Kenrick — A Conversation with Kenrick Mark Coleman Features John Arana
The Kenrick Mark Coleman Foundation
Kenrick — A Conversation with Kenrick Mark Coleman Features John Arana
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is John Milton Arana, son of Frank and Esther Arana. I am a father, husband, brother, cousin and friend. I am Belizean. I am Garifuna. I was born in San Ignacio and grew up in Belmopan. I attended Belmopan Comprehensive School. I am an Architect with a Master’s degree in Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism. I currently work as Project Director for the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project.
2. You are currently a Project Architect and part-time subsistence farmer. What do you believe is important in these your roles?
The Project Architect turns aspirations of the client into reality. This involves design, planning and construction management with some of the objectives being structural integrity, functionality, beauty and achieving the best returns on client’s investments. Architecture is a broad field which involves design of spaces for people: Houses, Hospitals, Schools, Offices, Houses, Airport, Parks, Churches and Hotels. Architecture and construction contributes by making our lives more comfortable.
My late father was an Agricultural Extension officer and taught us many things about agriculture and instilled in us a love of Agriculture and a love of the land, so on most weekends we go to Bonanza Farm where we engage in maintenance, planting and reaping of various crops. It is important to plant what you eat and eat what you plant. Recently limes were selling a $1 each while a lime tree cost $10; At this price it is worth the while to plant 10 or 20 lime trees. Around Christmas time the price of sweet pepper rivals the price of meat making it worthwhile to plant some sweet pepper in October to be able to harvest Christmas time.
3. Tell us more about your tenure at the various universities you attended? (academics, scholarship, networking, extracurricular, universities, countries) What were the experiences like?
That is a long story. After high school I studied in Cuba (Spanish and Civil Construction Technician), Panama (Bachelor of Architecture), Thailand (Masters in Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism). These three opportunities came about as the result of scholarships coupled with family support.
Cuba in the early 90’s was going through what they call the “special period” which was a period of challenge for that country and we witnessed the difficulties but also the resilience of the Cuban people. In Panama, the quality of life was excellent. I attended the University of Panama. Panama has a great sporting tradition featuring the legendary boxer Roberto Duran and the Yankees closing pitcher Mariano Rivera. The carnival is a very significant event on the Panamanian Calendar. I still maintain contact with many of my friends from Panama although more than fifteen has passed since I was in Panama. I attended Silpakon University in Thailand which is located close to Grand Palace. Thailand is similar in size to Mexico, has a population of 80 million people with a long history. There is much to see Ayuttaya, Krabi beach, Patthaya and Chiang Mai. Bangkok is a metropolitan city with a population of 15 million people with a great nightlife. Some of the plants and animals found in Thailand are different to those found in Belize. These include: Elephants, Great Hornbill Bird and Gaur which is a bovine. The experiences were memorable. They say association brings assimilation so besides being Belizean, I carry a bit of Cuba, Panama and Thailand along with me wherever I go.
4. You are involved in project management for many years now. Why is project management important in Belize? Can you share a story of your portfolio this far (projects, national development contributions, success)?
One of the development tools used in Belize by the International Financial Instructions (IDB, EU, CDB and World Bank) are projects. In projects the objectives, components and deliverables are defined and a Project Unit usually executes the components within a specified time. The volume of finance being expended on projects and the results being achieved makes projects an important part of the national development of Belize. Under the MTBCAAS Project, works were executed at Lamanai, Altun Ha, Nohoch Che En, ATM Cave, Xunantunich, Lubaabtun, Nim Li Punit and Blue Creek Cave. The MTBCAAS project included improvements at various archeological sites around Belize notably the completion of the Altun Ha Visitor Center, Construction of an access to Cave 4 at Nohoch Che En and The Lubbantun Stairway and Vendor Stalls. Other civil works I was involved in over the years include: Livestock Producers Market in Belmopan, Construction of Mexican Embassy Belmopan, Banquitas Park Orange Walk, 4 H Basketball Court, Upgrading of Coronation Park in Benque and the completion of Port Loyola Library in Belize City.
5. You also mentioned about your involvement in architectural heritage management. Tell us more about this area? (importance, projects, challenges, opportunities) How would you encourage Belizean citizens to uphold pride for our heritage?
Heritage is anything we wish to pass on to future generations. Examples of these in Belize are: the Mayan Temples, the Barrier Reef and the Great Blue Hole, the Garifuna Language, St John’s Cathedral, and the Supreme Court Building. Heritage helps us to understand who we are and where we come from. I am currently working on the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project which involves Yarborough Green Area, Government House, St John’s Cathedral and Supreme Court. There are many financial, legal and technical challenges involved in Project Management and each project component is unique but successful completion of a project is very rewarding, especially seeing visitors utilize and appreciate the improvements which are the results of the projects.
