Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The DYS is asking for nominations for the 2023 National Youth Awards. Deadline for nominations is the 4th of November.

https://forms.gle/2DSUzQQ1RwjKBx2v8

The Youth Awards ceremony will be held at Sacred Heart College on Saturday, November 25th.

The 2023 National Youth Awards ceremony will be held tomorrow morning at 10am. Great to see the future generation being recognized.

The DYS is having their Summer School Tutoring program, which will go from August 1st through the 19th, and is for all youths from ages 12 to 15. They'll have morning and afternoon sessions, and they're all free.

'The Department of Youth Services hereby presents Summer School Tutoring program.
Commencing August 1st to the 19th
You can now register for the following sessions at our DYS offices country-wide.
Sessions being offered are Math and English.
Session 1- 9am-11:30am
Session 2- 1pm- 3:30pm
All sessions are available for ages 12-15 years old.
All sessions are FREE"

The 2020 Belize Youth Awards will be streamed virtually on Friday, November 6th.  Be sure and tune in to see all the amazing youths receive their awards.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGIor4UlU7N/

"The Department of Youth Services, Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, hereby informs the public that we will be hosting the Belize Youth Awards on Friday, November 6th, 2020 under the International Youth Day theme, 'Youth Engagement for Global Action.'

With an effort to highlight works being done by young changemakers in their own right, while following all safety precautions, the annual Belize Youth Awards will be held virtually and viewers can be a part of the show on our Department of Youth Services Facebook page. Nominees have been selected and informed of their nomination, and the winners will be announced during the virtual show."

The Department of Youth Services has 1000's of free online courses.  With the quarantine in effect, now's the time to study online.  Register with the DYS here, and learn about a subject that interests you.  Finish 3 courses, and you'll receive a certificate of completion.  "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – W.B. Yeats

"Interested in learning to edit videos? How about photoshop? Something educational?

We have the perfect platform to share with you!
Since we now have more time on our hands, a great way to keep yourself busy is to learn something new!

This platform allows participants to sign-up via our webpage and follow the below steps to get full access to over 1000 courses available on one of the world’s largest free learning platforms for education and skills training.  Even better, if you complete 3 courses, you will also be given certification of completion by us at the Department of Youth Services!"

Yesterday was International Youth Day and Belmopan Day, and the DYS celebrated both with their information booth.  Happy 48th anniversary, Belmopan!

Pictures from:

DYS

DFC

Belmopan City Council

Belmopan Online.com

Travel Belmopan

"Happy International Youth Day! The Department of Youth Services continued #youthday celebrations at Belmopan Day by giving out prizes and information on all of our units, as well as the World Youth Conference 2017 that we hosted. Thanks to everyone who visited our booth today! We enjoyed meeting all of you"

The Department of Youth Services' Youth Empowerment Sports Camp has finished, and the students received their certificates at the closing ceremony.  Thanks, DYS, for engaging the youth!

"On Friday, 70 participants successfully completed our 2 week Youth Empowerment Camp.This is an annual Educational Sports Camp that is spear headed by DYS in Partnership with the Youth RISE project."

Feelgood news of the day.  The Department of Youth Services had their Christmas party for the youths of Benque, and it was very well attended.  Thanks go out to the DYS, Benque 4H Club, and the Opening Roads for Future Generations Organization.  

Pictures of the event taken by Mr. Murillo.

"Benque Children’s and Youths Christmas Party was a Success. Having a total of 216 persons attending, 121 kids and 54 youths and 41 adults. We want to thank every sponsor, volunteer and persons who assisted in making this event possible. This Year’s Children’s and Youth Christmas party was organized by the Department of Youth Services Benque, Benque Viejo 4H Club and Opening Roads for Future Generations Organization. Some of the activities that encompassed this event were lots of games, Piñatas, food, and awards given out by the Benque Viejo 4H Club, and awards given out by our very own officers in Benque recognizing the people that have been there to support our activities and exceptional people who are doing great things in their community."

Feelgood news of the day.  Realize Belize had their Santa Run this morning at Galvez Stadium.  The Benque DYS office was there.

"REALIZE BELIZE held their Santa Run today at Victor Galvez Stadium, San Ignacio at 7am. The purpose of this event was to raise awareness and money to support the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in Belize. People with disabilities were part of the Santa Run and the Department of Youth Services Benque is proudly supporting such initiatives which goals are to develop a fully inclusive environment for people with disabilities. Keep up the good work REALIZE BELIZE!"

