Frequently asked questions

Required documents
Do I need a visum to work at the Cornerstone Foundation?
Do I need Travel Health Insurance to work at the Cornerstone Foundation?

The Cornerstone Experience
What can I expect my experience to be like?
What type of volunteer is successful at Cornerstone?
What is the philosophy behind Cornerstone?
Is it possible to get class credit?
How long do people stay at Cornerstone?
How many volunteers are there at a time?
How many people are in the two week programs?
How many people are needed for community linking projects?
How old are the people who come to Cornerstone?
Can I contact someone who is currently at Cornerstone?
Is there reading that two week participants should do?
How will I be oriented?
How much free time will I have?
What is the working language?
Can I take time to travel around Belize while I'm there?

Resources
What program resources will there be for volunteers?
What office resources will there be for volunteers?
Will there be documentation for me to refer to?
Will it be expensive for me to call home?
Can I use the internet?
Can I learn Spanish while I'm at Cornerstone?

Directions to Cornerstone
Where is Cornerstone?
How do I get there from the Airport?
How do I get there on a bus from Mexico?
How do I get there on a bus from Guatemala?
What if I cannot arrive at Cornerstone before 4 pm?
What phone number will I need?

Housing
Where will I be living?
How about food?
What should I pack?

Health & Safety
Do I need Travel Health Insurance to work at the Cornerstone Foundation?
Are shots necessary to enter Belize?
Do I need to worry about malaria?
Can I get refills for prescription drugs?
If I wear contact lenses, what should I be aware of?
Are there any concerns about safety?

Money Matters
What is the exchange rate?
What currencies are accepted?
What costs should I be prepared for?
How much will I spend?
How can I be sure I bring enough money?
Can I earn money?
More questions?

Required documents

Those from the European Union (if new to the union please verify with the British High Commission), and North America enter Belize with only a passport and receive a 30 day tourist visa stamp in their passport at customs. This may change at any time, so it's wise to check with the Belize Consulate or the British High Commission before planning your trip. After volunteers begin their work, Cornerstone assists them in obtaining a volunteer visa (free) that extends their time in the country. This is standard procedure. The regulations of the volunteer visa hold the sponsoring organization (Cornerstone) responsible for your actions, and this has implications for some Cornerstone policies. Western Europeans and North Americans who want to stay in Belize more than 30 days after their time with Cornerstone may do so by paying $25.00 US to immigration which allows them to stay in the country another 30 days. Those coming from elsewhere should check with the British High Commission for visa requirements (meeting visa requirements are the responsibility of the volunteer and must be met prior to arriving in Belize). This is required to volunteer at Cornerstone and it is required to participate in our two week programs and linking projects. Your insurance must include:

1. emergency medical evacuation, and
2. at least $15,000 in advance payment to a hospital if needed to secure your admission to the hospital as the result of an injury or sickness.

You can purchase insurance for as little as $50 to $300. STA Insurance is an option open to you that meets Cornerstone's requirements. Your insurance papers must be presented during orientation.

