The National Garifuna Council (NGC) elected a new Executive Committee during its 39th Annual National Convention, held in Dangriga on July 12, 2025. The newly elected members are Alex Nolberto – President, Rafael Martinez – 1st Vice President, Sheena Zuniga – Secretary, Maurice Herrera – Treasurer, Sharrie Gordon – Assistant Secretary and Ifasina Efunyemi –...
Many know Admiral John Borland as the highest-ranking official in the Belize Coast Guard, but few may realize that this distinguished Belizean leader was born and raised in the quiet village of Forest Home. Admiral Borland’s journey began in the Belize Defense Force, where he steadily rose through the ranks to eventually lead the Coast...
Reforestation, typically highlighted during Earth Day, is taking center stage earlier this year as the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) launches a major tree-planting initiative during Belize’s rainy season. Recognizing that this is the most effective time to plant, TIDE isn’t waiting for symbolic dates to act. Globally, reforestation is encouraged because trees...
Copal Tree, a company gaining international recognition for its innovative agricultural practices, hosted a Family Day over the weekend at its farm and distillery. The event marked the end of a successful season and served as a heartfelt thank you to its dedicated team. Family Day is Copal Tree’s way of showing appreciation to its...
On Sunday, July 6th, the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) carried out another beach cleanup, this time in the Punta Ycacos area. The location was chosen because it’s a known turtle nesting site, and this is the season when turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. The team collected over 20 bags of garbage and installed...
The Ministry of Investment, in collaboration with the Taiwan Technical Mission, has officially launched a cell phone repair training program for women and girls in Punta Gorda Town. This exciting initiative is designed to equip participants with hands-on skills in phone maintenance and repair, opening doors to self-employment opportunities, especially in underserved communities. Supported by...
The Annual Basketball Training Program is Back! Organized by the Toledo Sports Council, our exciting summer basketball training kicked off on June 30th and runs for two weeks! First session for ages 6 to 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and ages 9 to 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Led by experienced...
The Ministry of Health and Wellness warns that floodwaters can lead to infections, injuries, and waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A. The public is urged to avoid contact with floodwaters and keep any open wounds clean and covered. Due to stagnant water, mosquito breeding is expected to increase, raising the risk of...
The Forest Department held a three-day workshop from June 26–28, 2025, focused on analyzing jaguar and prey dynamics. Participants included staff and partners like CSFI, Ya’axché, Belize Audubon Society, and others working on camera trap data for the national wildlife database. The training covered tools such as R, Excel, GIS, and occupancy modelling programs. It...
The Sustainable and Inclusive Belize (SAIB) initiative held an informative session at the Town Council to present details about its Tourism Grant Program.During the meeting, attendees were guided through the application process and eligibility requirements. The program aims to support tourism stakeholders by offering financial grants along with technical assistance to help recipients grow and...
The vibrant colors and striking murals seen across Punta Gorda Town are the work of a talented local artist whose creativity is leaving a lasting mark on the community. Mr. Donato Cho’s artwork can be found throughout the town, reflecting both culture and passion through painting.
Wednesday February11th marked a major milestone for the ministry of rural transformation, community development and local government as two upgraded water systems were officially inaugurated, one in San Jose and the other in Yemeri Grove. These improved systems are expected to provide residents of both villages with reliable access to clean water for many years...
Residents of Punta Gorda had the opportunity to sharpen their customer service skills as BELTRAIDE hosted a Customer Service Excellence workshop for the public. The interactive session focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences, strengthening communication skills, and fostering a customer-first mindset, all at no cost to participants. The workshop took place in Punta Gorda Town...
A major step forward for road safety in Belize was marked with the successful completion of a Defensive Driving Training conducted by capstone along with James Bus Line. The training focused on real-world defensive driving techniques, hazard awareness, sound decision-making, and professionalism behind the wheel specifically tailored to the daily challenges faced by bus operators....
Several key development projects for Toledo are moving from planning to action, following recent approvals at the highest level of government. The Minister of rural transformation and development provided an update on initiatives already signed off by the Prime Minister, along with projects currently underway across the district, aimed at improving infrastructure, services, and overall...
