In Memory of Herman Penland

In Memory of Herman Penland

March 13, 1932 – January 18, 2013

Tomorrow, Saturday 18th, will complete one year that an active member of the San Pedro Foundation,  Mr. Herman Penland, passed away.

Mr. Herman Penland was born in Des Moines, Iowa USA to Eva and Robert Penland. He had two brothers. Herm’s adventurous spirit took him to California at the age of 16 where he joined the Navy and later met his wonderful wife Linda in college in 1958. They married in 1962.

In 1972 Herman moved the family to Karachi, Pakistan and that began their international life. After five years in Pakistan, the family moved to La Paz, Bolivia where he was the director of The American School for twenty years. After visiting Ambergris Caye for the first time in 1995, they fell in love with the island, purchased their first piece of property and immediately made plans to retire here. Two weeks into retirement in a hammock, Herman decided it was time to find a hobby on the island. He still felt he had more to accomplish in life and decided to purchase Southwind Properties. From real estate sales, Herman’s interest grew into development and he started working on plans for Belizean Shores Resort. In 2000 his son Doug moved to Belize to help Herman carry out his vision and dreams. After the success of Belizean Shores, Herman and Doug moved onto developing Belizean Cove Estates and Coco Beach Resort. Even at the age of 80 Herman was actively involved in planning the development of their current project, Venezia Del Caribe.

Mr. Penland was an active member of the San Pedro Foundation since January of 1999, serving as the president of the foundation. He led the foundation as president for at least 14 years. As President of the SPF, he was tireless in working to advance education opportunities in San Pedro. The board relies heavily on his years of experience in education.

Family was the first priority in Herman’s life. Herman is survived by his wife Linda Penland, his five children, Marcee, Pamela, Doug, Christi, and Katalina and three grandchildren Jake, Cole, and Jonathon.

Reference: http://www.sanpedrosun.com/community-and-society/2013/01/24/celebrating-the-life-of-herman-penland/

Celebrating World Diabetes Day at the University of Belize

Everybody was getting ready to celebrate the World Diabetes Day, including the University of Belize 2nd year Nursing Students. Planning and organizing were done day and night. Preparations were made, activities were planned, and the students were kept busy.

To start off celebrating the World Diabetes Day, a Diabetes walkathon was made at the Belmopan City about a week before the actual event. It was estimated that with the help of the newly opened Belmopan Diabetic Association, at least a hundred people would attend. To our surprise, the number of those who attended was about half of the number estimated. Nevertheless, we were happy that there were at least a few who were willing to walk for a change.

A few days before the conference, decorations were underway, name tags were being prepared, a meal plan was done, activities and educational programs were organized, and everybody was getting ready so that  the conference would be a success.

The day came, and oh boy!, the auditorium was looking so beautiful. People were making a line to sign up and enter the auditorium and getting a name tag pinned on them. There were at least a hundred and fifty people present! We were happy of the number. There were different stalls in the building--food stalls, beverage stalls, information booths, free testing booths, and they were all full of people that were buying and inquiring information. It was such a beautiful view!

By the end of the day, we were all happy that the conference was a success! Most of the food was sold, and most of the people went home satisfied with the information that they had acquired that day. See the pictures below!

  

Then, on the week after, we had a World Diabetes Day Blue Monument Challenge. We made a big blue human circle by where the UB monument is. The lighting was a success with about fifty people joining to build the blue human circle.

This year we will be having another World Diabetes Day. We hope and pray that much more people will be assisting the event. People need to be aware of the causes and effect of diabetes, the signs and symptoms, and the limitations that diabetes causes in the life of those who suffer of it. As my educator says, " Education is the best prevention".