Eco Health in Belize

Explore Mayan Culture and Interconnections of Eco & Human Health Impacts
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7e's Journey to Medina Bank, Belize

Work alongside our community leaders in our efforts to protect Maya culture and preserve the ecosystems of Belize.

Belize, formerly British Honduras, is a small Central American country of about 350,000 inhabitants that won its independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. The coast is largely populated by the Garifuna, an Afro-Carib people as well as Mayan indigenous. Both are struggling to preserve their cultural identities and traditional livelihoods in the face of 21st century factors that range from globalization and climate change to narcotics trafficking and high unemployment. The Maya, Belize’s traditional landowners were almost entirely displaced fleeing from slavery during British occupation in the 19th Century. 7 Elements works with the Q’eqchi (Kekchi) people who have since relocated to the Toledo District in the South of Belize.

Nestled on the banks of the Deep River, Medina Bank is easy to access and offers delightful walks in the high canopy rain- forest and a hike to a waterfall. The village was recently founded in 1990, and the population of about 250 is mainly Kek’chi. Deep River is now a protected area and is still in pristine condition.

 

Lodging in Medina Bank, Belize

7e is proud to partner with Cindy Cal and her Maya Green Forest Adventure Lodge in Belize. it is located a mile from the main road into the jungle just outside of Medina Bank. The eco-lodge is built from locally sourced materials and it is a 2 minute walk from a freshwater river. There are armadillos, tapirs, and native birds that you will be able to see during your stay.

All beds will have mosquito nets to protect you from mosquitoes and other small bugs. There is cold water to shower in and electricity to  use. All lodging operations are coordinated by Cindy and Saul, local leaders in the Maya community of Medina Bank.

7e's Approach to Human Security.

In Belize, 7e focuses on Environmental and Health Issues relating to Human Security. Find out more about the fundamentals of our programs and how Human Security threats and impacts affect people around the world.

Our Projects in Belize

Our projects in Belize focus on improving health outcomes by creating a healthy physical and social environment. The local economic and environmental systems also benefit. By empowering community members to direct all initiatives and employing local skilled tradespeople to supervise work on our building projects, we seek to enable individuals, families, and communities to take greater control over their health, wellbeing and environment.

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Recent Travels and Programs

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Preserving Yanesha Culture in Peru

Preserving Yanesha Culture in Peru

August 1-10, 2020Duration: 10 days Location: Medina Bank, Belize Program Cost: $1365 Service Hours: 20 Learn about the impacts of globalization on indigenous peoples, such as the Yanesha in our Peru Program this August! Work collaboratively as they teach about global...

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