Youth Business Trust

Youth Ambassadors Travel to the United States of America

Youth Business Trust, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy Belmopan and Georgetown University’s Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED) in Washington, DC, is coordinating a Youth Ambassadors Program for young Belizeans.

  This program is financed by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by CIED.

Thirteen young Belizeans have been chosen as Youth Ambassadors.  Accompanying them is one Belizean Mentor.  The goal of the Youth Ambassadors Program is to strengthen leadership, entrepreneurship and civic engagement skills among young people.  It involves a three-week exchange, July 7 – 27, 2010, during which participants are expected to gain a deeper understanding of culture, society and education in the U.S.

Upon their return to Belize, these young Belizeans will undertake individual and group projects aimed at promoting positive activities with other young people.

The program is designed for young people from families of limited resources who have demonstrated leadership characteristics and entrepreneurship spirit in their high schools and communities.

The 13 Youth Ambassadors, all between the ages of 16-18, selected to represent Belize on this program are: Marina Lopez, Ancel Tench Leonardo Arjona, Jose Garrido, Linbergh Coleman, Laissa Reynolds, Hydeia Golanche, Jestine Torres, Ryan Bennett, Llewellyn Vaughan, Mark Choc, La-Shalin Lopez, and Corine Salam.  The Adult Mentor is Mrs. Dorothy Reynolds-Eck.

Youth Ambassadors and Youth Mentor with Belize Youth Business Trust Representative Ms. Sylvia Cattouse 

(far left), Ms. Agnes Flowers (fourth from left), U.S. Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally and Mrs. Barbara Thummalapally (center) and Youth Business Trust General Manager Ms. Deanna Peyrefitte (fourth from right).