Community and Society

San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School (SPRCS) held its annual Christmas Variety Show on Saturday, December 6th, filling the Rafael Angel Nuñez Auditorium at San Pedro High School with music, dances, and holiday storytelling. Parents, students, teachers, and community members gathered from 4PM onward to enjoy 29 performances from Infant One to Standard Six.

San Pedro High School held its annual Founders Day assembly on Friday, December 5th, at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. The programme featured a series of presentations, including drama, poetry, and dances, and highlighted key individuals who helped establish the high school in 1971.

San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, officially ushered in the Christmas season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 6th. The anticipated celebration featured Christmas carols, singing, and dances, and drew families, locals, and visitors who also enjoyed a mini fair with refreshments and food at Central Park.

The San Mateo Community Outreach, a public information event aimed at connecting residents with support services during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, was held on Thursday, December 4th, at the Gas and Go compound at the entrance to the San Mateo area in San Pedro Town. Running from 9AM to 2PM, the activity brought together the Family Support and Gender Affairs Department, the Ministry of Health and Wellness community health workers, the San Pedro Community Police, and the Community Rehabilitation Department to share information on assistance available to island residents, particularly families, survivors of violence, and at-risk youth.

On Wednesday, December 3rd, the Special Olympics Belize Torch was hosted in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The torch has been making its way across the country and was brought to the island by the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) team. The event is held in anticipation of the Special Olympic Games scheduled to begin on Friday, December 5th, in Corozal Town. The mission of the LETR is to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement held every year in Belize.

As 2025 ends, two of Ambergris Caye’s most essential animal-welfare organizations, SAGA Humane Society and ACES Wildlife Rescue, are appealing to the community for support through their annual fundraising initiatives. Both nonprofits play crucial roles in maintaining the island’s health, safety, and environmental balance, yet neither receives government funding. Their year-end campaigns aim to secure the resources needed to continue operations into the new year.

As the year ends, Hope Haven Children’s Home and Empowerment Center continues its efforts to benefit children and the island community, while also empowering young girls and women. The organization has received recognition from several partners, and with their support, it has sustained its operations. Donations remain crucial to their work, and one of the latest fundraisers took place during the recent Thanksgiving celebrations. The 7th annual Turkey Trot charity event was a great success, with all proceeds going to Hope Haven.

The San Pedro Town Council continues its road rehabilitation project, now focusing on the northern roads of Ambergris Caye. With two graders and two rollers in operation, the work targets damaged sections from just past Belizean Shores to Secret Beach and beyond toward Sapphire Beach. Operations Manager Alex Eck, who oversees the project, outlined progress during an interview on December 2nd, noting repairs that include filling potholes with rock material from Blue Dolphin and Las Terrazas to Journey’s End and El Guapo, with plans to finish upgrades toward the port and extend improvements to South Road. The timely efforts aim to address road deterioration before the peak tourist season and ensure smoother travel along the island’s northern corridor.