Having Friends over for Lunch Brought Back Memories

Yesterday reminded me of my life before law & graduate school. I had the privilege of having guests over for lunch at my home away from home. The night before I prepared vegetables and chicken for my guests. I awoke Friday morning to prepare the lunch before heading off to work at Attorney Moore's office. Among the vegetable medley were carrots, green peppers, celery, red onions, and thinly sliced cabbage. I steamed the vegetables, adding a hint of soy sauce and then, once they were tender, I covered it all with American cheese, mixing in some tenderized swirl noodles.

Meanwhile, the chicken was baking in the oven and once it was done, I took the dish out of the oven, poured Sweet Honey BBQ on top, cut up baby onions and spread throughout. If you leave the top over the chicken dish, the onions will tenderize just from the heat of the dish. I made sure cold water was awaiting in the refrigerator and then I ran off to work.

I arrived just in time to go to the police station with Attorney Moore regarding the case of the officer who stabbed a taxi driver in late May and then went to the hospital to beat the snuff-a-luf-a-gus out of Atty Moore's client. Interestingly enough, the client had to contact Atty Moore to inform her of the police "internal affairs" division's request for him to appear and testify before them. One thing I am noticing, is that just because a person has an attorney is no guarantee that the client's attorney will always be notified of critical proceedings. In this case, the police very well knew that the client was being represented, (this case has been all over the papers) yet they contacted the client directly. What if it was a client who was not as aware as this client that he had best ensure that his attorney was aware of what the police was asking of him? When Attorney Moore arrived, internal affairs attorneys were surprised to see her. She walked in the interrogation room with confidence and introduced me to everyone and then sat at the table, as to demonstrate full authority to be present and assist on her clients behalf. What an awesome woman!

Afterwards, we dropped the client off to his destination and then went to my house for lunch with another fellow American. Rashawn received her law degree from Ohio and is here in Dangriga, possibly with the interest of living here and practicing law. It was a pleasure to connect Atty Moore and Rashawn. They complimented me on the lunch and it was really just a wonderful time of fellowship with like-minded "legal" folks. We discussed the differences in our experiences in the states verses what we have experienced here. In addition, Atty Moore helped Rashawn understand the processes she will need to go through in order to practice law in Belize.

This encounter reminded me of the get-togethers I would hold at my home for friends and family. It also reminded me of how much I really love cooking and inviting folks to taste thereof. Once law and grad school is over, I look forward to hosting parties and holidays at my home for my friends and colleagues on a more frequent basis!

Flat Stanley; A View of the Sea-Side at Pelican Resort; Update on Sexual Assault Project

Jaminez and Flat Stanley. Isn't she just adorable?

Can you see the bird on the tree stub sticking out of the water? This area is just a few blocks from my house.

Youth play basketball by the seaside. RJ could give them some serious competition!

A view from the tropics looking from the bay of Pelican Resort in Dangriga. This photo was taken 3 June 2008. Notice the brown waters.....a result of Tropical Storm Arthur. The waters are beautifully blue now.

OK.....now let me update you on my project. The sexual assault unit in the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office proposal is going quite well. The goal is to get the national DPP's office to establish a separate unit within the prosecutor's office to prosecute nothing but sexual assault cases (rape, incest, indecent assault, carnal knowledge..etc).

Currently, I am waiting a response from the National Director of the Women's Dept (Icilda Humes) to inform us of a date that Attorney Moore, Ms. Michelle Irving, the National Gender-Based Violence Committee and myself can visit to discuss the projects' findings and possible advocacy strategy to the DPP (as a group) in hopefully, making the proposal reality in the near future.

While I await Director Humes' response, I am aggressively connecting with other organizations to obtain letters of support. We are to meet with the local Gender-Based Violence committee in Dangriga tomorrow to obtain their letter of support before we meet with the national heads. In addition, we have already received a letter of support from Men for Social Change in Dangriga. This organization is a small, yet important supporter. As women and girls are the predominant targets of sexual crimes and commercial sexual exploitation in Belize, having men who are reputable in the community support this effort really means a lot. Their support demonstrates that its not just these strong, socially active women (Moore & Irving) who are leading the movement, but the Men in the Dangrigan community are also throwing their support behind the proposal because they desire "to see an end to the sexual contamination and destruction of our children and sexual victimization of women."

Today, I reached out to Y.E.S. (Youth Enhancement Services). YES is a group based in Belize City that has been at the forefront of advocacy against the sexual commercial exploitation of girls. They are reviewing the proposal and will inform me soon of their ability to provide a letter of support. In addition, the Haven House is reviewing the proposal. Haven House is a battered women's shelter in Belize City.

