AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Specials & Events Fundraisers, Volunteering, & Charity Local Organizations & Causes, for the spirit of giving

While aesthetics play a key role in one's vacation destination choice, the community at that location often ends up being the factor for a return trip. If you are among those who fall in love with the warm smiles and friendly faces, and find yourself wanting to give back to the community that has touched your heart, there are many ways you can do so. We have witnessed an incredible outpouring of support from our visiting friends over the years, and in more ways than they will ever know they have helped to enrich the lives of many Belizeans.

Therefore, we have compiled a list of organizations and causes that we feel keep the spirit of giving year round.

Saga Humane Society: A non-profit animal rescue center aims at monitoring and controlling the cat and dog populations on the island. Not only do they provide shelter for strays, but also facilitate adoptions and free spaying/neutering for all island pets. Of course, talking care of animals is not an easy task and Saga operates solely on donations, so if you would like to give back to our island critters, or even just take one of their homeless dogs for a walk while visiting Ambergris Caye ,contact Saga at saga@btl.net or 226-3266 or find them on Facebook.

San Pedro Food Bank: Providing weekly groceries to low income families, the San Pedro Food Bank is a great non-profit. Through this initiative, residents who are struggling to sustain their family can receive the basic nourishment of everyday meals. To make a donation, contact 630-1241/632-5017/628-8461 or find them on Facebook.

San Pedro AIDS Commission: A group with a vision of promoting awareness, prevention and care of HIV/AIDS, the San Pedro AIDS Commission is ever active in the community. Not only do they host various awareness campaigns, but also provide financial assistance for traveling expenses for mental and medical attention, rental assistance, assistance with food and nutrition and other needs to HIV/AIDS patients. Anyone wanting to learn more on the group's work in the community or wanting to donate can contact Felix Ayuso at 663-9922 or visit www.facebook.com/www.spacbelize.org.

San Pedro Cancer Society: Another group promoting good health on the island is the San Pedro Cancer Society. Cancer treatment is not cheap in Belize, and many struggle to find the resources to cover their medical costs. The San Pedro Cancer Society has been working hard to create awareness, raise funds and assist cancer patients on the island since 2010. Funds used for their endeavours come directly from donations and fundraisers. To learn how you can help, email spcancersociety@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

San Pedro Belize Red Cross: You may have heard about the Red Cross. Here in San Pedro, we have a rockin' group of members always helping out the community. This branch has worked hard to build the first aid program, and with the help of many local businesses, have trained many staff groups in First Aid. They also work with the elderly, host blood drives, conduct HIV/AIDS Peer education, and provide psychosocial support and social assistance to disaster victims and the disadvantaged. With all the work they do in the community, they are always in need of donations and assistance. Contact them at info.brcsp@gmail.com or find them as the Belize Red Cross San Pedro on Facebook.

Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye: The newest non-profit to make its way to San Pedro, the Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye has already showed its commitment to help the community. Whether it be helping out at schools or donating towards medical expenses for the less fortunate, they are in it for the people. To make a donation or learn more about the group contact 653-4806 or visit www.facebook.com/RotaryClubofAmbergrisCaye.

Government-aided schools: While there are no public schools on the island, there are three government-aided schools that rely heavily on charitable donations. San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School (SPRCS), Holy Cross Anglican School (HCAS) and New Horizon Seventh Day Adventist Day School (NHSDA) are the largest schools in the island due to their low admission costs. They welcome donations towards the school's growth and the development of the students. These schools see many alumni from less fortunate families and try their best at helping them out by providing free school supplies and even meal programs. If you wish to donate, you may contact the schools directly at the following numbers: SPRCS: 226-2550; HCAS: 226-3456; NHSDA: 206-2552.

