If you hear a story about a Belizean-American and a large plot of land, it's usually based on a family or private dispute.
But that's not the case with Belizean-American Telma Coyoc Jenkins, who donated 17 acres of roadside land in Bullet Tree to the people of San Ignacio and Santa Elena.
The property-reported to be valued at 2 million dollars-will be used for a new town cemetery.
At the small handing-over ceremony today, the mayor spoke about how this donation will help them address the lack of grave plots and space needed for the town, since the Santa Rita Cemetery is becoming increasingly full.
Earl Trapp, Mayor of San Ignacio, Santa Elena
"A cemetery has been one of the biggest demands for many years now, and when I became mayor in 2015, Santa Rita was already filled to capacity. And that was a promise that I promised the people-that I would work for a land for a cemetery. And I tried through the government, I tried privately, but it was very expensive. And when we as a council came in and unanimously decided that yes, we can purchase a land and we will use so much of our revenues, then the guy had already sold the land."
"So I met Ms. Coyoc about two and a half years ago when she said, 'Alright, what we can do is we can... let me determine what we will do.' But one year later she called and said, 'Mayor, we are ready. I decided that I will donate this property to the council for a cemetery.' And that is when we decided that yes, we will go through with it. And she said six months ago that she will be here in June. Thank God she came, and today we are here making this a reality for San Ignacio and Santa Elena."
Telma Coyoc Jenkins, Land Donor
"I am very honored to be a part of a group of people that I know have been working hard for the town and everything that we need. And I have been hearing very good words about your leadership and everything that goes on in your office, and so I am proud to be a part of what you are doing today. However, it is a humble offer, it is a humble thank you to the town of San Ignacio, because my father and my mother had 20 children, so they ate up lots of things here."
"20 children-I think there is only 9 of us alive. But the donor, my husband Darrell Jenkins, was the counsel at the embassy 1981-83, and he uprooted me, and so now I was left with the money and I bought this land from somebody. Unfortunately the land-to give you a bit of history, the land was owned by my brother, my oldest brother, Beto. He did all the papers and everything right before he passed away, and that is how the land came into my hands so you all have a history of it. The real owners... maybe a street could be named for Alberto Coyoc rather than Telma."
