Guatemala.

- Then I say good bye at the airport of Cancun as I fly to my next destination Vancouver BC where I will be doing another documentary series about BC in the winter. Thank you for watching Loving Belize I hope you enjoyed learning about this amazing country as much as I did. You can see more info about the work I do on my web site : paintingpirates.com