The Cornerstone Experience

The best experiences are the ones we don't expect. Unless you have been here before doing something similar, there is no useful frame of reference. Expect to be physically challenged by heat, mosquitoes, dust, foot transportation, different food. Expect to be socially challenged by adjusting to new people from your own culture (other volunteers and participants) as well as developing comfort with characteristically Belizean behaviors. Expect to be intellectually challenged by the need to identify what you want to get from your experience then to make it happen. There's not only one successful type. Volunteers may be outgoing or quiet, creatively gifted or practical. They may be students receiving credit for what they do here, people taking a career break, those shifting gears between school and work or different occupations, or simply people on a mission of service. What they have in common, however, is the ability to schedule their own time; to think and act independently; to work alone; and to consider differences without assigning arbitrary values like "good" and "bad." From the personal to the universal, Cornerstone works to build connections and promote peace. We support cooperative, constructive relationships: individual, organizational, cultural, and environmental. We help local people and organizations to help each other by exchanging resources and services and supporting each other's dreams. We believe that every community member has strengths and talents to contribute, and that by working together we can collectively improve our lives. We encourage creativity. By empowering individuals to express themselves and by embracing rich cultural traditions, we support the flowering of our country's great creative potential. We nurture our connection with the earth, support organic gardening, and show respect for the earth by conserving and recycling, using renewable resources in our programs, and educating our community about the value of our environment. Yes, although it's up to you and not Cornerstone to arrange this with your educational institution. If someone from your school needs to contact our office they can write to volunteer@cornerstonefoundationbelize.org. It may be easier to negotiate credit for your Belize experience after you return to school rather than before you come. Prepare for this while you're here: keep a journal of your activities, write all required papers (for the two week programs), and develop a folder of Cornerstone materials to take back with you. Documenting your experience well while you're here can translate into credits later. Once your school has accepted your internship at Cornerstone (whether before your arrival or after you return), send your school's paperwork (agreement, terms, evaluation, etc.) to fill out. The range is from one week with our community linking projects, two weeks for our cultural learning programs (Natural Healing and HIV/AIDS Outreach), one month or more for office volunteers, and three or more months as a program volunteer. There could be anywhere from one to fifteen. While you are here, you may be the only one actively engaged in the area you have chosen, and your work colleagues will be people in the community. There may be from one to ten people at any given time. Natural Healing Program is primarily educational, but includes some outreach activities if less than three people are scheduled to participate. Special arrangements may be made for organizations or universities wishing to enroll more than ten participants. The concept of linking is broader than an individual. It encompasses connecting communities together and establishing long term relationships. Several people working together for this cause are more likely to make a bigger difference or to create a stronger bond than just one. Projects involving building or community service require the capacity of a minimum of six people. Groups are also ideal for professional networking, however, there is no minimum requirement. Most tend to be college students or recent graduates, with a sprinkling of assorted other ages. Our oldest volunteer was 70. The Development Consultant is a grandmother and some of our long term resident volunteers are retirees. Recent high school graduates who are at least 18 are sometimes accepted. Organized and chaperoned community linking groups under the age of 18 are considered. Volunteers that are younger than 21 need to be outgoing, organized, and self-confident. If you are older than 30 you need to be flexible, young at heart, and open minded. Most of those who come to Cornerstone are from North America and the European Union, but people from other parts of the world also come to work with us. Upon request and whenever possible Cornerstone will put you in touch with others participating in the same program as you have applied for. Natural Healing participants are encouraged to read the book titled Rainforest Home Remedies by Rosita Arvigo and Nadine Epstein, copyright 2001. This book credits some of the natural healers you will be working with. AIDS Education two week participants should print the AIDS Manual you will receive via email and bring it with you. If you do not receive the manual within a week after your application is accepted, please find it on the Program Resource page. Good preparatory reading for the cultural experience is a book published by Cubola Productions called Memories, Dreams and Nightmares, a short story anthology by Belizean women writers. Another is Women of Belize, Gender and Change in Central America by Irma McClaurin, published by Rutgers University Press. Program participants might want to read either of two books written by Patch Adams. Both House Calls and Gesundheit! reflect the principles of Cornerstone Foundation. For program volunteers, your time begins with about a week of observing and getting used to the slower pace of life in Belize. You'll be meeting people, getting familiar with how Cornerstone works, learning your way around the town, and doing background reading about your chosen program. Office volunteers spend a couple of days assessing their work area, but their is little adjustment needed prior to jumping right in and getting busy. Two week participants, because of the more structured nature of their experience, have a one day orientation. And those participating in a one week community linking project, will have a brief orientation the morning after you arrivel. Program and office volunteers determine their own schedule, including their free time, with the understanding that they spend at least 30 hours a week on constructive service activities. That allows for some sight-seeing on weekends during your volunteer stay. Two week participants have a quite full schedule, but have most nights free plus other intermittent down time. Those participating in community link projects should allow for a flexible schedule with some downtime possible. You'll get along just fine with English. It is also good, but not at all necessary, if you know Spanish since it is the first language of many Belizeans. This is totally up to you. It would be a shame not to enjoy other parts of our beautiful country, but your travel time must be planned around your volunteer commitment.