I have been personally touched by this research and project. Having 2 young daughters under 10 years old, the stories I am hearing almost daily could literally bring tears to your eyes. But moreso, it makes me more determined to give the project a 100% effort. If a child is raped, it is the duty of a society to put in every measure to protect the most vulnerable from these vile predators. (No less effort should be undertaken for adult women)......some real case scenario's encountered.......identities withheld for obvious reasons:

SCENARIO I: A single mother turns the other way as Mr. X picks her 10 year old daughter up and takes her away for a few hours. This happens a couple of times a week. Each time the child returns, she has money to provide to mom. This is too frequent of an event....the only reasoning..."income is needed to supplement the household."

SCENARIO II: A married woman wants a divorce. Why? She's been with her husband since she was 15 (he was 19). She is now 34. He is now 38. They have 4 children. 2 are girls. They are now 18 and 13 years old. Dad, their biological father, molested the oldest starting at the age of 13 thru 16. Mom filed charges. The case got adjourned and adjourned and adjourned. When she went to court the 4th time, the case file(remember they are all hand-written here) is mysteriously lost. So since there's no file, there's no case unless mom wants to start all over. Exhausted and out of money, mom gives up on pressing charges. She takes him back. Then, to her horror, she finds out that Dad also had sex with the youngest from 5-8 years of age.

SCENARIO III: Headline in the Local Paper......"Brothers Walk Free as Sister Admits to Seducing Them!

In all these cases, the greatest hope would be that the prosecution would go after the male perpetrators and send a STRONG message to future perps that the behavior is not only legally unacceptable, but socially looked down upon, emotionally damaging and will simply not be tolerated. Because sexual assaults are a special kind of crime that takes away the human dignity and self-esteem/worth of the victim, it is important to have specially trained police officers, social workers, and prosecutors who are well versed in handling these type of cases.

This project has a long way to go before it comes to full fruition. However, we are on the right track though. More updates later.

"I Need a Worship Experience!" -- Notes from My Journal Dated Sunday, June 22, 2008

Meet Pastor Evans, Pastor of the Faith Assembly of God - Dangriga

Pastor Evans and Fellow Members demonstrating how to Christians should surround themselves with Believers and not Unbelievers.

My heart was just happy Sunday as I watched these children praise in dance with Youthful Praise!

The whole church got involved with the movements as the girls worship God in song....the song was "I'm Claiming my Promise"

Children enjoy the worship of the praise dancers. The music put one of the little boys to sleep. He looks very peaceful doesn't he? I truly enjoyed the opportunity to surround myself with Christian music and the Word of God.

Journal Entry, Sunday, June 22, 2008
One of the things I have learned while in professional and graduate studies is, Never Get So Busy with Obtaining Higher Degrees Until You Forget About God!! Today I attended the Faith Assembly of God Church in Dangriga. It was my second time attending a church service here. A couple of weeks ago, I was on my way home from the market and overheard a familiar song playing over loud speakers coming from a certain direction. The song was a gospel song entitled, “I Can’t Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand.” As this is a song that is sung often at my family’s home church, Faith Apostolic Church in Pine Bluff (A Big Shout Out to Pastor Moore & Family!), I was naturally drawn to it. As I got closer and closer, I realized that the music was coming from the Zion Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church. Having not been in a service for a few weeks, I walked in and sat on the back row to enjoy the beautiful singing coming from children, as that Saturday was their Youth Day Service. They went on to sing, “Jesus, There is Something About That Name”. I appreciated the friendly smiles and warm greetings from the church and left after staying for about an hour. It was already past 6:30p. I did not want to be walking on the streets after dark, especially since I still look pretty “touristy” to most Dangrigans.

Unlike my haphazardly stumbling upon Zion Temple, today, I woke up with the intention of going to Faith Assembly. Here in Dangriga, there are few churches. Most are Catholic, Anglican, Seventh Day or Assembly of God. I had passed by Faith Assembly many times on my way to market. I arrived a bit early and had an opportunity to meet and greet with members. The people of Dangriga are so friendly. Not just at church, but everywhere! So I expected to shake many hands at some point or the other. As church started, again I heard familiar songs that brought tears to my eyes as I bathe in just the opportunity to greet my higher power in familiar and new songs. “Look What the Lord Has Done” , “”I’m Claiming my Promise” , “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know” and “There’s Just Something About that Name” with great excitement coming from all over the church!

