4theWorld Belize

Introduction

Photo Gallery

The nation’s poor and vulnerable - especially children – suffer from the effects of natural disasters and resulting economic instability. Loss of food security, shelter, education, healthcare and a lack of steady employment make it virtually impossible for families and communities to recover. Instead, communities are caught in a cycle of poverty. Although some civil society organizations have carried out analyses on disaster prevention and preparedness mechanisms in Belize on a national level, little or nothing has been done at a community level.

In October 2001, heavy rains flooded small-scale farmer’s lands in Belize. In October, they were hit by Hurricane Iris. Hundreds of families lost their crops and homes were once again flooded.

Although Belize has traditionally suffered seasonal flooding, the situation has deteriorated dramatically in recent times. Flooding has increased in frequency due to soil erosion. Erosion initially caused by poor agricultural and environmental practices is exacerbated by rain and severe weather. Just as a small stream can carve out a great canyon, what began as a small erosion of topsoil has become a great threat to livelihoods, transportation, infrastructure redevelopment and even a threat to life itself.

Our Work

4theWorld is a Los Angeles-based 501© 3 non-profit organization established in 2003 to contribute to sustainable, participatory and equitable development among the poorest groups in the world by empowering local people to collaborate, learn new skills and improve their own communities. In recognition of Central America’s environmental vulnerability and the high incidence of natural disasters, 4theWorld has been involved in promoting disaster prevention and preparedness strategies in Belize at the community level and among civil society organizations.

For the past three years, 4theWorld has worked with the local communities throughout this nation to restore educational infrastructure affected by hurricanes, severe weather and general disrepair. By rebuilding schools and feeding centers, providing school equipment such as computers and books and leading volunteer teams to join with local community efforts, 4theWorld has brought holistic change to over 1,000 people.

We believe 4theWorld is uniquely effective because it approaches development with the long-term goal of individual empowerment and community self-sustainability. We empower local people to collaborate, learn new skills and in turn improve their own communities. We seek to raise up a generation of literate, motivated and dynamic leaders that can give back to their communities in ways that reflect their own talents, abilities and dreams.

The communities then become owners of their own “development destiny.”

The following summarizes our ongoing work in Belize, our programs and our partnerships.

Education Program Goals

• Assist with the formation of youth peer-support groups, which help build children’s self esteem.
• Facilitate and coordinate with various civil society, local and government groups who are working on issues related to our education program in Belize. Issues may include helping families as they balance domestic workloads with the need for education and helping families understand the importance of education as a part of short-term and long-term community development.
• Form volunteer groups to work on local infrastructure. This includes assisting with the construction of a computer lab and a feeding center, a place where students receive meals as they commute to and from school.
• Participate in various community workshops, such as primary health care awareness and teaching English as a second language (ESL).

Projects

Feeding Center Construction

4theWorld recognizes the strain on poor families in Belize, who often grow subsistence crops and have little or no income. Children in these families are required or pressured by their parents to work in the fields. As a result, they receive little or no education. Feeding centers help encourage families to send their children to school, since students receive meals that parents otherwise could not afford. Children also receive added nutrition in their diet.

Computer Center Construction

Computer literacy is critical to the development and employability of young Belizeans, who must be equipped for the future. Computer centers form a key part of any school, enhancing both the quality and the scope of education. 4theWorld is committed to constructing these centers and supplying them with desktops, notebook computers and other donated or purchased items.

Volunteer ESL Program and Summer School

There is a great need in Belize for rural Spanish speakers to learn English, as it is necessary if a person hopes to find quality employment. Our extremely popular ESL courses can make a big difference in a child’s future. Adults also make use of this valuable program by attending evening classes. 4theWorld is searching for volunteers to teach English in several schools. This meaningful, memorable and rewarding work can bring real change to a community.

Summer school is also key to the educational development of many children who have been held back in school, want to continue their studies or need additional help. It’s also a great opportunity for teachers from the United States and elsewhere to volunteer.

Belize Program Mission Statement

"To work with disadvantaged communities in an integrated manner that will promote self-reliance, better health and education."

Objectives

• To improve the economic livelihood of the rural population; especially women and children.
• To improve education opportunities in Belize.
• To contribute toward the sustainable development of local schools and communities in rural areas of Belize.

Activities

To achieve its stated objectives, 4theWorld Belize will undertake the following activities:

• Carry out a capacity building program for identified groups
• Engage in volunteer and internship programs.
• Support rural schools through construction, volunteer mobilization and staffing.
• Care and support the elderly and vulnerable children such as orphans and children affected or living with HIV/AIDS.
• Assist in the education of children in rural areas.
• Work to improve access to health care in rural areas.
• Focus on empowering women and children.
• Cooperate with the Government of Belize to provide long-term assistance to the communities in which we work.  

Leading the Way for Change

Immediate Tasks:

1. Acquire non-profit status under Belize law.
2. Upgrade our functional office with at least two permanent staff.
3. Identify three (3) priority areas where the need is great with a particular focus on education for women and children.
4. To identify new target areas that can benefit from our programs.
5. To conduct due diligence and needs assessment in order to determine the most effective course of action in a target area under the direction of the 4theWorld USA development model.
6. To provide the necessary resources (financial, technical, volunteer, material etc) for 4theWorld Belize to undertake its activities.

Conclusion

It is expected that within Phase 1 of operation (2007 – 2010) 4theWorld Belize will be ready and able to work within the nation’s current infrastructure to improve education in schools and orphanages in rural Belize. 4theWorld will also implement a self perpetuating healthcare education program in rural target communities.

4theWorld Belize will also benefit thousands of households through HIV/AIDS education and the reduction of mosquito borne diseases through the elimination of mosquitos without the use of pesticides.

In so doing, 4theWorld Belize will be a formidable partner in the empowerment rural communities, the alleviation of poverty and the control of disease.

sponsor a project in Belize

Volunteer Resorts and Housing

Medical Clinic Project in Selena Belize