U.S. Ambassador's HIV Prevention Program Award Ceremony (November 14, 2007)

U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter and Youth Enhancement Services representative sign the Memorandum of Understanding.

On November 14 at the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) in Belize City, U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter awarded six Belizean Non-Governmental Organizations with checks amounting to US$ 25,000 through the Ambassador's HIV Prevention Program.

"The Ambassador's HIV Prevention Program was designed in 2002 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global AIDS Program, Caribbean Regional Office to enable U.S. Ambassadors in the Caribbean region to support local community groups combating the epidemic.  These funds represent a continuing commitment by the people of the United States of America to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Belize," said Ambassador Dieter.  (more)

U.S. Embassy Belmopan presents Mahogany tree to Belize Elementary School - October 30, 2007

Students of Belize Elementary School participate in planting a Mahogany tree along with U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter, Mrs. Gwynneth A Dieter and Principal Mrs. Deanna Nisbet.

On October 30, U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter and Mrs. Gwynneth A. Dieter presented Belize Elementary School with a Mahogany tree in recognition of the students' participation in an Earth Day poster competition earlier this year.

Students Josie Lee and Perla Perdomo won in two age categories of the competition.  Their posters were displayed with other winning posters from around the world at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Ambassador speaks at the American Chamber of Commerce Luncheon - October 24, 2007

U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter at the American Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.

U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter presented at the American Chamber of Commerce luncheon held on October 24th. 

Ambassador Dieter said, "As you all know, the United States is fortunate to enjoy strong political, economic, and social ties with Belize.  In fact, the U.S. is also home to the largest Belizean community outside Belize, estimated to be 70,000 strong.  Our two countries traditionally have had close and cordial relations and the U.S. Mission here is dedicated to building on that relationship. The United States is Belize's number one trading partner, providing 38% of Belizean imports and accounting for 55% of exports."  (more)

U.S. Ambassador Presents the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation Grant to the Institute of Archaeology - October 23, 2007

(L-R) U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter and Institute of Archaeology Director Dr. Jaime Awe

On October 23, the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan awarded a grant from the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation to Belize.  Dr. Jaime Awe accepted the check on behalf of the Institute of Archaeology.

This year, Belize was awarded US$ 55,000 for the Serpon Historical Conservation Project.  The purpose of this project is to conserve the ruins and develop an archaeological/historical park of the Serpon Sugar Mill in the Stann Creek District.

U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter said, "The Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation is a worldwide program and Belize has been one of the most successful fund recipients.  This is the third grant that the Institute of Archaeology has been awarded from the Ambassador's Fund.  Over the past three years, grants have amounted to over US$ 150,000.  I am proud of the United States’ contribution to preserving sites in Belize with such historical value and look forward to watching the new project develop over the next year".  (more)

U.S. Embassy Belmopan Presents Anti-Trafficking in Persons Grant - October 18, 2007

Minister of Human Development Sylvia Flores and U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter sign the Anti-Trafficking Grant agreement.

On Thursday October 18 at the Ministry of Human Development in Belmopan, U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter presented a grant of over US$ 80,000 to Minister of Human Development Sylvia Flores for an Anti-trafficking in Persons Program.

This grant aims to support victim assistance programs, judiciary training, public awareness programs and the refurbishment of a shelter for trafficking victims.

"This funding, combined with the hard work and dedication of the Ministry of Human Development working together with the U.S. Embassy, is evidence of the prominent commitment of the United States to stand-by and support our partners to combat this modern form of human slavery", said Ambassador Dieter.  (more)           (press release)

Previous Embassy Activities

July - December 2007

Ambassador Dieter attends Dedication Ceremony of Hattieville Prison School - October 11, 2007

Standing in front of the new school building: (L-R) U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter, Kolbe Chairman John Woods, Kolbe Board Member Yvette Burks, President of the Rotary Club of Belize Elison Flowers and Kolbe Board Member Rene Villanueva.

U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter attended the Dedication Ceremony of the Hattieville Prison School on October 11.  "It is my great pleasure to represent the United States Government at today’s dedication of this school building valued at nearly $ 300,000 US Dollars.  The USG donation was made possible through the Humanitarian Assistance Program sponsored by the US Southern Command headquartered in Miami, Florida", said Ambassador Dieter. 

"The Humanitarian Assistance Program or “HAP program” has been very active in Belize recently.  In addition to building this school, HAP has been conducting annual medical exercises that bring medical care to thousands of rural Belizeans.  In addition, the HAP program renovated the disaster relief warehouse located in Ladyville, built the NEMO warehouse in Belmopan which was dedicated in 2006 and constructed a disaster relief warehouse in Big Creek that was dedicated last April.  The HAP program recently renovated two dormitories at the Youth Hostel in Gracie Rock.  Through this program, the USG delivers property items such as furniture and medical equipment, which greatly benefits Belize’s schools and clinics".  (more) 

 

U.S. Embassy Belmopan Donates to the Belize Red Cross - October 3, 2007

(L-R) Director General of the Belize Red Cross Lilly Bowman receives check from U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires Leonard Hill.

On Wednesday, October 3, U.S. Embassy Charge d' Affaires Leonard Hill presented a check for USD 25,000 to the Belize Red Cross for distaster preparedness.

