Belize 2011
Tracy Webster
Tracy Webster is a graduate of Wesley High School. She has volunteered at Youth Enhancement Services (YES), which is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to empowering young women to lead independent, secure, and fulfilling lives through education, skills training, advocacy and outreach in Belize.Tracy considers herself a leader and believes that GOJoven has given her the skills and tools to implement her collaborative leadership to her fullest potential.Tracy aspires be a part of the Alumni Association GOBelize’s proposal writing committee in order to secure funds for the sustainability of the GOJoven Belize Program.
Michael Audinett
Michael Audinett has been a volunteer for the Red Cross since he was 13 years old and has a passion for helping people. He is a trained volunteer in the National Intervention Team against Natural Disasters at an Emergency Operation Center (EOC). Michael has the drive and determination to make change for the benefit of his country; he is a strong leader among his peers and always keeps a positive attitude. Michael is certain that GOJoven has given him the skills necessary to continue growing in the area of SRH.
Derrick Pitts
Derrick Pitts is a licensed evangelist inBelize City who has worked as a representative of UNFPA, a member of Youth Advocacy Group (YAG) and has also collaborated withYouth for the Future as a counselor and a motivational speaker. Derrick is the founder and leader of Ablaze Boys Ministry, which provides counseling and sexual and reproductive health education to a group of 50 young men. Derrick’s success in his leadership is apparent via the young men in his Boys Ministry who have made strides in their academic development and leadership.
Lliani Castellanos
Lliani Castellanos has served as an outreach volunteer at Tikkun Olam Belize, an organization founded by a GOJoven graduate, dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Commercial Sex workers in Orange Walk District and in all of Belize. Since she was a teenager, Lliani has been working or volunteering with a number of Organizations such as: Pan American Social Marketing Organization (PASMO) as a sex educator, the National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) in Orange Walk, and Youth for the Future. Lliani was also a Peer Helper at her alma mater, MufflesHigh School, and holds an Associate’s Degree in General Studies with a concentration in Sociology fromMufflesJunior College. Lliani has a passion for the work she does in her community and is certain that the GOJoven Program is giving her the opportunity to develop and use her leadership skills to the fullest capacity possible.
Mia Quetzal
Mia Quetzal identifies herself as a transgender woman who was born male but lives her life as a woman. She holds an Associate’s Degree and has worked with the Red Cross and the Belize Family Life Association (BFLA) as a peer educator, currently residing in Fort Myers, FL. Her professional experience includes: conducting surveys with at-risk populations for the Pan American Social Marketing Organization (PASMO) and working as the Coordinator of a transgender group that advocates for their basic human rights at national and regional levels in theCaribbean. She has also volunteered with UNIBAM, an organization that works for the rights of the LGBT community inBelize, and VOICE in the Orange Walk area, a group that advocates for the rights of the elderly. Mia’s advocacy for improving sexual and reproductive health lies in her desire to give a voice to transgender people as well as immigrant sex workers in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) policies and program implementation. Mia believes that GOJoven will help take her public speaking skills to the next level so that her voice can be heard even more clearly.
Ziedi Zac
Ziedi Zac is a mother who believes that there is a huge unmet need for sexual and reproductive health education and outreach in her community. Ziedi holds an Associate Degree in Accounting and has taught Computer and English classes at a night school in her community. She has also worked at a rehab center in her district and has always had a passion for helping other young mothers like herself to reach their educational goals. Despite her current position as a receptionist for a river lodge, Ziedi hopes to contribute to the health and wellbeing of young people and the environment.
Iris Carbajal Reyes
Iris Carbajal Reyes completed her Associate’s Degree in Business at St. John’s College Junior College, obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Universidad de Quintana Roo, and completed her Master’s Degree in Education at Universidad Interamericana para el Desarrollo (UNID). She also attended Appalachian State University inNorth Carolina,USA as part of an academic exchange program, where she studied international business programs in Management and Marketing. Her professional experience includes lecturing atCentroEscolarMéxicoJunior College fromOrangeWalkTown, as well as running a small business in Orange Walk. She enjoys participating in leadership programs that can help her to promote youth development. Her strong educational background, experience, and passion for business and teaching make her a strong, competent team player.
Marla Magaña
Marla Magaña is very passionate about the environment and has led several conservation campaigns and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education in her native Progreso Village. She has been a youth volunteer leader with 4H andYouth for the Future (YFF) and has assisted YFF in conducting sessions for young people. She was a member of the GOJoven Hummingbirds—a youth group established by the 2009 Belize Team’s Leadership Action Plan (LAP). Marla aspires to become a wildlife biologist, journalist, and photographer. Her dream job is to work with National Geographic and give voice to her interest in women’s rights within environmental issues. She is gaining important skills as a member of GOJoven to work towards positive change in sexual and reproductive health and the environment for the youth of her community.
Osvaldo Cantun
Osvaldo Cantun holds an Associate’s Degree in Biology from Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College, where he was valedictorian. Osvaldo became passionate about sexual and reproductive health issues as a member of the GOJoven Hummingbirds—a youth group that was established in Corozal as part of the GOJoven 2009 Belize Team’s Leadership Action Plan (LAP). Osvaldo is also very interested in conservation and was an active member of the environmental club at his school. He sees himself as a leader because he always takes the initiative to guide his peers but believes that the participation of the entire group is always the key to success.
Errol Longsworth
Errol Longsworth volunteered with the National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) for nine years before becoming an NDACC Outreach Case Officer assigned to the Corozal District. He has also been a volunteer with UNICEF andYouth for the Future (YFF), and has participated in a number of activities and trainings with Alliance Against AIDS (AAA). Errol’s belief that every young person deserves a second chance fuels his work with at-risk youth as a Youth Facilitator. He has a heart for volunteerism and will always give up his time to assist anyone or any organization.
Check out Errol’s Digital Story Here: