HIV/AIDS Outreach Program in Belize

  Belize

• Other Cities in Belize: 
San Ignacio

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Each Month

Description: Introduction: Belize has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Central America and the fourth highest rate in all of Latin America. Cultural perspectives and beliefs contribute to this statistic. In order to identify with these perspectives and to make a positive contribution, Cornerstone Foundation has developed this two-week AIDS Education and Prevention program.

Description: Education plays a big role in prevention, and fun, hands-on activities make the biggest difference. Participants join together to identify a local counter-group to work with. Then you determine a slogan, theme, or design. Next you choose a medium such as banners or posters, drama, song, publication, or mural. Together you will create and produce your visual or audio presentation.

Resources are very limited, and funding is even more limited. So be prepared to use your imagination, make use of natural resources, and then expect it to work. And it will! Feel free to bring easily available and inexpensive resources, anything from AIDS pamphlets to markers to paint brushes, with you from home to donate to the project.

Cultural sensitivity is especially necessary when promoting HIV/AIDS prevention. Participants will gain insight into the specifics unique to the struggle against HIV/AIDS in Belize. Once you have registered for the program you will be sent an HIV/AIDS manual via email to help prepare you for these differences.

Objectives: Participants identify cultural perspectives that affect HIV/AIDS education and prevention in Central America. You also actively interact culturally while developing a visual or audio HIV/AIDS education project.

Highlights: Welcome to Cornerstone Foundation.

- Participate in one-day orientation to the facility, the organization, and the town.
- Identify specified community resources (Scavenger Hunt).
- Identify local counter-group and set up a meeting with them.
- Become familiar with cultural perspectives pertaining to HIV/AIDS.
- Consider available slogans, skits, themes, or begin to develop new ones. This is often done as a group.
- Consider the medium you will use and begin to envision carrying it out.
- Determine available resources. This is often done as a group.
- Visit the ancient Maya sites Cahal Pech and Xunantunich.
- Plan, develop, and create your project.
- You will lead the project and guide and inspire any youth who you might be working with. Example: If you choose a mural project, you will be responsible for the paints and brushes and for teaching the children how to use them properly.
- Enjoy a one-day program participant excursion - Canoe the Macal River and visit the Rainforest Medicine Trail, the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm, and the Natural History Centre.
- Present your project. But first, invite public officials, health professionals in the area, parents, students and anyone else who you might identify as having an active interest in the outcome of your project.
- Write a four to five page (typed, double spaced) paper identifying cultural perspectives affecting HIV/AIDS education and prevention in Central America.
- Write a four to five page (typed, double spaced) paper describing your project, how it came to be, and what you perceive the outcome.
- Assess experiences with Cornerstone Foundation and receive certificate of achievement.

Qualifications: Participants include students, health care professionals, and those who come strictly for the experience. No school affiliation is necessary. All participants receive a Certificate of Achievement.

Cost in US$: USD 599

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 - 70

This Program is open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Belize Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network

The Cornerstone Foundation's Mission Statement: Cornerstone Foundation is a registered non-profit humanitarian service organization in Belize, Central America, established to inspire respect for self, culture, and the environment. Our goal is to help people to help themselves, and to help organizations and social service offices meet their goals within our community. We aim to be an active link in the gathering and distributing of information and resources. We strive to be involved in the empowerment of our community. We strive to support Government and other organizations in the development of our community.

Year Founded: 1999