GALLERY

December 2024

Gender-Based Violence Event

Today, the Love Foundation hosted a groundbreaking panel discussion, uniting 600 young people from across Belize to address the critical issue of gender-based violence. The event explored its effects, existing laws, how to identify triggers, and resources for support. Participants engaged actively, sharing insights and asking questions, demonstrating their deep understanding of the topic. The young attendees showcased their readiness to become advocates in their schools and communities, committed to fostering safer, more equitable spaces. This initiative highlights the Love Foundation’s dedication to empowering youth as agents of change and ensuring a future free from violence and discrimination.

December 2024

PRET – Promoting Respect and Equity Together
Funded by: CARSI ESF, U.S. Embassy, U.S. Department of State

Mr. Kenroy Young, the coordinator for the PRET program, has been working tirelessly to engage boys, students, and men in raising awareness about critical issues such as gender-based violence and gender equality. The program’s goal is to provide participants with a deeper understanding of gender dynamics and the importance of fostering respectful and equitable relationships.

Throughout the program, various topics are covered, including Gender and Gender Clarification, Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships, Sex and Gender, and Gender Equality. Each session is designed to challenge participants’ perspectives and encourage open discussions on these important issues.

To further facilitate learning, Mr. Young provides participants with reference materials related to each topic, ensuring they have the resources to better understand the concepts. Afterward, group discussions are held, allowing participants to share their personal experiences, opinions, and reflections on the material. These discussions are structured to promote respectful dialogue, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of gender-based violence and equality.

In addition to the informative sessions, participants also watch a TED Talk titled “Violence Against Women” by Jackson Katz. The video serves as a powerful tool to highlight the impact of gender-based violence and the role men can play in addressing and preventing it. After watching the video, a group discussion is held where participants have the opportunity to reflect on the content, express their thoughts, and engage in meaningful conversations about how they can contribute to positive social change.

By engaging in these activities, the PRET program aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to challenge harmful gender norms, promote gender equality, and work towards ending violence against women.

November 2024

AIM – Advancing Integrated Municipalities

Today the AIM-BELIZE Project formed the Project Public Steering Committee for Dangriga and Stann Creek held its first Sensitization Session. There were representatives which now form the PSC from the Opposition, the HOD Municipal Council, the Private sector, the Good Governance Unit, an elected Councillor, as well representing the Youth, Senior Citizen, Academia, a non-partisan citizen, and from the Dept of Local Government. The session was held at the Dangriga Town Council conference room. The overall chairman of the newly formed PSC for both districts – Toledo and Stann Creek was elected as Mr. Darian Lino from the Good Governance Unit and the local Chairlady representing Dangriga was elected as Mrs. Martha Robinson.

October 2024

AIM- Advancing Integrated Municipalities

Today, the Heads of Department, the Mayor, and the Town Council of Dangriga participated in the AIM Belize project, hosted at the Dangriga Town Council. This initiative, led by the Love Foundation in collaboration with Citizens for Good Governance, aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the project, including its objectives, key deliverables, processes, and the ongoing partnership with town councils.

February 2024

Accountapreneur Highlight:

As a part of the Accountability Incubator Project a partnership between the Accountability Lab and The Love Foundation with funding from the U.S. Embassy Belize

The JETSS Platform on January 27th, 2024, under the leadership of Accountapreneur Jhonique Anderson, hosted a mentorship outreach session to highlight the ins and out of the investigative career field.

The session included a ‘Mentor Talk’ from Project Reformer, Mr. Gian Cho, Executive Director for the National Forensic Science Service. The session highlighted Mr. Cho’s background and achievements, the importance of mentorship and skills development for career growth, key milestones, challenges, critical decisions that shaped his professional journey, the essential skills and competencies required in the forensic science field, and insightful tips for honing these skills and staying relevant in this dynamic industry.

They extend thanks and wish Mr. Cho all the best for sewing a seed into the hearts and minds of these young professional JETTERS.

JETSS extends their thanks to their members; participants, parents, board members, River Park Inn, partnering community members and The Love Foundation for this successful mentorship outreach session.

January 2024

Accountapreneur Highlight:

As a part of the Accountability Incubator Project a partnership between the Accountability Lab and The Love Foundation with funding from the U.S. Embassy Belize;

The Maskall Community Park Rehabilitation Project lead by Accountapreneur Sherett Brackett kicked off with the cleaning of the local park, a tree planting initiative and construction of benches that will be placed in an effort to promote development and beautification. The girls and the boys from the local club learn about various life and hands on skills, including participating in the construction process, measuring and building. They demonstrate teamwork in order to get the benches complete and were able to place two benches in the park. Participation and community involvement paves the way for building civic responsibility as community members including children are involved in the processes taking place and hold each other accountable to ensure its care. The project will address the lack of safe community spaces by improving the park and its function.

The members of the St. Martins Community Hub presented their action plan for 2024. The St. Martins hub started out as a mechanic shop with 10 active members. Three years later, they have incorporated a fishing business, an ideal making business as well as a courier service. There is a definite need to engage young people who are seeking a better life. Hub leaders are receptive to those young people and provide mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities. We applaud their commitment to transforming lives with love. #lovefoundationbelize #USEMBASSYBELIZE #IAF

~SEPTEMBER, 2021~

Empowering Communities To Empower Themselves

According to a UNICEF report (MICS5 Report) released in 2017, almost half of Belizean children live under multidimensional poverty. As of the 2017 report, only 55% of children currently had access to quality early childhood education. While almost all of Belize’s children attend primary school, many are not moving on to high school. Statistics had proven that only 63% of our girls and 57% of the boys were in secondary school.

As stated by the UN, the pandemic is deepening the education crisis and widening existing educational inequalities. With trying to adapt to our new way of life due to COVID-19 and the challenges it presents, there is no doubt that children living in disadvantaged communities are particularly at risk of educational exclusion. In a country where regular in-class education is not free and is inaccessible by many due to financial restraints, online learning becomes even more burdensome.

The above is what motivates the Love Foundation to advocate for our under-resourced communities and hence, the conception of the ‘Laptop & Tablet Drive.’ Southside Belize City presents the highest concentration of financial instability, therefore our mission is to equip as many households in the area as possible with a device that aids children in online learning.