Community and Society

On Thursday, November 30th, San Pedro celebrated its 41st Township Day with a ceremony at Central Park beginning at 4:30PM. The event marked another milestone in the island’s evolution from a small fishing village to the vibrant destination it is today and included the unveiling of a renewed “San Pedro” sign, a symbol of local identity and pride. Community leaders, residents, and artists gathered to honor the town’s culture, history, and continued growth.

San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, has formally established sister-city relations with the Mexican municipality of San Mateo Atenco, located in the State of Mexico, west of Mexico City. The partnership was officially sealed during the Seminario Internacional de Innovación en los Gobiernos Locales (International Seminar on Innovation in Local Governments), held November 25th–26th. The seminar focused on strengthening cooperation among municipalities and ensuring that resources designated to combat violence against women reach local governments directly.

The grounds of the New Horizon Seventh Day Adventist Primary School in the DFC area received much-needed rehabilitation after recent floods left the schoolyard in poor condition. Local tour guide Oscar Iboy, in partnership with private-sector supporters, donated sand and gravel to fill and level the affected areas. The initiative aims not only to improve conditions at New Horizon but also to assist other schools affected by flooding from heavy rainfall.

The Government of Belize has introduced legislative reforms aimed at strengthening protections for survivors of domestic violence. On November 20, 2025, two significant amendments were tabled in Belmopan: The Justices of the Peace (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Together, these updates aim to provide faster, more accessible emergency protection, particularly during nights, weekends, holidays, and other periods when the courts are closed.

From November 20 to 22, 2025, a three-day training workshop for the Return to Happiness (RTH) Program took place at Sagebrush Community Church in San Pedro. Organized by UNICEF and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), the workshop aimed to provide community members with practical tools to help children recover from trauma caused by natural disasters and other distressing events.

On November 25th, San Pedro joined the national observance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with an official flag-raising ceremony at Central Park. The event, organized by the San Pedro Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Committee, highlights the island community’s commitment to raising awareness, strengthening prevention efforts, and supporting the national call to end all forms of violence across Belize.

San Pedro joined the national observance of World Children’s Day on November 20th with activities centered on this year’s theme, “My Day, My Rights.” Preschool and primary school students gathered at locations including Boca del Rio and the Ambergris Stadium for a day of organized events highlighting children’s rights, development, and well-being. San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS), together with other island schools, also hosted a lively parade to mark the occasion.

On Sunday, November 23rd, Saga Humane Society proudly inaugurated its new building on Sea Grape Drive in San Pedro Town, marking an important milestone in its 26-year mission to promote kindness and prevent animal cruelty. The celebration followed a busy and productive Saturday at the clinic, where the team completed several spay and neuter surgeries, handled emergencies, and continued progressing toward their annual goal of 1,500 procedures. Volunteers, supporters, and staff, including veterinarians Dr. Baptist and Dr. Heather, were recognized for their dedication, and the team also celebrated the birthday of clinic manager and vet tech Ingrid Lima. The grand opening event, held from 2PM to 5PM, welcomed community members who enjoyed tours of the new facility, an information booth, refreshments, and merchandise, including hats, t-shirts, and dog collars.