Rowen Garel – A Belizean Hero and Inspiration

What did you do today? Yesterday? Last week?  Whatever it is I did, it seems like nothing compared to what Rowen Garel has done in the last two years.   Rowen Garel is a 14 year old Belizean force to be acknowledged.  Born in blind, Rowen has decided to do some pretty extraordinary things in his short life.

In March 2011, the extraordinary then 12 year old determine he wanted to raise funds for the Belize Council for the Visually Imparied (BCVI), so he did what any kid would do – he decided to climb to the top of Victoria Peak.   At 3,675 feet, Victoria Peak is the second highest mountain in Belize.  It took Rowen 3 days to climb the mountain accompanied by his father.

But, then i suppose that wasnt enough for Rowen. So, in July 2012, at the age of 14, he decided to “Walk Across Belize”.  It was a 92 mile journey that took him just over 4 days.

Well, nearly a year has gone by since he last proved i was a lazy, useless lump.  And I suppose Rowen was bored again, so he’s planning his next fundraising and awareness effort – he is going to dive the Great Blue Hole on July 14, 2013.  The Great Blue hole is one of the more amazing spots on planet earth, and is a favorite of scuba divers who come from all over the world to experience it.  At 984 feet across, and 401 feet deep, it’s a monster of a sink hole, and was made famous by the one and only Jacques Cousteau.

Pretty awesome kid.  Pretty Awesome cause.

You can still donate to Rowan’s cause by visiting The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired.