Animation Bootcamp Empowers Women in Belize

Twenty-three women from southern Belize are celebrating a big win, they’ve just graduated from an animation bootcamp designed especially for women and girls. This program is part of a nationwide push to boost creative digital skills. After successful sessions in Orange Walk, Corozal, and Belize City last year, the second phase wrapped up at Bella Vista Government Secondary School. The purpose was to give participants hands-on experience in animation, spark innovation, and open doors in Belize’s growing Orange Economy. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the details on how these women are turning creativity into opportunity.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Women across Belize are breaking into the animation industry and today, twenty-three of them proudly graduated from a specialized bootcamp at Bella Vista Secondary School. Over the past three months, these women have been creating powerful animations on topics that matter: road safety, autism awareness, gender equality, and protecting the environment. Dr. Louis Zabaneh says this program is proof that when you blend creativity with education, you open doors to endless opportunities.

 

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Area Representative, Dangriga

“There was a time when in education and we had to suffer through it. It was about memorization. And so if you are born with good memorization skills, because not all of us have that. Some of us are wanderers, right? And we jump from one thing to the next. Some people can focus and remember things right, and if you’re good at that, you will do good in your tests and your exams and you will get high PSE scores and CXC score because you’re good at memorization, but that is not what the world needs. That’s important. Very important. It also needs people who are able to do things. Are able to take the knowledge and transform it into something practical that will benefit our world.”

 

This training is part of the Taiwan-Belize Women Economic Empowerment project. Andrew Su, Chief of the Taiwan Technical Mission, expressed his excitement in helping Belize embrace digital skills and creative storytelling.

 

Andrew Su, Chief, Taiwan Technical Mission in Belize

“Three months ago, we were here to start the animation training. And now, in such a short time, you already made your own animated video. This is amazing. I was also so happy to join the judging process. I saw so much creativity and effort in your work. You should all be proud.”

 

The training ended with an animation competition that forced students to think outside the box and push themselves beyond their limitations. Juanita Lucas, Principal of Bella Vista Government Secondary, says she’s proud of her students for successfully completing the course.

 

Juanita Lucas, Principal, Bella Vista Government School

“I know how important it is for each one of you to know what you can accomplish, the difference between a good student, a good citizen, is the education opportunities that you receive, and that’s why I am more than excited to welcome you to this hallmark ceremony. In Belize, we need more initiatives that are outside the box. And you, my students know how creative with the little we have, we push you to your limits. Sometimes you get upset with your teachers because it’s too much according to you, but we are just. Fulfilling our mission to transform your life.”

 

The winning animation was all about road safety, considering recent accidents in Belize. One of the winners explains how the project was carried out.

 

Animation Bootcamp Graduate

“The whole idea behind it was that there was a lot of accidents happening, and I feel like awareness on how you drive was necessary. So I decided to bring that up to my group and we agreed on that. It was a great experience, something new to learn. It though it was hard given that I’m doing my bachelor’s in school and I’m an athlete, but we got the job done and we won something.”

 

This bootcamp gives women across Belize a platform for creative expression and a pathway into the expanding Orange Economy. Britney Gordon for News Five.