Building for Retirement in Belize: How a Primary School Dropout Conned a Multiple-Degree College Client!

Ms. Gloria Swift had a wonderful idea: work with her siblings to build an incredible new life in Belize. They would develop the family's property into a multipurpose homestead: a family home, an enrichment center for preschool through high school, an educational center for sewing, and a Culinary Arts Academy. In addition, a parcel of land would be cultivated with native fruits and served as an educational tourist attraction. Construction was a nightmare. There are electrical shortages, plumbing issues, leaking roofs, sinking foundation, and windows and doors that will not close properly, to name a few deficiencies. For the past four years, correcting these deficiencies has been on-going and costly, with no end in sight. Demolishing the family home is being considered.Ms. Swift authored Building for Retirement in Belize: How a Primary School Dropout Conned a Multiple-Degree College Client! for anyone planning on working remotely with contractors in Belize. She hopes that the mistakes she made will not be repeated.