I would encourage Belizeans to find out more about their heritage! Visit Half Moon Caye, ATM Cave, Chiquibul National Park, Museum of Belize, Belize Zoo, Luba Garifuna Cultural Museum, learn to speak your native language (I must take my own advice on this one), utilize your cultural attire, plant your cassava, taste the berry wine, and eat cashew nut on the banks of the lagoon in Crooked Tree. Through these avenues, your appreciation for what you have will grow and you will not hesitate to preserve and protect what is yours.
6. Do you read books? What important books have you read, which you would highly recommend? Have you written important articles on heritage or project management?
Yes, of course. I have read some good books. My Father Frank B. Arana wrote some books and used to write a weekly article in the Amandala “It used to be that”. I would recommend reading: “The rise and fall of the Black Caribs” — I.A. Earle Kirby, “Unlimited Power”- Anthony Robbins, “Rainforest Remedies — One Hundred healing herbs of Belize” — Rosita Arvigo and Michael Balick and “Maya Atlas: The struggle to preserve Maya Land in Southern Belize”. I have not started writing yet. However, as academic requirement I have written a thesis related to the design of the Panamanian Embassy in Belmopan and a Site Diagnostic of Khao Yai National Park in Thailand, copies of which have been put on record at the Belize Archives and Records Service in Belmopan.
7. Can you share a little story of your life as a subsistence farmer (plants, crops, farming concepts, experiences, best moments, et al)? Why should more Belizeans get involved in farming and agricultural practices?
On my return from Thailand 2007, I began taking the collection of seeds and plants in earnest using the general concept of a Noah’s Arc of Plants. So far, we have collected about 80 different species of plants, notable among them are: Mangosteen, Pomegranate, Cassava, Soursop, Breadfruit, Coconut, Vanilla, Lemon Grass, Culantro, Tangelo, Zericote, Stevia, Roselle, Coco Plum, Tumeric, Nampie, Suriname Cherry and Cinnamon.
We are currently trying to determine which crops are viable from an economic perspective to increase production of those. Some of the issues affecting farmers are: condition of roads, cost of inputs, limited agricultural extension services, and limited access to markets. Farming is important because it covers one of the fundamentals of life, food. Currently, many herbicides and pesticides are used in the production of food which in turn causes many of the illnesses we are suffering from. We must utilize more sustainable agricultural practices. Let thy food be thy medicine. If agriculture is the game, seed is the ball, — keep your eye on the ball.
8. In one of my recent articles, I stated: ‘It is important to realize that majority of Belize’s younger populations continue to be very mediocre as it relates to becoming holistically educated and cultured, personally and professionally.’ What’s your perspective on this? What is your personal definition of discipline?
We wish to see more decisions based on merit. Merit is generally viewed as a combination of factors which include ability, hard work, having the right attitude, character and integrity. We must recognize and encourage those among us striving for excellence.
There is a lot to be done. For example:
Make taxi cabs look like taxi cabs.
Implement a functional ticketing system for the public transportation system instead of having chaos at the bus terminals.
Encourage a cashew cannery in Crooked Tree.
Questions:
Is it wise to have 300 people graduate with degrees in Business Administration?
Is it wise to import canned and powered coconut milk with the abundance of coconut we have in Belize?
Can Belizeans learn to make powdered coconut milk, Peanut butter, canned cashew and ceramic cups comparable to the imports?
I do not have a personal definition of discipline but found quotes from Zig Ziglar that I like: “It is Character that got us out of bed…commitment that moved us into action…and discipline that enabled us to follow through” and “without discipline it is nearly impossible to be successful”.
9. What are ten important things you learnt in life, this far?
Will share ten helpful one-liners:
Frank Arana: “Keep an open mind but not open enough for people to put rubbish into it”
Frank Arana: “Rolling stone gathers no moss but a stone that stays stationary gets covered with mud”
“Love thy neighbor as thyself”
“You reap what you sow”
“Life is short”
Frank Arana “It takes hot water for tea to show its true character”
“He who feels it knows it”
“Gratitude and happiness go together”
“If you cannot find it within you will not without”
“Think globally act locally”
10. What words of advice do you have for young Belizeans?
I encourage respect for your parents. I can share this African proverb “When the children are cutting a tree in the forest, it is the parents who know in which direction the tree is going to land”
I can tell them what my brother Francis Jr. told me. Four important tools needed to achieve goals are: Willingness, Ability, Initiative and “Finishative”.
For those seeking scholarships in other countries, it is important to be bilingual as there are many scholarships to Spanish speaking countries including Mexico, Panama, Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
I would encourage the youth to participate in the national development of Belize. Stay in school, do your best, apply for a scholarship, plant a tree, read a book and exercise your democratic right to vote. Less talking more action. Less television/tablets/phones and more books. Be more productive. There are many lessons we can learn from our Mennonite brothers about: Frugality, Discipline, Self-sufficiency, Land Ownership, Land use, Appropriate Technology, Productivity, Unity, Leadership and Strategy.
I would like to congratulate all the 2018 graduates on their achievements.
I will close with a message from Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery” because “None but ourselves can free our minds”
