Cooper. Thank you for your questions. Be Kind Belize has been around since 2007, encouraging and rewarding children in Belize for kind behaviour. We have had great support and feedback from the community and work closely with teachers and school faculty. Rewarding behaviour encourages that behaviour and makes it more likely to occur. The more we encourage children to be kind and to reward them when they do so, the more role models we create for others. These nominations were sent in by teachers and principals because they are incredibly proud of some of the children in their school who they believe deserve acknowledgment. This was not the only forum for voting. Both newspapers participated and it was reported that there was a great deal of interest and support as well as excitement. This will hopefully become an annual event and will spark discussions in school in respect to kindness and also encourage children to practice kind acts. Kindness, especially for children that may have not experienced much of it in their lives, often has to be taught. Practice makes perfect and wouldn't we all love to live in a community where children are competing to be the kindest. Math, spelling and history are important but without empathy and kindness, irrelevant. This is why humane education exists. I'd be very grateful that if you have further criticism of this event if you'd contact me directly rather than bring negativity to something that has so far been very positive and exciting. Many thanks.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
