United States Embasse issues Grants to Belizean Projects!

The United States Embassy recently awarded US$450,000 in grants to nine Belizean organizations working to improve communities and citizen safety. The presentation of the grants was held on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan.
The grants issued were made possible through efforts of the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI). All Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) recipients of the grants were present along with an embassy official available for questions.

Among the organizations that received grants were; Strengthening Youth Security led by Caracol Youth Communication Development. This project emphasizes art education and community development for vulnerable youth populations in borer areas such as Benque, Cristo Rey and Arenal. The grant was for $90,000.00.

Youth Voices, led by Global Parish received $77,800. Youth Voices is a project that seeks to empower at-risk youth and focuses on art and filmmaking education. This project hopes to improve skills and community building through training and a participatory arts program including digital video, documentary filmmaking, and poetry. This project will be primarily located in Belize City, with workshops throughout the country. Nyasha Laing is the Project Director.

Asset Based Community Development led by the Center for Community Resource Development (CCRD) received $40,410. This initiative fosters grassroots economic stability through social and economic development of high-risk neighborhoods. This organization seeks to develop youth leaders and business entrepreneurs. This project hopes to focus on the Lake Independence Neighborhood in Belize City.

Central Christian School Vocational Training Center led by Assemblies of God of Belize received $7629. This program provides vocational training for both parents and students at the school in areas such as: sewing, computer, home economics, gardening and after school reading programs.
Crime Stoppers Community Outreach Programs led by Crime Stoppers received $100,000. This is a two-year project that is a public awareness outreach program. It develops community involvement and activities designed to prevent crimes, assist in reporting crimes and engage the at-risk youth and community.

The Humane Education Program led by the Belmopan Humane Society, received $10,875. This is a two-hour-per-week after-school educational program involving animals and targeting at-risk youth. It intends to reduce the level of violence through care and respect of animals.
The Institutional Strengthening of the Helping Early Leavers Program led by YWCA received $50,000 USD. This program provides vocational training to women ages 13-18 years old in the areas of sewing, cosmetology and life skills and will augment the skill-based training programs at the YWCA.

Innovations to improve post-harvest technology and the income of white maize and black bean producers led by the Toledo Cacao Growers Association received US$46,320. This grant will assist with innovations to increase maize and black bean harvest. The funding targets local farmers and small communities to improve the economic stability in the southern Toledo District, specifically in the villages of Jalacte and San Vicente.

Youth Chess Program led by the Belize National Youth Chess Foundation received US$26,966. This program targets at-risk youth from across the country between the ages of 5-14 years old. Chess and chess events are used as teaching tools to develop logic, life skills, team building, and effective choices and thought processes and focuses country wide.

Body of unidentified female found

Confirmed reports are that the body of an unidentified female was found between Coconut Dr and the beach, near the Belize Yacht Club Area (also known as the South Airstrip Area).

She was found off an alley that connects the beach to the street under a veranda near a bushy area. She was fully concealed/covered.

Details are shortcoming at this time as police are still processing the scene - hence the rumors that abound need to be confirmed before an official announcement of the identity of the female can be made.

Police are currently awaiting the arrival of Dr. Mario Estradaban, to conduct the official post mortem. For the moment, the Police are treating the scene as that of a homicide.

US $10,000 Grant awarded to Lions Zone 59 to aid Hurricane Richard victims

-Press Release - Belize Lions Zone 59 - November 2, 2010 - The Belize Lions Zone 59 is pleased to announce the disbursement of a grant of US$10,000 to be used for relief supplies to the victims of Hurricane Richard. The money was secured through the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) Disaster Relief Fund which is available to any district or zone after a disaster.

Immediately after the passage of Hurricane Richard, The Belize Lions Zone 59 expressed to the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon Dean Barrow, that as a service organization in Belize, we were ready to assist in bringing some immediate relief to the victims of hurricane Richard.
Following the announcement of the initial assessment of the damages, The Zone Chairman, Baldemar Graniel, immediately contacted Lions International and provided them with the necessary documentation to secure the grant. On Monday November 1st, LCIF contacted the Zone Chairman to inform him that the monies have been approved and ready for disbursement.
LCIF has a board-established grant criterion and emergency grant funds must be used only to provide basic necessities such as food, clothing, blankets, bottled water, and medical supplies for those affected by the disaster. Because monies must be utilized by the Lions, the organization will be working very closely with the Government of Belize, through the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), in identifying areas that are more in need. In the immediate days ahead, the Zone Chairman, Lion Graniel will be consulting with the Presidents of the Club to work out a methodology of disbursing relief supplies.
The LCIF grant will complement the efforts of various other Lions Clubs following the aftermath of Hurricane Richard. The Lions Club International Foundation, along with the Belize Lions Zone 59, continues to pledge its full support to all those Belizeans affected by Hurricane Richard and we remain committed in making our community and country a better place to live. On behalf of the Belize Lions Zone 59 and the people of Belize, we also wish to thank LCIF for awarding us with the much needed grant.

Missing Woman on San Pedro

Reports were filed with the San Pedro Police on Monday concerning a female flight attendant who is missing on San Pedro. 37 year old MARIA ANTONIA PLAZA GOMEZ, a Spanish National who works for Maya Island Regional has been missing since Saturday evening.

Reports are that she arrived in Belize on Saturday and told the rest of the flight crew that she would be spending the night on San Pedro. She checked into a hotel, went out for the evening and did not return to the hotel. Her possessions were left in the hotel room and police along with Maya Island Staff have launched a search on San Pedro.

Baby Daniel Halloween Bazaar Fundraiser

Funds are still being raised for the further care of Baby Daniel Estell, and on Friday, October 30, the fundraising committee held a Halloween Bazaar for both children and adults. The children enjoyed dressing up and playing games of tombola, ring toss and more.

Judges were on hand to give prizes to the best costumes of the night, but in truth, all the children were winners.

After the children's party, a "grown-up" bazaar followed.