Community and Society
San Pedro Lions Club joins the global membership campaign Mission 1.5
The San Pedro Lions Club has accepted a global challenge dubbed Mission 1.5, a drive to grow the membership to a minimum of 1.5 million Lion members worldwide by July 1, 2027. This new project, launched on July 11, 2023, aims to meet the growing needs of communities around the globe, and Lions look forward to serving more than a billion people annually.
Community and Society
Belize Receives Hurricane Lisa Relief Items from the Taiwanese Business Community
Belize received a significant donation of supplies pledged by the Taiwanese business community to support Hurricane Lisa relief efforts. Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Lisa in November 2022, the Embassy of Belize in the Republic of China (Taiwan) initiated the "We are Family: Help for Belize” fundraiser. The campaign mobilized support from 32 donors among Taiwan’s business community and private sector.
Community and Society
San Pedro’s Daniel Gregorio and his team BCG Net Zero wins 2023 BTB Love Belize Sea Challenge
With a total time of 37:25:26, team Belize Coast Guard (BCG) Net Zero, sponsored by Recinos Wine House and composed of James Alford and San Pedrano Daniel Gregorio, emerged as the top team in the Love Belize Sea Challenge kayak race. The race started in Punta Gorda Town, in the southern Toledo District, on August 22nd and ended in Corozal Town, northern Belize, on Sunday, August 27th. The challenge, which was postponed a few times, saw six teams taking 218 grueling miles in the six-day race. Organized by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and Love FM, the event saw teams competing in the male, female, and mixed categories, kayaking along the Belizean Caribbean coast.
Community and Society
Peace Corps Belize Hosts Swearing-In Ceremony for 5th Group of Response Volunteers
Peace Corps Belize swore in a group of six new Peace Corps Response Volunteers at a ceremony in Belmopan. For the next nine months, Response Volunteers will focus on transferring skills to 13 primary schools’ lower-division teachers, empowering them to offer small-group literacy intervention instruction to children reading below grade level. The short-term, high-impact program includes senior professionals and returned Peace Corps Volunteers with advanced degrees and specialized certifications.
Community and Society
State Department Program to Empower Women Entrepreneurs in Southside Belize City
The U.S. Embassy launched its inaugural Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program, a global U.S. State Department initiative focused on empowering women entrepreneurs. Through mentorship, education, and access to resources, the eight-week program will equip women with the skills and knowledge to establish and expand successful businesses.
Community and Society
Jesse Smith released: Peaceful protest held in downtown San Pedro
On Friday, August 25th, San Pedro tour guide Jesse Smith was released from the Kolbe Foundation- Belize Central Prison after being charged with Causing Death by Careless Conduct in a February boating accident that killed a teenage American visitor. One hour before the news of his release was shared, tour guides, tour operators, fishermen, family members, and friends came out in numbers to denounce the charges and demanded that the respective authorities like the Belize Port Authority (BPA) and Belize Tourism Board (BTB) do their job. Protesters spoke about the absence of proper signage, no distinctions of No Wake zones, no swimming areas, or navigational lights to guide vessels or swimmers.
Community and Society
NWC’s Social and Behaviour Communication Campaign reaches San Pedro
As per the Belize Crime Observatory, gender-based violence has been increasing since 2021 and remains a vital issue in the National Gender Policy, seeking to end acts of violence affecting women and girls. To further raise awareness on this issue, the National Women's Commission (NWC) is championing a move dubbed the Social and Behaviour Communication Campaign (SBCC) to spread the message of the need to change people's way of socializing and how they deal with differences. The campaign reached San Pedro Town on Thursday, August 24th, and presenters of the sensitization strategy engaged a group of island stakeholders at a session held at the Grand Caribe Resort, where vital information was shared.
Community and Society
San Pedro Police Cadets participate in beach clean-up campaign
The island cadets have actively participated in activities, from supporting community events to raising environmental awareness and safeguarding beaches. As a result, on Tuesday, August 22nd, the San Pedro Police Cadets, under the guidance of Corporals Adrian Flores, Marleni Coye, and Police Officer Harris Gabourel, started a beach clean-up campaign with the first activity in northern Ambergris Caye.