Category: Environment

It’s been more than sixty-three years since Hurricane Hattie slammed into Belize, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak in its wake. The 1961 storm claimed hundreds of lives and changed the course of the country’s history forever. In the aftermath, Belizeans were forced to rebuild — not just homes, but entire communities. The capital was moved inland from Belize City to Belmopan, and a new village was born: Hattieville, named after the storm, that reshaped the nation. In today’s edition of Belize on Reel, News Five’s Britney Gordon visits Hattieville to find out how much residents know about the village’s powerful origin story. Do they remember why it was founded? And how has life in Hattieville evolved over the decades?

Michael Bainton, Hattieville Resident

“Everybody mi do move out the city because the city mi bruk up and dat da when Mr. George Price she he mi wa build Hattieville.”

Britney Gordon, Reporting

October thirty-first is usually a night of costumes and candy, but in 1961, it became one of the most terrifying days in Belize’s history. That was the day Hurricane Hattie roared ashore, unleashing devastation across the country. More than ten thousand people were left homeless, and the storm’s impact would reshape Belize for generations. Out of that tragedy came Hattieville, a village built as a refuge for those who had lost everything. It was a place to start over, to rebuild not just homes, but hope. Today, Hattieville is still standing strong, pulsing with life and history. For residents like Linval Mejia, who grew up alongside the village, the story of Hattieville isn’t just something in the past, it’s personal. It’s a reminder of resilience, of community, and of how even the darkest days can lead to new beginnings.

Britney Gordon

“How long have you been living in Hattieville?”

Linval Mejia, Hattieville Resident

“Fifty-nine years now. I born and grow here.”

Britney Gordon

“And you know the history of how Hattieville get its name?”

Linval Mejia

“Due to Hurricane Hattie. Hurricane Hattie.”

Residents say Hattieville is divided into two parts, the old village and the new village. Mejia was there to see some of these developments occur.

Linval Mejia

“Well first time we came, we were more over the next village. The old village and were on some barracks. Barracks we used to live in, then they decided to come up this side, build the school and build some house.”

While many long-time residents moved to Hattieville following the storm, some decided to relocate for greater opportunities. Danny Myles, who has been living in Hattieville since the 1970’s shares why his mother decided to relocate the family.

Voice of: Danny Myles, Hattieville

“My mom used to work da di sanitorium, through Boom road weh right now da prison. And every day she does have to left we da town and stuff like that. You know how ney landlord go when you can’t pay your rent.”

For Myles’ mother, the distance between work and home was more than just miles, it was a daily struggle. Living far from her child made life even harder in the wake of Hurricane Hattie’s destruction. But hope came through the leadership of George Price, whose post-storm rehabilitation efforts helped families like hers find a fresh start.

Voice of: Danny Myles

“That’s why we move here because my mom see the opportunities and the owning your own place. Working with the government, ih gene with mister, as usual, father of the nation, and since ih da mi wa person di work with government, he grant ah fi mek ih get wa lee piece of land ya and get ih house.”

Hattieville has a population of two thousand one hundred eighty-four residents as of 2022- a number that keeps growing every year. Kenneth Hoare has been living here for about sixteen years and he is happy to see the diversity within his community.

Kenneth Hoare, Hattieville Resident

“Ney got more people di come in now. Especially from different places. Hattieville da noh just lone black people. Da mostly that but we got Spanish, Mayan, ih mix. Garifuna, Jamaican, ih mix.”

Hattieville thrives on mutual respect and understanding among residents. Although the Belize Central Prison is located nearby, Hoare doesn’t think that it should affect the public perception of the Hattieville residents.

Kenneth Hoare

“The place really develop ever since the bad history when ney give the place. Even though we live close to the central prison. We noh mek that stop we from do we thing and show the love and spread the love same way to.”

Michael Bainton, a longtime resident of Hattieville, says the village may be small, but its appeal is big. While many still make the daily commute to Belize City for work, Beinton explains that they choose to live in Hattieville for a reason — the peace, the simplicity, and the strong sense of community.

Michael Bainton

“We find out that people di come live da di village weh mi so hated. Because we used to name, ney used to call it Cattleville. We had all kind of lee bad name and quarrelsome people but find now people di run come da Hattieville fi rescue.”

Hattieville was created in the aftermath of a tragedy to provide peace and relief to Belizeans. Now, sixty-three years later, it is still that peace that attracts people to the village. Britney Gordon for News Five.

