Short distances, big differences

Different strokes for different folks could well describe our experiences today.  Visiting a sugar cane factory and the surrounding villages, as well as an orthodox Mennonite community, showed us unusual diversity in living conditions and cultures within a short distance.

Day 5 began by bidding farewell to San Ignacio, and heading north to Orange Walk. We spent the morning at the Belize Sugar Industries Limited – the country’s sole sugar processing plant - where we received an extensive tour from guide David Guerra, learning the ins and outs of the production process. What struck us jost during the tour was how closely tied these workers were to each other. For example, sugar cane farmers harvest all their cane by hand within a six-month period, creating a dependence on others to reach deadlines in the harvest.  Once cut, the sugar cane must be processed within three days to maintain high sugar content and quality. Quota systems ensure each district can only produce the set amount of cane allotted.

In the plant, the sugar-making process begins. The challenge is to extract as much of the sucrose-rich juice from the cane as possible, and then to send the fibrous remains called bagasse - which acts as fuel – to the boiler.  This is an extensive process, but within one day the cane will become sugar through many refining steps we saw. The sugar cane industry is driven mainly by Belizeans. Few foreigners want to join this highly work-intensive industry. The sugar industry and the Orthodox Mennonites were co-dependent for labour and services, but the cultural and social differences were extreme.

Driving through the sugar industry villages, we were greeted by smiles and salutations from individuals clearly living in challenging conditions. The Mennonite community was more prosperous; we saw healthy cattle grazing and beautiful crops of grain sorghum growing in the lush fields.  But when we stopped at a local general store, we found their demeanor quite different from the sugar community - rather than being greeted with smiles, people kept to themselves and were wary of our presence there.

It was eye opening to see two communities living side by side, which held such different characteristics and cultural values, and communicated with each other only when necessary.  Throughout this trip the diversity of cultures in Belize has been evident, but jost so today.

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