Belize

A cycle of poverty and deforestation exists especially among the small farmers of Mayan and Central American origin in rural areas of the Cayo and Southern districts. It is estimated that more than 70% of the land cultivated by small or subsistence farmers is ecologically fragile. The economy is constrained in its growth possibilities by the small size of the local market, vulnerability to external forces, shortage of qualified manpower and limited energy resources. Belize has a young population, 48.3 per cent of the overall population is under 18 years of age. Belize continues to experience a high level of youth crime and violence. There is also an increase in the number of children in institutions.

Poverty has come about during the last 20 years in Belize, mostly in the port town of Belize City. Poverty we define in Belize, as possible actual starvation and lack of rudimentary facilities for good health.

Belize is a parliamentary democracy with a constitution enacted in 1981 upon independence from the United Kingdom. In 2003, there were reports of killings in disputed circumstances by law enforcement officers.

Several people were reportedly ill-treated by police. Prison conditions were reported to have improved, although an official oversight mechanism had yet to be set up. Six people remained on death row. The last execution in Belize took place in 1985.

The first case of AIDS in Belize was diagnosed in 1986. Since then HIV/AIDS has reflected an increased trend over the past decade. Today, Belize has the highest rate of HIV infection per capita in Central America, but it is important to note that Belize’s entire population is less than 300,000 people. A total of 330 new HIV infections were identified in 2001. Figures at the end of 2003 showed a cumulative total of 3500 persons infected with the virus, while less than 200 have died as a result of the disease.

Unlike other Central American areas, there is very low risk of water-borne diseases, and no recent major epidemic has been reported.

Belize boasts 93% of its land under forest covers, the largest coral reef in the western hemisphere (second only to Australia's) , the largest cave system in Central America, over 500 species of birds, thousands of Mayan temples and archaeological sites and the only jaguar reserve in the world. With only 8, 867 square miles and 250,000 people, the population density is the lowest in the Central American region and one of the lowest in the world.

Although the Belizean government recognizes the importance of its natural resources such as the coral reef and rainforest, there are still problems such as deforestation, linked mainly to inappropriate land management, inadequate sanitation and waste disposal facilities, and contamination and degradation of water resources. The main cause of forest degradation is the rapid expansion of agriculture, both commercial and small farming, that is leading to a conversion of forest lands often not good for cultivation.

While the greatest menace to the reefs are effluents from sugar and citrus processing, run-off of fertilizers and pesticides and, to a lesser degree, untreated sewage from urban centres. Removal of coral, picking orchids in forest reserves, spear fishing, and overnight camping in any public area (including forest reserves) are prohibited. Approximately 21% of Belize's total land area is protected.

In 2001, 5 of 125 species of mammals were endangered. Of 356 breeding bird species, one is threatened.

The adult literacy rate is 77%, and 99% of children enroll in primary school. Of government spending, 18% goes to education. Although there is a public school system in Belize, there are still substantial costs involved in sending a child to primary school, and especially to high school.

While the education itself is "free", parents are required to pay for compulsory uniforms, books and supplies, and annual registration fees. The average size of a family is eleven children in villages and five children in towns, so the price for an entire family's education can be overwhelming. Often, families do not have the income to provide all their children with even a primary school education, let alone a more expensive high school education.

Based on the data collected by the Ministry of Education on literacy rates, the large disparity found between basic literacy and functional literacy is directly reflective of the performance of the public education system. Educators believe that the Primary School System is not delivering appropriately. Suggested causes of school system failures in the area of literacy are that there is not enough emphasis placed on daily oral English, and not enough class time is dedicated to reading. Educators are in the process of making literacy of top priority in primary school curriculum, and implementing literacy and ESL classes across all districts in order to address this prevalent issue.

BelizeCommunity Service Alliance - It is the mission of the Belize Community Service Alliance,a non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian NGO, to provide a wide range of educational, health, nutritional, environmental, disability awareness, and community building services without cost to the rural villages of Belize and their inhabitants.

Cayo Animal Protection Society - an organization which strives to promote animal welfare in the Cayo District of Belize, Cental America. Objectives include: to build a shelter to house stray and unwanted animals until suitable homes are found; to provide subsidized medical treatment and euthenasia if needed for strays and affordable spaying or neutering, vaccination and parasite treatment; to promote responsible pet ownership and humane animal treatment through educationalefforts and community presentations.

