Joanne O’Brien presented her ideas and hopes for the community in helping stop abuse.
A lot has been said about spousal and child abuse. Everyone has at one time or another seen programs or heard talks on how it is wrong, and should not be happening in these modern and civilized times. However, the sad fact is that it takes place, and mostly behind closed doors. Abuse does not discriminate against color, race, income or geography. It occurs in the places least expected, as well as where most expected. In our homes, in our schools, on the streets, abuse happens. And it should not.
Joanne O’Brien was a social worker for 14 years in Canada. Later she founded the non-profit Direct Abundance. She has worked with the homeless, abused, and abandoned, and now she is bringing her experience to Belize. In 2007, she came to Belize bringing donations of school supplies to four different schools. She networked and through her associations on Ambergris Caye, she found out about a highly publicized domestic violence incident. She knew then that there was a serious need for someone with her kind of knowledge and expertise to bring much needed help. With her work in Canada done, she knew she could try to make a difference in Belize. For the past few months, she has done just that.
On January 22nd – 24th, O’Brien held a workshop sponsored by The Word at Work and BNE (Belize Natural Energy) Trust. The Ministry of Human Development, The Police’s Domestic Violence Unit, the Health Department and many other organizations and individuals joined at Banana Bank Lodge to participate in identifying where the gaps and challenges lie in dealing with Domestic and Child Abuse. Of utmost importance was the need of a National Directory. This directory will list the numbers and contact information for anything from Doctors, lawyers, shelters, counselors – any of the services available in the country.
In an interview with The San Pedro Sun, O’Brien stated that a committee is being formed, and funds are being solicited by way of international and national grants, as well as via marketing, and word of mouth. It is the present committee’s hope that San Pedro can be the first to provide a haven for women, one that can be a model for the rest of the country.
On Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010, Joanne O’Brien hosted a meeting at the Lions Den wherein the subject of Abuse was broached. The purpose of the meeting was to create an awareness of Domestic Violence, that it is NOT a socio-economic problem, and the campaign currently in progress is to build a safe house for women and children. This home will be a model for the rest of the country. As a result of the meeting, there was talk of a possible land donation and a space to facilitate groups of victims. A request also came in for workshops to be taught at the San Pedro Roman Catholic School for the teachers. Learn more at DirectAbundance.com Source: San Pedro Sun
Island Academy is hosting a Party in Paradise on Friday February 26th from 7:00 pm until 11:00 pm. This Luau features Pibil, Mini Burgers, Shrimp on a Stick, Poker, Black Jack, Roulette, Bingo and more.
Members of the community met at the Lions Den last night for United Against Abuse San Pedro. The workshop was led by Joanne O’brien of Direct Abundance and the goal was to help raise awareness about the need for changes in the system to help eradicate domestic violence. The long range goal is to build model shelters in San Pedro and each district on the mainland.
Until the shelter can be build here on the island there is a plan in the works to start making monthly counseling services available to Women Children and men so that those in abusive situations can get the help they need. It was also discussed how impactful the United Against Abuse workshop was at the prison and how the male prisoners were very receptive to the workshop and agreed that there is a flaw in the system and it needs to be fixed.
There is a petition going around town for people to sign in support of eradicating Domestic Violence here in San Pedro as well as all of Belize. If you wish to know more or help get involved in away way please contact Joanne’ Obrien at www.directabundance.com
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Lion’s Den San Pedro
If you are:
A victim of domestic violence
Interested in eradicating domestic violence
An abuser that needs help
A service provider that deals with domestic violence
A citizen concerned about the safety of women and children
This session is for YOU! The focus of the Community Information Session includes:
Understanding the dynamics of domestic violence
How violence impacts the family
Bringing Awareness to the issue of domestic violence
Current progressive changes being made in Belize affecting the issue of domestic violence
One Evening could change the future of women in San Pedro.
The session will be led by Joanne O’Brien, founder of Direct Abundance, who is currently facilitating international workshops in various areas of social inequality, and assisting schools and orphanages in Central America.
There will be a meeting sponsored by the SP Tour Guides Association on Thursday, Feb 25th at the Lions’ Den at 7:00pm. Coastal Zone Management will be there with information on the Fishing license issue. There has been quite a bit of confusion about these new rules. Let’s all attend so we can fish peacefully.
Julie, SP Belize Tourism Industry Association
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BTB & Dive Training Magazine announce educational dive seminar Reminder
The Belize Tourism Board is pleased to announce its continued partnership with Dive Training Magazine, the education-based magazine for new divers, divers in all levels of training, their instructors and those who own and operate dive centers.
In an effort to strengthen its relationship with the dive publication and add value to the dive sector in Belize, the BTB in partnership with Dive Training Magazine, are planning an educational seminar in August for our Belize dive industry partners.
The educational seminar will feature renowned Marine Science Instructor and Professor Dr. Alex Brylske, Marine Science Instructor who has nearly 30 years of extensive experience in dive training, marine science instruction, and program development at professional dive schools and marine organizations.