In the capital city of Belmopan today, fifty Belizean families received the keys to a brighter future, thanks to a major housing initiative by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. The occasion marked the official unveiling of fifty brand-new starter homes in the newly established Highland Estate community. These homes are part of a national effort to provide affordable housing to citizens who have never owned a home. From north to south, families from across the country gathered in Belmopan to celebrate this life-changing moment. For many, it was the first time they could call a house of their own. The joy was palpable as keys were handed over, symbolizing not just shelter, but stability, dignity, and a fresh start. The ministry says this is just the beginning, with more homes planned as part of its ongoing commitment to uplift Belizean families through accessible housing. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us a full story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Fifty families in Belize are celebrating a life-changing moment—they now have a place to call home. These brand-new studio houses were built and handed over as part of the government’s Low-Income Housing Program, aimed at helping those most in need. Prime Minister John Briceño was all smiles as he personally handed over the keys, sharing in the joy of the new homeowners.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“When we were handing over one to a family and the little girl is so excited and she wants to get into the house. And her mother is saying wait we have to inaugurate it, we have to cut the ribbon. And she’s so excited and we open the door and she’s the first one that rushes in. And the first thing she did was go to the bathroom where there’s a shower and where there’s a sewage, things that we take for granted. And she is saying ,om we have a shower in Spanish and then we have a sewage we no longer have to be bathing outside. And when you see it outside there was a little zinc thing no top, just zink around that is where they used to take a shower and then and room wit another toilet on the outside. We, those that are blessed and have the opportunity, we take these things for granted. But it’s not. These are the things that really start to make people’s live better and give them a sense of purpose.”

This housing initiative was made possible thanks to a generous boost from the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), which partnered with Belize through a grant worth over a million US Dollars, signed in late 2023. Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, Lily Li-Wen Hsu, highlighted the project as just one of many joint efforts between the two nations, all aimed at improving the lives of everyday Belizeans.

Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Taiwanese Ambassador

“I’d like to express my deep appreciation to the MIDH team for their dedication and excellent professional execution of the project. This project also reminds me that people of both our nations share a lot in common. Homeownership is one of them. Our people all desire to own a place we call home I think that’s why the provision of affordable housing is the shared commitment and common policy priority of both our governments.”

Affordable housing isn’t just about having a roof over your head, it’s one of the smartest ways to fight poverty and help families move up the economic ladder. It also plays a key role in improving other areas like healthcare, safety, and education. Since the launch of the starter home project in 2021, hundreds of low-income Belizeans have already seen their lives transformed.

Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing

“Our responsibility as government has to focus on the people that are never given that opportunity. It could be because of the color of their skin, it could be because of their religion, it could be because they come from villages. It could be many different cultural reasons why they are not given an opportunity. But we have to look out for them. That is the soul of this program. And I thank you Prime Minister, and I thank you for your government for assisting in elevating the soul of our nation. Because that is what we are fighting for, we are fighting. We are fighting for our Belizean people to be at a certain level where they can compete with anybody in the world. And this is a start.”

The government of Belize commits to continuing efforts to enhance the lives of Belizeans everywhere. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Belize’s towns just got a major facelift, not in buildings, but on the map. All eight towns, including San Pedro and the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, now have new boundaries. The changes officially took effect on April first through a series of statutory instruments, marking a big step in how Belize plans for the future. This re-delineation process started back in 2012, with consultations involving key stakeholders. Now, more than a decade later, the updated town limits are designed to keep up with urban growth and bring better services to fast-growing communities on the outskirts. From improved infrastructure to more efficient public services, the goal is to make sure no one gets left behind as towns expand. In this episode of The Five Point Breakdown, we take a closer look at what these changes mean for residents, local leaders, and the future of municipal development.

Marion Ali, Reporting

For the first time in thirty years, the official boundaries of Belize’s towns are being redrawn, a move that’s reshaping not just how towns look, but how they grow. From Punta Gorda to San Pedro, the map of Belize is getting a long-overdue update. The process began with community consultations all the way back in 2012, involving residents and key stakeholders in areas set to be affected. Under the Briceño administration, the work has finally begun. The goal? To reflect the real growth happening on the ground and ensure that expanding communities get the services and infrastructure they need. It’s a big change, and one that’s been a long time coming.

What is the Delineation Process?

Florencio Marin Jr, Minister of Local Government

“The leadership of Minister of Requena and the team that was there did countrywide consultations with the municipals, the different municipals with the different stakeholders, with the buffering villages. They tried to do a full, comprehensive consultation to be able to get that when they come with a plan now it encompasses all the requirements.”

Statutory instruments for all eight municipalities have been put in place to formally get on with the process, which includes continued consultations. But why is re-delineation necessary in the first place? The Minister of Local Government, Florencio Marin, shares the reason.

Purpose of Delineation:

Florencio Marin Jr

“It has become important because I believe from around the, we have not had any delineation of our municipal boundaries.”

Marion Ali

“What does it mean politically?”

Florencio Marin Jr

“To be able to provide better services to where the towns are already providing services because the municipals do garbage collection, they maintain the streets, they help provide for the different utilities, when in a village the village council doesn’t have all those powers to do so.”

