2025-07-23 - Greater Belize Media

Building Support for Juvenile Diabetics in Belize

School may be out, but for a group of young Belizeans, the learning hasn’t stopped just yet. About twenty children from across the country are in Belize City this week, taking part in a special camp, but this isn’t your typical summer program. It’s a juvenile diabetic support camp, hosted annually by the Belize Diabetes Association. They are empowering kids and their parents with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to manage diabetes and live healthier lives. News Five’s Britney Gordon has more on this inspiring initiative.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

You’ve heard it before, non-communicable diseases like diabetes are one of the leading causes of death in region. It’s a concerning issue that countries like Belize have been grappling with for years. But it’s not just older members of the population that are fighting these diagnoses. Many children across Belize are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and it’s something they must manage for the rest of their lives. Seventeen-year-old Adon Awe says he was diagnosed at just four years old after his mom suspected something was happening to her son.

Adon Awe, Diaagnosed with Diabetes

“She noticed the signs and, she knew that something was off. So she went to take me to the hospital and when they test me and did whatever they diagnosed me with diabetes. So that from since then she put me in this organization and yeah, from since then, that’s when the journey started.”

For children and teenagers like Adon, managing their diabetes can be a terrifying and overwhelming ordeal. Fortunately, they are not alone on their journey. Every year, the Belize Diabetes Association hosts a three-day summer camp, where juvenile diabetics and their parents can learn more about the crucial resources available. Health Educator Tylon Tillett from the Belize Diabetes Association says this camp is about building friendships, learning together, and giving these kids the confidence to take control of their health.

Tylon Tillett, Health Educator, Belize Diabetes Association

“Part of being a diabetic is testing regularly, daily, sometimes twice daily, and testing supplies is very expensive and oftentimes hard to come by. So by being a member of the association or membership gets access to these machines, the strips, you get access to education, pamphlets, education sessions, monthly, like I said, to become a better diabetic. We try to network with international diabetes foundations to provide the latest cutting edge. And also a big part of the management is taking medications, insulin, and so forth. And all of these benefits are received by the membership. And so this camp is one of the bene benefits to our membership.”

The camp is sponsored by the Belize Diabetes, Heart, and Stroke Association of New York, which has provided resources such as meals, transportation, and t-shirts since 2012. This year, however, the camp’s entire budget was supported by the association. Ava Tucker, a member of the association, explains why camps like this are vital to diabetes support.

Ava Tucker, Belize Diabetes, Heart, & Stroke Association of New York

“I’m not a diabetic, but I’m an educator and I see how this transitions to the school system where, kids come in lethargic, adults are I feel dizzy, and you don’t think that. It goes beyond just being, oh, they had hangover, or the kid is just lazy, too much TikTok, whatever. They’re ill. So it’s important for us to come on board, especially with the education part of it, but we are the diaspora and our association is hoping to see a domino effect where, how else beyond this camp? The education that they’re projecting here and the information that they’re giving, how can this be projected on our community at large?”

The camp welcomes both children and their parents to participate. This ensures that both parties will be informed of the best treatment and management methods for a healthy life.

Tylon Tillett

“It’s juvenile diabetes, and so it’s children that are going through this condition and, the child cannot treat themselves, so it is important that the parent is there as a support system for the nutrition of that child, the daily monitoring of the child to see how they’re interacting with the world while going through this affliction.”

The camp hosted a range of participants, from as young as four to seventeen years old. Adon shares how helpful this camp has been as he navigates transition into adulthood and becomes responsible for managing his diabetes on his own.

Adon Awe

“ When I was younger she used to take care of me, but like now since I’m older, I have to like, take up the responsibility myself and it’s hard to be disciplined and, checking the sugar every day, getting the insulin and stuff, when I was small my mom had to do that for me, but I’m getting older now and I can’t depend on her every day to do these things for me.”

Britney Gordon

“So do you find a camp like this useful, especially given that you have to keep up those responsibilities on your own?”

