Remains of BJ's Multipurpose Precious Metals Smelter

To produce jewelry from age 7 to the present, Samuel has tried to use the best. He had no where to turn after this fire as a new smelter and the many pieces of gear were not in BJ Institute's budget. Fire insurance money could not be called on. The furnace to the right is unusable. BJ Institute reached out for help. Contact with suppliers and fellow jewelers failed us. Though used new equipment gear sought none came. Luckily classes or workshops could be held in other buildings; they were prepared immediately.

Fire Destroyed the metals Smelter Lab providing Scholarships for the Disabled

This was the Belize-Guatemala institute first and only  fire. Benque Viejo Fire Department put out the fire, but US$80,000.00 worth of equipment used to creat Maya jewelry, rings, bracelets, trinkets, and gifts. The Institute's back up stock, building and specialized equipment was destroyed in 22 minutes. A furnace had been set to turn out an order class rings and trinkets needed by Mount Carmen High School graduating seniors from the area. In the quick fire a tank exploded as the ceiling and roof burned. BJ Institute was forced to proceed at a greatly reduced pace.

No scholarships could be given and new classes stopped. The Mennonites, the world's highest disability incidences, were the first to donate building materials.

Rebuilding BJ Institute 

After the set back, BJ Institute's founders had no choice. The original tools of the standard bearer that funded all the activities had to be grubbed from scratch. A principal building had to be reconstructed and the faculty had to get into a rebuilding mode too. Only with tenacious willpower can a small entity survive a massive blow like this.
 
As BJ's board members and Director look ahead, plans must exist for fire insurance and staffing that can fill in to address local and regional needs. Long range plans must be able to address the threats against BJs Director faced in Guatemala or disputes like those that have arisen along the border since the mid 90s. If an individual or group of small investors are to be able to proceed, safety and security issues must be addressed. Otherwise, the locals will remain under threat too. Human error may explain why this fire took place. But did it happen at the will of someone else or a higher power? Note again by glancing at each picture, the metals are fatigued. 

Lessons Learned from The Fire

Perhaps we cannot see the most important lessons for the time being. Just like the law of averages, families and communities break up or disintegrate under pressure for too long a period of time. Some of BJ's tools may be used again. But, if we look at the subject of this book - trauma and violence, Guatemalans have no tolerance when it comes to not being paid; to the need to take a long route when a short one will do; nor, do they accept a judiciary that says, "You must wait a bit!" They are impatient and unwilling to let matters slide when they believe they or their neighbors have been done wrong, no matter how slightly.

Crossing a Fine Line Between Having Control & Not Having It

 One always wants control over their work. .This burned control box and acetylene tank taken out of fire at about 500 degrees tell their own story. That no one was killed is a miracle.
 
On June 7, 2004, Belize's Fire Inspector Dennis Plummer declared the disaster a total loss. Considering the Institute has no insurance and it's students and beneficiaries can not benefit from it, the Institute asked that US jewelry manufacturers, jewelers and local businesses contact it so that its equipment could be replaced. Contributions of used equipment, out of the box replacement merchandise and other help specifically concerned with rebuilding the Institute continued to be accepted at press time.

Time to Take Responsibility for Wrongs

The US citizenry participated in the disintegration and break down of communities in this region, particularly in Guatemala. It is un-Christ like for our people to break bones and not help rebuild societies. If we do not help stabilize Central America, the US shall lose face because of it.

As One Complains They Compare Your Home to Theirs

Often US citizens find it easy to complain about all the US aid that is given. After the US went into Central America to remove unidentified real threats in the Reagan years, many Maya lost homes like this. 

Typical Indigenous Habitation

 For three decades the Maya were displaced in village after village. Scars from post traumatic shock tell us what many face now. The collage to the left speak clearly about the rebuilding efforts underway in Guatemala. Thanks to the United Nations monitors, a basis for restoring peace and prosperity may be on its way.

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