In June of 2000, with the purchase of the 70x250ft. lot in the village of Placencia, Las Amigas Belize became a reality. Plans to build a duplex were started and the 8x12 septic was built in February of 2001 with plans to start the building project that summer. The building of the duplex was postponed to the fall when we would return to start the foundation. Hurricane Iris hit Placencia on October 8th, 2001 wiping out most of the village. Las Amigas septic, the only structure completed, was set askew but suffered no structural damage. This repair was minor compared to the damage suffered by many in the village.

The shock of seeing the village (even though the internet had provided pictures of the damage) for the first time was overwhelming. We set about the process of cleaning up our small portion of the village and repairing the septic. Plans were also changed. We would now build two small stucco cabañas instead of the duplex. A storage shed would be built on top of the existing septic that would also have a toilet and shower. We would design and oversee the projects which would begin in May of 2002.