Karin
Westdyk is a former teacher, an environmental
journalist, editor, and activist. She has authored
many articles on environmental issues as well as
chapters in books about renewable energy. Karin has
lived in Belize since 2008 where she maintains a small
sustainable homestead with a focus on indigenous
plants and trees. She currently writes articles for
the Belize AgReport, a magazine with a strong voice
for regenerative agriculture, serves on the Board of
Directors of Pro-Organic Belize, facilitates a program
to help children stay in school and another to provide
solar energy for families with no electricity. In
2012, Karin published and illustrated her first
children‘s book titled Flidgywumper, where she
introduced the main character in this book. Her
inspiration comes from the 8 children she raised, her
10 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.
"I feel strongly that to give children hope - and we must - it is important to show them how to affect change. Make a plan and follow through.“
"I feel strongly that to give children hope - and we must - it is important to show them how to affect change. Make a plan and follow through.“
Katharina Pachta studied art and graphic
design in her native country Austria, working as a
design artist for several years before leaving a
successful job in exchange for a back pack and a
nomadic lifestyle. She has been exploring and
experiencing different cultures over the last few
years trekking throughout Europe, Central, and South
America, bringing and using her artistic talents with
her and finding nature to be her greatest inspiration.
While exploring the many cultures in the tiny country
of Belize, known for its incredible diversity and
pristine environment, she met Karin and eagerly chose
the opportunity to lend her talents to Flidgywumper
Saves the Seas, a children’s book project to promote
preservation, encourage protection of our natural
resources, and inspire action toward finding
solutions.
“This was a perfect project for me to be able to express my art in a meaningful way toward affirming my deep concern and respect for the natural world. I strongly believe in solutions and seek them wherever I find myself.”
“This was a perfect project for me to be able to express my art in a meaningful way toward affirming my deep concern and respect for the natural world. I strongly believe in solutions and seek them wherever I find myself.”