Cornerstone Foundation of Belize - You are invited to a personally rewarding 2-week to 6-month experience with a grassroots, humanitarian organization dedicated to respect for self, culture, and environment. You can: teach literacy or ESL, support domestic violence victims, operate a food program for needy children and elders, join in community action against HIV/AIDS, create empowering opportunities for women and children, promote environmental awareness, produce publications, and more.

Hand in Hand Ministries Outreach Center: Our mission at the Hand in Hand Ministries Outreach Center (HHMOC) is to give special care and attention to stablizing and empowering children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. Our holistic approach includes caring for the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs of these individuals. In addition, we partner with other organizations in Belize to empower people living with HIV/AIDS, promote quality care and support, spread awareness to the outside community, and fight discrimination.

HIV/AIDS Education & Prevention - Conduct numerous workshops for young people and adults about high-risk behaviors, testing, and treatment; train community members to care for AIDS patients; create high-impact visual aids to raise community awareness and to decrease discrimination; and develop community wide responses to meet the needs of children affected by HIV.

Kolbe Foundation ( swiarj@hotmail.com ) a non-profit organization running the only prison in Belize, Central America. The Kolbe Foundation’s aim is to provide a secure humane facility geared towards meaningful rehabilitation of its inmates.

Medicine Trail Research Center - Medicine Trail Research Center operates short-term volunteer holidays. Our Expeditions are Volunteer Vacations where you can assist on Research or Conservation projects in the rainforest, the Caribbean, or with Missionary projects helping the Mayan Indians of Belize and Central America.

ProWorld Service Corps - ProWorld’s mission is to promote social and economic development, empower communities, and cultivate educated compassionate global citizens. ProWorld offers internship, semester abroad, and group volunteer projects in Peru, Belize and Mexico.

Volunteers for Peace - VFP offers over 2400 affordable short-term voluntary service projects in 90 different countries. These programs are an opportunity to complete meaningful community service while living and interacting in an international environment. Participants live and work with an international group for 2-3 weeks, providing a diverse cultural exchange with the other volunteers as well as the local hosts.

Belize Study Tours - Tour contents will include: environmental issues; culture, history and comtemporary issues of Creole, Maya, Garifuna and Mestizo communities; political/economic realities.

Friends of Nature - Friends of Nature manages, protects, and promotes the sustainable use of its surrounding geographical environment by involving and educating resource users for the benefit of present, and future generations.

Itzamna Society - Preserving our Mayan heritage, protecting and sustaining the ecosystem, educating for our future.

King’s Children Home - a non-profit organization committed to assisting children in Belize who have lost their parent(s) through death, have been abandoned, abused and/or neglected and to help them to become healthy, upright and productive citizens.

LiFeline Wild Cat Research and Rehabilitation Center - LiFeline is a Government of Belize approved wildlife facility working for the conservation of endangered wild cats. We rescue cats kept illegally as pets, and take in problem big cats e.g. jaguars that raid livestock. Wherever possible cats are rehabilitated and released to the wild. We also undertake field research on endangered cats in the rainforests of Belize.

Protected Areas Conservation Trust of Belize - a fund dedicated to encourage and promote conservation and management for sustainable use of Belize's natural and cultural resources, to enhance and sustain the quality of life for all Belizeans.

Society for the Promotion of Education and Research - SPEAR is committed to empowering people to struggle for justice, democracy and sustainable Development.

Teachers for a Better Belize - a partnership of volunteer educators from the U.S. and Belize who organize teacher-training workshops and distribute school supplies in the Toledo region of Belize.

Toledo Institute for Development and Environment - a non-governmental organization that promotes the sustainable development of the Toledo district by fostering the efficient and effective management of the region's resources, conducting relevant research and by promoting training and advocacy in order to preserve our natural heritage for present and future generations.

Women’s Issues Network of Belize: a network of organizations with a special interest in women's issues and a commitment to the advancement of women in Belize. Our goal is to be "a committed national focal point for collaboration among organizations promoting the development of women and their families". WIN-Belize works in these programme areas: Organizational Development, Outreach and Communication, Special Events and Advocacy. Our advocacy work focuses on the area of employment and training.