The Belize Civic Center buzzed with energy today as over three hundred marketing pros, content creators, and business leaders came together for the Belize Tourism Board’s 9th annual Digital Marketing Summit. The event, now a staple in the local marketing calendar, focused on the latest trends in digital strategy, social media, and content creation. With a fast-changing online world, the summit aimed to give attendees the tools and insights they need to keep their brands ahead of the curve. From cross-industry networking to expert-led sessions, the day was packed with innovation and inspiration. We stopped by to catch the action and hear how Belize’s digital storytellers are shaping the future of marketing.
Perry Bodden
Perry Bodden, Digital Marketing Specialist, B.T.B.
“So we have actually, three signature events for the Belize Tourism Board since yesterday. We had the BOOM forum is pretty much a wrap up of what we did this this last fiscal year and what we’re doing this fiscal year when it comes to other projects, other initiatives, We had our Airlift Conference as well. That is information that has to do with airline traffic to Belize. How we are getting butts in the seats to Belize and heads in beds at the end of the day. We have our Digital Marketing summit. So another signature event for the BTB. And this provides information for online marketing. And so we’re covering four different facets of online marketing, social media, digital marketing, content marketing and strategic marketing as well.”
Blair Cassuto
Blair Cassuto, Brand Manager, Bacardi
“Today’s event has been amazing. I did a presentation on content, social marketing and really figuring out how to emotionally connect with your consumers to drive conversion. And so I did like a few case studies on Nike and, the Faroh Islands did this amazing campaign on tourism and just talking about how, no matter what brand you represent, it’s really all about creating an authentic connection with your consumers. And so we did that and we just finished up a workshop where I had them re-write some Instagram, captions for a new Nike shoe that launched. Because I told them, you can sell a shoe, you can sell anything.”
As the House of Representatives prepares for its ceremonial opening on Friday, the 2025 fiscal year budget remains unpresented. Despite this delay, teachers are demanding a minimum wage adjustment, and an eight-point-five percent salary increase. However, it seems unlikely that the Briceno administration will meet these demands. Chief Executive Officer Dian Maheia confirmed today that most of the Ministry of Education’s funds will go towards paying teachers. This comes as the Belize National Teachers Union continues to advocate for better compensation amid ongoing financial uncertainties.
Dian Maheia, C.E.O., Ministry of Education
“The work of putting together a budget has been done for the new fiscal year. I can tell you that the 2025/2026 cost for wages, for pensions, for transferring public officers is $787 million dollars. Over eighty percent of the budget of the Ministry of Education is already committed to salaries. This is not an easy ask and this is not an ask that can be answered by the Ministry of Education.”
This week, we shine a spotlight on Crooked Tree Village, one of Belize’s most enchanting and historically rich communities, for our Belize on Reel segment. Famous for its bountiful cashew fruit, vibrant wildlife sanctuary, and enduring traditions, Crooked Tree boasts a heritage that predates colonial records. News Five’s Marion Ali delves into two intriguing theories about the origin of Crooked Tree’s name and uncovers the deep history of human settlement in this remarkable village.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Crooked Tree Village may seem quiet and idyllic, but its history is as winding and intriguing as its most famous landmark. Legend has it that the village got its name from a uniquely twisted tree hidden in an inaccessible area. Another theory suggests it was named after three crooks who settled there in the 1700s.
George Tillett
George Tillett, Chairman, Crooked Tree Village
“In the late 1700s a bunch of European logwood cutters, along with their African slaves were journeying down the Belize River in search of logwood, which was then the only source of income for the country. They diverted into this area known as Black Creek and from this inland island with its abundance of logwood and they started trading logwood but they needed to get a name from where these logwood were coming from. So, one of the settlers noted an extraordinarily twisted bullet wood tree that they had their encampment under. And it was from then and that early it got the curious name of Crooked Tree.”
Marion Ali
“You sure it’s that it’s not crooked three men?”
George Tillett
“There is this crazy theory that some people brought upon us because it was settled by three slave owners, the Tilletts, the Gilletts, and the Crawfords. And they were referred to as a crooked three, but I’m quite sure that’s not what village got its name from. It’s from a tree; it’s from a twist bullet wood tree.”
While the origin of Crooked Tree’s name remains a mystery, its history is undeniably ancient. Village Chairman George Tillett reveals that evidence points to human occupancy dating back thousands of years, long before European settlers arrived. These early inhabitants, known as the Paleoindians, left a legacy that continues to shape the village’s rich cultural heritage.
George Tillett
“We have evidence washed up on our shores with their volcanic rock spearheads that archeologists dated way back to the Chalillo Indians when they used hunt mammoths and stuff like that. That was before the Mayan time. Then after that, we find other products that suggested that the Mayas also lived here. As a matter of fact, on the western side of the island of Crooked Tree is an excavated Maya temple known as Chau Hiix and there are a lot of Mayan artifacts people find when they’re digging up to build houses and foundation – things that relate to Mayan products.”