If you are still seeking a unique way to donate, Blue Water Grill (BWG) restaurant conducts a Monthly Donation Program. Funds raised are matched up to $2,500 by BWG and given to a worthy cause each month. Currently BWG is raising funds for an Ultrasound Machine for the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. The Polyclinic does not have an ultrasound machine, and many in our community cannot afford to visit a private clinic for an ultrasound. This can result in many negative outcomes, particularly for women. An ultrasound machine costs around $32K and BWG has pledged $16K; their goal is to collect the other half through donations. Donations can be made by visiting BWG, Phoenix Resort, Wine de Vine or online: bluewatergrillbelize/community.

Another great place to donate is to the Liberty Children's Home in Ladyville Village, outside of Belize City. Liberty Children's Home takes in children in need and provides them with a loving, nurturing and educational environment. It is a registered charity in both Belize and the United Kindgdom, and every cent donated is greatly appreciated. The number of children in need in Belize grows each year and with limited institutions to care for them, Liberty Children's Home tries its best. If you would like more information about making a donation to Liberty Children's Home please contact Agatha Valentine, Director at agatha@libertyfoundation.org.uk or 501-620-6694.

Source: My Beautiful Belize

Ambergris Caye Crocodile Education Sanctuary

Founded in 2006, ACES is a non-profit organization permitted by the Belize Forest Department and committed to the conservation of Belize's critical wetland habitats and protected species, specifically Crocodilians, through scientific research and education in order to preserve Belize's wildlife for future generations.

The American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) works with local authorities and private property owners in Ambergris Caye to humanely microchip crocodiles for an ongoing population distribution study. Through these partnerships, problematic crocodiles are identified and relocated by ACES to ensure human safety. ACES is currently the only permitted crocodile rescue program in the country, and has signed a three year Memorandum of Understanding with the Belize Forest Department (BFD) for the conservation of both species of crocodiles, the saltwater American crocodile and freshwater Morelet's crocodile.

ACES currently only consists of three crocodile experts: Vincent Robert Rose, Expert Crocodile Behaviorist, Co-Founder of ACES, vrcrocbz@gmail.com, Belize: 631-6366, USA: 001-239-771-3819; Cherie Renee Chenot Rose, Research Biologist, Co-Founder of ACES, giveacroc@gmail.com; Belize: 661-4529, USA: 001-239-771-3252; and Chris Summers, Crocodile Conservationist, chrissummers06@yahoo.co.uk; Belize: 623-7920.

https://www.facebook.com/giveacroc/

ACES Wish List: Batteries (all sizes), towels, ropes, and headlamps, can be dropped at the San Pedro Sun, or contact Chris for pick-up. You may also donate by joining ACES on an evening crocodile expedition tagging crocs. To do so or to report croc problems, call Chris at 623-7920.

Ambergris Caye Elementary School

Ambergris Caye Elementary School (A.C.E.S.) is a privately operated nonprofit primary school located south of San Pedro Town. Ambergris Caye Elementary School has a Pre-School on site, Infant I to Standard VI classes and a special needs program. Currently, A.C.E.S. has 110 students, with more than 10% receiving scholarships.

It also employs 11 teachers, 3 administrative staff, 2 ancillary staff, and 3 cafeteria workers.

A.C.E.S. strives to provide the opportunities to develop qualities of greatness in each individual child. The school takes pride in offering modern teaching methodologies; the ability to offer computer science and world geography classes and encouraging young minds to use critical thinking, which will in turn have an auspicious effect on the developing community.

All funding for the school comes from tuition and private donations. While the school receives $200,000 BZ each year in tuition, it costs more than $450,000 BZD to operate the school each year. Teachers and board members work together to fundraise the $250,000 BZD difference.

If you would like to donate to A.C.E.S., donations can be made by visiting: www.globalgiving.org and are U.S. tax deductible. The Global Giving website also has a donation page specifically dedicated to the Special Needs program at the school. ***

For more information please call: 501-226-2226.

You can find Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) on Facebook.

