Community | Bluefields Bay

Bluefields Bay Community Development

Bluefields Bay consists of a number of districts and communities surrounding the bay, some located on the water, others located in the steep hillsides. Most of the names of these districts come from plantations that existed during the colonial era.

Bluefields Community

Belmont
Belvedere
Bluefields Proper
Brighton
Farm
McAlpine
Mount Edgecomb
Mount Airy
Retirement
Robin's River

Auldayr Community

Auldayr
Mearnsville

Cave Community

Cave
Cave Mountain

Kentucky Community

Kentucky

Community Organizations in Bluefields Bay

There are many community organizations in the area to get involved with. These organizations are committed to the growth and development of Bluefields Bay and the protection of its environment and culture.

Bluefields Peoples Community Association (BPCA)

Mission:
To promote the development of the Bluefields community using the four pillars: Food for all, Jobs for all, Education for all, and Protection of resources (human, cultural, historical, and natural).

Past Projects:

Training programs in sewing, childcare, dressmaking, and early childhood education
A horticultural nursery
A pepper farm
A community radio station
A computer lab and computer literacy program
Sponsorship of Bluefields Basic School
Anti-litter and recycling projects

Bluefields Peoples Community Association

Bluefields Community Development Committee (BCDC)

Mission:
To foster communication and collaboration among community-based organizations and promote community-based solutions to local problems.

Bluefields Bay Fishermen's Friendly Society (BBFFS)

Mission:
Bluefields Bay Fishermen’s Friendly Society (BBFFS) seeks to educate its members in sustainable fishing practices and develop employment alternatives that will enhance the quality of life and preserve the natural environment of Bluefields. Responsible for the policing and management of the Bluefields Bay Fish Sanctuary.

Past Projects:

Training in entrepreneurship, first aid, and water safety
Environmental displays at the annual Denbigh Agricultural Fair
A marine conference and boat race
Licensing of local fishers
Leasing of fishing beaches and gear sheds
Construction of buoys to mark the boundary of the fish sanctuary
Construction and maintenance of the Belmont fishing dock
Monitoring and protection of turtle nesting sites
Coral gardening

Bluefields Bay Fishermen's Friendly Society

Westmoreland Organic Farmers Association (WOFA)

Mission:
To promote sustainable organic farming, improve livelihood opportunities for its members, and contribute to community development

Past Projects:

Aquaponics facility
Drip irrigation demonstration plot
Value-added products such as jams, honey, liquors, and beer
Apiculture training
Belmont market development

Westmoreland Organic Farmer's Association

Bluefields Villas Foundation

Mission:
To protect the natural environment of the villages constituting the coastline of the Bluefields Bay, as well as to protect the aquatic life of the Bay itself. This organization also seeks to contribute to the health, welfare and well-being of the region’s residents.

Past Projects:

Financial support for the Bluefields Basic School
Financial support for the marine sanctuary
Replacement of pit latrines with flush toilets at the Mearnsville Primary and Infant School
Paving of a road to the Bluefields Basic School
Funding for a sea turtle protection program
Funding for a weekly removal of litter on the roadside of the main highway

Bluefields Villas Foundation

Education

Education is very important to the people of Bluefields Bay.

Bluefields Bay Basic School

Serving up to 60 students, ages 3 to 5, Bluefields Basic School prepares them for primary school. This school was founded in 1952 by Francis Weddeburn and is now a community school, sponsored by the Bluefields Bay Fishermen’s Friendly Society, under the direction of Principal Joy Baker. Bluefields Basic School is solar powered and has a rainwater catchment system installed. The state of the art building was provided by Food for the Poor and completed in 2013.

Mearnsville Infant & Primary School

This school was originally established by the Wesleyan Methodist Church located next to it. The current building was completed in 1963.The school principally serves students from the districts of Cave, Auldayr, and Belmont.

Belmont Academy

Belmont Academy is a public secondary school located in Belmont, Westmoreland that serves the Bluefields community. It was built on the foundation of the former Bluefields All-age School and opened in 2009. The Academy was the first public secondary institution established under the government's "Centres of Excellence Scheme" to upgrade public education. These centers have the highest academic standards and focus on the sciences and services. Belmont Academy has quickly become one of the highest ranked secondary schools in the country, challenging private schools that are over a century older.