All volunteers and participants enter the country under a 30-day tourist visa. Before the tourist visa expires, Cornerstone assists volunteers who will be with us for more than a month to obtain a volunteer visa and we also assist longer term volunteers in getting an extension if needed.

Under Belize regulations governing the volunteer visa, Cornerstone is responsible for you and your actions. This is why any traveling you want to do in Belize should take place before your work with Cornerstone begins or after it is completed. If for some reason you feel you need an exception and need to be temporarily excused from your commitment to provide 30 hours of volunteer service per week, then this has to be made clear when you submit your application. Any other requests for time off due to emergencies (illness/death in the family, family visiting from abroad) must be made in writing as soon as possible to the CEO/General Manager for approval.

You will still be able to enjoy weekend travel during your volunteer service time, and you are welcome to travel prior to or after you complete your volunteer service time.

Resources

If you don't expect much, you won't be disappointed. Many supplies you may take for granted at home are not even available in Belize. And even when they are, they cost more than Cornerstone can afford. And in still other cases, it would not be appropriate to buy supplies that people in our community would consider extravagant or unnecessary. We urge you to bring program resources with you. For example: If you think you might be teaching a computer class, bring any computer manuals you can get your hands on. If you'll be working with youth, bring activity books, paint brushes, markers, crayons, stencils, games, craft materials. You get the picture. Anything, even discards from your home or office can be wonderfully useful. If you have one, bring a laptop and a flash drive. You'll be glad you did when there are more staff and volunteers needing to use the computers than we have computers. You might also search the web before you come for possible funding sources for your program, including grants, corporate donors, and supportive organizations or individuals. In short, be prepared for very limited resources, and rely on creativity and imagination rather than material things. This is our way. Supplies in Belize are limited, costly, and hard to come by. Sometimes ink cartridges for printers cannot be found in the entire country. Equipment may not be as efficient as you are accustomed to. And sometimes there are more people wanting to use the computers than there are computers. Patience is a must. But having said all this, the office has computers, a printer, and a copier (most of the time). We have a list of program needs you might want to consider. As a grassroots organization without government support, we always need printer ink, blank cds, pens, tape, kitchen supplies. In fact, there's very little we can't make good use of. So fill the corners of your luggage with anything you can. The office has plentiful materials in the form of books, pamphlets, workshop outlines, training materials, reports of other volunteers, etc. These are always available to you. Topics include literacy and ESL, environment, business and accounting, women's issues, gender equality, family development, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, children's rights, life skills, disabilities, human rights, health, and much more. There are a fair amount of documents available online, as well, on the Program Resource page. There are international plans which your family can subscribe to that make communication affordable. Check with your current phone service provider to see what they offer. The only phone card usable from Belize must be purchased here. It works for overseas calls and the charges are relatively inexpensive. Your personal long distance phone calls must be made collect or with this phone card. NO EXCEPTIONS. Yes. We have an internet connection available, but there is limited usage for personal use. There are a number of internet cafes close by, which may be an easier option. Yes. For two week participants, Spanish lessons are included if you want them. For volunteers, the highly qualified Spanish teacher would welcome you as well, although you would have to pay her for your classes.