By the mid-1900s, Crooked Tree was well known for its unique charm but getting in and out wasn’t always easy. Before the causeway was built, villagers relied on boats, and a trip to Belize City could take an entire day. This transformation from isolation to connectivity marks a significant chapter in the village’s history, highlighting the resilience and resourcefulness of its people.
John Gillett
John Gillett, Elder, Crooked Tree Village
“One of the boats used to name Express. One used to name Veronica, and both of them had the barges and so on that they would tow. And the barges would mostly take the crops and the livestock while the boat and a portion of the barge would be used to take passengers also. Those days, the boat would take about eight hours from here to Belize, and it took eight hours mainly because of the current from Black Creek that carries it.”
John Gillett recalls a time before boats were available in Crooked Tree, when villagers had to paddle their way to Belize City. Selling cattle meant tying them to a horse and embarking on a two-day trek. Gillett’s life is a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of the villagers, offering unique experiences from an era that now exists only in memory. His stories paint a vivid picture of a bygone time, highlighting the enduring spirit of Crooked Tree’s community.
John Gillett
“We had to live off the land and when I say live off the land in both crops as well as livestock, and we had to eat what we produce, ranging from cows to rice to corn, plantain, cassava, all those sort of things there. And of course, getting our meats from the pigs, the cow. We couldn’t go to the shop and just buy rice like that. We had to put it in the mortar and we beat that before we go to school in the morning. We had to cut the firewood, we had to melt the cows. All these things that we had to do. It’s a childhood that I wouldn’t want to change any at all in my lifetime.”
Crooked Tree Village is more than just a name on the map. From the ancient Paleoindians to the Mayas and colonial settlers, its history is woven with tales of twisted trees and cherished experiences. This vibrant community is a living story, brimming with resources and narratives still being shared by those who know it best.
George Tillett
“Crooked Tree is really a blessed village, blessed with resources. I think when Samuel Haynes was writing the National Anthem and said “Nature has blessed us with wealth untold”, he was referring to Crooked Tree.”
If you haven’t visited Crooked Tree yet, it’s time to plan a trip. This charming village offers more than just the famous cashew fest and abundant wildlife. Every path is steeped in history, and you might even find a story in the bend of a tree. Come explore Crooked Tree, where the past and present intertwine in a beautiful tapestry of culture
Heritage Bank has handed over its twentieth house, while Hand in Hand Ministries celebrates surpassing five hundred homes donated. This remarkable achievement is the result of years of collaboration between the two organizations, dedicated to providing homes for those in need. Hand in Hand Ministries, which builds homes year-round with donations from abroad, has found a steadfast partner in Heritage Bank. Together, they have made a significant impact on the lives of many families, and today’s donation is just the latest chapter in their ongoing mission. Representatives from both organizations shared their commitment to continuing this vital work, aiming to improve and enhance the quality of life for even more people through the gift of new homes. This partnership promises to bring hope and stability to countless families well into the future.
Shannon Stuart
Shannon Stuart, Social Worker, Hand in Hand Ministries
“People love what we are doing, so every year we always have people come in that the local community supporting us, the people from apart abroad support us because they love what we do. We are serving people that are in need. Our work group comprises of our building coordinator and his assistance. And also, if you notice on this particular bill, we have Heritage Bank and we do have people that receive homes come out and assist us and people who are also waiting on their homes come out and assist. So it’s a whole collaboration of everyone along with the with it hand in hand ministries.”
Stephen Duncan
Stephen Duncan, Managing Director, Heritage Bank
“It is a big part of our sponsorship budget and our donation budget, but we try to do it every year. So far, we’ve been doing, keeping it going and we’ll go as long as we can. I mean, I can’t make any predictions. It’s not dependent on just me, but so far, we continue to get the support for it, and I wanna see how far we can go. As long as I am still around, I will try to do it, noh.”
Today, the United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction (UNDRR) and the Government of Belize signed on to the Making Cities Resilient 2030 initiative. This unique cross-stakeholder project aims to enhance local resilience by building partnerships between cities and encouraging knowledge sharing. UNDRR Regional Chief Nahuel Arena Garcia explained how the organization plans to create a roadmap for urban resilience in Belize City, helping the city better prepare for and respond to natural disasters. This collaboration marks a significant step towards a safer and more resilient future for Belize’s urban areas.
Nahuel Arena Garcia
Nahuel Arena Garcia, Regional Chief, U.N.D.R.R.
