gojoven.org ENGLISH » Belize 2007

Fanny Martinez

GOJoven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:49:16 +0000

Fanny Martinez became a Fellow at age 23. She has worked as a Community Nurse’s Aide in Bella Vista village since the year 2000. Fanny assists at the health center, visits clients and prepares and implements projects for youth groups in Bella Vista and surrounding villages. Given the high prevalence of HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections in the area, she has prioritized prevention in her outreach to youth, and urges both youth and adults to use condoms. She also works closely with the local schools and churches to ensure that young people become more knowledgeable about pregnancy prevention and sexual and reproductive health. Fanny hopes to eventually seek further education in nursing so that she can better serve her community.

Clinica National Health Insurance

Pedro Witz

GOJoven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:48:35 +0000

Pedro Witz was 19 years old when he became a Summit Fellow. At age four he immigrated from Puerto Barrios Guatemala to Punta Gorda, Belize. Pedro has worked at Earth Watch Institute and the Social Investment Fund, and volunteered with the Belize Women’s Department and Toledo Mayan Woman’s Council. He is a leader at his Adventist Reform Church, where he runs a program for children and youth. Pedro is highly committed to youth development and has excellent communication skills and a great sense of leadership. Pedro holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Belize in Punta Gorda. He hopes to work in a position where he can “give back to society.” Pedro is interested in educating his community about sexual and reproductive health, and hopes to expand this work to the Toledo District and beyond.

University of Belize

Saira Gutierrez

GOJoven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:47:28 +0000

Saira Gutierrez became a Summit Fellow at age 24. Saira worked for four years as a teacher and vice principal at a primary school in Bella Vista, a poor Spanish-speaking village created 10 years ago to house Central American immigrants working on the banana plantations. Under Saira’s direction, school staff provide workshops on sexual and reproductive health to students. Saira is also a leader in the Bella Vista Catholic youth group, which provides workshops on sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention, in collaboration with the local health center. She is a role model and informal counselor to the youth in her community, who face many health and development challenges. Saira loves teaching and is also interested in studying health in the future.

Our Lady of Bella Vista R.C. School

Sharon Tillett Lucas

GOJoven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:46:27 +0000

Sharon Tillett Lucas became a Summit Fellow at age 24. She has taught at the St. Peter Cleaver Roman Catholic Primary School in Punta Gorda for seven years. She has worked as a volunteer with the AIDS Task Force of the Ministry of Health. Sharon is dedicated to young people and is able to have a direct impact on children and the administration at the largest school in the Toledo District, as well as within her community. Sharon is passionate about working with children and is currently pursing her associate’s degree in Primary Education. Her long-term goal is to work with children with special needs or those in especially difficult circumstances.

Saint Peter Claver Román Catholic Primary School