Belize's Battle To Keep Children Out Of Homes

Belize has a population of approximately 380,000–440,000 people, with 36.8% under the age of 15. While the laws of Belize require that children complete primary school, only about 80% continue to secondary school, and approximately half complete high school. Belize faces challenges with secondary education, child marriage, and child involvement in organised crime. The country has a high rate of child marriage, with 20% of girls and 10% of boys aged 15–19 already married. In addition, 20% of children in Belize City report current or prior involvement with gangs.

Belize's child rights issues

Belize has a population of approximately 380,000–440,000 people, with a high proportion of children. It is estimated that 36.8% of the population is under 15 years old, with 39.4% aged between 0 and 18.

Belize has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989, and its Optional Protocols, which cover a wide range of human rights issues, including the sale of children and children in armed conflict. However, the country still faces several issues regarding children's rights, including secondary education, child marriage, and child involvement in organised crime.

Secondary Education

While primary education is compulsory and free for all students under 14, the same cannot be said for secondary education. Only around 68% of students are enrolled in secondary school, with costs and language barriers potentially acting as deterrents. There are also concerns about the quality of education, with a lack of qualified teachers and resources.

Child Marriage

Child marriage is a significant issue in Belize, with 20% of girls and 10% of boys aged 15–19 married, and 29% of women aged 20–29 married or cohabiting before turning 18. This is the second-highest level of child marriage in the Caribbean region. Efforts are being made to address this problem, with the government launching a five-year plan to end child marriage ahead of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals deadline.

Child Involvement in Organised Crime

Belize, particularly Belize City, struggles with high rates of child involvement in gangs and organised crime. A report found that 20% of children in Belize City have current or prior involvement with gangs, with an additional 10% at high risk of involvement due to their social circle. This has severe consequences for children's mental health and education, with a high rate of school dropouts among those involved in gang violence.

Child Abuse

Child abuse, including sexual abuse and neglect, is a pressing issue in Belize. While strong laws exist to address sexual abuse, there is a lack of judicial and legal enforcement. The Department of Human Services secures the safety of the child and provides counselling and rehabilitation, but charges must be brought by the police. It is estimated that over 50% of complaints about child abuse are withdrawn and/or not prosecuted, and the number of reports has been increasing in recent years.

Belize is taking steps to address these issues, and while there have been some improvements, such as the reduction of infant and child mortality rates, there is still work to be done to ensure the protection and fulfilment of children's rights in the country.

Belize's education system

Primary education in Belize consists of two years of infant classes followed by six standards. While primary education is free, related expenses can be a financial strain on poor families. In 2001, 93.2% of children aged 5 to 14 were attending school, but there is a large number of dropouts, with only about 70% of students continuing on to secondary school.

The network of secondary schools can only accommodate half of the pupils who complete primary education. Secondary education in Belize consists of four forms, with a basic secondary school program lasting four years. Students must pass a comprehensive exam to progress, and their ranking on the admissions test determines which school they can attend. Charges for books and fees are often unaffordable for Belizean families, and only about half of secondary students graduate.

The government of Belize has been criticised for failing to keep children in school and improve educational standards, despite education receiving 7.9% of the country's GDP in 2020. The quality of education is a concern, with a lack of qualified teachers, resources, and adequate facilities. English is the language of instruction, which may deter students from Spanish-speaking communities.

There are also private schools in Belize, typically found in Belize City and larger towns. These schools tend to be elite institutions catering to the rich and expats, with fees ranging from US$3,000 to US$500 per year.

Belize also has community colleges and junior colleges, which are often higher-level institutions attached to existing secondary schools. These colleges offer associate or two-year degrees, and some have started to offer evening and extension programs for adults.

Belize's higher education institutions include the University of Belize, Galen University, and Wesley Junior College. The University of the West Indies also offers courses at its campus in Belize City.

Belize's healthcare system

The MoH offers affordable care to the majority of Belizeans, with a strong focus on providing quality healthcare through a range of public programs and institutions. While public healthcare is available to all, a large portion of funding has been allocated to Belize City, where the highest level of care is provided. Outside of Belize City, there are seven additional hospitals that provide public healthcare. The country also has a network of approximately 60 public health clinics, with a total of 700 public hospital beds, providing primary medical and dental care to rural areas. However, most of these clinics suffer from inadequate staffing, lack of financial resources, and a lack of equipment and medicine, resulting in reduced access to quality care.

In contrast, the private health sector provides care to a smaller portion of the population. Similar to the public sector, private health services are offered at a relatively low cost with an emphasis on quality care and quality improvement. The country has three main private hospitals and over 50 private clinics spread throughout Belize, with half located in Belize City. The private sector has grown in recent years, especially in urban areas, and offers a range of secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.

Belize has been making significant changes to its healthcare system, and as a result, has shown improvements in several areas, including vaccine-preventable deaths. For example, there have been no reported cases of measles or poliomyelitis since 1991 and 1987, respectively. Additionally, the child mortality rate has decreased from 11% in 1967 to 1.23% in 2019. However, there are still challenges, such as the high prevalence of communicable diseases, high mortality rates from non-communicable diseases, and limited equity in access to healthcare and distribution of resources.

