Spreading Good Deeds Across Belize and Beyond

It feels good to do good. That’s the message behind the Good Deeds Day movement. Every year on April twelfth, millions of people around the globe dive head-first into making their community a better place. But community service isn’t a one-day mission. This week, in Belize city, the Good Deeds Day organization is hosting a Caribbean Leaders Conference to strengthen volunteer efforts across the region. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

When it comes to doing good and spreading kindness, Belizeans are stepping up to the challenge. For nearly two decades, the Good Deeds Day global movement has been uniting people in over one hundred and fifteen countries to perform acts of service for the benefit of others and the planet. While the day isn’t celebrated until April, the work is all year round. This week, the organization has gathered changemakers from around the region to participate in the Caribbean Leaders Conference. Director of Good Deeds Day, Hannah Wojno, tells us how this event connects people to network and build capacity for ongoing initiatives.

 

Hannah Wojno, Director. Good Deeds Day

“This conference is for leaders from around the Caribbean that are responsible for leading and growing good deeds in their country. So we have maybe, I think twelve countries represented here and as well as all of our many partners from across Belize, both NGO, government, and of course corporate too that are here, that are taking part. So really we have two, two goals, which is one, for people to learn from one another, understand what’s happening from an ocean away from a country away to collaborate to think how can we join forests? Because at the end of the day, we have to join together to, to make impact, to do good, not we can’t do it by ourselves.”

 

At the conference, volunteers were reminded of something simple but powerful, doing good isn’t a duty, it’s a choice, and one that brings real joy when we support each other. We spoke with Nicole Cain, Executive Director of ISG Cares, an organization dedicated to helping those facing homelessness. She emphasized just how important it is to get young people involved because when the next generation steps up, the impact multiplies.

 

Nicole Cain, Executive Director, ISG Cares

“Looking out for your neighbor. Growing up in Belize, that’s how it was. We were a very tight-knit community. And now I feel that we’ve lost that a little bit and I would love to see that come back. So if we could encourage the younger. Generation to bring that community spirit back. That would be amazing. And I think the conference and involving all these members of the community is going to be a great start to get that conversation, at least going.”

 

The conference gathered delegates from six different countries and nearly thirty representatives from Belizean initiatives. The Ixchel Caribe Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides resources for women, children and law enforcement in Belize. Founder Charlotte Nal shares some of the projects volunteers are conducting.

 

Charlotte Nal, Founder, Ixchel Caribe Foundation

“And pretty much some of those projects in Belize itself, it ranged from cleaning some of the beachfront, cleaning parks feeding the homeless, people were out there working together to feed the homeless, going to senior homes, helping the seniors in their homes. It varied. It was so amazing and it’s more amazing to see because our youths in Belize have turned up in droves to volunteer, and I think that’s the whole piece that is so exciting in Belize.”

 

The Good Deeds Day mission hopes to inspire people to take charge in making their community and country a better place by tackling pressing issues such as poverty, hunger, and climate action. Britney Gordon for News Five.