Parish provides food, trees in Belize

A fundraising campaign in the Parish of Ida and Omemee that raised $5,700 has gone a long way to help the residents of a town in Belize.

On a recent mission trip to Dangriga, located south of Belize City, the Rev. Peter Mills and four others from the parish were able to use the money to buy paint for the local Anglican church and 3,326 pounds of food for four schools and two families. They also bought 260 fruit trees for local farmers and provided bursaries for students to attend high school or college.

The group helped the congregation and local volunteers paint the exterior of Christ the King Anglican Church in Dangriga. Mr. Mills preached on the second Sunday he was there and helped to build a handicap ramp at the church.

The mission trip was part of an ongoing effort by Andy Harjula, a member of St. John, Ida, who has been travelling to Belize to provide assistance for the past seven years.

“We saw Andy’s commitment to the people there, and it was very moving,” says Mr. Mills. “I saw the value of cultivating relationships of trust.”

Mr. Harjula and his wife, Maureen, accompanied Mr. Mills and his wife, Trish, on the trip. Also taking part was a resident of Ida.