The October 2001 issue of Quaker Life is now online. The Belize work team, led by Tim Kendall of Western Yearly Meeting, did extensive remodeling of the Friends Boys School in Belize City. Siding was applied to the outside of the two-story structure, new windows and doors installed, a new bathroom added downstairs, the large second story room was divided into a classroom and office space. Paint was applied where needed.
Participants report that the team worked very well together, having a real sense of bonding.
The team was assisted by volunteers Florence Emma Peery, who is presently overseeing the operation of the Friends Boys School, and Mike and Kay Cain who are currently living and involved in building a resort on the coast of Belize. The Cuba work team was involved in beginning the re-building of a new meetinghouse to replace the wooden structure which fell down some 15 years ago. Eighteen Guilford College students, two Guilford faculty, two members of North Carolina Yearly Meeting, a member of the January 1997 work team to El Retrete, and Curt Ankeny from FUM, traveled to participate in a work team project in the small village of Bocas. Members of the meeting such as Juanita Ditz and Zoila Cudina, have been praying for many years that their meetinghouse would be restored. The actual physical work began with digging holes and trenches for the foundation, the pouring of concrete for holes which will eventually be the support pillars for the walls and roof.