It is our distinct pleasure to endorse and introduce Ambergris Today’s Person of the Year 2018. After reviewing all the notes of nominations, we zeroed in on our youngest awardee, 15-year-old Nayobie Rivero whom we are convinced is very deserving of this prestigious award.
We have always looked at well-accomplished and influential adults when it comes to nominees for Person of the Year, but after receiving this wonderful suggestion our attention geared to a teenager with a big heart. Well before becoming a teenager Nayobie had already shown attributes of a caring, philanthropic and community-minded individual. She has give up of her time to raise funds for less fortnate children/families, looked after sick babies, participated in island clean up campaigns, donated to the elderly and even assisted in recovery efforts after hurricane Earl devastated Ambergris Caye.
Nayobie is daughter of Marcia Rivero daughter of Mersedes Flora and Armando Rivero son of Emilio Rivero and Norbella Rivero. She first got into the spotlight when at the tender age of seven when she won the title of Miss Chiquitita of San Pedro. The pageant built up her self confidence and her aspirations to be involved as a leader in her community. Remember the March in Solidarity against Child Abuse down the streets of San Pedro? Nayobie was right there in support and as a child leader.
Last year, when Volcán de Fuego erupted in Guatemala, killing hundreds and leaving thousands of our neighbors in need, San Pedro responded with a kind heart to the rescue. Well, Nayobie was right there ready to hit the streets to collect food, clothing and basic necessities in conjunction with other community leaders. She got no acknowledgement for this noble act, but that did not reduce the size of smile she put on at the end of the day and her sense of accomplishment.
In 2018, Nayobie also planned and participated candidly in the “Tapitas and Dollar Drive” for Baby Leo (diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia) and thereafter she became the youngest franchise owner as the Tapitas Collector for the country of Belize. The Mexican initiative is for children suffering from cancer. For every 1,000 plastic bottle caps collected, a young child is granted ONE chemotherapy session through the #TapitasxSonrisas system, an initiative from the Alianza Anticancer in Monterrey, Nuevo León.
Nayobie’s goal was to collect 2,000 caps, but with her outreach to the community she managed to mobilize the entire island community to gather over 7,000 caps. Obtaining rights to the franchise in the country, she continues to collect tapitas not only for Baby Leo but for other kids who are going through similar situations. In response to her noble work, the family of Baby Leo invited Nayobie to meet Leo for his next birthday. “It was an honor for me to be invited into the home of someone whom I have helped,” commented Nayobie.
Each year she plans a fundraiser in which over 50 kids and teens from the island put on a fashion show. With all monies raised during the fashion show the group buys gifts for the less fortunate kids of the island. They also presented gifts to a few elderly persons with a box each filled with non-perishable goods as well.
As a member of the Roteract Club of Ambergris Caye, Nayobie avidly participates in the yearly “Christmas Merry Making” for Children and families of San Pedro. They fill up a Merry Box with non-perishable items that are presented to families that are registered at Hope Haven Belize. Of course in this endeavor she is assisted by her models that also take part in the annual Fashion Show.
She continues helping ill and less privileged children when their families come forward seeking assistance. “I love children and I have a special passion for underprivileged children and for this reason I can never say “No” to them,”commented Nayobie to Ambergris Today. Recently she planned another “Dollar Drive” fund raising for Baby Nylah who has been diagnosed with cancer and baby Nelson Tabora suffering from Hydrocephalus (buildup of fluid in the brain). Again with the help of other youths and the support of the San Pedro community, the fundraisers were very successful.
As you can see, Nayobie has already made her mark in San Pedro. She has left some lovely footsteps for other youths to follow, an inspiration for others to look up to. Nayobie is already looking forward to other ‘Dollar Drives” and fund raising events where she can add a little bit of happiness in the lives of her fellow San Pedranos. Through her non-profit organization “Nayobie’s Hope for Children” that she has been working for three years now, she plans to work on programs to empower her peers and push others in the same path of selflessness that she proudly walks through.
You will always see Nayobie walking down the street with big, bright eyes and a beautiful smile across her face. She exudes self-confidence and positiveness that is contagious. For all the reasons mentioned above, and more, Ambergris Today is proud to salute and congratulate Nayobie Rivero, recipient of Ambergris Today’s Person of the Year for SanPedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize 2018.
Gifts presented to Nayobie by the business community include Maxi’s (Dinner for 2), Sparadise (Manicure & Pedicure), Belize Parasail Plus (Parasailing for 2) and special gifts from Pink Boutique and War Paint.