Adon Awe

“They give us supplies and that has really helped me. And also they give us advice as well, how to maintain this disease. Yeah, and it’s good to know that there is at people that I can relate to, and then to just think that I’m the only one on myself in this situation.”

The Belize Diabetes Association and its partners is dedicated to ensuring every Belizean, whether young or old has the support system and the resources they need to not only manage their disease but thrive despite it. Britney Gordon for News Five.

YMCA and YWCA Power Up Summer for Belize City Kids

Summer’s in full swing, and while some kids are soaking up the sun, others are diving into something even more exciting, learning new skills and building lifelong friendships. Two of Belize City’s most trusted community organizations, the YMCA and YWCA, are making sure this summer is one to remember. From coding and cooking to swimming and sewing, their camps are giving dozens of children a chance to grow, explore, and shine. Rooted in different neighborhoods but united by a shared mission, both groups are opening doors and shaping futures. News Five’s Tanya Arceo visited the camps to see how these programs are inspiring Belize’s next generation of leaders.

Tanya Arceo, Reporting

At the YMCA Belize, summer is in full swing and it’s buzzing with energy, laughter, and learning. Executive Director Clara Cuellar shared the excitement behind this year’s expanded summer program. Thanks to support from government ministries and private sponsors, the YMCA has packed a whole lot of fun and learning into one location, from basketball and volleyball to coding and more. Kids between the ages of seven and twelve are rotating through each activity, picking up new skills and making new friends along the way. But as Cuellar puts it, this camp is about nurturing the mind, body, and spirit.

Clara Cuellar, Executive Director, YMCA Belize

“This year YMCA is having a wonderful celebration and rejoicing because for many years we had to do programs all over the city we’ve done it at different high schools in the north side different swimming pools and with the help of government we were able to fill all our property that’s here so we are extremely grateful and we can bring the program all to one place.”

Sixteen-year-old Kasey Salam is already giving back, teaching kids how to code using Scratch, a fun, beginner-friendly platform. With colorful blocks and animated characters, these young learners are building games and stories while picking up real programming skills. It’s all about empowering the next generation, one drag-and-drop at a time.

Micha Williams, Student

“ I am making a game that’s fun and entertaining for both older and younger people and it helps you in a little way and it helps you a little with anxiety.”

Alvaro Mai, Student

“I was working on a story but now I am trying to load up this game for you guys.”

Just a few blocks away, the YWCA is buzzing with hands-on action, sewing machines, crochet hooks, and the smell of home-cooked meals. Their summer camp is all about teaching kids practical life skills. Program Coordinator Lisa Griffith, who usually trains adults, says this summer is about giving kids a space to learn, create, and grow.

Lisa Griffith, Program Coordinator at YWCA

“They have been learning to cook they know all the ingredients that goes in they might not be able to actually get to the stove and do it but they know the ingredients they know the preparation.”

Jenine Henry, Culinary Arts Instructor

“They are here, they are learning and whatever they make in class they take it home it’s an experience for them because they have been doing this for we are in the third week now some of them come with their experiences in the sense that they go home they practice with their parents.”

Whether it’s shooting hoops and coding at the YMCA or learning to cook, swim, and sew at the YWCA, one thing is certain, this summer, kids across Belize City are being given the chance to grow, create, and connect. Tanya Arceo for News Five.

Gov’t Rents 116 Buildings, But Refuses to Disclose Rental Contracts

The Government of Belize is spending public funds on 116 rental properties across the country but won’t release the contracts.

In response to a Freedom of Information request from News Five, the Ministry of Public Service shared a list of government rental spaces from June 2024 to 2025, including the names of landlords and locations.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, the government has been paying rent on 116 buildings. Belize City accounts for 29 rentals, Belmopan 28, and Punta Gorda 11.

But when News Five asked for copies of the actual tenancy agreements, the ministry declined, saying the contracts are exempt from public disclosure. The ministry argued that publishing rent amounts could inflate market prices and hurt the economy.

