In the tight-knit St. Martin’s community of Belize, a beloved figure who has spent decades lifting up local residents through education and public service is now fighting for his life, prompting his family to reach out to the broader community for urgent financial support.
Sebastian Cayetano, a veteran educator whose career has touched the lives of thousands of young Belizeans, has been battling a progressive heart condition for five years. Initially diagnosed with an enlarged heart in 2021, his health took an unexpected and severe turn for the worse earlier this month. After being admitted to hospital for acute illness, additional diagnostic testing revealed that his kidneys are now failing, placing extra, dangerous strain on his already compromised heart.
What was meant to be a short hospital stay before returning home quickly shifted when his condition declined rapidly around 8 p.m. on the night of his admission, leaving the family scrambling to cover mounting medical costs.
Beyond his decades in the classroom, Cayetano has long been a cornerstone of cultural and civic life in Belize. He is a well-known advocate for the Garifuna community and has contributed countless hours of volunteer work to the Garifuna Museum, and his decades-long involvement with St. Martin’s Parish has cemented his reputation as a trusted and respected community leader.
With medical bills piling up far faster than the family can afford, Isani Cayetano, Sebastian’s son, says the family is turning to the many people whose lives his father touched over the years. A dedicated fundraising campaign has already been launched, and the family is open to receiving support in any form that community members are able to give.
“If there’s anything that we can do at this point in time to help him, it would be greatly appreciated,” Isani said in an interview. Members of the public who wish to contribute can reach Isani directly by phone at 670-7158, or make a financial donation to Sebastian Cayetano’s designated Belize Bank account, number 105440010170025.