“We support countries at national level, but also local level to implement what’s called the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction. The Sendai framework is the global blueprint for reducing disaster risk. So it was adapted in 2015 by the General Assembly and it supports countries or provides guidance for countries to enhance risk knowledge, to enhance disaster risk governance to make sure that every investment, be public or private, contributes to resilience and not to create any new risk and to ensure that countries and the national systems have the right capacities to prepare and response effectively and build back better from disasters.”
Britney Gordon
“So it’s not necessarily the launch of a program, but more so signing on to a commitment.”
Nahuel Arena Garcia
“Exactly. You put it very well. So this is a commitment to engage in a systematic and methodical path to develop the vision, the strategies, the plans that will put both Belize City, but also the national level in a path to resilience. The government of Belize at national level is doing very good advances. However, it requires a strong governance across different sectors. Different ministries need to be involved. The private sector needs to be involved. Reducing disaster risk definitely has to be a whole of society approach. So we are here to support the government of Belize in that in that endeavor.”
Last week, a group of parents gathered in front of Corozal Methodist School to protest the suspension of two preschool teachers. The teachers were placed on administrative leave after organizing a meeting with parents to discuss graduation plans, defying the administration’s orders. The protesting parents demanded the teachers’ reinstatement, arguing that the teachers were defending their rights to be involved in the graduation planning process. Initially, the school declined to comment on the matter. However, in a letter issued to parents and guardians today, the school explained that the decision to place the teachers on leave was due to repeated instances of professional misconduct. The letter assured parents that the school’s priority remains the safety, academic development, and holistic well-being of students, and that steps are being taken to ensure minimal disruption to the quality of education during this period.
Belizeans can now enjoy a new level of convenience with the launch of an innovative money transfer service, thanks to a partnership between the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Western Union. Starting this week, Digi Wallet account holders no longer need to visit physical Western Union locations to receive international money transfers. This morning, News Five’s Britney Gordon attended the feature launch to bring us more details on this exciting collaboration.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Since 2022, Digi Wallet has been revolutionizing financial services in Belize, offering universal access to all citizens, especially the unbanked. Now, the app is taking another significant step towards inclusivity by partnering with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Western Union. This collaboration aims to further enhance accessibility and convenience for Digi Wallet users across the country.
“So the app traditionally has been a payment service provider. You can pay your bills, you can purchase stuff up, you can pay at merchants. We have over fifteen hundred merchants countrywide and growing. What the Digi Wallet is now venturing into is wallet-adjacent services. Which means we are looking at offering services that provide more access, more convenience. A lot of these things are apps can do, it’s just creating the correct format for them to perform it for the public.”
Digi Wallet users can now receive Western Union funds directly into their digital wallets, eliminating the need to wait in line at physical locations. Akmar Codd, Business Development Manager at the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (B.C.C.I.), shares insights on how this innovative partnership came to fruition.
Akmar Codd
Akmar Codd, Business Development Manager, B.C.C.I.
“We have been moving money for quite some time, the fastest and easiest way to move money. So we’ve noticed new ways to move money wallets. So we have this wallet in Belize. We have Digi Wallet, And so we saw it fit to partner with them. They reach out to try to move this initiative forward. It’s something that has been introduced within the region. So we in Belize, we are catching up on this. It’s just the way that we think we need to go. It’s accessibility, it has the ease of doing business. It really gives our customers options.”
Starting May fifth, Digi Wallet users can enjoy the convenience of receiving Western Union transfers directly through the app. With just one simple click from the home screen, accessing funds has never been easier. Monique Ford-Vicente, Marketing Manager at Digi Wallet, explains how this new feature works and its benefits for users.
Monique Ford-Vicente
“Once you select the button, you will be presented with the Western Union form whereby you just input the regular requirements to your MTCN, the relationship of the sender to you, the purpose, the amount, and then you press submit within ten minutes maximum twenty minutes, you will receive your Western Union funds in your Digi Wallet account. There is no additional fee up outside of this, so there is no fee when you go to the physical store. There is no fee when you utilize it with the digital wallet account.”
For nearly three decades, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been a master agent of Western Union, with around thirty sub-agents across the country. While the Chamber considered launching its own digital wallet, Business Development Manager Akmar Codd revealed that partnering with Digi Wallet proved to be the more beneficial option. This collaboration aims to streamline money transfer services and enhance convenience for users nationwide.
Akmar Codd
“As mentioned Digi Wallet is a member of the Chamber. Of course, we thought about doing it ourselves, but Digi Wallet has already created this part of the wheel. So it was best for us to, as I said, partner with our members. Digi is a well-renowned company in Belize, so we definitely saw it fit to go along with them.”
To receive a Western Union transfer through Digi Wallet, users must be the account owner and cannot accept transfers on behalf of others. The good news is that there are no additional fees for this service. However, all standard rules for Western Union and Digi Wallet transactions still apply.
