The launching of SEL in Belize occurred on June 5-6 near the capital of Belmopan with a jointly sponsored program with both Peace Dream Inc and the National Cadet Corp.  Community Police Officer Derrick Jones responded to the seminar with the strong desire to bring SEL to all parts of the country through the work of the Ministry of National Security and Immigration of which the police is a part. 

The SEL team was moved by this response and the apparent timeliness of the introduction of SEL program and set up meetings with the leaders of the police in both Belize City and the capital of Belmopan.  At each level of administration, when the goals, vision and purpose of the SEL program was presented the leaders could see how the program could advance the work they are doing on a national level.  As a result of the meeting with the National Superintendent of Police, SEL will make a proposal to do additional seminars in Belize; they will work to train local trainers and also work to help develop a strategic plan for sports in the nation.

Belize, a nation that lies at the crossroads of Central America and the Caribbean, is known as “One of the best kept secrets of the world.”  Formerly known as British Honduras, in 1981 Belize became an independent nation. With a population of 300,000 on 22,800 square kilometers of land, it is richly blanketed with tropical forests, abundant agriculture, coral reefs and a history rooted in an ancient Mayan culture. 

Contemporary Belize is at their youth and wondering what the future may hold for them. As in many developing nations, a large percentage of the population is under the age of twenty-five, many are underemployed and spend long hours seeking something to do. Unfortunately, often they are faced with the lure of easy money through the sale of drugs or other illegal activities.  The police, in an effort to improve the situation and establish a bond with local youth, now see sports as an opportunity to lessen crime and build a brighter future for these young citizens.

Community policing is increasingly taking an important role in Belize’s effort to establish civic responsibility and harmony in local communities. In Belize City and other areas the police are working with the Police Cadet Corp and establishing programs to feed and cloth needy students while supporting their studies by providing access to computers and tutors. 

To interest the youth it is important to offer them something they are passionate about and for that reason the police youth cadets are expanding its sports outreach throughout the nation.  To help guide those that will be coaching and guiding the youth in these activities the Peace Dream is offering its Sports Enriches Lives program.

There is the potential with sports to develop people of character when it is done right, but we have seen how, without guidance, sports could also lead to violence and abuse.  The Peace Dream’s Sports Enriches Lives (SEL) program works with both coaches and administrators to help create a positive environment for all those involved in sports while providing a balanced perspective on winning.  Through the SEL program, values and virtues learned in the field are reinforced in ways that they can be applied to school, work, the family and community.  

John Gehring, Peace Dream Inc President, noted that the cooperation between Peace Dream and the Police Cadet Corp is a responsible way to move for the development of a culture of cooperation.  The good efforts of the Police Cadet Corp will expand and become more effective in attracting many of those young people who are looking for something good to get involved in.”  Gehring states that this partnership will increase opportunities for youth to play sports in a healthy environment, receive education and emotional support from volunteers and proper coaching designed to enrich lives on and off the field. 

The Police Cadets can help stimulate a culture of public mindedness and creativity for when opportunities are given to youth, creativity will flow.  When creativity is teamed with training, transformation will soon follow.  This is a vision the Peace Dream Foundation shares and why it is looking to build a long tern relationship with the people of Belize.