Praise dancers hurried onto the floor to dance before the Lord. The people seemed to praise Him with a higher praise than I have experienced in quite some time. Being the cry baby that I am, I couldn’t help but to praise God for giving me traveling mercies on my trip to and travels while in Belize, for giving me a “reasonable portion” of strength & health in my body, for making ways out of no way, opening doors, giving me peace of mind, blessing my children, husband and family to be healthy, spiritual beings who love God as well and for allowing me to have a somewhat sound mind….emphasis on “somewhat” (smile).

The message shared by Pastor Evans today was entitled Identity Crisis in the Body of Christ. He emphasized that we are dear children of God (Ephesian 5:1). He talked about how the enemy tries to attack our self worth, self being to turn us away from the fact that we are dear children of the most High God. If the enemy, he continued on to say, can make you think of all the ugly things in your life, and if all you focus on are your failures, then the enemy wins. He proclaimed that Christians should rise up, claim their promise in God and declare who they are in Christ….i.e…Child of God, Brand New Creature in Christ, Forgiven, Justified, Head not the Tail, A Winner not a Loser, etc…

“Love yourself the way you are. God made you in his own image. (Gen. 1:26, 27). Say to yourself, Self, I am Wonderfully made like my Father. (Ps 139:14) And therefore, I love myself just the way I am……But not to the point where I will allow myself to stop discovering the untapped gifts in God that are yet to be discovered in me.” I really thought that was well put. He was saying, never become so wonderful to your own self until there’s no room for improvement.

He stated that many times, we are hindered in moving forward because we fail to see who we are in Christ Jesus. “Get a Holy Ghost digital camera and take a picture of yourself. See that you are made in His Image….fearfully and wonderfully made.” Pastor Evans continued on….”I wonder if you were arrested today and taken to court for being a Christian, would you be found Guilty or Not Guilty.” He admonished attendees to Speak God’s Word over ourselves and to Encourage ourselves….in the Lord. And the only way to know God’s Word for our lives is to Read the Word. Needless to say, my little cup was just runnin' right over........

Meet my Mentor! Attorney Antoinette Moore

Attorney Antoinette Moore, Human Rights Lawyer, and Idonia Trotter, Law Student Intern. Belize City, Belize, Central America.

Attorney Moore is a New York native and Loyola University Law School (Chicago) Graduate. She is licensed to practice in Illinois and Belize, Central America. After marrying a Belizean in the states, they moved back to her husband's home community of Hopkins (15 miles from Dangriga) about 14 years ago where she has practiced law here ever since.

Police Brutality Ongoing Human Rights Pursuit for Moore
Her range of cases are broad, as she is the only attorney in Dangriga, Belize. A case in progress that I have had the opportunity to follow her on, concerns a Dangrigan police officer who alledgedly went into a hospital room to beat Attorney Moore's client around 1:30a.m. This, after the two got into a scuffle where the client was stabbed in the leg (that's why he was in the hospital). The thing that alarms Belizean's all over the country about this case is the brazen boldness of the police officer to think that he could enter a public hospital facility and beat a citizen/patient without repercussions. This case was the talk of the town when I arrived. People are waiting to see how it unfolds.

I have had the opportunity to see the passion Attorney Moore brings to the legal world in ensuring that human rights of all in society are adhered to and honored. An online article of the police brutality case can be found at http://www.channel5belize.com/archive_detail_story.php?story_id=20892.

Juvenile Life Sentences in Belize Challenged by Moore
Another ongoing human rights issue for Moore has been efforts to get the government of Belize to designate Life Sentences for juveniles as "cruel & unusual treatment." Here's an article from 2007 where she explains her stance on the issue. http://www.channel5belize.com/archive_detail_story.php?story_id=18408

Changes to Belizean Constitution Not Received Well; Recent Oil Find Prompts Heated Discussion by Citizens

Last night, I learned never to arrive at a government meeting on time. The meeting was scheduled for 6p at the Dangriga Town Hall, however, it did not start til 6:45p. The meeting was meant to be a "public consultation" on behalf of the government (required by law whenever any type of proposed change is to be made to the Belizean Constitution). Long before 7p this public consultation quickly turned into a "public confrontation". I attended for Attorney Moore as the petroleum issue could effect land rights vested currently in her clients, the indigenous Mayan community in the southern Toledo District of Belize.

A little background before going further: The PUP (People's United Party) governed Belize for the past 10 years. The UDP (United Democratic Party), in February 2008, won big over the PUP's on a message of "Change". People felt disenfranchised by the PUP's. They felt corruption had overtaken the PUP leaders and that a few leaders at the top were benefitting while the people suffered.

