BELIZE
Belize City, Belize:
The Dorothy Menzies Child Care Centre is a residential childcare facility which houses neglected, abused and dependent children. This is a convenient stop for cruise ship passengers who will be visiting the country for a short period of time as well as for others passing through the Belize City area. The Centre has an average of 50 children ranging in ages from 3 years old to 18 years of age, both boys and girls. Visitors can come to the Centre to drop off donations and visit with the children, however child visitation is often limited to 10 minutes and many of the children may not be there due to school or other activities. It is best to phone or e-mail in advance to determine the best time to visit. Taking pictures of the children is not allowed. Donation items that are needed include: adult disposable gloves, boys & girls underwear, boys & girls clothing, boys & girls footwear, baby lotion, shampoo (regular & for lice), school backpacks, boys and girls socks, infant Tylenol, antibiotic ointment, multi-vitamins for children, mentholated chest rub, Vaseline, hair styling gel, ball point pens, pens, rulers, erasers, pencil sharpeners, long khaki pants, white Dacron shirts with one pocket, single and twin bed sheets, and pillowcases. The contact for this organization is: Dorothy Menzies Child Care Centre, c/o Dorothy or Karl H. Menzies, 104 Barrack Road, P.O. Box 468, Belize City, Belize, e-mail: karl_dorothy@karlmenzies.com. Their phone number is 223-0974 and their fax number is 224-5353 (from the U.S., dial the international access number 011 and from everywhere outside Belize, add the 501 Belize country code). The Centre is located at the corner of St. Thomas and 19th Streets in the King’s Park area of Belize City, right across the street from Belize Telecommunications Limited
Areas Near Belize City:
The Liberty Foundation provides assistance to children in Belize through three major programs. The Liberty Care Program provides a home for abandoned, abused and neglected children at the Liberty Children's Home, a residential facility located near the Belize International Airport in Ladyville. The residential home currently houses 25 children between 1 and 11 years of age. The Liberty Education Program provides schooling for these children as well as other preschool aged children in the surrounding community of Ladyville. The Liberty Outreach Program provides support and assistance to families with young children. The Liberty Children's Home is in need of new or gently used clothing and shoes, such as tennis shoes, as well as baby wipes, children's Tylenol, children's Motrin, and children's cough medicine. Room fans are also needed. The Education Program is in need of school supplies such as school backpacks, pencils, pens, paper, crayons, colored pencils, colored markers, pencil sharpeners, chalk, erasers, educational puzzles and games, rulers, flash cards, children’s books, composition books, and arts & crafts supplies. Delfena Mitchell is the Director of The Liberty Foundation's operations in Belize. For more information, visit the organization's website at www.libertyfoundation.org.uk or contact Delfena at delfena@libertyfoundation.org.uk. If you would like to drop off items, take a tour or visit with the children, it is important to contact Delfena in advance by phone or e-mail to see if it is possible to stop by and to make your visit as non-intrusive as possible. Her phone number is 225-2158 (from the U.S., dial the international access number 011 and from everywhere outside Belize, add the 501 Belize country code).
Transportation to both of the above child care centers as well as to other schools in the Ladyville area can be arranged by taxi or in advance by contacting Margaret Montero at www.belizeexclusive.com.
Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, Belize:
There are several schools in this area that welcome visitors and donations of school supplies. Schools include the Caye Caulker Elementary School (Caye Caulker), the San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School (Ambergris Caye), and the Holy Cross Anglican School (Ambergris Caye, more information provided below.) The Caye Cauker Elementary School has over 200 students and the San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School has over 1100 students. Transportation to both of these cayes can be arranged through the Caye Caulker Water Taxi Service, located at the Marine Terminal in Belize City.
Holy Cross Anglican School on Ambergris Caye educates 462 students from kindergarten through 8th grade. Students come from San Mateo, one of the most economically disadvantaged areas of Ambergris Caye. Needs include: new or gently worn tennis shoes (children's sizes 7-13 or adult sizes 1-9); children's books (pre-reader to 7th grade); large bottles of hand sanitizer; children's dictionaries; resources materials for teaching; coloring books; two pocket folders; children's practice exercise books; small items to use as little prizes; educational toys; tape; simple musical instruments; face painting materials; sugarless gum; CD players; and bulletin board supplies. For more information, visit the school's website at www.holycrossbelize.org, contact Francis Wilson at franciswilsonbelize@yahoo.com or contact the school at 226-3456 (from the U.S., dial the international access number 011 and from everywhere outside Belize, add the 501 Belize country code).
Belmopan, Belize:
The King’s Children’s Home houses 40-50 young children and teens. Needed items included children’s clothing for boys and girls (casual and church/dressy), underwear, socks, toys, books, sheets, towels, washcloths, shampoo, children's Tylenol, children's Motrin, asprin, children's decongestants and antihistamines, band-aids, and other personal hygiene items. The home also needs school supplies such as school bookbags, pens, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, pencil sharpeners, rulers, crayons, colored pencils, colored markers, geometry sets and other items. A complete list of what the orphanage needs is contained on their website www.kingschildrenshome.org. The orphanage will reportedly pick up cruise ship passengers and bring them down to Belmopan, returning them back to the cruise port in the afternoon. Transportation can also be arranged for resort guests in Belmopan and the surrounding area. Contact the orphanage for more information and details. Contact: Leonie Hererra-Gillham, The King's Children's Home, 38/40 Unity Boulevard, P.O. Box 144, Belmopan, Belize. The orphanage may be contacted at: kch@btl.net.
The Jaden Foundation is operated by Andy and Simone Hunt, operators of Green Dragon Adventure Travel, (info@greendragonbelize.com) and the Belize Jungle Dome adventure resort in Belmopan. The Jaden Foundation is a non-profit, non-faith based organization that helps improve the lives of Belizean children through children’s education vocational training, and educational programs in their region of Belize. The organization appreciates the donation of children's books, backpacks and school supplies. For more information, visit the Jaden Foundation’s website or contact Simone at simon@greendragonbelize.com.
Stann Creek, Belize:
H.A.N.D.S. (Help Assistance Needs Development Service) helps to improve educational opportunities for children in the area of Stann Creek West. The organization's website lists current needs of schools in the area. Urgent needs include teaching materials (such as chalk and paper) as well as text and reference books. For more information, visit the organization's website at www.handsbelize.net.