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A friend reminded me, I dont yet know what the Belize Open Source is and I shouldnt have to dig for that. Make sure you get this point across instantly on any of your communications or expect your recipients to blow by your messages.

• Belize Open Source Sustainable Development promotes environmentally and socially sustainable development. We invite people to participate in a land-based learning and community outreach center and working farm on our 40 acre property in northwestern Belize, near the village of August Pine Ridge.
• We have 501c (3) status which allows contributors to make tax deductible donations to Belize Open Source and treat appropriate supporting expenses as tax deductible donations. We partner with Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and we look forward to more collaborations with EWB chapters on future projects.
• We invite you to participate in a project to quickly build the first visitors accommodations on our 40-acre property in Belize. The first use of the accommodations will be to house the Cleveland State University (CSU) Engineers Without Borders (EWB) team during their series of visits to oversee construction of new classrooms in the nearby village of August Pine Ridge from April through mid-July, 2011. The accommodations will then be available for additional visitors in the future.

Our Story

Belize Open Source - Sustainable Development (BOSSD) invites you to participate in a project to quickly build the first visitors accommodations on our 40-acre property in Belize. The first use of the accommodations will be to house the Cleveland State University (CSU) Engineers Without Borders (EWB) team during their series of visits to oversee construction of new classrooms in the nearby village of August Pine Ridge from April through mid-July, 2011. The accommodations will then be available for additional visitors in the future.

BOSSD promotes environmentally and socially sustainable development. We invite people to collaborate on an open source approach to plan, implement, and participate in a land-based learning and community outreach center and working farm on our 40-acre property in northwestern Belize, near the village of August Pine Ridge.

We have a partnering relationship with Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA). EWB-USA acted as fiscal agent for BOSSD until we obtained our 501(c)(3) status. This status allows contributors to make tax-deductible donations to Belize Open Source and treat appropriate supporting expenses as tax-deductible donations.

We currently support and collaborate with three EWB chapters working in northern Belize. See http://belizeopensource.org/ for additional information.

As the sponsoring non-governmental organization, in 2008, BOSSD worked with the August Pine Ridge Village Council to finalize the EWB proposal for a Community Improvement Project, the first phase of which is now being implemented by EWB-Cleveland State.

• BOSSD donated prior year donations of $500 to the three EWB chapters Google matched donations with $500 to EWB-USA
• From last years pledges (~$1.8k):
• donated $500 to emergency construction of a new septic tank for Muffles College in Orange Walk, Belize
• donated $500 to the three chapters - Google and other EWB-USA partners matched the donations 
  
• donated $500 to August Pine Ridge for a public address system for the school

• In November 2010, Coyle gave an update at his workplace about BOSSD and three EWB chapters working in northern Belize and received pledges of nearly $2.8k, which we expect be be fulfilled near the end of 2011.
  

We are working with EWB-CSU to make a US Rotary club connection to raise funds for the Cleveland State EWB August Pine Ridge ongoing projects in August Pine Ridge.

The Impact

Your support will enable the CSU EWB team to stay at the Belize Open Source property as they have requested.

• Mark Tumeo, their faculty adviser, and the team from CSU EWB are due to start construction oversight of the school classroom building in mid-March and have planned six visits of teams of 6-8 people through mid-July.
  
• In their prior assessment trips, small teams stayed with families in August Pine Ridge or in the Medical Center for a few days.
  
• However, the Medical Center is now occupied and the impact of larger teams for the six planned longer visits, makes housing them at the property the preferred option.
  
• Additionally, EWB expects chapters to be involved and return to the community they are working in for a five-year commitment.
  
• The accommodations will be available for the CSU EWB team in the future as well as for other visitors.