Feelgood news of the day.  36 youths from all around Cayo were trained in skills that bettered them for working.  The Department of Youth Services and the Cornerstone Foundation teamed up for the Job Preparedness Training, which took place mostly during October, and was part of the Youth Resilience and Inclusive Social Empowerment Project.  Thanks, DYS and Cornerstone!

"Thirty-six youths from San Ignacio and Santa Elena have graduated from a Job Preparedness Training course as part of the Employability Enhancement component of the Ministry of Human Development’s Youth Rise Project. During the 8-week course, the eighteen young men and eighteen young women, aged 14-24, were exposed to a variety of topics including skills identification; personal SWOT analysis; effective communication; conflict management; Belize’s Labor Laws; work etiquette; career exploration, resume and cover Letter writing; and interview skills.

The course, which ran from August 28-October 30, is based on the Job Preparedness Training Program developed by the Department of Youth Services (DYS) in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture. The training was delivered in a collaborative effort between DYS Santa Elena and the Cornerstone Foundation in San Ignacio. A second cycle of the Job Preparedness training is schedule for February 2018. Persons interested in participating in the next cycle should contact DYS in Santa Elena at 804-0540.

The Youth Resilience and Inclusive Social Empowerment (RISE) Project is a comprehensive social intervention, which responds to the challenges facing vulnerable groups, particularly at-risk youth in the Towns of San Ignacio/Santa Elena and Dangriga. The project is implemented by the Government of Belize via the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation & Poverty Alleviation and public sector and social partners with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of Belize."

The DYS' Western Youth Fest and Business Expo will be held in Camalote on Saturday, December 2nd.  Panerrifix Steel Band, Kelsie Parham, Haziel Alaniz, Stig Da Artist, Hubee, and many more Belizean artists will be performing. They'll have tons of food and fun for youths.  

Lucille Mendez De Pulido and Ben Garcia will be hosting.

The Department of Youth Services is having their 2nd Annual Belize Youth Rising Star Competition, and the Cayo round will be at the CAYO Welcome Center next Saturday, July 29th, from 10am to 2pm. The 1st prize is $5000. Contact the DYS for more information.

'Calling out all the gifted youth to get in contact with the Department of Youth Services to sign up to participate in district eliminations for their 2nd Annual Belize Youth Rising Star Competition at Cayo Welcome Center. Details on the flyer...'

Congratulations to all the DYS Belize Youth Awards winners! Congratulations to Ben Garcia for winning the Influencer of the Year award, and Juan Menjivar for winning the Entrepreneur of the Year award.

The DYS has a lot of events planned for Youth Week. The Belize Youth Awards will be on Friday the 4th, and the National Youth Tradeshow and Festival will be on the 5th in Belmopan.

'Calling all young entrepreneurs in the City of Belmopan! Here is your chance to participate in the National Youth Trade Show and Festival 2022.

The Youth Trade Show and Featival will be held on November 5, 2022 at the National Agricultural Showgrounds in the City of Belmopan.

For more information kindly register @ https://forms.gle/kaNBatpqFWB4A66z8

Congratulations, Interactors!  They traveled to Belize to receive the DYS Youth Club Award for 2021.  

"Today the Interact Club of Sacred Heart College was presented with the Youth Club Award 2021 by His Worship Mayor Bernard Wagner. Many thanks to the Belize City Council and Department of Youth Services for acknowledging the hard work of the Interact Club of Sacred Heart College. We are motivated and continue to serve above self. "

Volunteers are needed for the Mopan River Reforestation Project, a joint effort between the DYS and the FCD.  The project happens on Tuesday, August 4th, and starts at 6:30am.  Let them know if you're interested via the form.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDXKAwPlt9R/

"The Department of Youth Services (DYS) has partnered with Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) to carry out a reforestation project of approximately 10,000 seedlings that consist and are not limited to trees such as , Mahogany, Ceder , Tambran and many more.

Volunteers are needed to help carry out this project which is to plant 200 seedlings along the Mopan River.

A reforestation project will take place on August 4, 2020. Starting at 6:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Interested volunteers are hereby called to register with the Department of Youth Services to be part of this project.