The newly-elected Ministers of the UDP Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Reps came to Dangriga to explain the proposed Constitutional changes. They hoped for good response. They were met by about 90 citizens who were wholly opposed to a major proposed change. In all, there were 22 changes being proposed. Only 1 was discussed (and with intensity) during the two and a half hours I stayed. Some of the changes being requested by the new goverment included;

• Enabling Senate to conduct public inquiries into mismanagment or corruption by govt
• Provide for the recall of elected reps before the expiry of their normal term in cases of corruption
• A three term limit for holders of the office of Prime Minister
• Include Belize Natl Coast Guard in the definition of 'security services'......and so on

However, in the middle of all these innocuous items was one that became the whole topic of the night....a provision to the Constitution that would vest ALL PROPERTY RIGHTS in PETROLEUM and MINERALS in the Government of Belize ALONE. The explanation given by the Ministers was that the proposed change is as clear as read....."All petroleum and minerals belong to the government, which in turn, the government is the people and therefore the people benefit. So you the people, not any one individual property owner, will profit." In the midst of this somewhat idealistic explanation, there were hard to ignore grunts and diplomatically held back murmurs that were not withheld when the microphone was finally opened for questioning.

In addition, that amendment also states that not only do land owners have no right to benefit from petroleums/minerals, but that no citizen can sue the government over any matter concerning petroleum or minerals. One of the ministers asked, "Can't we all agree that the petroleum and minerals found on Belizean land should be for the Government and People of Belize? If we all believe this, then why would we want to challenge it in court?"

I could be absolutely wrong, but I got a sense as the evening wore on that if a citizen/land owner disagreed with this passionate, patriotic argument the Ministers were trying (but failed) to make, the people would be considered "unpatriotic."

The government attorneys on hand tried to clarify as the crowd became more and more disenchanted. "Maybe it would be helpful for us to remember that the Petroleum Act of 2000 provides a 5% royalty to landowners on petroleum found. So there will be some compensation according to the Petroleum Act." A male audience member stood to respond, "Doesn't the Constitution trump any law that contravenes it?" The attorney hesitantly replied, "that is correct sir." The man said, "then if the Constitution says that ALL petroleum belongs ONLY to the government and that I can't sue over it, then wouldn't that clearly indicate that the Petroleum Act would be null & void." No follow-up response came from the Government attorneys.

The real argument made by the people last nite was "Equitable distribution of benefits for land owners derived from oil production." Although the discussion was heated, I saw democracy in progress! The people here are no longer willing to be complacent and just accept whatever party leaders tell them. They asked the hard questions. They did it with respect and dignity, although you could clearly tell they were heavily steamed. The thing that disappointed me was how the government leaders seemed to try to dictate to the audience how they should perceive the issue and demoralized dissenters by saying "Maybe you don't understand" or "there are people here tonight that are misinformed and will try to convince you against these proposals".

A female audience member stated, "how can you expect us to rubber stamp your proposal when you have attached 22 changes in one big Whop and did not provide enough time for the public to educate ourselves on how these changes will effect us individually or as a country. There was not even a notice in the paper about this meeting. We had to hear word of mouth." An elderly gentleman stood at the microphone to say that it was very presumptuous on the part of the new government to assume that such changes to the Constitution could be railroaded through. He admonished the Ministers that the people are the one's who put them in power and that the people would never forget and would remember it five years from now when elections roll back around.

As I dismissed myself from the meeting, a bystander said to another attendee outside of the hall looking in.....This party of "Change" is pulling the same tricks as the old government, and they've only been in office four months."

However, in defense (but not necessarily support) of the government ....if I may, after researching a bit....in 2006 commercial oil was first discovered in Belize in the Spanish Lookout village. This was an amazing discovery in light of the fact that oil drilling has been occurring for decades in Belize by all the big boy foreign oil companies with no significant finds. As the Constitution and laws are now, foreign companies and the landowners are profiting big time, while the govt only gets a small cut for its people. The governments argument, although not made as eloquently or convincingly as one could imagine, is that foreigners and one or two families should not be the sole profiteers of Belize's natural minerals and oils. In fact, "the people" of Belize should benefit rather than 2 or 3 individuals. The landowners argument is "fine, let the government gain the majority of the profit to better infrastructure, provide health care and education to all..etc......but don't cut landowners, who have cared for the land for years, out altogether. Atleast ensure that the 5% royalty remains."

Ruby Trotter Shines....I Need a Techy Person at ALL TIMES!

O.K., you guys get to see my cutey pie Ruby as she meets and greets Arkansas Senator Tracy Steele after making an amazing little speech in the Capitol Rotunda encouraging Arkansas lawmakers to strengthen the law that forbids anyone driving in a car from smoking around children 6 and under. Ruby was 7 at the time....she asked them to increase the age to protect "Big Kids like Me" from the public health dangers of secondhand smoke.

