World Health Day 2010
In celebration of World Health Day 2010 and in keeping with this year’s theme, Challenges Worldwide would like to feature the achievements of our member organisation the Belize Red Cross (hereafter referred to as The BRC). We feel it is important to celebrate World Health Day as an annual celebration created by the World Health organisation (WHO) to raise awareness globally of a specific health theme that is a priority area of concern. It is celebrated globally on the 7th of April each year. This year the theme will focus on urbanization and health with the campaign "1000 cities - 1000 lives" (WHO, 2010).
Challenges Worldwide would like to focus on the work and contribution of The BRC to health in Belize and further afield. Over the years, a number of Challenges Worldwide volunteers have contributed to the capacity of Belize Red Cross through utislising their various different areas of expertise.
Fiona Gilmour is our most recent volunteer to be placed with The BRC through Challenges Worldwide. She is currently on a four month project with The Belize Red Cross to develop a communications strategy for The National Society. The expected benefits of this are to raise the profile of The BRC in Belize and abroad aiming for The BRC to become self sustaining through donations for it to continue with its vital health and disaster preparedness programs for its vulnerable citizens.
The Belize Red Cross
The Belize Red Cross is one of the 186 member National Societies that comprise the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) the world’s largest humanitarian organization.
The Belize Red Cross runs in country programs that respond to local needs in disaster preparedness and health and development work to strengthen the capacities of communities and individual people throughout Belize. The BRC has various programs focused on health development which are continually being implemented throughout the whole country. All programs are implemented by the dedicated team of staff and volunteers of The Belize Red Cross. Below is a short overview of various programmes.
The implementation of HIV/AIDS program ‘The Together We Can’ utilizes a peer education methodology with a focus on HIV and AIDS which is delivered through schools, youth groups and the prison. The aim is to provide young persons, both boys and girls with access to information and education necessary to develop life skills to reduce their vulnerability to HIV and other STIs.
Home nursing courses are delivered to those who wish to be able to care for others in their community, it is a comprehensive 50 hour course delivered by Red Cross volunteers on an annual basis.
In response to the worldwide pandemic of Influenza A H1N1, commonly referred to as swine flu, The Belize Red Cross spent February & March 2010 delivering a project to institutions & communities throughout Belize sharing information & raising awareness about the A H1N1 virus and teaching preventative measures on how to reduce the transmission of the virus. The project has been carried out as preventative measures will be vital in the event of further waves of the virus in Belize.
First aid training is delivered by The BRC to volunteers, businesses and individuals on a weekly basis though out Belize. Currently there is a project being sponsored by ECHO (European Union Humanitarian Organisation) which is strengthening communities in Belize and preparing them for disaster, first aid is a critical component of this program.
The Belize Red Cross has a social welfare programme with a school feeding program in Belmopan and a soup kitchen for elderly and vulnerable citizens in Belize City, a “Meals on Wheels” programme in Toledo and feeding of “Shut-ins” in Dangriga.
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You can read Fiona’s Volunteer Tales Blog of her time in Belize at http://fionagilmour.wordpress.com
If you would like to become a Challenges Worldwide Volunteer, please email your CV and covering letter (outlining your interests and key skills) to Email apply. For more information, please contact Information
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