Where is Belize, is it an Island  or is it in South America? That is the question most people ask when first hearing about Belize. Contrary to what some people think, Belize is not in South America, nor is it an Island. Belize is actually located in the heart of Central America.  It is a former British colony known to most as British Honduras. Belize gained its independence from Britain in 1981..  Most people do not know that this Caribbean jewel is just a hop, skip and a jump from the U.S.A ., just under Mexico and next to Guatemala. Belize, the only English speaking country in Central America, is world reknown for its barrier reef, cayes and beautiful beaches.  Belize began to get more recognition after being featured on Survivor 2001 season as Temptation Island (Film on Ambergris Caye) which is probably why some people think it is an Island. Belize has always been there but nobody noticed it. For the most part, only a small portion of the world's population have heard or been to Belize which has kept Belize's Barrier Reef, Maya ruins and pristine rain forest unspoiled for all to enjoy. However, there is another side to Belize that most visitors dont get to see. Like other countries we do have poverty and a steady rise in drug related cases and violent crimes in Belize. Belize is now the third most violent country in the Caribbean with nearly a 40% increase in the number of murders reported in 2009.

 

Here are some of the findings from a study conducted by
Dr. Herbert Gayle,
Caribbean Anthropologist of Social Violence

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               The youth of Belize have been traumatized by the climb in the homicide rate. The Male Social Participation and Violence in Urban Belize study was very revealing in detailing to what extent this is affecting Belize's youth. For instance, it revealed that 91% of boys surveyed had been exposed to gun violence.  Looking at those in the next age group, the research found that 85% of adolescents had seen the dead body of a murder victim; 44% of them had seen at least one person being shot; 11% had themselves been stabbed at least once.

A major problem facing youth is the fact that over 30,000 of primary and secondary school age are not getting an education. The figure averages to nearly 1 in 3;  6 in every 10 among teenagers.

The data show that parental neglect is a critical issue affecting our youth. Over half (59%) of the youth said they have seen neglected children in their community.

According to the 2009 Country Poverty Assessment, more Belizeans are poorer  than ever before or at least when compared to 2002. The figures released last week show that 142,000 Belizeans  which is 43% of the population  are considered poor while 16% of the population or 52,000 Belizeans are very poor. The figure is up sharply from 2002 when the previous survey was taken. The poverty line is $10 ($5 U.S) per day  that is, those who dont have ten dollars a day to spend on food are considered poor.

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Belize has a population of around 307,900 people and a per capita income of about $3976.50 US annual and 60% percent of the population of Belize is under the age of 35 with unemployment rising to the point that the government has now declared the country in a undeniable recession. The belief  is  that things are going to get worse before they get better, which is why today there is still an ever growing need for help in Belize, Central America.