A BELIZEAN PHILANTROPIST—GIVING BACK
I Myrtle Cacho Palacio—May 2022
In his own way, Cornelius Patrick Cacho is a philanthropist. On May 12th 2022 at the young age of 95, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the Florida Gulf Coast University. Along with his wife of 57 years, the late Laura Noguera Cacho, they have contributed time and money to educational institutions in their home community in Florida. Since establishing the scholarship fund at the Florida Gulf Coast University, some 44 students have been assisted and 23 have graduated.
Belize has also benefitted greatly: the UWI Open Campus, The University of Belize, Methodist High School in Belmopan, Methodist Church and schools in Belize City, COVID Food Program, donated the land and funded the building of the Ignacia Cacho Library in Dangriga and financial contributions to the erection of a second floor to the existing building., and more…The financial and social impact are HUGE, and from a family who came from very humble beginnings in Belize. This is a piece of his story which starts with his wife Laura at his side—their hardships, joys, and successes, effected the giving back.
Our father Cornelius Patrick was born to Lorenzo and Ignacia Castillo Cacho in Belize. He grew up in Belize City on King Street, in the Methodist Church and School system to
which he has given much credit. He attended St. Michaels College and after graduating in 1942, like most black folks, he gravitated towards the Public Service where he started working as a Messenger. On July 23, 1950 he married Laura Luisa Noguera, and started a long life of partnership for 57 years, until her passing in April 2007.
He took correspondence courses in the ACPA from England. He was successful and was one of two qualified accountants in Belize. He was awarded a scholarship to the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and graduated with Upper Class honours in Economics. On his return home, he was promoted as Assistance Secretary to the Member for Natural Resources. There he assisted in negotiating the conditions for the arrival of the Mennonites to Belize. Later, he started the Planning Unit and recruited three more persons to his team, including “Chappa” Fuller. The Unit was charged with economic intelligence.
With Laura at his side, he returned to LSE to read a Masters degree in International Trade. Then went to the World Bank for a seven-months fellowship in Management of International Institutions. On his return back to Belize he was promoted to the post of Economic Secretary and Head of the Planning Unit with direct responsibility to the Prime Minister, Rt Hon George Price. He was central to the 1961 Hurricane Hattie recovery with responsibility for the South. He also contributed in the planning of the move to Georgetown and the selection of Belmopan.
In 1965, he resigned from the Public Service and along with Laura and their young children moved to Trinidad and Tobago as Bursar to the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. In 1969, he moved on to the World Bank in Washington DC, where he remained until his retirement nearly 30 years later. At the Bank his various posts ranged from Economist to Operations Officer, dealing with development Banks and economic planning. He was World Bank representative to Somalia for over four years, then resident Agricultural Development Officer to Zambia; as well as missions dealing with East African Development Bank.
On his retirement from the World Bank, Pat and Laura moved to Florida where they started their contributions in an effort to give back to community and country. After the passing of Laura, he married his present wife Leonie. Pat Cacho has five children, eight grand-children, and three great grand-children, with a fourth very much on the way.