Rosa María Castro, Rosa is a 27-year-old woman who has spent the last four years working as a pre-school teacher at Children’s Nest Pre-school in the rural town of Valle de Paz, Cayo District, Belize. Originally from El Salvador, Rosa is bilingual and most comfortable speaking in Spanish. She volunteers with the governmental health education and outreach program and participates in the rural health committee in her village.  She has participated in local projects and training on providing health services to people with HIV. She describes here leadership style as responsible, punctual and organized and sees herself as a community organizer. Rosa is particu-larly concerned by the adolescent pregnancy rate in her village and in GOJoven hopes to improve her skills in group facilitation, communication, and conflict resolu-tion in order to gain trust of and be a resource for the youth of her community. Rosa dreams of continuing her education through attending and graduating from high school and beyond.

St. Ignatius High School

Walter Santos is the founder and frequent volunteer of BADCATS (Belize Adventure Culture and Technology), Walter works to improve the lives of at risk youth by teaching them survival skills through outdoor leadership training. He has worked extensively with youth to help them stop using drugs through setting up job placement and career counseling programs. He educates young people on issues of environmental consciousness through his caving expeditions and in his training as a Divemaster. Through his studies as paramedic, Walter works with US doctors providing medical care in rural Belizean villages. Walter is recognized and respected by youth as a role model committed to developing their leadership. His future plans are to finish high school, become a rescue specialist and teach disaster medicine to improve the lives of youth and adults around the world.

Ian Aderson’s Caves Branch Adventure Company

Gloria Avila, a Garifuna woman from the border town of Benque Viejo del Carmen, was 21 years old when she became a Summit Fellow.  Gloria is a passionate believer in young people and their capacities. Gloria is originally from the town of Dangriga, where she has seen many challenges that face youth, such as early pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and HIV/AIDS. She worked as a volunteer for the government’s youth arm, Youth for the Future, conducting trainings and educating out of school youth on violence prevention, HIV/AIDS, and strategic planning. She is recognized as a youth leader due to her gift and ability to translate complicated information and keep youth motivated and interested. Gloria graduated from junior college with an associate’s degree in International Business, and is a teacher in the Mahogany Hights Belize District .

Youth for the Future Cayo

Omar Lucio Rodriguez was selected as a Summit Fellow at age 29.  He is a police officer responsible for safety and security in the village of Succotz, close to the Guatemala border. A dynamic and community-oriented young man, Omar has a passion for helping young people.  He is passionate about helping young women get out of violent relationships and stay in school; he often finds himself counseling women and men on violence prevention and educating young people on pregnancy and HIV prevention though the use of condoms and fidelity. He collaborates with Youth for the Future in educating in the local schools on issues of human rights and the rights of youth and children. Omar is a Mormon, but is respectful of others’ beliefs and would never debate religion or impose his practices on others. His future goal is to move to San Ignacio, where he can interact with more young people, and to study social work in the evenings.

Belize Police