Additionally, this project is intended to share the BOSSD story with people who would be interested in participating and exploring other potential cooperative initiatives. Your experience with Belize Open Source is guaranteed to make you feel good and that you've contributed to the Belizean community. Youll experience a sense of community that is authentic and sustainable. We offer:

• accommodations on the property (delivered with this fundraiser)
• home stays in the nearby local community of August Pine Ridge
• guides with local sources and partnerships
• cultural tours and excursions on a preplanned or ad hoc basis
• peer-to-peer mentoring for farming, appropriate technology, teaching and doing
• hands-on work activities, workshops and certification programs

What We Need & What You Get

The project will be constructed by David Dycks local Blue Creek Construction Limited. To meet tax-deductiblity guidelines, with the exception of the sanitary waste system and slab for the showers and restrooms, it will consist of temporary facilities and utilities that could be relocated. The estimated cost is $8,125 U.S. (with contingency), with the credit card and IndieGoGo charges, we are requesting $8,925. The scope includes:

• showers and restrooms (with solar preheated hot water)
• gray water and sanitary waste system
• water and power lines extended to the facilities
• small house for visitors (with lights and electrical outlets)

• utility hook-ups and a raised pad for temporary accommodations:
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We really could use your help and we have great promotions for donations.

Because of our 501(c)(3) status, U. S. taxpayer donations to the project and appropriate supporting expenses to visit can be treated as tax-deductible donations. However, substantive benefits to the contributor cant be treated as tax deductible. For example, the value of accommodations at Belize Open Source, nominally $25 U.S. per day for room only (meals are not included, but can be arranged for with local families), if used, would reduce the total tax-deductible amount. 

Belize - nearby

Belize is small: About 175 miles, north-south, by 80 miles wide. It has diverse land regions: cayes, beaches, tropical rain forests, mountain pine ridge, and savannahs (where we are). Belize is small enough and transportation is good enough that a stop at Belize Open Source can be included as part of your itinerary, along with whatever else you choose to do in Belize. If you visit Belize and volunteer with Belize Open Source - Sustainable Development, a reasonable portion of your trip expenses are tax deductible.

Nearby: The following from http://www.belizefirst.com describes the region: Offers some of the most natural areas of Belize, with excellent birding and wildlife spotting, proximity to Mennonite farming communities of Shipyard and Blue Creek and ecotourism destinations. It goes on to say the road west from Orange Walk Town, past Cuello distillery, Yo Creek, and then back south to August Pine Ridge village (right past our place) and San Felipe village leads through agricultural areas to the 240,000-acre Programme for Belize Rio Bravo Conservation area and the 250,000-acre private estate of the late Sir Barry Bowen. Or, if you go southeast from San Felipe, you end up at Lamanai (a major Mayan temple site) near Indian Church village. Two world-class jungle lodges, Chan Chich at Gallon Jug, and Lamanai Outpost Lodge on the New River Lagoon, await you in this part of Orange Walk District.

• The Programme for Belize (PFB) is a Belizean, non-profit organization, established in 1988, to promote the conservation of the natural heritage of Belize and to promote wise use of its natural resources.  The Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area is its flagship project where Programme for Belize demonstrates the practical application of its principles. Nestled deep in the sub-tropical forest of north-western Belize and renowned for being the largest private reserve and second largest single protected area in the country, the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area (RBCMA) is located only two and a half hours away from Belize City (we're along the way). Edilberto Romero, Executive Director, Programme for Belize, is from August Pine Ridge and has shared his advice with us as we have planned BOSSD.

• Lamanai, is one of the most visited Mayan archaeological sites of Belize, situated on the New River Lagoon. The site can be reached by bus from Orange Walk in about 2 hours (we're along the way). Boat trips from Orange Walk on the New River also take about 2 hours and are highly recommended.

• In Orange Walk, don't miss Osmany Salas and his team's Nahil Mayab Restaurant & Patio, 1st Place winner of 2010 Taste of Belize - Best of Belize Category. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, it's a tropical oasis in the heart of Orange Walk Town (we're along the way). Osmany has also advised us and planned a Belize Open Source brainstorming meeting in February 2008. A summary and recommended next steps, from the discussion are posted online.

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