Belize has a population of approximately 380,000 to 440,000 people, with a high rate of growth reflected by the number of children in the general population. About 36.8% of the population is under the age of 15, and the laws of Belize require that children complete primary school. While primary school enrolment has been extremely high, the same cannot be said for secondary education, which is not free and has seen a drop in net enrolment.

Belize has also made progress in promoting children's health, with an infant mortality rate of 1% and a mortality rate for children aged 0-5 years of 1.2‰ in 2020. The country has also shown progress in life expectancy, which increased from 69 in 2000 to 75 in 2020. However, there are specific risk factors for children's health arising from acute poverty, such as the risk of malnutrition, which affects 15% of children under five.

Belize's housing options

Belize offers a wide range of housing options, and it is possible to find something suitable for almost any budget. The style and location of the property will be the main factors in determining the price.

Style

A basic, Belizean-style wooden home is the most economical option. These houses are typically small, with one or two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a simple kitchen and seating area. They usually don't have air conditioning and often have shutters over screened windows, rather than glass.

Concrete homes are another option and have become increasingly popular. The cost of building with concrete is now similar to that of wood, and concrete homes are available in a broader range of sizes. They also tend to offer more conveniences, such as air conditioning.

Location

Location is key, especially if you want to live in one of Belize's popular expat or tourist communities, such as San Pedro, Placencia, or Caye Caulker. Even within these communities, rental prices can vary depending on proximity to the beach or the town centre.

• San Pedro: A two-bedroom apartment near the beach with air conditioning, located a few miles from town, will cost between $1,200 and $1,500 per month.
• Placencia: A two-bedroom apartment near the beach with air conditioning, located in or near the village, will cost between $1,200 and $1,500 per month.
• Cayo: A one-bedroom apartment on the water with air conditioning, within walking distance to town, will cost around $1,000 per month.

Budgeting

Most financial experts advise that a person should spend a maximum of 25% to 30% of their take-home income on housing. For example, if your combined monthly income is $5,000, you should spend between $1,250 and $1,500 on rent.

Belize also has vacation rentals available, with nightly prices starting at $46.

Utilities

Utilities are another important consideration when it comes to housing in Belize. While water, cooking gas, phone, and internet services are reasonably priced, electricity is quite expensive per KWh. It is important to learn to conserve electricity to avoid high bills.

Transportation

Depending on your location and proximity to amenities, you may need a car to get around. However, keep in mind that gas is expensive in Belize, about two to two-and-a-half times the price in the US. Public transportation is also an option and is the cheapest way to cover longer distances.

Healthcare

Healthcare in Belize is rapidly improving, with the government investing in new clinics and medical services. However, specialty healthcare is mostly centred in Belmopan and Belize City. For basic medical attention, expect to pay around $25, while more advanced lab work will cost around $200.

Food

Your food budget is another area where you can save money. It is advisable to shop like a local and rely on local items and produce rather than branded products. Eating out will be more expensive, especially in tourist areas, but talking to locals can help you find more affordable restaurants.

Activities

There are plenty of fun activities to do in Belize, such as snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, and spending the day on a caye. These activities can be pricey, ranging from $65 to $100 per person. However, locals sometimes get together and hire a boat and captain, splitting the cost.

Housekeeping

If you're considering hiring a housekeeper or groundskeeper, expect to pay around $25 per day for daily service, or $5 to $10 per hour for a weekly cleaning plan.

Pet Ownership

If you're travelling or moving to Belize with a pet, note that only 10% of rentals allow pets.

Wheelchair Accessibility

There are also options for wheelchair-accessible vacation rentals, with 776 properties in Belize offering this feature.

Belize's cultural diversity

Belize is a culturally rich country, with many different ethnic groups, each with its own cultural and linguistic traditions. The population of Belize is approximately 380,000 to 440,000, with over half of the people living in rural areas and about a quarter living in Belize City, the country's principal port, commercial centre, and former capital. Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America, with the lowest population density of any country in the region.

Belize is home to various ethnic groups, including Chinese, Creole, East Indian, European, Garifuna, Lebanese, Maya, Mennonite, and Mestizo. The Mestizo people, for example, are a mix of Spanish colonials and Maya native peoples, while the Garifuna can trace their roots to a group of West African slaves who shipwrecked off the coast of St. Vincent and intermixed with the native Arawak Indians. Creole, or Kriol, is another ethno-cultural group in Belize, consisting of people of mixed West African and British colonial descent.

Belize has a rich and complex history that has shaped its culture. In 1500 BC, the Mayan civilisation began to settle in the region, and they remained for the next 1,000 years. The culture of Belize has also been influenced by centuries of exploration and colonial occupation, dating back to the voyage of Christopher Columbus in the 15th century. The Spanish attempted to settle in the region but struggled due to a lack of resources and native hostility. In 1840, Belize became a British colony, known as British Honduras, before gaining independence in 1981. As a result of these cultural influences, over half of the population is multilingual, with English as the official language, and Belize Creole, Spanish, and traces of Mayan and other European languages also spoken.

Belize's diverse cultural landscape is a result of the mixing of cultures that has been occurring for quite some time. The country's ethnic groups have developed unique cultural identities, and Belizeans celebrate this diversity, tracing their roots and remembering the struggles and triumphs of their ancestors. This cultural diversity has contributed to the country's resilience and strength.

Frequently asked questions