Directions to Cornerstone

Cornerstone is in San Ignacio Town, 11 miles from the Guatemalan border and 80 miles from the Caribbean. About 32,000 of Belize's 280,000 people live in San Ignacio and surrounding areas. Two rivers, ancient Maya sites, spectacular caves and rain forests are within reach. Philip Goldson International Airport, just north of Belize City, is approximately 90 miles from Cornerstone, and a direct drive takes about 2 hours. Volunteers and those coming to participate in a community linking project can arrange for an airport shuttle. If the shuttle is not running, here's the other option. Take a taxi from the airport to the westbound bus exchange in Belize City where there is bus service about every half hour to San Ignacio. The bus to San Ignacio usually has a sign in the window that says "Benque" or it can say "Melchor". The bus stops for about ten minutes in Belmopan - don't get off. It then continues to San Ignacio, where you do get off. The bus can take up to three hours. Although the distance from where the bus stops to the housing facility is not far, volunteers will probably prefer to take a taxi rather than carry luggage through unfamiliar streets to 90 Burns Avenue, across from St. Andrew's Primary School. Taxis are located near where the bus stops, and any driver will know how to take you. The office is downstairs and accommodations are upstairs. Two week participants should follow instructions sent by email shortly before their arrival (up to $30 US is reimbursed by Cornerstone for transportation from the airport to Cornerstone for two week participants only). You will leave Mexico at Chetumal and enter Belize at Corozal, getting off the bus twice for the two custom offices. The bus continues south to Belize City where you get off and ask for the bus to San Ignacio. The bus to San Ignacio usually has a sign in the window that says "Benque" or "Melchor". It will stop for about ten minutes in Belmopan first. Stay on the bus. Then it will stop in San Ignacio where you do get off. Take a taxi to Cornerstone Foundation's Office and Housing Facility at 90 Burns Avenue, across from St. Andrew's Primary School. The office is downstairs and accommodations are upstairs. The bus time from Belize City to San Ignacio can be as long as three hours, depending on the number of local stops it makes. You will get off the bus only once to go through both custom offices right after the Guatemala border town of Melchor de Mencos. Once in Belize, you will take a taxi to the bus station in Benque Veijo del Carmen. Then take a bus to San Ignacio, about ten miles away. The San Ignacio bus usually has a sign in the window that says Belize or Belize City. Once you get off the bus in San Ignacio, take a taxi to 90 Burns Avenue, across the street from St. Andrew's Primary School. The office is downstairs and accommodations are upstairs. If your flight arrives in the afternoon, or if you get on a slow bus, or if there is any other reason why you cannot arrive at Cornerstone before 4 pm on your scheduled arrival date, please notify the Cornerstone office by email in advance at volunteer@cornerstonefoundationbelize.org or by phone the day of your arrival at 501-678-9909. If you need to spend the night in Belize City, the Seaside Guesthouse at 3 Prince Street has an affordable bunk room with accommodations under $20US. Seaside's contact information is seasidebelize@btl.net or 501-227-8339. If you need to spend the night in San Ignacio the Venus Hotel on Burns Avenue is located in the center of town. Ask for a single room with a shared bath for under $20US. Venus' contact information is emorfing@btl.net and 501-824-3203. Keep our phone number on you when you travel, and give it to your family before you leave. The number is +501-678-9909. Before dialing the number from a country outside of Belize, you must dial your country's code followed by the number above. Check your phone book or with an operator to learn your country code.

Housing

The volunteer (for anyone staying two weeks or longer) housing is conveniently located a few blocks from downtown, just a short walk to shops and necessities. It has roughly made bunk beds and may house up to thirteen people, thin foam mattresses, and thin walls between the bedrooms. Each bedroom sleeps two to four people and the kitchen, living room, and bathroom are shared. At night you might hear the sounds of dogs barking, roosters crowing, and the noises of the neighborhood. The house is sometimes a hub of activity, and at other times very quiet. Couples (married or common law residing together) and families are housed separately. If flight availability makes it necessary for two week participants to arrive a day before their program begins, there is no charge for the additional pre-program accommodations. If they would like to stay on in the Cornerstone facility for a day or two after their program ends, this must be requested as early as possible. The staff needs to check if that space will be available, and there will be a $10 US charge for each additional night once the program has ended.