Belize Red Cross San Pedro

The Red Cross movement in Belize dates back to 1914 with pictorial evidence of ladies in Benque Viejo del Carmen knitting warm clothes to send their husbands in Britain during World War One. The Red Cross became a charitable organization and in the 1950s, a branch of the British Red Cross. When Belize gained independence in 1981, the organization took steps to become a national society. The Belize Red Cross was formally recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1984, when it was inducted into the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Belize Red Cross Headquarters (HQ) is in Belize City and currently there are 7 branches throughout the 6 administrative districts of the country. Throughout the years, the organization has been instrumental in looking after the well-being of the communities it serves countrywide.

The San Pedro Branch of the Belize Red Cross (BRCSP) was re-activated in March 2013. Since then the branch has worked hard to build the first aid program, with the help of many local businesses sending staff to semi-monthly First Aid trainings. 290 folks have been trained in CPR/FA; 48 in 2016 alone. It's other main focus is local blood drives which are successfully held every 3 months. Countless lives have been saved with the generous donations of the precious gift of blood.

Other areas that the BRCSP is active in: working with the elderly, HIV & Aids peer education, psychosocial support, food drives, social assistance to disaster victims and the disadvantaged.

If you would like to donate to the San Pedro Branch, please contact the Branch Coordinator Marisa Salazar at: branchcoordinator.brcsp@gmail.com or (501) 226-3725.

Isla Bonita School

Isla Bonita Elementary School opened its doors on September 2000, it provides an education opportunity for both girls and boys with a start age of 4 1/2 to 5 years old, offering knowledge in accordance to National Government School Curriculum.

It presently has an enrollment of 132 students from Preschool to Standard VI with an average of 12-15 students per class. There are nine teachers plus the Principal.

Their mission is to offer a quality education, empower each student by providing a life experience that inspires the development of the child within a multicultural environment and to enable them to embrace the diversity of our community both locally and globally.

They also seek to build a culture within which every parent, child and teacher, with the ability to work together to achieve mutual respect and productive partnerships.

You can contact the Principal, Mrs. Addy Trejo Martinez by e-mail: martinezaddy888@yahoo.com

IUCNSSC-Crocodile Specialist Group

"If a woman loves a crocodile, she takes on its character." -- Egyptian Proverb

Dr. Marisa Tellez is a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Researcher, and the Vice Regional Chair of Latin America for the IUCN/SSC- Crocodile Specialist Group currently pursuing research in Belize. Dr. Tellez has been performing research in Belize since 2008 with a focus on parasitism and health in Morelet's and American crocodiles.

The Crocodile Research Coalition was created by Dr. Tellez and her husband Karl Kohlman in January 2016 to promote conservation of crocodiles and their habitats throughout Central America through community involvement, research, and education.

Currently Dr. Tellez is working with several private donors and organizations internationally to fund a Nationwide Morelet's crocodile population survey in Belize that would: 1) Train Belize Forest Department (BFD) employees, and interested Belizean wildlife organizations, in the capture of crocodiles, as well as how to perform population surveys.

2) Equip the BFD with the supplies needed for the population survey and to attend to problematic crocodiles

3) Provide the confidence and scientific methods needed to perform a crocodile survey amongst a network of crocodilian and/or conservationist enthusiasts.

As human-crocodile conflicts are increasing in the country, in order to implement the correct management plan, as well as an economic opportunity for the people of Belize utilizing crocodilians, a nationwide population survey must be and is currently being performed.

Funding is also being sought for a Scholarship Program for a Belizean UB student and assistance in promotional material for their Next Generation Croc program.

For further information, or interest in donating funds or equipment go to:
http://www.crocodileresearchcoalition.org
Contact Dr. Tellez at: marisatellez@gmail.com.

Pack for a Purpose

For several years tour companies and accommodations in Belize have chosen to partner with Pack for a Purpose (PfaP), a nonprofit website based in Raleigh, North Carolina. This all volunteer organization has a simple mission; to positively impact communities around the world by assisting travelers who want to take meaningful contributions to the destinations they visit. Because of these partnerships travelers going to beautiful Belize have taken supplies which benefit several of the community projects the accommodations and tour companies support, including schools and local animal shelters. Each participant in Belize has a free page created on the Pack for a Purpose website showcasing the community project(s) they support. The page also includes a needs list so travelers can easily see what to take. Projects and needs can be easily updated on the website so that each participant's page is current. To view the list of destinations who are officially part of PfaP please go to their website.

