Colorful Village Sign Becomes Symbol of Sarteneja Pride

Tonight, on Belize on Reel, we head north to the quiet fishing village of Sarteneja, where a simple community sign is doing much more than welcoming visitors. It’s telling a story. The vibrant mural splashed across the letters was created by local artist Aruderio Carrillo, after members of the Sarteneja Youth Group approached him with a vision for something meaningful and uniquely theirs. News Five’s Shane Williams traveled to the village today to uncover the message behind this colorful landmark, and the community pride it represents.

 

Aruderio Carrillo, Artist

“ I am so proud. I always wanted to paint a Sarteneja sign until that project came out and I was so happy to do it.”

 

Aruderio Carrillo didn’t just grow up in Sarteneja Village, he carries the community in his heart. So, when someone asked if he’d take on the job of painting the village’s welcome sign, he didn’t hesitate. He jumped in with both feet. Carrillo refused to take a single dollar for his time or talent. The only money he accepted from the local youth group was for paint and supplies. Everything else, the design and the hours, he gave freely. It was his way of giving back to the place that shaped him.

 

Aruderio Carrillo

“I was approached by the Sarteneja Youth Group with Ms. Mora for the first time she approached me to paint the sign. Miss Stephanie came with idea of the sunset, and I think, which is a good idea, sunset because here in Sarteneja the sunsets are so, so beautiful.”

 

Carrillo says the concept quickly took shape, inspired by one of the village’s most breathtaking features. But the mural goes far beyond a sunset. Every brushstroke reflects daily life in this coastal community.

 

Aruderio Carrillo

“ For example the palm tree, I decide to palm trees so that represent the beaches of Sarteneja. The fishermen, the guy with the canoe, the local fishermen. And of course the regatta, those boats that represent the regatta and those are wooden boats. And I think here in Sarteneja is the only place that they still would build wooden boats.”

 

The project meant something deeper to Carrillo. The phrase on the sign “Where the Sun Meets the Water” captures a view locals know well.

 

Aruderio Carrillo

“I know it doesn’t sound right because some say it where the suns meet the water, but we just say where the sun on the water, because on the summer, the sun more like on the water than inland.”

 

Beyond art, there’s the heart of the village itself.

 

Aruderio Carrillo

“It’s a small village, peaceful, lovely as you could see. We have different places to visit here, you know. Also the sea, which is good. And the people are so friendly here.”

 

Darnel Cruz, the Village Council Secretary, says the sign truly reflects Sarteneja’s long-standing pride as a fishing community with deep cultural traditions.

 

Darnel Cruz, Village Council Secretary, Sarteneja

“ The drawings, if you might have seen it, is depicting what, what CJA is about. It has been painted over, but the idea is there cja, a fishing community. Eh, people, how friendly, how lovely the people are. Our culture, we share, eh, well, we mostly, we are mesti here in Sarnia, no, but almost more than ninety percent of the men are, are fishermen. So the idea will be there. And this idea, well, what I know, eh, came about, well, as I mentioned this initial youth group was, were the ones that worked towards this. And they wanted, well, almost in many places within Belize, they were. Starting to erect these types of signs. No. And they wanted certain, they had to be part of that also, that initiative. So they, they had a and we couldn’t say no to that. We, we had to go with, with development. No. So we, we are pro-development and it looks beautiful and it’s attractive. We have many visitors coming to the village and that’s one of their stuff. In front of the sign, snap some pictures and, you know, have, have fun in the village.”

 

The sign has quickly become a favorite photo stop for visitors and a symbol of local pride. And if you’re thinking of making the trip north, Cruz says there’s no better time than the upcoming Easter season.

 

Darnel Cruz

“We want to invite people to come out, visit our village see what we have to offer. One of the best times to visit during these is Easter season. We have the seafood fest that we had in the month of October. Now we’re having Easter. It’ll be a whole weekend of events that we will have. We will have a, a marathon, the regatta regatta that we have. And I invite everybody to come out. Come out and enjoy. At least for that weekend. Know more about Sarteneja.”

 

From its golden sunsets to its wooden boats and welcoming people, Sarteneja’s new sign stands as a colorful symbol for a village proud of its history and culture. Shane Williams for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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