Those participating in Community Linking projects secure their own accommodations. Midas Resort and Casa Blanca Guest House are two options within a ten minute walk of the Cornerstone office. Cornerstone provides a typical Belizean cooked lunch on weekdays. A vegetarian option is always available. Volunteers and two week program participants will use the kitchen to prepare other meals with what you buy at local groceries, and may also choose to sample local restaurants. It's important to know that you'll be living and eating much like a Belizean, not like a tourist.

If you're here for two weeks Cornerstone provides a very simple packed lunch on days when you're out-of-town on program excursions. It's very basic, and is chosen to meet your needs in jungle or garden, hot or cool weather, rain or shine. Water in Belize is treated and safe to drink, but bottled water is also available in all stores.

• Lightweight Cotton Clothing (dresses, skirts, casual pants, shorts, t-shirts, casual shirts and blouses). You'll be representing Cornerstone in a professional capacity, so clothing needs to cover your midsection and shoulders out of respect for local sensitivities.
• Sweater or Sweatshirt (more than one in November through January)
• Socks (extra pairs if you'll be hiking a lot)
• Tennis Shoes or Hiking Shoes
• Sandals or Teva-type Water Sandals
• Swim Suit
• Umbrella or Poncho (umbrellas provide protection from rain and sun)
• Mosquito Repellent
• Personal Toiletries (available here, but brand names are limited)
• Extra Glasses or Contacts
• TwoTowels
• Passport
• Backpack (necessary for Natural Healing participants)
• Journal
• USB flash drive
• Laptop Computer (very useful but not necessary)
• Flash Light (necessary)
• Light Weight Sleeping Bag (advised for Natural Healing participants)
• Compact Bedroll or Air Mattress (optional)
• Easy-to-carry Program and Office Supplies and Resource Materials

Volunteers may sometimes attend professional meetings and should have long pants, a dress, or skirt for these occasions. At all times, volunteers represent the organization and it is important to dress in a simple but professional manner. Natural Healing participants should bring a good size backpack and long pants and extra socks for hiking. Volunteers who have a laptop computer will probably be glad to have it with them. If you are from North America or the European Union, bring your driver's license. It is good here and Cornerstone does have regular food and other runs that may need your driving support. If you are going to telephone people back home, you will need to purchase a BTL calling card after you arrive in the country (the others do not work) or call collect. Because material resources are limited, volunteers are encouraged to bring with them any supplies they might want to have available for their program work. Bedding is provided, but be sure to bring a couple of towels.

Health & Safety

This is required to volunteer at Cornerstone and it is required to participate in our two week programs and linking projects. Your insurance must include:

1. emergency medical evacuation, and
2. at least $15,000 in advance payment to a hospital if needed to secure your admission to the hospital as the result of an injury or sickness.

You can purchase insurance for as little as $50 to $300. STA Insurance is an option open to you that meets Cornerstone's requirements. Your insurance papers must be presented during orientation. No Malaria is occasionally contracted, but treatment is readily accessible and free. Preventive anti-malaria pills are available at no cost. The types of malaria present in Belize are curable by taking pills for two weeks, and symptoms rarely last longer than three days after someone starts taking the pills. Your physician may recommend taking the anti-malaria pills. Bring all necessary prescription drugs for the duration of your stay as they may be difficult to obtain. Most OTC drugs are readily available at pharmacies. Other pharmacy items such as contact lens solution and feminine supplies are available but expensive. Bacteria, ameobas and fungi are plentiful in the tropics. Sometimes irreparable damage can be caused to the eye of a contact wearer. Please consider these options:

• Buy a contact lens solution to bring from home. Use lens solution with peroxide in it (for soft contacts.) Two recommended brands are Aosept and Clear Care. Talk to your doctor about what solution is best for you.
• Make sure that you bring an up-to-date pair of glasses with you, in case anything should happen to your lenses.
• Bring a copy of your eye glass prescription, also. These numbers are recognized in Belize and will be useful in case anything happens to your glasses.
• Consider switching to daily disposable contact lenses, if you haven’t already. These will allow you to throw your lenses away each night without needing to clean or store them.
• Bring a spare contact lens case with you, for carrying on the road.
• Buy antibiotic hand liquid to carry with you.