The map of Orange Walk Town just got a little bigger, and so did its responsibilities. As part of a nationwide re-delineation effort, all eight municipalities in Belize now have clearly defined new borders. For Orange Walk, that means three nearby communities — Petville, San Lorenzo Housing Site, and Ann Gabourel — are officially being brought into the town’s limits.

What Shapes a New Municipality

Ladrick Sheppard, Mayor, Orange Walk Town

“Many people are tired of seeing dust blowing in their house. Many – sometimes when it rains, the water goes inside their house. We’ll be working on a draining system, and again, the garbage as well too. You have the garbage outside, pile it up there. It doesn’t look good, you have to be burning it, which is sometimes illegal. So all these things are essential services that we’ll be giving to these people. So it’s a huge plus for them.”

These areas have long existed in a gray zone, not quite villages and not officially part of the town. But with no village councils in place, Orange Walk Mayor Ladrick Sheppard says it’s time they receive the attention and services they deserve. Some communities are still finding their place on the map — others are ready to redraw it. While Belize’s re-delineation process is bringing small, unzoned areas into clearer focus, it’s also shining a spotlight on villages that have outgrown their labels. One standout? Ladyville.

Bernardo Bennett, Chairman, Ladyville Village

“Ladyville has the three necessary components and more that would qualify a community or a village to be declared a town, because we do have a full operation police station has about 80 plus police officers that go on rotation and shifts and stuff for Ladyville Formation itself. We do have a community center/ health center that works Monday to Friday and Saturdays. Now with the lobbying efforts and with the size of community, we have a full-fledged NHI clinic. Also we have a full-fledged fire station here in Ladyville itself. And of course, when you look on components, economic activities, we are bustling. Jobs here are not really short like that. We have the Belikin factory, the Coca-Cola plant. We have the international airport, we have BATSUB. We have the B.D.F. Camp and other businesses, supermarkets. We have gas stations.”

Ladyville also has three primary schools and a high school and most of its streets have been upgraded with hot mix. Chairman Bernardo Bennett says many residents are also clamoring for Ladyville to become its on town. And with that declaration will come more autonomy.

Townships Are Autonomous

Bernardo Bennett

“Working a community, dealing with issues takes resources and the only resources we have so far we getting is the like license fees. And that fees basically goes to taking care of the public spaces. And here in Ladyville we have a lot of public spaces. We have like five parks, two sporting complex, basically the cemetery and we have to basically clean those places once a month, sometime every month and a half to make sure they’re clean and maintained and that costs. So right now for myself, we’re hoping that the amendment to the trade Licensing Act comes into effect later this year in October so we can see what kind of revenue base that will be, and then from there, work your budget so that we can attend to the issues that the residents are asking.”

The discussion for Ladyville, according to Minister Marin, is a relevant one at the Cabinet level.

A Future for Ladyville As a Town

Florencio Marin Jr

“Yes, we’ve had some discussion of this in Cabinet about the different sizes of villages. Like for example, I know there are certain villages that only have about three hundred voters, versus Ladyville, which I believe they’re way past – they’re huge. I mean, clearly they can’t be treated or governed the same way. So I mean, this has to become part of the public discourse and then depending on our Cabinet guides us is how the ministry will look at it.”

Could Orange Walk Town soon become Orange Walk City? If its current growth is any indication, the answer might be yes, and sooner than you think. Marion Ali for News Five.

As Orange Walk Town continues to grow, so does its garbage problem, and local leaders are taking action. Today, Mayor Ladrick Sheppard and the Orange Walk Town Council sat down with the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority and a visiting delegation from Argentina to explore fresh solutions for waste management. The goal? To keep the town clean, green, and visually appealing as its population expands. Mayor Sheppard says the talks focused on innovative strategies for managing waste in fast-growing communities—ideas that could soon be put to the test right here in Orange Walk. With international collaboration and local commitment, the town is hoping to turn its trash troubles into a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Ladrick Sheppard, Mayor, Orange Walk

“We have been having – most municipalities have been having problems with garbage and waste, especially at the dumpsite. Some of these dumpsites that are in the country are not open, especially the one in Orange Walk. We’re not open so people intend to just throw garbage all over the place and then it’s a daunting task for us as a council because when our truck goes there then we have access to where we open because there are other people that go around the area and collect garbage and just dump it anywhere they want. So these are the challenging tasks that we have. That’s why we’re having a meeting today to discuss how we can control the waste and how we can get rid of it the proper way.”

Marion Ali

“What are they proposing?”

Ladrick Sheppard

“They’re proposing to have a big station here – I don’t know if its actually going to be here in Orange Walk, but a big station so we can deal with the waste. That’s the goal that we have and I’m pretty sure that most of the municipalities are asking to see if they could talk to the government to have something like that to collect all the garbage to turn it into bio-products and turn it into energy as well.”