In addition to his tenure at Dive Training, Alex has worked with a number of government and non-governmental organizations dedicated to protecting the health of coral reefs by integrating ecosystem management, sustainable tourism, and community partnerships. Alex holds an MA in instructional systems design, a dual MS in marine biology and coastal zone management, and a Ph.D. in marine science education from the Florida Institute of Technology.
The BTB wants to make this seminar a relevant one for you and as such hereby invites your comments for submission on any topics to be considered as part of the marine educational seminar with Dr. Brylske. Please let us know any areas of interest you may have which you would like addressed at this forum.
We would appreciate receiving your responses by February 26, 2010. Please feel free to contact Lorena Martinez, Marketing Officer by email at lorena@travelbelize.org with your suggestions. We look forward to your feedback as we plan and organize this exciting event!
Rich Grimm and Tsunami Skydivers Inc are back in San Pedro Town for the 6th Annual Boogie in Belize skydiving extravaganza. This year over 130 experienced skydivers will be on the island to skydive for 10 days.
Tandem jumps are also available if you would like to experience Belize in a rather unique way. To book a tandem jump, just stop by the Sunbreeze Hotel (don’t call, just stop in) and make a reservation. No skydiving until 24 hours after you have gone Scuba Diving. If you are afraid to jump feel free to come watch at the Landing Zone (the big open field across from Coco Locos bar and Reef Village, just North of the bridge).
As part of the Boogie, the Skydivers are hosted at various locations are the island after a long day of jumping.
Boogie in Belize Event Schedule
Saturday Feb 20th: A private dinner at the Blue Water Grill. The general public can stop in after 10PM for dancing!
Sunday Feb 21st: Pedro’s Inn ‘Reaper Cup’ Benefit Poker Tourney. $20bz for all the pizza you can eat! $100usd buy in. Half of the buy ins go to the Town Library also.
Monday Feb 22nd: Crazy Canucks Beach Bar
Tuesday Feb 23rd: Tacklebox
Wednesday Feb 24: Pier lounge early followed by Wet Willys’ Ladies Night
Thursday Feb 25th: Pedro’s Inn “One Barrel” FREE rum night and live music
Friday Feb 26th: Fido’s
Saturday Feb 27: Playa Lounge. Skydive movie night, We will show all of the weeks jumps!
Sunday Feb 28th: BC’s Beach Bar
Come on out and party with the skydivers of Boogie in Belize. You can see photos and video of previous Boogies on their website: www.skydivebelize.com
Windows to the Soul, that’s the way Melody Sanchez-Wolfe describes the eyes because she believes they tell the story of a person’s inner feelings. It is also the name of her art exhibit that is opening at the Bliss tonight.
Wolfe hails from La Isla Bonita, San Pedro and brings with her a variety of artistic styles and unique images that bring life to the canvass. Her paintings are illustrations that she created and compiled since last year and until as recently as two days ago. According to Wolfe, it started with a job to paint a picture of a pair of eyes and that was followed by a second painting inspired by a captivating photograph. That set into motion a series of artwork on eyes and while the muses are many, there is one common factor in the images… feeling. (more…)
Pedro’s Pizza will be hosting at Superbowl Party this Sunday, February 7th. The game will be shown on both the 52′ Flat Panel LCD Television and the Giant Projection Screen with Surround Sound.
There will be drink specials, pizza, chili dogs, a betting pool and a beer pong tournament at half-time.
Come watch the Superbowl the way it was meant to be seen at Pedro’s! The Game starts at 5:25 pm local time.
Best Pizza and Crowd at Pedro’s
Come experience the best pizza in Belize at one of the most popular bars in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Located at Pedro’s Hotel, Pedro’s Sports Pub and Pizzeria offers locals and guests great atmosphere, great music and great company. Learn more at Pedro’s Hotel website
Win great prizes in Ambergris Caye, Belize by submitting your LOVE poems. It’s coming: The San Pedro Sun annual Valentine’s Day Poetry Competition. Poetry night gala to be held on February 13th, 2010
For years, The San Pedro Sun has held it Valentine’s Day Poetry competition. Poems submitted in the various categories are eligible to win prizes such as one night stays at exotic resorts, dinners, certificates, and more. Deadline for submissions is Thursday, February 11th, 2010.
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Ambergris Daily is your source for News and Information about San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and the rest of Belize. Do you have an event that needs publicizing, a news tip or question? Contact Ambergris Daily by email: info@ambergrisdaily.com
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commercial space available
Great Commercial Spaces available in the Vilma Linda Plaza (the purple building downtown). Available (1) Huge space on the ground floor over 800 sq ft and (2) spaces on the second floor. Phone now and get a great deal on your first months rent. Leases for more than a year get a discount.
Phone 226.2254 or 610.1697
Pedro’s Pizza will be hosting at Superbowl Party this Sunday, February 7th. The game will be shown on both the 52′ Flat Panel LCD Television and the Giant Projection Screen with Surround Sound.