The ministry cited advice from the Attorney General’s Ministry in justifying the refusal and even pointed to comments made by former Prime Minister Dean Barrow. They referenced his past defence of keeping rental contracts private when Barrow stated, “The ministry can refuse to release those documents because people would have an interest in knowing the location, for example… because land prices in that area will go up… These are the sorts of exceptions that are absolutely well recognised.”

News Five reached out to Barrow for his take on the issue and will take a closer look at his response, the landlords names and ministries in tonight’s 6 p.m. newscast on Greater Belize Media.

BZ$8 Million Project to Protect Belize’s Coastlines from Climate Change

Help is on the way for coastal communities facing the harsh realities of climate change. The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) has signed an BZ$8 million grant agreement with the Adaptation Fund to roll out a major project aimed at boosting climate resilience along Belize’s coast.

The five-year initiative will target areas most at risk from rising seas, erosion, and flooding and is expected to directly benefit more than 117,000 people. It will support stronger coastal planning, early warning systems, and protective infrastructure in places that need it most.

“This project represents a critical step in ensuring that our coastal communities are better prepared and more resilient in the face of increasing climate risks,” PACT said in its announcement statement.

The project will be carried out in partnership with several government agencies and the Dangriga Town Council. It also includes training, better data collection, and nationwide public education to strengthen how the country responds to the climate crisis.

This is the third major project PACT will deliver with funding from the Adaptation Fund since its accreditation in 2011.

Concierge Desk at Cayo Welcome Centre Launched

The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) and the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council have signed a five-year agreement to operate a new Concierge Desk at the Cayo Welcome Centre.

Its objective? To enhance the visitor experience in the Cayo District by offering a one-stop location for travel bookings, local insights, cultural events, and business support. It also focuses on promoting sustainability and empowering local entrepreneurs.

The mayor of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, Early Trapp, said, “We were connected with the BTIA, where they decided to take over the reins, and they will be manning this here, and that will be supporting tourists and more than tourist information.”

Trapp added, “It’s like a bridging gap to the different things to do within this municipality and, of course, to the different resorts. Definitely we look at it as impacting tourism and, of course, supporting our local economy.”

Belize Pushes to Be the Region’s Investment Jewel

The Belize Investment Summit 2025 will take place from 3 to 5 September in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The event will be hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance, Investment, and Economic Development. It’s objective? To attract both local and foreign investors.

“This is the third investment summit we’re having,” said Nikki Augustine, Communications Manager at BELTRAIDE. “Our theme for this year is ‘Bridging Markets, Building Resilience.’ We want to show Belize as the nexus, connecting CARICOM and Central American countries. Our proximity to the US makes Belize an ideal nation for doing business.”

Building on previous summits, this year’s event will focus on forging partnerships and exploring new investment opportunities. Augustine added, “We’re also looking at what’s happening globally and what that might mean to Belize. It actually makes Belize a much more attractive country, especially logistically.”

“Belize has an objective to become an investment hub for Central America by the year 2030,” said Lincoln Blake, Director of the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit.

Blake added that beyond presentations, “the summit has created an environment for investors and senior government officials and technocrats to meet and “make investments happen.”

He stated that even small businesses attend the summit to connect with potential investors and explore equity opportunities, as well as to gain new ideas for their projects.

Former Ambassador Accused of Raping Male Minor

A former Belizean ambassador has been detained in Benque Viejo del Carmen amid a police investigation into the alleged rape of a male minor. A relative confirmed to News 5 that the accused is expected to be charged shortly and appear in court on Thursday.

At this time, no formal charges have been filed.

The incident is the latest high-profile case involving a senior diplomat facing serious sexual assault allegations.

Details remain limited at this time, but we’re closely following the developments and will bring you the latest as soon as we know more.

Second Public Consultation on 13th Amendment Set for Belmopan

Belmopan residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on the controversial Thirteenth Amendment Bill during a second public consultation scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, at the University of Belize’s Conference Centre. The session will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The first consultation was held last week in Belize City, and it drew a small but vocal crowd. Attendees voiced concerns about the bill’s potential to give security forces sweeping powers in designated “special zones,” including the ability to conduct searches and detain individuals without warrants. Some warned this could lead to abuse and human rights violations.

