BELIZE
In 2024, Kambia furthered our work in Central America with the expansion to Belize. Through collaboration with community partners and local leaders, we have begun developing our Holistic Model of development – including health, WASH and economic development programs – in rural communities across the country.
Kambia’s partner communities in Belize are diverse and distinct, including Latino, Garifuna and Mayan cultures, and we invite you to come experience this beautiful and inspiring country for yourself while making a positive impact in these communities.
Community Partners and Projects
Kambia, alongside our parent organization Global Brigades, has spent 20 years serving communities across Central America. Even with this experience, our recent expansion into Belize has opened our eyes to an even greater diversity of culture, language and natural beauty. While the rest of Central America is primarily Spanish speaking, Belize’s national language is English. This allows international students and faculty to more easily converse with the local population as well as provide services such as healthcare and business consulting. In addition to English, communities also speak an array of other languages including Spanish, Creole and local indigenous languages.
As we are just beginning our work in Belize, our work is focused on supporting access to healthcare. We have already implemented mobile medical clinics in the regions of Cayo and Stann Creek to provide healthcare services and to get a better sense of the needs of the local communities. Access to medicine is very limited for families in rural Belize, and while water and sanitation infrastructure is quite developed, access to financial services are also very difficult to access. Kambia plans to implement our International Nursing, Medical and Business programs in Belize beginning in 2024 and continuing for years to come.
Accommodations, Logistics, and Food
Our professional and experienced staff will meet you at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City upon arrival and take you directly to our “home-base” accommodations. At the accommodations, you will enjoy authentic local cuisine and our staff will orient you to the country and the work you will be doing.
The accommodations are comfortable and include a beautiful view of the region and even have a swimming pool for relaxing during your time off. Kambia provides 24-hour security as well as on-site staff to take care of any needs. We will do everything that we can to make you feel at home, safe and comfortable.
During your visits to the community, our professional drivers will transport you safely and our coordinators will ensure that you have everything that you need.
Our Staff
Kambia’s team of local staff including medical professionals, paramedics, drivers, cooks and lodging managers are present throughout each program and ensure that you are always supported and cared for. With more than 20 years of experience, our team will welcome you to Belize and introduce you to our amazing community partners. In addition to excellent service staff, we employ a full-time team of professional health and economic development professionals that make sure the work that you do is impactful and sustainable. We look forward to meeting you in Belize!
Cultural Learning
In addition to the high-impact development projects you and your team will undertake, we also want to make sure that you are introduced to Belizean culture through authentic and traditional cultural activities. Examples include cooking lessons to learn how to make cassava pudding or “darasa” tamales. You may also learn the colorful “Cayetano” artwork or take drum lessons while you learn about the language and culture of the Garifuna. Make sure to talk with our team before you begin your program to get more information about which cultural activities your group will be doing.
Enrichment Activities
(OPTIONAL ADD-ON PACKAGES)
After a full week of service work, your group may want to undertake an adventure to explore deeper into the jungle, visit some of the region’s famous Mayan ruins or relax at the beach. Kambia is happy to help organize these (optional) activities for you and your group.
Some of the highlights include the Lamanai Archeological Reserve, one of the oldest continuously inhabited Mayan communities, or floating down the Belize River. You can explore the Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves or hike through the Tapir Nature Reserve. And of course, a visit to Belize would not be complete without some time at one of the country’s world-class beaches.
Make sure to organize these activities with the Kambia team when customizing your trip. We look forward to welcoming you to Belize!