THIS EVENT WAS HELD IN JULY 2007! SO WHY AM I POSTING IT ALMOST A YEAR LATER......(smoke coming out of my nose and ears).......BECAUSE KARI MOGENSEN IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND IN BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA TO MAKE SURE THAT COMPUTER CHALLENGED POOR SOULS LIKE ME....... CAN FIND THE PICTURES THAT THEY HAVE SAVED FROM THEIR CAMERAS ONTO THEIR COMPUTER TO POST TO THEIR BLOGS.......(more smoke, steam and red shot eyes!!)

O.K......count to ten....no let's count to 100, while meditating in a crossed leg position and think of beautiful little daffodils all floating through the air around me and creating "pleasantries galore"

I have some really phenomenal pictures to post her of Flat Stanley's adventures (and friends....yes, he has a girlfriend now here in Belize), a Media Event at the Supreme Court held last week where Attorney Moore and Mayan community leaders won an injunction to halt activities on land declared traditional, indigenous Mayan lands here in Belize AND the Old Belize Museum. Just can't get the pictures to appear when I "Browse"!

On a more pleasant note, the Caribbean Ocean is amazing right now. Blue, cool and inviting! In addition, I was able to secure support from a men's group in Dangriga who are supportive of the Sexual Assault unit within the Director of Public Prosecutions office. I am meeting people that are truly committed to a better Belize for their children through this project. My goal is to obtain atleast 10 letters of support for our project before we make an important presentation to the Director of Public Prosecutions in early July.

OK......I gotta try to figure this stuff out. Kari will be so proud of me if I do......

Happy Father's Day ......Memories

Last night, I set my alarm clock for 7:00a.m. (8:00a.m. in Arkansas) for a special reason...to call my husband and step-father and just simply tell them how much I love them and how much they mean to me.

My husband:
Rodney Trotter, Sr., has been a wonderful, stabilizing force in my life and has provided my children with the best gift any child could ever ask for.....a real DAD! He's a teacher, mentor, consoler, nurturer, spiritual guide, and friend to the children. So pleasant was this morning just talking to him and letting him know how much I truly appreciate his faithfulness to the kids and me. He's a quiet giant with amazing insight. He is the reason I am able to be thousands of miles away from home without a worry or a care as to the children's safety and well-being. In his hands, they find strength. In his hands, they have purpose. In his hands, they laugh and play together. In his hands, they know where they can go for comfort and love without judgment. In his hands, we are secure. Thanks Trotter for all you do and for just being you!

My Stepfather:
Here's a guy who married my mom when I was 8 years old. Both he and my mom were in their early 40's when they got married. There were 5 of 8 children still at home when "Daddy Pete" (we affectionately call him) married my mom. His family thought he was crazy to take on so many children (especially in that he had no biological children of his own). But what they did not realize was that he loved us and we loved him too because he would dare love us first. He met my mom when she owned a restaurant on the "black side of town" (it was referred to in those days). Those were days when blacks traded with blacks (they had to)....well that was just the way it was back then. He would come in and see me and my brother running around the cafe while my mother tried to maintain control of us enough to keep her business running. At that time, I was only 5 or so and my brother was 6. After a while, my mom got to know Pete pretty well. He would stay at the cafe til close, just to make sure my mom was safe closing the shop and getting home with us. I remember when Pete asked my mom if he could help her by taking us to his house during the busy rush hours. Mom agreed. WOW...going to his house was always a treat! He bought my brother and I a bicycle and toys. He would sit out on the porch while we played in the front yard under the shade tree. He would take us for ice cream and never, ever violated our sense of being a child. All that before he even asked my mom for her hand in marraige. Daddy Pete is now 77 years old. In 2000, my mom transitioned to glory. But Daddy Pete still calls me "baby girl" (I'm the youngest of the 8). This morning, I had a chance to tell him how much I love him. I reminded him of how he was always there for us and how, although he was not my biological father, I could not have asked for a better DAD! He is a quiet giant with a heart of gold.

I am blessed beyond measure to have had and to still have MEN OF VALOR in my life. Courageous, brave, never wavering, always standing! My son has a great heritage to uphold. My Daddy Pete and Rodney are no millionaires. They never won a Nobel prize. They seek not attention or fame. They have no desire to make a mark on this world....other than raising God-fearing children of character and creating a home environment that's safe for their wives and children to live in. I am so blessed to have them both. Happy Father's Day to my men of distinction and to all those men who are representing likewise for their families.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL DADS!!

Especially to my Pine Bluff, Clinton School & Bowen School of Law Family of fathers.....!!