The Briceño administration maintains that the amendment is necessary to restore order in gang-afflicted communities. The bill proposes the creation of a special gun and gang court, expanded powers for police and the Belize Defence Force, and retroactive legal coverage for past states of emergency, potentially shielding those actions from future legal challenges.

Earlier this week, Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa defended the bill, saying, “We need to flesh it out more to say that this is a crime-fighting, life-saving tool that we want to keep in our toolbox as a measure of last resort, not something to be used every day but something to say, ‘Listen, this is getting out of control, the public are not giving statements; we need to hit the pause button.’”

The Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee has also invited written feedback. Submissions are open until August 26 and should be emailed to ClerkNA@bna.gov.bz with the subject line: “Belize Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Bill, 2025.”

BTV on Guatemalan Incursions: “Belizeans Need to See Those Diplomatic Notes”

It’s not the first time, and it may not be the last time unless Belize “man up and say, ‘Hey, enough is enough,'” said Wil Maheia, Leader of the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV).

Reports of a Guatemalan Navy vessel entering Belizean waters near the Hunting Caye Forward Operating Base raised the alarm for a group of BTV members out at sea.

Maheia told News 5, “Yesterday morning, the Guatemalan forces, as they usually try to flex their muscles and show themselves, came close to the tower operating base at Hunting Caye. And as Belizeans, I feel like we need to do more than the Guatemalan forces and respect our borders and respect Belizean waters.”

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca, the Coast Guard followed protocol, identified the vessel as a Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) vessel, and informed the Guatemalan forces that they were illegally in Belize’s maritime space and were escorted out of it.

Meanwhile, Maheia said the vessel was one of Guatemala’s largest gunboats used to patrol along the Caribbean side of the country, including areas near the Sarstoon, Corona Reef, and Sapodilla Cayes.

“I believe too that every time incidents like these happen, we say, ‘Oh, we’ll send a diplomatic note.’ I think the Belizeans need to see those diplomatic notes,” Maheia said. “I don’t know when Belize will man up and say, ‘Hey, enough is enough.’ The Guatemalans continue to disrespect Belizean sovereignty. I mean, we can’t do that in their country; we can’t do that in any country,” he added.

Miss Universo Belize Defiende Uso De IA

Ante la polémica sobre la posible utilización de inteligencia artificial en el Concurso Nacional de Diseño de Traje de Miss Universo Belize, la directora del certamen, Destinee Arnold, aclaró las reglas para las postulaciones y ofreció su visión sobre el papel de la IA en el proceso creativo.

Arnold destacó que el comité está abierto a diversas formas de expresión artística y valora tanto la creatividad digital como los diseños hechos a mano. “Hay diferentes formas en las que puedes presentar cualquiera que sea tu visión, y apreciamos que las personas sean ingeniosas y también apreciamos a aquellos que toman su bolígrafo sobre papel y dibujan los diseños. El enfoque es asegurarnos de incluir al público en el diseño del vestuario nacional porque este es un disfraz que representa nuestra cultura, y queremos asegurarnos de mantener el enfoque en ese objetivo. No queremos alimentar ningún tipo de negatividad. Queremos seguir celebrando el hecho de que Bella está haciendo olas en este momento en la industria de los concursos. Está recibiendo mucha atención internacional positiva y queremos asegurarnos de mantener esa celebración”, explicó la directora.

Sobre el uso de inteligencia artificial, Arnold aseguró que no es posible ignorar el avance tecnológico y que la mejor opción es adaptarse para usar estas herramientas de manera adecuada. “No podemos huir de la inteligencia artificial. No podemos huir de la evolución de la tecnología. Podemos aceptarlo y asegurarnos de que estamos utilizando adecuadamente las herramientas que ahora están a nuestra disposición”, concluyó.