SAGA Humane Society

The Saga Humane Society was founded in March of 1999, mainly in response to the animal control measures used in Belize: strychnine-laced bait tossed onto the streets at night for any animal unlucky enough to be wandering around and hungry. The newly formed nonprofit 501(3)(c) animal organization started out in a little building across from Ramon's Resort with a fenced-in yard.

Saga HS mission is promoting kindness and preventing cruelty to all domestic and wild animals. This is achieved first and foremost through the humane education. Currently, education is spread via brochures, websites, articles in the local newspapers, and most importantly; word of mouth. Anyone who comes into the clinic with a new puppy or an old dog that is not current on its preventative medicine such as vaccines or heart-worm treatment is educated on the importance of such treatments. Many of these people will pass this valuable information on to neighbors and family members who also have pets.

Saga HS aims to help reduce the problems associated with unwanted and street animals on Ambergris Caye by introducing a pet population management program, Operation SNIP (Spay Neuter Initiative Project). To reduce the breeding populations and reduce the number of unwanted pets, 75-90% of all dogs and cats on the island will need to be sterilized in a 3-5 year time frame to be effective. The goal is 1,000 sterilized animals per year. Operation SNIP will be a high standard cat and dog sterilization campaign, targeting the low-income owners for free or low cost spay/neuter of owned pets brought to Saga HS Clinic. SNIP will reach cats and dogs that will probably never see a vet in their lives. The goal is: No need to destroy healthy and friendly animals, but without accumulating them in a shelter.

The Saga Humane Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization; Their US Federal Tax ID number is 31-1814113.

Donations can be made through PayPal sagahumanesociety@gmail.com or by visiting our website**

You may drop donations off at the Saga HS clinic on Sea Star Street.
Contact email: saga@btl.net
Clinic Manager Ingrid Lima: sagarescue@gmail.com 501-226-3266

San Pedro Cancer Society

The San Pedro Cancer Society is a non-profit group comprised of volunteers from all walks of life dedicated to guiding and assisting any person directly or indirectly affected by cancer on Ambergris Caye.

Every year they hold a Candle-lite walk on February 4th for World Cancer Awareness Day. They are fervently dedicated to raising awareness of all types of cancer and focus on screening missions as prevention throughout the year. We are very active and ready to work! "Where Strangers Become Friends, Battling Cancer....Side By Side!"

See their Facebook page for updates and events. **

Contact Information: Email: spcancersociety@gmail.com

President: Gonzalo Munoz; 501-601-5543 Email: gmunozaguilar@gmail.com
Vice President: Miguel Perez; 501-600-2129 Email: miguelperez_13@hotmail.com
Secretary: Roceli Munoz; 501-623-6756 Email: roceli_munro@hotmail.com
Treasurer: Pamela Zetina; 501-604-6630 Email: pamza3kids@hotmail.com

San Pedro Lions Club

The San Pedro Lions Club was founded in 1975 for the purpose of serving the community of San Pedro. Accomplishments have included the founding of and continued support of the first health care facility on Ambergris Caye. Since its founding the Lions have successfully carried out numerous community projects which have benefited the local schools, elderly and poor in the community.

The San Pedro Lions Club members consist of approximately 55 men and women, who through their efforts continue to serve the community of San Pedro, the country of Belize and the world.

Other big projects have been the construction of a Lion's Den, the Mosquito Coast Park and countless other projects and fundraising. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been given to earthquake victims, fire victims, sickness, funerals, flood and hurricane victims, and surgeries at home and abroad. Today the Lions Club raises money weekly with support by the community to participate in it's famous Friday BBQ and Bingo. As these funds come in they are dispensed based on requests for assistance.

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. The more donations we receive, the more we give out.

You can donate to the San Pedro Lions by contacting Lion Bonnie Musbach, Secretary; at musbach.bonnie@gmail.com