For more information call the Department of Youth Services @ 803-3027 or visit our office situated above Election and Boundaries on the Cor. of Liberty & Kennedy Street between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m."

The Environmental Agents of Change Summer program in Calla Creek has finished.  Thanks, Department of Youth Services, for making this wonderful event happen!

Video from DYS about the idea of the camp.

"Calla Creek Village has a population of a little over 500. Educating our people in our villages in topics such as climate change, proper waste management and in the importance of environment conservation is essential. The one issue that we can handle without any external help is waste management and waste reduction. To begin with, keeping our immediate surroundings clean should be the primary target. Given that the Department has been approached by the village council with the issue they are having with garbage. The department has decided to conduct an Environmental Agents of Change summer program for four days for young people in the village. This summer program will tackle the issue of garbage in the village as well as it will make the participants more aware of: keeping their environment clean which goes with a great way of keeping them and their family healthy. If we ensure that all the roads are clean, we are in effect preventing the mosquitoes from breeding and making their community clean and welcoming. Given that Calla Creek is a village right at the river bank there is waste that makes its way into the river. This is worse as it is a well-known fact that only one percent of the total water is readily available for consumption. Hence by dumping waste into our rivers we are polluting one of the most significant natural resources which also affects our tourism industry. Through this summer program, we as the department are also making presence in the village as it’s the only village we had not worked with. With this summer program, we are also ensuring that Youths are aware and promoting sustainable environmental practices, continued youth involvement in developing environmental awareness, and making sure that Sustainable Environmental practices are evident."

The 2018 Environmental Agents of Change Summer Camp starts on Monday, August 6th, and there's still time to register.  The DYS, Calla Creek Village Council, and the FCD are teaming up to make this amazing Summer camp happen.  The attendees will learn about sustainable development from many different guest speakers, and will perform some clean-up campaigns.  Contact the DYS for more information.

Feelgood news of the day.  The Benque DYS teamed up with the Benque Youth Group and Helpage Benque to have an Elderly Appreciation Day.  They got the Benque Viejo Marimba Band to play at the event.  Lots of smiling faces there.

"DYS Benque Youth Center collaborated with the Benque Viejo Volunteers Youth Group and Helpage Benque to host their first Elderly Appreciation Day. The purpose of the event was for the youth group members to show their appreciation to the elders in their community. They did so by sharing a luncheon together filled with delicious food and great music. The music was provided by the Benque Viejo Marimba band “Voz de la Celba”. One of the main highlights of the day occurred when the youth interviewed the elders on how life in Benque Viejo was during their youth and what their recommendations are on how they would want to see the Benque Community today. This activity wouldn’t have been possible without our sponsors: Mopan Technical High School students La Gracia De Dios Bakery Helpage Benque BRC Printing Ms Brenda Quiroz Ms Carol Guerra Juana Cruz Aguilar Marconi Sosa On behalf of our director, we thank you for all of your kind assistance!"

Santa sighting of the day.  Santa paid a visit to the kids in Benque.  He and Mrs. Claus passed out sweets and gifts.  The DYS was there to get some great pictures.  Thanks, Love Foundation!  

"We want to thank Love Foundation for visiting Benque Viejo Town kids and for bringing along with them love, happiness, and placing a smile on kids’ faces as they got their gifts from Mrs. Claus and sweets from Santa."

Realize Belize is a Cayo based NGO that focuses on including those with disabilities.  They are having a meet and greet tomorrow at Hode's, and their Run Santa Run will be at Galvez Stadium on Saturday the 16th.  Check out their website for more information.

The DYS has pictures from their industry meet and greet.

"The Department of Youth Services Benque attending the official launch of 'REALIZE BELIZE' who has open its doors to Belizeans with disabilities in the Cayo District. Behind Realize is a team that is committed to individual's rights, empowerment and supporting positive change in society. With them they bring a range of experience that stretches from individual capacity building to large-scale strategic change.

As a Department we seek to establish a network of services providers for youth that have previously been offered in a scattered manner. This ought to have a significant impact in catering to the needs of youth with special needs, especially to youth who are at risk. An important component to this strategy is youth governance and participation. This component is oriented towards having youth issues become part of the national governmental agenda through youth participation, in such a way that through social mobilization there is a nationwide focus on youth and youth issues.