The Gulisi Museum in Dangriga on the verge of a major upgrade to its infrastructure paid for in part by a 25-thousand-dollar donation from the Belize Natural Energy's Charitable Trust.
The Museum is run by the National Garifuna Council, and its purpose is to teach visitors, both Belizeans and tourists alike, about the Garifuna culture, and to preserve its rich heritage in Belize.
The Council's executive members tell us that the Museum has been in a run-down state for some time now, but through partnership with the Council, the BNE Charitable Trust, and the National Institute for Culture and History (NICH), it will be refurbished.
These 3 partners held a ceremony today to observe the official signing of a memorandum of understanding among them. 7News attended, and here's what the officials had to say about the donation and this budding partnership:
John August Jr. - Chairman, BNE Charitable Trust
"The BNE Charitable Trust has responded to the request of the National Institute for Culture and History, and the National Garifuna Council and has decided to provide financial assistance in the amount of $25,000 for the refurbishing and upgrading of the Gulisi Museum in Dangriga Town. I would like to commend this very important initiative of NICH, and the National Garifuna Council, which aims to enhance the visitor experience at the Gulisi Museum. Some may ask, why do we seek to upgrade a museum. A museum is not only a place to store art collections, nor to display the past, but rather to enlighten the public, residents, and visitors about our past, present, and our place in the world."
Sapna Budhrani - President of NICH
"We started this journey a year ago, or a year and a half ago, with a visit to the Gulisi Museum, where Gulisi requested, can we get some kind assistance with renovation. I told Ms. Miranda, let's have some patience and figure this out together. Let's not rush it. Today, we're here with the good news from the Belize Natural Energy Trust, with the funding of $25,000."
Sandra Miranda - President, National Garifuna Council
"If you have been to the museum, you'll see that it is in dire need of restoration. So, this grant and contribution from BNE Charitable Trust is a big help to us. The pictures are all faded. You see the colors change. Some of the writings and the pictures that we have, you have to really look closely to see what it was. And for a museum, and to tell the story, you need to have everything looking good."
Reporter
"Does this particular grant assist with the entire cost of the restoration of the museum?"
Sandra Miranda
"It does not cover the entire sum. There are0 certain things that the National Garifuna Council will have to provide from its own funds."
As you heard, the National Garifuna Council will also have to find additional funds to cover part of the infrastructural upgrades to the museum.
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