Catching up on a few volunteer efforts for Be Kind Belize and Saga Humane Society that I was delayed on posting due to our  Florida Vacation.

Be Kind Belize Island Academy Graduates – Thank you to the Community!

On Tuesday the 29th of April 2011, Be Kind Belize was proud to celebrate the graduation of 18 children from Standards 1, 4&5 at The Island Academy. All of the students had successfully completed the Be Kind Belize programme.

Four students won additional accolades for being voted as the kindest kids in their class or by demonstrating generosity of spirit with their participation in the programme. Those children are Lily Hayden, Stephanie Keating, Reign Ackerley and Lucy Verralls.

Be Kind Belize was started in 2007 to offer humane education to primary schools in San Pedro and it is now being taught in the Cayo district as well. Humane education teaches children the meaning of kindness and empathy, gives them an understanding of responsibility and consequences and helps them to develop reverence and respect for all living things and the planet that we live on.

All of the Be Kind Belize, Kind Kid Winners received a fantastic selection of prizes, which were donated or sponsored. Many businesses and individuals deserve a huge thank you for supporting the programme and putting smiles on the faces of some very wonderful young people.

In particular, Be Kind Belize would like to thank Marty Casado & AmbergrisCaye.com, Tacklebox Bar & Grill, DandE’s Frozen Custard, Kakaw Belizean Chocolate and Island Films. There were a number of other donors who contributed greatly to the prize
packs that the children received and Be Kind Belize could not provide such wonderful motivators and rewards without their ongoing support.

Please watch out for more graduates from the Be Kind Belize programme later this year as well as other community awards that will be announced soon. If you would like to volunteer as a Be Kind Belize Humane Educator or if you would like to sponsor the programme in some way, please contact Colette Kase on 226 4366 or write to BeKindBelize@gmail.com.

Sarnita’s Saviours – Are You an Animal Angel?

If you saw a sick and starving dog, could you walk by and not look back? Thankfully for Sarnita, a beautiful and gentle pot licker, two kind hearted business owners in San Pedro could never do such a thing. They took one look at the pathetic pup, wandering helplessly on Coconut Drive and made the decision to save her.

As if fate was on her side, one of SAGA’s animal welfare volunteers happened to be passing by at the time and offered immediate assistance. Sarnita was lucky to have been found that day. She was severely malnourished, covered with weeping sores and scabs, infected with the deadly tick fever and if that weren’t bad enough, the last of her energy was being sucked away by a severe infestation of fleas. If she had not found some true animal angels, she would not have survived much longer.

Sarnita had a skin disease known as Demodectic Mange, which is common in dogs that are neglected and abused. It is not contagious but causes awful seeping sores that are very painful for the dog. It is easily treated and anyone with a sense of compassion would have to wonder how human beings could allow their pet to get into this awful condition.

Luckily for Sarnita, she ended up in the expert and caring hands of SAGA Humane Society, where with some tender loving care, simple veterinary treatment and a healthy regular diet she has recovered fully. She’s still a bit on the slim side, but Sarnita has now been spayed and is ready to go to a home where she will get all the love and care she deserves. She’ll fill out nicely and with her huge brown eyes, will be the pride and joy of any family lucky enough to adopt her.

So, the next time you see an animal suffering, be an animal angel, stop, help and call SAGA. The world needs more angels.

For information on how to treat Demodectic Mange or how to adopt Sarnita or any of her friends, please contact SAGA on 226 3266.

Saga is pleased to announce their Easter Fundraiser.

Saga Humane Society says Thank You!

Saga Humane Society would like to thank everyone for their generous support with our monthly cook-off which was held on April 14th at the Tackle Box Bar & Grill. We raised $1,010 BZ through tickets, donations and raffle ticket sales.

We want to thank those who entered their Chicken dishes: .Chicken Tettrazinni-Renee Steinmetz, Chicken Fried Rice- Miriam Ca, Chicken Dip- Mel Gongora, Chicken Parmesan on a bed of Arugula- Mel Spain, Chicken BBQue Burgers- Laura Sutton. Second place went to Noemy Castro for her Chicken Wings a la Bombay. Her prize was set of saute pans and serving utensles. First place went to Rebecca Coutant for her Pesto Chicken Parmesan Mozzarella. She received an electric juicer for her first place win. Congratulations to the winners and all our entries.

There were three raffles for the night. The first raffle went to Grant Crimmins who won a bottle of wine courtesy of Wine de Vine. The next raffle prize, a Gift Certificate from DandE’s went to Carol Norton. Coleen Creeden won a dinner for two courtesy of Wet Willie’s.

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all our sponsors and supporters! We cannot do it without your support.

See you at the next cook-off May 18, 2011 at the Tackle Box – the theme is ““Appetizers”. Please come out and support Saga Humane Society – a great cause for the community of Ambergris Caye. And a fun night for the whole family!