Photo: Mayor Wagner and participant receiving certificate
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Aug. 10, 2023
The Belize City Council’s commitment to fostering youth empowerment was on full display as they hosted the closing ceremonies for their 2023 Summer Programs on Thursday, August 10, 2023. The culmination of three summer camps – the Peewee Basketball Summer Camp, the Youth Innovation Incubator Summer Camp 2.0, and the Youth Connect Summer Blast Camp – marked a five-week journey of growth and learning for approximately 400 children and youths aged 7 to 17.
The diverse list of courses offered during these programs provided a well-rounded experience. From Belizean baking and basketball to swimming, gardening, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, painting, videography, yoga, and self-confidence, the youths were given a unique platform to explore their interests.
Ashley Garcia, a 14-year-old participant, shared her experience in the program, highlighting the self-confidence, financial literacy and entrepreneurship courses she took before receiving seed funding from the council to participate in the Belize City Council’s 2023 Back-to-School Super Sale as an active vendor alongside her group members. “The Belize City Council’s Super Sale and the Summer Program empowered me and my team to not only dream about being our own bosses, but helped us put our plans together and make it happen. Before, I didn’t know anything about entrepreneurship, but I was so excited about the outcome and seeing my first earnings,” said Garcia. She also participated in the Belizean baking course and shared that she is now able to bake pastries such as lemon tarts and powder buns for her family.
Mayor Bernard Wagner expressed his satisfaction with the outcomes of the summer camps. “It was truly gratifying for me to see how impactful our three summer camps have been in driving empowerment and purpose in the lives of our youths. The sustained activities throughout the past 5 weeks have created a sort of rippling positive effect in the hearts and minds of our children and youth. The program really enhanced innovation, creation and collaboration. It taught them how to overcome challenges and how to turn them into opportunities.”
Mayor Wagner further emphasized the long-term impact of the programs, stating, “This summer, our kids sowed the seeds of entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and leadership. We now await the harvest to come in future years. So, while many speak of developing youth activities, at this council, for the past five years, we have lived it and have continued to be at the forefront of youth empowerment.”
The Belize City Council has affirmed its dedication to an ongoing expansion of summer offerings for Belize City youths in order to continuously foster an environment of growth and empowerment.