You Can Give NGOs In Belize A “Hand Up” By Sponsoring An Ad Package.
There is an old Kriol saying in Belize “Han wash han.” Translation- sometimes we need other people to help fulfill our purpose, and cooperation benefits everyone.
I decided to form Hand Up as an initiative to help Belize’s many worthy non-governmental organizations (NGOs and .orgs), by giving them an annual ad space sponsored by an individual or business. During my 15 years in Belize, I have volunteered with numerous charitable organizations. Many of these nonprofit groups have little to no budget for marketing and are always striving to raise awareness. Along with helping a worthy cause with advertising (and my blog to recover from Covid income loss), your sponsorship will give each .org a dedicated info page that links back to key places on their site.
So far, the following great organizations have joined Hand Up and need your help.
- ACES Wildlife Rescue
- Belize Zoo
- Mar Alliance
- Oceana Belize
- Saga Humane Society (SHS) – sponsored 6 months.
- San Pedro Cancer Society (SPCS) and Belize Cancer Center (BCC)
- Triple R Response (RRR) – sponsored one year.
- Wildtracks
- Don’t see your favorite NGO? Let’s get them included, email me at Laurie@tacogirl.com.
By sponsoring a 6 or 12-month ad package for a worthy organization you will be helping them in many ways. Your sponsorship will:
- Raise awareness about their services and needs.
- Help their stories be told in a heartfelt and informative way.
- Increase NGO exposure to a diversified global demographic and showcase the remarkable work being done.
- Assist in fundraising and wish list donations.
- Help generate referrals of volunteers.
Added Bonus
As an added bonus, for sponsoring an ad, you will be giving the NGOs access to my grant writing skills on their team. I gained my grant experience in 2019 with Advance LLC, a Lousiana-based company that serves growing nonprofits on the path to achieving their mission and vision. It was a great online education being on their team. I learned a lot from their years of experience working in the nonprofit sector – they have raised over $20 million from diverse funding sources. My job was to answer the preliminary grant questions, after which they were edited as needed. Applications were all related to improving socioeconomic growth and breaking the poverty cycle in disadvantaged communities in New Orleans.
Why Each Organization Is Worth Sponsoring:
Aces Wildlife Rescue
ACES is a non-profit organization focused on protected species, specifically Crocodilians, and the conservation of crucial wetland habitats. Community education and rehabilitation are also part of their mission. This team of volunteers operates 24-7 with emergency wildlife response on Ambergris Caye – 623-7920. In 2020, ACES responded to 241 wildlife calls and handled a total of 133 animals. In Oct 2020, I was able to give Aces a donation from my locally and internationally fundraised island clean-up supplies. Some cut-resistant gloves were donated by Team Grassfed, and garbage grabbers were donated by Isla Bonita Yacht Club.
Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center (TBZTEC)
Focused on wildlife conservation through wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education, The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center exhibits over 200 animals and 45 + local species. Located in Belmopan in the Cayo District, it was founded in 1983, from a need to provide a home for wild animals that were abandoned after a documentary film about tropical rain forests. I have been to the zoo a couple of times (once overnight) and really admire their work. They do an amazing job of taking care of injured and donated animals. When possible they will release them safely back into the jungle where they belong.
Mar Alliance
This organization is comprised of a thoughtful and knowledgeable group of scientists, conservationists, educators, fishers, students, guides, entrepreneurs, rangers, communicators, divers, and decision-makers. All with a common goal – meaningful conservation and positive change; for both endangered marine life & their habitats, and food-dependent local communities. The Mar Alliance team shares a positive global vision of people practicing mindful conservation to enable healthy and thriving marine life throughout the world’s tropical seas.
Oceana Belize
Established in 2001, Oceana is the largest international ocean conservation and advocacy organization. Working to restore the oceans to their former glory, Oceana advocates for ocean restoration and science-based fishery management to help make our oceans as healthy and plentiful as they used to be. Their global offices work together to identify practical solutions and make them happen. By implementing targeted campaigns with measurable results, Oceana has accomplished dozens of official policy wins for marine life. They stopped bottom trawling to protect sea turtles and sensitive coral from the invasive commercial fishing gear. Oceana Belize was also instrumental in getting the Environmental Protection Resolution signed into law. That important initiative to stop pollution from plastics started the phasing-out of single-use plastics in Belize. Oceana’s hard work and achievements represent a new hope for the safety and biodiversity of marine life in Belize and worldwide.
Saga Humane Society (SHS)
Founded in 1999, Saga is the sole non-profit veterinary clinic on Ambergris Caye. SHS offers affordable pet care services, a spay/neuter clinic, a shelter for strays, and coordinates foster homes & adoptions. Volunteers and staff also advocate humane education within the community. Saga’s goal is to prevent cruelty and promote kindness to all domesticated and wild animals. Pre-Covid, in a last-minute inspiration for a Halloween fundraising effort, I held a donation box design challenge. The two entries raised extra funds and the article about the Halloween fundraiser brought worldwide awareness to Saga’s work. Click through to learn more about SAGA Humane Society and individuals and businesses crowdfunded their 6-month ad package.
San Pedro Cancer Society (SPCS) and Belize Cancer Center (BCC)
Formed in 2010 this group has tenacity with their motto: Supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors, honoring the taken, and never, ever giving up! Early detection is the key to survival, especially in a country such as Belize, with a challenged medical system. They work closely with the Belize Cancer Center (BCC) in Dangriga, and this ad is a package deal for both. The BCC subsidizes approximately $10,000 a month to help 55 disadvantaged patients across Belize get cancer care. Before it was dissolved due to Covid, my Tropic Air flight Code for a Cause (CFC) raised $3,799 for the Belize Cancer Center. Thanks to one of my long-time readers (with six degrees of separation) Kristie Settas-Jones and her birthday vacation crew for helping both causes at my request. In addition to using CFC, they brought needed office supplies for the San Pedro Cancer Society as well. While on Ambergris, Kristie also planned an island scavenger hunt, and that fun event, raised, $300 BZD which was donated to the SPCS.
Triple R Response (RRR)
Triple R was created after a tragic aquatic accident on the island, from a desire to implement a water emergency response team on Ambergris Caye. Currently, this small volunteer-based group are the only emergency responders on the island. Triple R offers 24-7 response for water, land, and medical emergencies – 627-1117. Their goal is to help protect human life. Since they agreed to be in the program, I have been working with Billy and Traci to see how I can best help them with island safety and public awareness education. Click through to learn more about RRR emergency response team and which safety-minded, luxury resort sponsored their ad package.
Wildtracks
Established in 1990 and located near Sarteneja, Wildtracks believes in protecting tomorrow, today, through results-oriented conservation projects. The organization performs ecosystem conservation, rehabilitation, and release of injured animals, along with protecting endangered species in Belize, and their habitats. More specifically they work with manatees, howler and spider monkeys. Wildtracks also works with Belizean Youth, (sometimes inner city) teaching them about the environment and inspiring them to help protect the Jewel that is Belize.
Thank you for giving a helping “Hand Up” by sponsoring a 6 or 12-month ad package to one of our country’s fantastic NGOs. For more details please email laurie@tacogirl.com. Your support will make a world difference. Sponsor recognition can be for you, yours, or on behalf of someone else’s business, or anonymously.
If you want to help tacogirl blog on this important effort in a different way than purchasing an ad package, you can make a PayPal donation to laurie@tacogirl.com