by Charles Gladden

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Dec. 15, 2022

A group of students and faculty members from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, which is one of the top-ranking HBCUs (historically black college/university) in the United States, visited the compound of Kremandala while on a 10-day educational trip to learn how journalism is done in Belize.

Morehouse College caters to primarily black male students and, since its inception in 1867, numerous internationally renowned figures have graduated from the institution, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Spike Lee, and Samuel L. Jackson.

During their visit to the Kremandala compound, the students also visited the UEF Library of African and Indian Studies, where they briefly told UEF chairperson, YaYa Marin Coleman, about the purpose of their trip.

“We’re here to learn, educate ourselves on Belize, and for sure have a good time,” one student said. “I didn’t know there was such a wide mix of different people from different backgrounds and different places, and the food is the reflection, and that’s my favorite part,” another remarked.

The Morehouse College Study Tour of Belize was spearheaded by Jerry Enriquez, who noted that the tour is designed to expose students to Belize’s history and development, particularly focusing on issues that impact Afro-descendants and indigenous peoples. During the students’ visit to Kremandala, they were educated on the history of the Black empowerment movement in Belize, and the role of the media, as well.

After their stop at Kremandala, the group visited the National Sports Council to learn about the role of sports in Belize’s development. The group will also be visiting Bermudian Landing to learn about rural Creole life and culture, the Gulisi museum in Dangriga and Hopkins Village to learn about Garifuna culture, Nuuk Cheil Maya Center, Spanish Lookout, the University of Belize, Xunantunich, Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods, Shark Ray Alley, and Caye Caulker.