A small team of vital volunteers, along with Starfish Outreach, headed back to Dangriga, Belize, at the beginning of February to check on the progress of the preschool building and get their hands a little dirty helping.

Specific people were called on to assist in this portion of the build because of their specialized skill sets. We had two general contractors, one electrician, one plumber, one pastor, and three supportive spouses leading the charge for administrative tasks, material purchases, and making all the meals for the building team. Although this seems like a small group, it was a whole construction crew once they joined the local Dangriga build team. The construction site was a buzz with saws, hammers, mixers, drills, and the like working tirelessly from early morning until close to sunset.

After three weeks, the next phase of the build was underway — the roof's frame was on, and the completion of the roof is in sight. All during the excitement of construction progress, across the way in their small classroom, the currently attending preschool students look on with anticipation of their new school opening soon.

During the visit, the Starfish Outreach volunteer group took a small break to participate in the School Pride Parade with the Starfish preschool class. The parade is an annual community event that has been sorely missed due to COVID, but this was the year the parade could return. Students from schools all over the Dangriga community decorate floats and banners for the parade and march together, showing their appreciation for their schools, teachers, and education. It was quite the event and a perfect way to retreat from the construction site.

The same team and many more volunteers will return to Dangriga in July and August of 2023 to continue construction on the first floor preschool. If you want to volunteer for the upcoming trip, or donate towards the construction of the preschool and community center click the Registration or Donation links on our Home page.

As always, your love, prayers, and financial support continue to make this preschool build a possibility.

The Starfish Outreach team is preparing to visit Dangriga in February to check on the progress of the preschool build. With the school set to open this September, there are still hundreds of things to do and thousands of dollars to raise to ensure the incoming students have everything they need for a successful school year.

Santiago (lovingly known as Bob) has been working hard with his crew, continuing the build throughout the year, and the progress looks outstanding. The first floor, housing the preschool, is coming along, with cabinets, water fixtures, kitchen appliances, and other classroom necessities being added as additional donations allow. The second floor will serve as a community learning center and a housing venue for visiting clinics and outreach teams and should be completed by 2025. The exterior of the building is so close to completion that the team is ready to begin construction on the roof— the last significant portion of the structure. The crew will continue working on the building in the coming months and keep us on track for the grand opening of the first floor in September.

We are excited to visit Santiago and the Dangriga building team in February and assist with the final details to get the preschool ready for September. Your continued prayer and financial support continue to fund the completion of the preschool and community center. While we have made leaps of progress, more is still needed.

If you are interested in volunteering for our upcoming visits to Dangriga Belize in June of 2023 or wish to contribute financially click on the Registration or Donation links on our Home page.

God's call on our lives can come in many different and unexpected ways. Nearly 18 years ago, on what began as a family field trip to Belize, God started a work in me, my family, and some of my dearest friends that we would have never imagined could have come to fruition in such a life-altering way. Looking back at His workmanship, we are truly grateful for God's hand in the work Starfish Outreach has accomplished and all we hope to continue doing to His glory.

After completing the Cottontree Preschool in 2010 and beginning the second preschool and Community Center in Dangriga in 2013, it has been a fantastic process of waiting upon God to open the right doors. However, some of the most open doors we have found are the hearts of the people of Belize, and the wondrous short-term mission volunteers over the span of these preschool builds. We are beyond grateful for each of you who have sacrificed your finances, time, talents, contributions of supplies, knowledge, love, and prayer. We continue to aim for empowerment through the gift of education, and we have been able to do so with your faithful support. We acknowledge the gift you have given the people of Belize and to the furthering of God's Kingdom.

During this upcoming trip in July 2023, we plan to be on the final leg of completing the Dangriga Preschool and Community Center. The teams will have the honor of finishing up many details so the school can open in September 2023 for the children to return to school after a long absence due to the pandemic. Shortly after, the Community Center will open above the preschool, allowing additional ministry teams to serve the people of Dangriga. With the roof scheduled to be finalized in February of 2023, we are on track to meet our Grand Opening date.

Carol and I, along with Troy and Belinda, thank you for your contributions to Starfish Outreach and the continued gift of education with which you have blessed the people of Belize. God has called us to a seemingly impossible task, but all things are possible through Christ, who strengthens us.

Keep believing!

Mike & Carol Downard

Troy & Belinda Smith

From February 15-March 7, four volunteer teams made their way to Dangriga, Belize, to continue the preschool build. This was an exceptional group of volunteers dedicated to working long and hard hours in the hot Belizean sun to bring the power of education to the local community. 

The volunteers split into several service groups: Rebar benders, concrete slingers and cinderblock stackers, landscape development, and community outreach programs. Each team set hard to their task to continue the preschool build. 

On his first trip outside of the U.S., one teen volunteer marveled at the beauty of Belize and the wonderful community but was also stricken with sadness viewing the lack of resources available to the people of Belize. 

"I am so grateful for the things I have at home. My education is a given, with pretty good chances of completing high school. I've never struggled with the things the people of Belize do. I have so much... This trip has changed the way I see my life." 

By the end of the trip, we had accomplished many milestones getting us closer to the preschool's grand opening in August 2021. 

Over 280 tons of concrete mixed 

Over three miles of rebar bent

Over 700 cinderblocks laid 

Over 100 plumbing joints built

Tens of thousands of steps taken

One group of volunteers changed for life

Construction on the preschool will continue into the year with the local building team led by Santiago, lovingly known as "Bob." He will update Starfish Outreach on all the progress made in our absence. 

This February, a team of over 50 volunteers is heading to Dangriga to continue the preschool build! Team members have come from various church groups through Nazarene Work and Witness, including Glendora Community Church, Whittier Nazarene, El Morrow Nazarine, Parkside Church, and Gardnerville Nazarene.

On this trip, volunteers will continue preparing rebar materials, laying concrete, building scaffolds, and installing fixtures to complete the first floor of the preschool, set to be open in August 2021. Teams will also gather with the local community for meals, exciting community events, and outreach opportunities.

Our volunteers are staying at the Pelican Resort, a local hotel and long-time friend and supporter of Sarfish Outreach. After a long day at work, volunteers can enjoy the hotel and relax on the beach right outside their hotel room door.

Once the first floor is complete, we will make way for the second-story construction in July 2022, but there is much to be done before then!

It may have taken some time to begin fulfilling the vision in Dangriga, but we are now well on our way! It always amazes us how many people have blessed this project through their contributions and hard work- so many have volunteered that we've now connected two miles of steel to complete the floor foundation- 10,000 bends of steel to make all the collars, and 100 yards of concrete to build it. Without a doubt, this represents what we are called to do in the villages in Belize- to give children a firm educational foundation in preschool by building solid foundations for those preschools.

Please continue to pray for our upcoming journey as Starfish Outreach leadership and team members head back to Belize in late July to begin preparation for next year's work.

We are now taking volunteer applications for teams in February and March to continue moving and laying blocks to form the school's walls. We also need volunteers to work with our sewing ministry team leader, Patsy. If you want to contribute financially, you can donate through our website at starfishoutreach.org. You can also help us by adding Starfish Outreach as your favorite charity on Amazon! Each time you buy something, Amazon will donate a portion of the proceeds back to use. Click below to add us as your preferred charity!

​Mike & Carol Downard

Belinda & Troy Smith

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