This week, we shine a spotlight on Crooked Tree Village, one of Belize’s most enchanting and historically rich communities, for our Belize on Reel segment. Famous for its bountiful cashew fruit, vibrant wildlife sanctuary, and enduring traditions, Crooked Tree boasts a heritage that predates colonial records. News Five’s Marion Ali delves into two intriguing theories about the origin of Crooked Tree’s name and uncovers the deep history of human settlement in this remarkable village.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Crooked Tree Village may seem quiet and idyllic, but its history is as winding and intriguing as its most famous landmark. Legend has it that the village got its name from a uniquely twisted tree hidden in an inaccessible area. Another theory suggests it was named after three crooks who settled there in the 1700s.

George Tillett, Chairman, Crooked Tree Village

“In the late 1700s a bunch of European logwood cutters, along with their African slaves were journeying down the Belize River in search of logwood, which was then the only source of income for the country. They diverted into this area known as Black Creek and from this inland island with its abundance of logwood and they started trading logwood but they needed to get a name from where these logwood were coming from. So, one of the settlers noted an extraordinarily twisted bullet wood tree that they had their encampment under. And it was from then and that early it got the curious name of Crooked Tree.”

Marion Ali

“You sure it’s that it’s not crooked three men?”

George Tillett

“There is this crazy theory that some people brought upon us because it was settled by three slave owners, the Tilletts, the Gilletts, and the Crawfords. And they were referred to as a crooked three, but I’m quite sure that’s not what village got its name from.  It’s from a tree; it’s from a twist bullet wood tree.”

While the origin of Crooked Tree’s name remains a mystery, its history is undeniably ancient. Village Chairman George Tillett reveals that evidence points to human occupancy dating back thousands of years, long before European settlers arrived. These early inhabitants, known as the Paleoindians, left a legacy that continues to shape the village’s rich cultural heritage.

George Tillett

“We have evidence washed up on our shores with their volcanic rock spearheads that archeologists dated way back to the Chalillo Indians when they used hunt mammoths and stuff like that. That was before the Mayan time. Then after that, we find other products that suggested that the Mayas also lived here. As a matter of fact, on the western side of the island of Crooked Tree is an excavated Maya temple known as Chau Hiix and there are a lot of Mayan artifacts people find when they’re digging up to build houses and foundation – things that relate to Mayan products.”

By the mid-1900s, Crooked Tree was well known for its unique charm but getting in and out wasn’t always easy. Before the causeway was built, villagers relied on boats, and a trip to Belize City could take an entire day. This transformation from isolation to connectivity marks a significant chapter in the village’s history, highlighting the resilience and resourcefulness of its people.

John Gillett, Elder, Crooked Tree Village

“One of the boats used to name Express. One used to name Veronica, and both of them had the barges and so on that they would tow. And the barges would mostly take the crops and the livestock while the boat and a portion of the barge would be used to take passengers also.  Those days, the boat would take about eight hours from here to Belize, and it took eight hours mainly because of the current from Black Creek that carries it.”

John Gillett recalls a time before boats were available in Crooked Tree, when villagers had to paddle their way to Belize City. Selling cattle meant tying them to a horse and embarking on a two-day trek. Gillett’s life is a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of the villagers, offering unique experiences from an era that now exists only in memory. His stories paint a vivid picture of a bygone time, highlighting the enduring spirit of Crooked Tree’s community.

John Gillett

“We had to live off the land and when I say live off the land in both crops as well as livestock, and we had to eat what we produce, ranging from cows to rice to corn, plantain, cassava, all those sort of things there. And of course, getting our meats from the pigs, the cow. We couldn’t go to the shop and just buy rice like that. We had to put it in the mortar and we beat that before we go to school in the morning. We had to cut the firewood, we had to melt the cows. All these things that we had to do. It’s a childhood that I wouldn’t want to change any at all in my lifetime.”

Crooked Tree Village is more than just a name on the map. From the ancient Paleoindians to the Mayas and colonial settlers, its history is woven with tales of twisted trees and cherished experiences. This vibrant community is a living story, brimming with resources and narratives still being shared by those who know it best.

George Tillett

“Crooked Tree is really a blessed village, blessed with resources. I think when Samuel Haynes was writing the National Anthem and said “Nature has blessed us with wealth untold”, he was referring to Crooked Tree.”

If you haven’t visited Crooked Tree yet, it’s time to plan a trip. This charming village offers more than just the famous cashew fest and abundant wildlife. Every path is steeped in history, and you might even find a story in the bend of a tree. Come explore Crooked Tree, where the past and present intertwine in a beautiful tapestry of culture

and nature.  Marion Ali for News Five.