23 youths empowered by “Sports Peace Corps Volunteers” (Belize)

A team of twenty-three Peace Corps/Belize volunteers were sworn in today to serve as youth development volunteers with the National Sports Council. The group recently completed several weeks of rigorous training in Belize to better understand the country’s needs, and how best they can contribute. Today, that group officially began their twenty-four months of service to Belize under a program called Youths Empowered by Sports, or the YES Project. A swearing-in ceremony was held in Belmopan where we heard from Marvin Ottley, the Deputy Director of the National Sports Council and Nadine Rogers, the Country Director for Peace Corps/Belize.

Marvin Otley

Marvin Ottley, Deputy Director, of the Belize National Sports Council

“We know they hit the ground running right away. But they have been training for a period of time to familiarize themselves with what Belize has to offer, and what we at the National Sports Council has to offer. So from the chairman, director, minister, and all of our staff at the National Sports Council we welcome the new cohort and we expect to have a wonderful working relationship.”

Nadine Rogers, Country Director,
Peace Corps Belize

“The YES Project, Youths Empowered by Sports. It is now over a year old. Some of the volunteers I swore in back in November, the YES 1 cohort, are actually here in the room. I am so proud of the work they have been doing in partnership with the National Sports Council, school principals, community partners and I am thinking about the support they offered to the primary school soccer tournament in Orange Walk a few weeks ago. My special words to you are these, first be focused. This work is rewarding and real. Be kind, empathetic, be yourself, your best self, be present. Community can be changed forever by your contribution. For example, when a volunteer and a principal started and N.G.O. to address the impacts of trauma and violence of youths in their community. Or, when a staff member named Anthony Williams served for thirty-six years and forever changed the lives of volunteers, community and co-workers.”

“My name dah Kady.”

I dah wah Peace Corp Volunteer. Like Bella mih seh, we proud fih be yah. We proud ah we family and new friends. I the yah fih seh thank you for all the lesson all ah unu mih teach we.”