Monique Vicente Ford
“As for the amounts those are regarding in the same as your Digi Wallet holding at com. So as a subscriber, you have different holding limits. When you initially subscribe, you’re automatically provided with a silver wallet and you can hold up to fifteen hundred in your silver wallet at any one time. You can always upgrade to gold or platinum, which has higher limits for transacting. So if you know that you’re going to be receiving frequent transfers, you can always reach out to us. We will let you know how to upgrade your wallet and it’s usually pretty simple. Provide us with a recent utility bill and a job slip and we can upgrade your wallet.”
Digi Wallet also plans to provide users with the ability to send money internationally from Belize at a later date. Britney Gordon for News Five.
On Monday night, Belizeans endured an unexpected power outage that left many sweltering in the heat for up to an hour. The blackout, which began at 11:50 p.m., affected the entire country except for those with solar power. With summer fast approaching, such power failures are particularly unwelcome. Belize Electricity Limited (B.E.L.) attributed the outage to a sudden generation emergency in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, which forced their main supplier, Comisión Federal de Electricidad, to cut off electricity to Belize. Despite the disruption, B.E.L. quickly initiated restoration efforts using in-country generation supplies, including the San Pedro and Mile Eight gas turbines. Power was restored to the north and west by 12:28 a.m., with full restoration completed by 12:47 a.m. As temperatures rise, the reliability of power supply remains a critical concern for Belizeans.
Teachers are preparing for a massive demonstration this Friday in Belmopan. Last week, around three thousand teachers gathered to vote on taking industrial action, with over two thousand, five hundred members supporting the move. The union’s demands come in response to a recent salary increase for top government officials, including the Cabinet Secretary and Chief Executive Officers. B.N.T.U. is calling for a salary adjustment for teachers and an increase in the minimum wage from five to six dollars per hour. National President Nadia Caliz elaborated on the union’s demands, emphasizing the need for fair compensation for Belize’s hardworking educators.
Nadia Caliz
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teacher’s Union
“CEOs got their twenty percent and we’ve been there waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting. And it sounds like I’m exaggerating, but that’s how my teachers feel. And it’s like, we’re not important. So we want for government to understand we matter. We have value. Please consider us. Right now, the demands have to do with an eight-point-five percent minimum salary adjustment to deal with inflation. We’re asking government to put in black and white an agreement that we have for the last CBA. That transfer grant should be one thousand five hundred dollars, but because the Ministry of Finance and other financial officers have not received that in black and white at all, you find that members are still getting, or workers are still getting one thousand two hundred, which means the government owes them three hundred dollars. So if we have an agreement for one thousand five hundred, then put it in so that people can receive what is rightfully theirs. The other has to do with the fact that, which we can put it out there now, if you’re saying that it’s costly for you to pay all public offices and teachers. Then focus on the group that has taken the time out to pay their financial contribution to their union representative, who is actually lobbying on their behalf, lobbying for the demands, lobbying on their behalf. Take care of them. Then you can do the others afterwards. But we know that our group will not cost the big figure that you’re gonna put before us. We are fully aware that, and the union stands behind this, our membership stands behind this.”
Friday’s B.N.T.U. demonstration is part of a three-phase protest plan. The action starts with a public demonstration, followed by a two-day national shutdown, and could escalate to a full strike if necessary. The union is demanding swift action from the government to provide teachers with their overdue increments. B.N.T.U. President Nadia Caliz highlighted that while the increments have been unfrozen, the rollout has been slow and the mechanisms in place are flawed.
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teacher’s Union
“They’re slow rollout. There’s problem at the management level. Because some of my teachers don’t even have a fine, they can’t find these certificates, so they have to go back and get them done Sometimes. I believe that there is some game being played too, because schools can show where they submitted everything electronically, but yet you have the ministry asking back for these things. So you begin to question from the union standpoint. They need to take this matter very serious. Some are saying, oh, that is twenty people or forty persons. It doesn’t matter how many persons I know. It’s more than that for, I know it’s in a hundred still that I can put my head on the block for, but you need to take it seriously. It needs to be treated with urgency. And like I said, to one media house, not because it’s far less than the entire working population, means you will treat these people like that. Who will pay their financial obligations, who will pay the banks, who will pay the credit unions, who will pay a BEL, who will pay WASA. So while you are there receiving your check and you are caught up in the numbers, they’re suffering. And so we, we can’t take that anymore because we have listened to some of the comments. No, they need to address it. They need to treat their employees, and I’m talking to both management and government. In this case, you need to treat your workers with a level of respect and you need to handle this matter with urgency and government also need to put in place some kind of mechanism to address the fact that teachers are not being paid that they can get something before the next ending of the month. Asking people to wait for another month or two months, or three months is unfair. And so we are now looking at pursuing the legal route because the council voted for that already. And we, I did venture into getting that done. We hold off, but with more and more teachers coming at you, that’s not something we, that we cancontinue to take lightly.”
