Here at Taste Belize Tours we believe in the right of all human beings to a peaceful, happy life with access to education, healthy food and clean water. Our vision of responsible tourism helps achieve these goals by sharing the economic benefits of tourism as broadly as possible. Our tours and classes directly support small Belizean owned businesses and entrepreneurs across southern Belize. We collaborate with and promote a number of community initiatives across our little jewel of a country. Below we list just a few of the many positive initiatives and grassroots programs taking place around Belize. We invite you to be part of The Good Mind Movement on your vacation!
Education: Placencia Rotary Club Scholarship Fund
It is a sad reality that high school is not free in Belize. Students and their families must pay an annual school tuition fee, buy their own books and uniforms and pay for their transport to and from school. On Placencia Peninsula, where Taste Belize Tours is located, the Placencia Rotary Club has a wonderful scholarship program that provides full funding for qualifying students as well as academic support to help ensure that they complete their high school education. Contact the Placencia Rotary Club President Ron Fell at bipsron@gmail.com or (011-501) 634-8579 to learn how you can donate to this important program.
Or consider running to support the cause! The single largest source of funding for the Rotary Scholarship Fund is Placencia Peninsula’s very own End of the World Marathon and Half Marathon which donates all the proceeds from the race. Taste Belize Tours is an official sponsor of this exciting annual event which raised over 28,000 Belize dollars for scholarships in 2017 alone. The races are held every year in the first week of December, learn more and register to participate here: End of The World Marathon Website.
Sports and Mentorship: Seine Bight Running Club
The village of Seine Bight, located on Placencia Peninsula, is the hometown of Belizean Olympic sprinter Kaina Martinez. The Seine Bight Running Club offers a supportive environment that stresses healthy eating and exercise (running, soccer, yoga and strength training) while providing mentoring and life skills. As the runners are growing kids there is a regular need for new running shoes, sports bras, shorts and other running gear. If you are interested in volunteering during your visit or in bringing running gear to donate please email Wanda Stakutis at gregvwandas@gmail.com to learn more and read about their activities on their Facebook page: Seine Bight Running Club. Learn more about Seine Bight Community Activities at the Seine Bight Unite Facebook page.
Music and Peace: Drums Not Guns
This progressive musical youth movement, founded by Emmeth Young and Jill Burgess of the Creole Maroon Drum School in Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, Belize, promotes peace through music. Drums Not Guns supports the creative arts through training workshops, creating self-empowerment and employment opportunities for youths. Drum making classes and musical outreach to at risk youth across Belize and in Belize City provides mentoring and connects them with positive alternatives to gang membership. Taste Belize Tours partners with the Creole Maroon Drum School to offer our Kriol Fire Hearth Cooking tour. Guests on this tour are directly supporting the Drums not Guns initiative. To volunteer, learn more or provide further support you can email us at tastebelize@gmail.com or contact Drums Not Guns directly through their Facebook page: Drums Not Guns Facebook Page.