| News this quarter |
Whale sharks in Belize
‘My trip to Belize in September was a very last minute affair….I had a week’s annual leave left and was desperate to go diving,...
read more... |
Lionfish
The lionfish is the 2nd most collected fish for the aquarium trade after the Clownfish. During hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Pterios volitans lionfish was introduced to Key Biscayne, Florida when a beachside aquarium broke!
read more... |
Beach cleanups
ReefCI guests have been assisting other guests and staff on Hunting Caye with beach cleanup sessions.
read more... |
Prince and Eagleheart
ReefCI run a community development sponsorship program for young local youths to help them become PADI Dive Masters which is a good job in Belize.
read more... |
|
1st Quarter 2010
Prince and Eagleheart
ReefCI run a community development sponsorship program for young local youths to help them become PADI Dive Masters which is a good job in Belize. We have been running the program since 2005 and so far have passed 6 youths who have since become Dive Masters, Boat Captains, 1 joined the British Navy and 1 is working as a Dive Master for the Department of Fisheries in Belize.
ReefCI welcomes Prince Lionheart Hew (yes that is his real name!) and his brother Eagleheart (yes that is his real name too!!!) as our latest PADI Dive Master interns. Prince and Eagleheart were born in a Mayan village about 25 miles from Punta Gorda called San Pedro Colombia. They have 2 other brothers and 1 sister. Their Dad is from Jamaica and Mum is from the US, they met in Belize and have lived here for 20 years. Dad is an electrician and Mum with 5 children is a full time Mum and she also fits into her busy schedule some volunteer work for the local school. Here is a short interview between Polly (the founder of ReefCI) and Prince:
Polly – ‘what made you want to become a Dive Master?’
Prince – ‘I went to ITVET school about ecotourism for 1 year and part of the internship was with a local Dive Instructor, he showed me video’s, photos of the undersea world and told me how I could become a part of it, I felt that I really wanted to have a go and couldn’t wait to start!’
Polly- ‘so that is why your Mum approached me and asked if we could help. Your family seem to be pretty adventurous you brother Eagleheart (another common name!!!) has also trained to become a pilot, so did your parents encourage you?
Prince – ‘After I told them that I wanted to do it they encouraged me, they are very supportive of us’
Polly – ‘That is pretty cool for a 17 year old! You have been with us now for about 6 months and have passed your PADI Open Water course, PADI Advanced Open Water course and Rescue course. What have you enjoyed most about your time with ReefCI?’
Prince – ‘The diving especially the deep dives! I also love meeting lots of new people from different countries and hanging out with them at the weekends playing pool etc. I have learned so much about the fish and coral, I like the fact that I am not just learning to dive but I am also learning about the marine life and how we can help to protect it’
Polly – ‘So how about the girls????’
Prince – ‘I am too young to have a girlfriend, I am focusing on the diving and getting qualified so I can work as a Dive Master when I am 18, which is soon, April of this year’
Polly – ‘Is there a particular dive or experience that stands out?’
Prince-‘Swimming with Whale Sharks was incredible and on my first confined dive for Open Water I saw a Nurse Shark, also I love diving the Stadium and NE Wall because they are deep and because I love diving the wall’
Polly – ‘So, what would you say to potential other Dive Master candidates to sum up your experience so far’
Prince – ‘I would say to come and do this, it’s a wonderful experience, you get to meet lots of interesting people (and beautiful girls!!!!) when you get a job as a Dive Master the money is good in Belize and I know that it will be hard work but that’s fine because will also be lots of fun’
|
