Press Release – 20 April 2011 – Be Kind Belize, the humane education program started in San Pedro in 2007, has received international recognition.
On the 13th of April, 17 boys from the St. Michael’s School in Los Flores, a village on the outskirts of Belmopan, proudly graduated from the Be Kind Belize Program.
In attendance, as guest of honor, was US Ambassador Vinai K. Thummalapally along with his wife, Mrs. Barbara Thummalapally. Also present was Barry Cuthbertson, Program Specialist from the US Embassy.
Shari Sanchez and Michelle Gongora are Be Kind Belize Humane Educators for the Belmopan Humane Society. They have been trained to teach the 8 unit program, through which children learn about kindness to themselves, other people, their community, other living creatures and the environment.
With the generous support of the US Embassy, Belmopan Humane Society has been able to introduce this program to children in Cayo, cooperating closely with schools. The program has proven to be such a success that it is over subscribed and has received excellent feedback from participating schools.
Nikki Buxton from Belmopan Humane Society said ‘We have been pleasantly surprised by the way that Be Kind Belize has been received and welcomed by schools in and around Belmopan. This is the first time a program like this has been introduced and we are so proud of the teachers and children who are all doing such a great job. There is no doubt that teaching children about empathy and helping them to understand why kindness is a good thing benefits them, their schools, their families and the community. We are extremely grateful for the support from Ambassador Thummalapally and Mr. Cuthbertson from the US Embassy and very much hope that other organizations will take humane education seriously and start similar program nationwide.’
Be Kind Belize provides training and Educators’ Resource packs, free of charge to any school, humane society, community or individual who wishes to introduce the program locally.
For more information about Be Kind Belize contact BeKIndBelize@gmail.com or call 501-226- 4366. 
