This is a sampling of some of the personal requests for assistance we have received from our Mayan and Garifuna friends in Belize. These letters were directed to Deborah Flowers who conducted midwife traning and continuing education for Mayan health workers in Belize for much of the year 2000. Note that English is not their first language.
Dear Mis. Deborah Flowers,
We Pray to God that you were not one of those people who died in the world trading center. I think you herd about this hurricane Iris had passed in Toledo District. This hurricane is very dangerous, I will never forget. This hurricane started about 9:00 o'clock in the night. Nobody notice that hurricane Iris will hit Toledo. In Jalacte village all houses are completely destroyed, Especially the thatch houses. Just to inform you about my house, the Zinc one, IS Completely destroyed, Zinc is blown off 3 to 4 mls away from my house. It is a very terrible feelings in Toledo, Trees are Knock down. All our clothes are blown off, pants shirts blouse and my childrens uniform that are going to high school is totally blown off. Also text book is damage.
My horses and my chickens are blown off and died. So I please you to help us, with our children in high school, and our house material etc. All of our plantation flied rice, bean corn trees Cohoon leaves is totally destroyed. No where else to go - no house, no food, no water - children are starving, all student felt very cold.
People don't have any clothes to wear. Some people ran away in the far forest to hide, Some were knock down by trees, and went to hospitals. We Please you to find help for us in our family as soon as Possible. I thank nothing happen to us. Only all of our Properties is Completely destroyed. I am very Please we need help. Thanks! May God bless you every day in your life.
Respectfully Yours,
Dear Miss Deborah Flowers
I have ask you if you all right this week. Jalacte village has been blow or hurt by a hurricane Iris. I have been sad for this week. I have not things to stay on. My house have gone or broke down by a hurricane Iris. I don't got nothing for house, everything have blow, cup, and dishes has last and broke. Then I have four children two son, and two daughter, and those children have nothing to use on shirt, pants and dress have lost and blow away. And my children were in school and they no got no dress and pants to go with in school their bag, book, pen and pencil has blow and some get wet. My money has wet and blow I don't think about my money I just hold my children good. Then I want to buy my children book and pen, but I don't have no more money. And I am just asking you about some help for me and my child.
Respectfully yours,
