Belize
Overview
Belize is a peaceful and complex country rich with culture and stunning natural beauty and a vast network of environmentally protected areas. Only two hours away from the U.S., this English-speaking country offers authentic and unforgettable experiences due to its diverse blend of Maya, Garifuna, Creole, Mestizo, and Mennonite cultures.
Belize is on the Caribbean coast nestled between Mexico and Guatemala. This ideal location offers an intriguing mix of tropical forests, majestic mountains, mysterious Mayan temples, and excellent opportunities for diving and fishing. In a single day you can go from deep jungle to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Come discover beautiful Belize, from the mystery of its Mayan ruins, the infamy of the "Blue Hole," and the unmistakable warmth of its people.
San Ignacio
San Ignacio is a market town situated in the tropical hills in the western region of the country. The town is only half an hour away from the border to Guatemala, and serves as the capital to the Cayo District. The Macal river separates San Ignacio from its sister city, Santa Elena. Together, these two cities have a population of roughly 10,000 making it the second largest urban area in Belize.
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda is a small port town along the southern coast of the country, approximately 5 hours south of Belize City. The town is the largest in the Toledo District, and serves as the market and school center for southern Belize. The influence of the Garifuna culture is evident in the community, and the town has a welcoming and relaxed vibe.
Social and Development Issues
In stark contrast to Belize's lush landscape, close to one third of the country's population lives below the poverty line. Today's population of 266,000 is a blend of Maya, Mestizo, Creole, Mennonite, and Garifuna.
Belize struggles to develop its natural resources in a sustainable way, given the complicated dynamic of vast natural resources, widespread poverty, and intense international pressure to exploit their resources.
Furthermore, limited education, inadequate health services, and a lack of productive job opportunities hinder Belizeans from escaping the challenges of a developing nation.
Projects
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Volunteer Abroad
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The Best Part of Farming – FOOD!
Description and Impact
Eating fresh, organic, local food is both healthy and beneficial for the community and environment. Consumption of local food ensures that...
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Be the Teacher You Always Wish You Had - Assist a Primary School Classroom in Punta Gorda
Description and Impact
Crowded classrooms and slim resources make it easy for some kids to fall through the cracks. Our teacher’s assistant program in...
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It’s hard to beat soaking up Belize’s natural beauty while you help sustain it, but if you join us at this ProWorld project, you’ll do both. Come get...
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Work on a Rural Organic Chocolate Farm Manufacturing Facility
Description and Impact
Due to globalization, cocoa production is becoming increasingly outsourced throughout the world. In Belize particularly, a handful of farms and...
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Monitor & Maintain Habitats and Protected Lands
Description and Impact
Nearly half of Belize’s land is protected, but to preserve and sustain it, we need to study it, and ensure that the habitats remain viable...
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Description and Impact
This organization works within the community to provide rehabilitation and education for persons with disabilities. Currently the organization...
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Help Keep Nature’s Pharmacy Intact
Description and Impact
Many Belizeans and foreigners look to the traditional Medicine Man for his advice on curing illnesses and maintaining health. He is able to help...
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Stop the Cycle of Violence and Abuse
This ProWorld program provides emergency shelter for women and children who are escaping domestic violence. Guests receive medical attention, food, clothing,...
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Western Regional Hospital, SanIgnacio Hospital, La Loma Luz Hospital
Description and Impact
The availability of high quality medical care is vital to any community’s needs. Developing countries such as Belize often...
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Get a Tan and Make a Difference
Come to Belize for two weeks of hands-on development work, full cultural immersion and a life-changing experience. We’ll introduce you to the locals of Cristo Rey,...
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Description and Impact
The small community in San Ignacio has a growing need for elderly home facilities and those willing to help look after the residents. In a...
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Description and Impact
If you are interested in a career in special education or physical therapy, this could be the...
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Multigenerational homes are society’s anchor in Belize, but when they crumble, the elderly suffer as much as the children. ProWorld’s senior center in...
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Experience Community-Guided Healthcare
Meet local health care professionals. Experience clinics and see how a holistic healthcare system works in the rural areas of a developing country. ProWorld’s...
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Description and Impact
Access to quality healthcare is vital to every community’s need. Many Belizeans lack access to adequate levels of health care and weight...
Intern Abroad
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The Best Part of Farming – FOOD!
Description and Impact
Eating fresh, organic, local food is both healthy and beneficial for the community and environment. Consumption of local food ensures that...
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Reach out and Read with the Punta Gorda Community Library
Description and Impact
Despite the improvement of literacy over the last 20 years, illiteracy has continued to been a serious issue that has hindered the education and...
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Work on a Rural Organic Chocolate Farm Manufacturing Facility
Description and Impact
Due to globalization, cocoa production is becoming increasingly outsourced throughout the world. In Belize particularly, a handful of farms and...
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Monitor & Maintain Habitats and Protected Lands
Description and Impact
Nearly half of Belize’s land is protected, but to preserve and sustain it, we need to study it, and ensure that the habitats remain viable...
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Description and Impact
The availability of high quality medical care is vital to any community’s needs. Developing countries such as Belize often have problems...
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Teach Environmental Responsibility Through Film
Description and Impact
Often times the public responds to issues only after they’ve seen them with their own eyes. Making an issue more tangible and...
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Be the Teacher You Always Wish You Had
Description and Impact
Crowded classrooms and slim resources make it easy for some kids to fall through the cracks. Our teacher’s assistant program in...
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Teach a Semester of French to Primary Grade Students
Description and Impact
Kids living in a country funded by tourism are more likely to find jobs both at home and abroad if they speak two or more languages. ProWorld...
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Teach Language Arts to Primary Grade Students
Description and Impact
Despite the improvement of literacy over the last 20 years, illiteracy has continued to been a serious issue that has hindered the education and...
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Help the Teachers Help the Kids
Description and Impact
In the Cayo District, the primary schools are crowded and lack resources. This makes it easy for students to fall behind academically. As a...
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Description and Impact
Access to quality healthcare is vital to every community’s need. Many Belizeans lack access to adequate levels of health care and weight...
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Description and Impact
This project was developed by a ProWorld intern due to the need for more education on nutrition and healthy eating habits within San Ignacio and...
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Description and Impact
Benque Pharmacy is a fairly busy pharmacy within the Benque town clinic, which is the next town over from San Ignacio. The pharmacy treats...
Study Abroad
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ProWorld Semester Abroad students will study at Galen University with both local and international students. Along with their traditional coursework, all ProWorld Semester...
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ProWorld Semester Abroad students will study at Galen University with both local and international students. Along with their traditional coursework, all ProWorld Semester...
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ProWorld Semester Abroad students will study at Galen University with both local and international students. Along with their traditional coursework, all ProWorld Semester...
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Explore and study in the Caribbean nation of Belize and a UNESCO World Heritage site in Peru this summer! Summer abroad students will choose from courses ranging from...
Available Programs
Country Snapshot