San Ignacio is a friendly, safe town, and Cornerstone is in a nice neighborhood. You can feel comfortable here. Belize as a whole is peaceful, and its reliance on tourism dollars creates a healthy and safe environment for travelers. At the same time, you need to use common sense. Don't wear costly-looking jewelry or display anything of great value, don't walk alone at night, and don't invite people into the Cornerstone housing facilities.

Money Matters

All references to money on the website are in US dollars. $2 Belize is the equivalent of $1 US. You can use US cash and American Express travelers checks in US dollars at virtually all stores and restaurants. VISA and M/C will work at the Belize Bank ATM. Cornerstone cannot cash personal checks, so plan ahead to ensure you will have access to cash when you need it. Cornerstone accepts Visa and Mastercard, and some businesses also accept credit cards. Before you leave home, let your bank know that you will be traveling abroad in order to avoid a security lock, an inconvenience that could keep you from using your card until you contact your bank and authorize charges from Central America. Outside of your contribution to Cornerstone, volunteers and community linking participants pay for their transport from and to the airport (about $35 US each way by shuttle or bus). Transport to and from the airport is provided by Cornerstone for two week participants. Everyone has to pay the airport departure fee of $40 US (included in the cost of most plane tickets now).

Community Linking volunteers provide their own accommodations. Two facilities that are close walking distance to Cornerstone are Midas Resort (http://www.midasbelize.com) and Blanca's Guesthouse (http://www.casablancaguesthouse.com), at approximately $20 US per night per person at double occupancy. Community Linking Volunteers can anticiapate spending about $200 on meals and accommodations for the week.

Volunteers for three months or more may have occasional transportation costs to program sites if your work takes you to outlying villages, and you will have more flexibility and choices if you come prepared for the possibility of having to pay for some of the transport costs ($25 should be sufficient to provide you with this additional flexibility).

Volunteers staying onsite can anticipate spending approximately $15 to $30 US per week for breakfast, supper and weekend groceries. This is based on typical items eaten for breakfast or supper here, such as oats, eggs, custard, corn flakes, bananas, oranges, bread, tortillas, beans, rice, pasta, chicken, carrots, cucumbers, cabbage. Expect a limited selection and a monotonous diet. If you want to eat out a lot at Belizean style restaurants and fast food shops, double the amount of money you bring for food. And if you want to frequent tourist restaurants, bring three or four times the amount for food.

Include some funds for extras. It is highly unlikely that you will never want to eat out or buy a drink or go to a special activity or get a souvenir to take home, so plan for this in advance. Otherwise food money will get spent on extras and in the end there will be no money for groceries.

To give you an idea about prices (all in US $): Buses cost from 50 cents for local travel to $20 which will get you just about anywhere on the main roads in the country; taxis charge $1 to $20 (familiar routes have set fares); soft drinks are 50 cents; beer $1.25, rum drinks $1.50, night club entries range from free to $8; restaurant meals from $2 to $8; tubing $10; canoeing $18; ancient Mayan sites $5, butterfly farms $5, tours $20 to $100. There's no way to give an accurate answer that will be true for everybody. If you are a spender by nature, you will find plenty of ways to spend money here. Consider how often you like to eat out, go where tourists go, buy souvenirs, etc., and plan accordingly. Make a budget: $X for food, $X for extras, $X for transport and travel, etc. Know in advance what amount you have decided to spend on what, and then spend wisely and consciously according to your budget. Definitely not. This is not an option. To earn money in Belize requires a work permit, costing hundreds of dollars and you must first have been in the country for a minimum of six months without having worked. Please write volunteer@cornerstonefoundationbelize.org if you think of more questions, and we'll be happy to answer them.