"The money is part of the American people's continuing commitment to assist our neighbors in the hemisphere prepare for and respond to natural disasters," said Mr. Hill. 

The U.S. Governement, through the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID) has provided this funding to help partners like the Belize Red Cross be ready to deal with future hurricanes.  The U.S. Embassy has also made substantial contributions to the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) for hurricane preparedness.

U.S. Embassy Belmopan Participates in the Sixth Annual Caribbean Chiefs of Mission Conference on HIV/AIDS Prevention in Jamaica - October 2-5, 2007

Commerical Assistant Darlene Gentle stands in front of HIV Information Market Place booth.

U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter and Commerical Assistant Darlene Gentle attended the Sixth Annual Caribbean Chiefs of Mission Conference on HIV/AIDS in Kingston, Jamaica from October 2 to 5. 

Embassy Belmopan participated this year along with other U.S. Chiefs of Missions in the Caribbean, HIV/AIDS technicians and more than a hundred HIV/AIDS activitsts from eleven Caribbean countries.  

The conference aimed to review HIV and AIDS programming in the region and to discuss perpectives and opportunities for U.S. Ambassadors to use their leadership roles to advocate for a continued focus on HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean.

 

U.S. Embassy Belmopan Contributes to Hurricane Dean Relief Efforts - August 27, 2007

(L-R) OFDA representative Beryl Ambrister, U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires Leonard Hill, Belize Red Cross President Karen Diaz and OFDA representative Eduardo Gutierrez.

This morning, U.S. Embassy Belmopan Charge d' Affaires Leonard Hill officially handed over emergency supplies to Belize Red Cross President Karen Diaz in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Dean.

The Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) coordinated and delivered this shipment of relief supplies -- including plastic sheeting, chainsaws, hygiene kits and blankets -- by chartered aircraft on August 24.  These supplies were turned over to the Belize Red Cross and delivered to people in the affected areas.  The U.S. government will also make a cash contribution of BZ$100,000 to NEMO for relief supply purchases in response to the Foreign Ministry's appeal to diplomatic missions in Belize.  (more)

U.S. Embassy Belmopan Sixth Annual "Made in the USA" Exhibition - August 24-25, 2007

(L-R) U.S. Embassy Commerical Assistant Darlene Gentle, Ambassador for Trade in the Ministry of Foeign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize H.E. Stuart Leslie and U.S. Embassy Charge d' Affaires Leonard Hill take a tour of the expo.

U.S. Embassy Belmopan sponsored the Sixth Annual "Made in the USA" Exhibition Friday and Saturday August 24 and 25 at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina in Belize City.

The exhibition showcased and promoted American investments, products and services in Belize. 

Eighteen businesses participated in the event and made presentations, displayed their products and demostrated their services to the general public. 

 

2007 Summer Creative Reading Programme - July 20, 2007

Participants of the 2007 Summer Creative Reading Programme.  Organizers include Mrs. Gwynneth Dieter (far right) and Mrs. Cathy Stevulak (top of stairs)

On Friday, July 20 at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan, 32 students ages seven to twelve successfully completed the first session of the 2007 Summer Creative Reading Programme.  The program, organized by Elsie Alpuche, Director of the George Price Center for Peace and Development and by Mrs. Gwynneth Dieter and Mrs. Cathy Stevulak on behalf of U.S. Embassy Belmopan, aimed to make reading fun for children who wished to improve their reading skills while on summer vacation.

The program was a Belmopan community effort and received participation from: the J. Kirby Simon Foreign Service Trust, an American foundation that contributed books; the Belmopan City Council, that provided transportation for the children; the Belmopan International Women's Group as well as many others who volunteered their time as reading mentors.

PACT Foundation First Grant Award Ceremony - July 6, 2007

U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter (far left) and recipients of PACT Foundation grants

"I am pleased that the United States, under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, is able to provide funds that can help protect and preserve many of Belize’s tropical forests, which are so vital to the people Belize and to the country's expanding tourism industry", said U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter at Friday's ceremony at Guanacaste National Park in Belmopan. 

"The TFCA Agreement signed in 2001 is expected to generate 9 million US Dollars over 26 years for Belize’s forests, conserving thousands of acres of ecologically and economically essential ecosystems".  (more) 

U.S. Independence Day Celebration - July 4, 2007

(L-R) Peace Corps Director Eileen Higgins, Mrs. Cathy Stevulak, Deputy Chief of Mission Leonard Hill, Mrs. Gwynneth A. Dieter and U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Dieter.

On Wednesday, July 4, 2007, U.S. Embassy Belmopan celebrated the 231 st Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America at Old Belize Cultural and Historical Center in Belize City. 

U.S. Ambassador Robert Dieter said, "Today we celebrate the values of freedom and equality that make our nation strong and a beacon of hope for those who are oppressed.  We gather not only in celebration, but also in gratitude - for the courage of the brave men who risked their lives and fortunes by signing the Declaration 231 years ago –  for our many blessings – for the friends and families we love – for the abundant opportunities our country affords – and also, to be mindful of the sacrifices of those from every generation who have defended our nation and secured the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy."  (more) 
(Photo Gallery)