Ministry of Rural Transformation Intent on Improving Livelihoods in Rural Communities

While we caught up with Alfonso Putul and his family three years later, the purpose of our visit to the far-flung community of Machakilha on Friday was to attend the inauguration of the village’s solar and water systems. Oscar Requeña, the Minister of Rural Transformation, spoke about the transformative work that is taking place within the community. Here is what he told us.

Oscar Requena

Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation.

“Many times, Machakilha is considered the last village in the bush. But, that has changed today. Particularly because we have seen the hard work and collaboration of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing, as well as our Ministry of Rural Transformation to bring the road all the way to Machakilha. This is a wonderful accomplishment. For many years, the people in Machakilha were clamoring that they want a road. This project was started last year.  Unfortunately, due to the weather it wasn’t completed. I made a solemn commitment to the people of Machakilha that we were going to see this project through. Two weeks after the road was completed we saw three families buying their vehicles. They can now go to Punta Gorda if they need to go and conduct business. If they have an emergency to deal with in the community they can go to the hospital. It has just opened up the world to them and that is a wonderful experience. I am happy to be a part of this process and I will say to you that as a Ministry of Rural Transformation, we are committed to oversee, promote, and support the development of our rural spaces. When you talk rural development, you talk education, health, the economy, agriculture, the overall development of our country. Over fifty five percent of our country lives in rural areas, and they have to a great extent been abandoned and neglected. But, we are intent under plan Belize and the leadership of the Honorable John Briceño as our Prime Minister to turn that around to create an enabling environment where people will be able to improve their lives, live better to lives and contribute to the development of our country.”