LONDON, United Kingdom — Belize is a country located on the eastern coast of Central America. Due to various factors, “58% of young people under 18 years of age in Belize present multidimensional poverty.” Some of the most influential exacerbators of poverty are the lack of education, nutrition and adequate housing and sanitation.
Causes of Poverty in Belize
In Belize, the lack of access to education perpetuates a cycle of poverty. Children struggle to secure jobs to support themselves and their families without proper education. Only 55% of children have access to quality early childhood education. While nearly all children attend primary school, many cannot continue to high school. The cost of education in Belize is a significant barrier, preventing most children from pursuing education beyond primary school.
Nutrition is another major concern in Belize, as many children are affected by growth stunting, which impairs their growth and development due to malnutrition. Food insecurity further exacerbates the issue, as families are often forced to prioritize paying for food over education, impacting the overall educational level in the country. The cycle continues since education is “tied to future employment opportunities and higher income levels, which influences the ability to access and purchase foods.”
Oaks of Righteousness
Oaks of Righteousness is an organization dedicated to supporting children and their education in Belize. Its core focus on education, nutrition and discipleship drives its efforts through scholarships, the provision of supplies and food, sponsorships and empowerment initiatives. With the help of its local partners, Oaks of Righteousness is working to break the cycle of poverty. Indeed, they aim to uplift the communities in Roaring Creek, Punta Gorda and Belize City.
Providing scholarships is an important step toward improving access to education for children in Belize. The Borgen Project spoke with Lindsey Elliott, founder of Oaks of Righteousness, who described her opportunity to fundraise before beginning the organization and its work in education. She recalled asking her connection, “What do you see as the biggest need? And he said hands down education. If we can help get these kids in school and get them educated then we can break the cycle of poverty.” After raising the money to send 75 children to school, she thought of the following years and how to continue being of service.
Supporting Children in Single-Parent Households
Another aspect of multidimensional poverty in Belize is the high number of children growing up in single-parent households. Support and guidance are crucial to children, but in Belize, “only 24% of … children have support from their fathers as they grow; mothers are not a guaranteed presence either, with only 68% caring for their children in their first years of life.” In light of these realities, Oaks of Righteousness attempts to alleviate this strain on families.
After observing children in single-mother households, Elliott says, “that’s when we really decided to do the sponsorship program. A big piece of that was the relationship piece because we wanted the kids to know someone chose you, they are praying for you, they love you, they think about you and then give those sponsors an opportunity to come and meet the kids.” Addressing children’s relational needs and offering additional support and hope will significantly enhance their educational experience, fostering improved performance and engagement in school.
Tutoring Programs
Belize’s location and history make it a very culturally diverse country. As a result, language becomes a barrier to education. Teachers are required to speak in English, which disadvantages the Spanish-speaking community. The language barrier is more pronounced in rural areas. This exacerbates the urban-rural divide, as “persons living in rural communities were more likely to be multi-dimensionally poor than those in urban areas.”
In response, Oaks of Righteousness has worked through its community coordinator and partnered with an organization that provides school tutoring. Wanting to prevent children from getting behind, “the hope is that through the tutoring programs we’re able to have these tutors come in who speak both languages, who can help the kids and get them what they need.” Bridging the language barrier is important to supporting all children and providing equal access to education in Belize.
Hope for Poverty Reduction in Belize
Oaks of Righteousness has achieved a lot in its efforts to fight poverty by supporting children and their education in Belize. It has successfully provided 180 children with life-changing scholarships while serving 145 households. Its work serves as a powerful reminder that various forms of action can drive significant change. Its example encourages the belief that we all have the ability to create a lasting and meaningful impact.
– Sydney Morrow
Sydney is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Pexels