Belize has been on the right path where sustainable energy is concerned. By 2015 51.6% of our energy was generated from ‘hydro’ and 5% was from ‘biomass’. That’s highly respectable relative to the region. The new path – according to the national sustainable energy strategy – points to more self-sufficiency and renewable generation. On a more local level, homeowners, business owners and anyone really – you – can be a part of the energy transition. After all, energy management is every Belizean’s business.

So why energy efficiency (EE) or renewable energy (RE)? Well different reasons apply… and overlap as well, but the short answer revolves around the 3 Ps: people, profit & planet. Let’s break that down. ‘People’ refers to improving human welfare. The sustainable energy industry along with spinoff industries employ more and more people everyday. ‘Profit’ is rather straightforward since cutting energy consumption means savings on what we pay to the utility company. ‘Planet’, perhaps the ultimate ideal, espouses the respect we have for this galactic speck we call earth. Energy conservation equals carbon emission reduction – that’s about the simplest math around.

So at the macro level over 50% of our national 84.3-megawatt demand is fulfilled by renewable energy but there’s a great little story to unpack on the micro level as well. On the ‘renewables’ side solar lighting and solar water heating are now making their way into the mass market and home RE systems

Yes, sustainable energy is about investments – that pay for themselves of course – and that endure.

are taking root in what is a blossoming niche market. On the ‘efficiency’ flipside more efficient air conditioners are becoming available so much so that we are now even seeing “super” inverter air conditioners and LED lighting is becoming more ubiquitous by the day. All great options that should be weighed within the context of our investment plans. Yes, sustainable energy is about investments – that pay for themselves of course – and that endure. In some cases EE and RE investments carry a payback period of, get this, 6 months. Feeling shy about investments? Don’t worry, energy experts are about and institutions like the DFC are now ‘bank rolling’ borrowers with low interest loans and even unheard-of ‘100% financing’.

How do home AND business owners kick off the process? It starts with a simple survey called an energy audit. This is usually done by a knowledgeable person who, simply put, evaluates how much energy your home or business can save. Usually it’s a lot. So whether you’re thinking of installing solar water heaters or retrofitting energy ‘hoggish’ lamps or ACs there are private professionals – most of them are DFC partners – that can provide the hand-holding for you to understand the technology options available, life expectancy of different systems, installation considerations and how you can best leverage an investment to mitigate your electricity costs or gain a competitive advantage. Smart energy meters that, through the use of an online platform, give you real time energy data come to mind!

In the end if you take away nothing from this piece DO note this: aim high. Investments in EE and/or RE will only ‘pan out’ if you deal in quality goods and reputable contractors. Not only is this a condition of the DFC but also it’s simply the smart thing to do. Don’t forget, you get what you pay for. My parting shot? Take a good look around and you’ll see the transition taking place in both private and public sector. My thoughts make a bee line to The Biltmore Best Western who has turned to LED for almost all of its lighting and the newly-built Sarteneja Polyclinic which relies fully on solar water heating. They’re winning. You should be winning too.

Source: Development Finance Corporation

During a board meeting on February 19, Denise Matthews, a Belizean woman living in Chicago, was selected as the upcoming Director of Special Education for the District 90 schools in that US state. Matthews will take over the position on July 1. She is currently working as the Assistant Director of Specialized Student Services for Compliance, and she has also worked as assistant principal at Westmount High School and Oakland Park Elementary.

She began her journey right here in Belize City, where she was born and raised. She received her Associate degree in History and Literature from St. John’s College Junior College and her Bachelor’s degree in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from the University of Belize.

Matthews then worked as a teacher at her alma mater, Saint Catherine Academy, for a year before attending DePaul University in Chicago, where she got a Master’s degree in Language, Literacy and Specialized Instruction, as well as in Educational Leadership and Administration.

Matthews had also worked at KREM Radio for three years, reading the midday news and playing R&B ballads in the afternoon.

According to Matthews, she had originally aspired to be an attorney, but after taking classes in instruction at UB and teaching at Wesley College, she fell in love with teaching, and especially enjoyed special education.

Having learnt that she would be appointed as the next Director of Special Education, Matthews stated, “I was really proud when I learned that I was offered the position. It’s been a long but exciting and rewarding journey. As a Belizean, I’m proud of my accomplishment and hope I’m representing my country well.”

When asked about future goals along her career path, Matthews stated that she has a passion for working with individuals with disabilities and wants to continue to ensure that they receive the appropriate education to become integral members of society. She also stated another goal of seeing more inclusion of individuals with disabilities, and hopes she can facilitate this change in the US as well as here in Belize.

Source: Amandala

Please make note that the nightly lottery drawings of the Boledo, Sunday Lottery, Pick 3, and Fantasy 5 are simultaneously posted on our Facebook page.

Please be sure to  to remain up-to-date with the results of the drawings.

On Thursday, April 12, 2018, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, recognized Elsia Pop, of Belize as the 51st Commonwealth Point of Light in honor of her exceptional voluntary service preserving Mayan cultural heritage.

In the lead-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London on 19-20 April, Her Majesty the Queen – as Head of the Commonwealth – is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 53 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond.

By sharing these stories of service, the Heads of Government meeting will celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time.

Elsia Pop, aged 18, is leading the preservation of Mayan cultural heritage in her community, which makes up 11.3% of the population of Belize, through traditional handicraft projects. Elsia interviews elders in her community to preserve their expertise of ancient techniques and customs, and trains young people in her village about their art, enabling them to produce clothes and jewelry they can sell to support themselves through school. Elsia has led a weekly handicraft class for 30 young people in her remote community since 2015, and handicrafts from her project have been displayed at the ‘National Institute of Culture and History’ and at community street art fairs that have attracted over 1,000 people. Last year Elsia was one of only 20 recipients from across the world of ‘The Diana Award’, receiving her award from Prince William and Prince Harry for her work ensuring young Belizeans can preserve their Mayan cultural heritage.

Each Commonwealth Point of Light will receive a personalized certificate signed by Her Majesty The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth.

Elsia Pop said:
“I feel very honored and privileged to be one of the Commonwealth Points of Light Award winners. This inspires me to continue to work within my community and help to empower as many people as possible. My advice to other individuals like myself is to be humble and to follow your dreams, as anything is possible if you work towards it.  We do not need to be trending and following the latest in society; we can quietly divert and do our own thing, showing up in the spotlight for positive reasons.”

Peter Hughes OBE, UK High Commissioner in Belize said:
“Elsia’s enthusiasm, determination and consideration for others are a beacon of inspiration to the Mayan community, and to all young Belizeans. She is an outstanding volunteer who has delivered significant impact on the lives of others through the creation of innovative approaches to social challenges. To earn one award would be a sign of fantastic achievement, but being recognized as a Commonwealth Point of Light is Elsia’s third major international award. Her dedication and selflessness are remarkable and all Belizeans have good reason to be proud of her.”

The Commonwealth is a diverse community of 53 nations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace. The Heads of Government meeting will bring together leaders from all the 53 Member countries to reaffirm common values, address shared global challenges and agree how to work to create a better future for all citizens, especially young people. Voluntary service is a vital part of this agenda, which is why Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to recognize outstanding volunteers across the Commonwealth in this special way.

Source: Ambergris Today