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Belize's Wonder Women! Lusiola Castillo

We are proud to announce that Lusiola Castillo is the Belize Wonder Woman for the month of January!!!

Lusiola began library related work with the following NGOs: the Belize Center for Environmental Studies and the Society for the Promotion of Education and Research (SPEAR). It was from these experiences she decided to enroll in the University of West Indies Open Campus Library and Information Program. Upon her return to Belize in 2000, Lusiola was employed at the Belize National Library Service and Information System (BNLSIS) and was steadily promoted to her current position as Chief Librarian in 2016.

As Chief Librarian, Lusiola is charged with the management, development and coordination of all 46 service points and resources throughout Belize. These responsibilities include oversight of user services in order to ensure that patrons are able to interact with physical and electronic programs and services, collection development, technological development, training, maintenance of libraries, promotion of Belizean culture and history as well as promoting partnership and cooperation both nationally and internationally.

Lusiola is also a part of the Education USA Center team in Belize City, launched February 2015, which she joined in its initial planning stage. She helps ensure the continued development of the center and its advisors in order to provide information to students who would like to pursue universities and programs in the USA.

Other programs that Lusiola has been a part of that have aided her ability to develop and enhance her library related skills and knowledge include the International Visitors Library Program in 2015, the International Federation of Library Association and Institutions (IFLA) and COMFENALCO Antioquia in Medellin Columbia Internship Program in 2007 and the Regional Project for Central American Libraries years 2001-2008.

Lusiola notes that it is a pleasure to be able to assist in the development of Belize through the provision of informational, educational and recreational services. Seeing both youth and adults benefit from library services gives her the willpower to try harder to reach those who too can benefit from provided services.

U.S. Embassy Belize

Belize's Wonder Women! Julie Miguel

We are proud to announce that Julie Miguel is our Belize Wonder Woman for the month of March!!!

Julie is the director of the Water Walkers Outreach Ministries which she founded in 2012. The story of the program began nine years ago in downtown Belize at Julies bridal store Jules Boutique. The boutique is near three different primary schools and during lunch children would go to the store and play ding dong ditch. At first, Julie was irritated but noticed that they were lacking various necessities such as clean clothes and warm food. Julie began inviting them into her store to feed them, teach them civic pride and even a place to be during the weekends.

Once the number of children increased Julie purchased the building across the street from her business to open up a center for children. At the center she began a food program during lunch and in the afternoon would help them with school work and provide access to internet. She also began clothing drives to be distributed once a week. After opening the center, the number of children participating quickly increased to around 150.

The Water Walkers Boys and Girls Club has since expanded to help empower woman by aiding in facilitating the opening of small businesses such as food stands, car washes and beautician shops. This is done through investment, improving facilities and helping monitor progress. 58 businesses have opened since October of 2019 and Julie anticipates opening around 100 more this year.

Since COVID, the Water Walkers program has had to adapt but still manages to keep in contact with students via phone and weekly zoom calls as well as making food deliveries throughout the neighborhood to limit interaction within the center. There is also a women's group that meets to raise moral and support each other. The center recently opened a couple weeks ago allowing a limited number of people in order to abide by safety regulations.

In the future, Julie would like to expand the program through outreach, as well as helping to build small homes for individuals living in dire conditions. In the meantime, Julie looks forward to continue assisting women and children and is grateful for all those who have supported her and sponsored the program.

U.S. Embassy Belize

Belize's Wonder Women! Erica Jang

We are proud to announce that Erica Jang is our Belize Wonder Woman for the month of May!

Erica has been an educator for more than 20 years, mother of 3, a former town councilor and now a senator. She speaks English, Garifuna and Spanish.

Since her childhood, Erica began attending public meetings listening to leaders she admired. Watching strong women in the political sphere inspired her to pursue a career in politics helping others. When Erica was 21 she became a delegate and later became a member of Belize Youth Movement - BYM. In 2018, she won the Dangriga Municipal Election becoming a senator to fulfill her mission of bettering the lives of Dangriga citizenry. Erica voices how connecting and building relationships with people in her community and addressing their needs and concerns is the most fulfilling part about her work.

Erica also takes part in Stann Creek Ecumenical College St. Vincent Group Yurumein Project, is a National Garifuna Council Dangriga Branch Delegate, and a member of Southern Pride Dangriga. The SCEC & SVG Yurumein Project seeks to build on Garifuna traditions through education, language, music, history and spirituality. As an NGC delegate, Erica assists various activities and celebrations on behalf of the Garifuna Culture. Southern Pride Dangriga was established to carry out community outreach and help recognize those who positively contribute to their community and Erica is proud to be a part of the process.

Erica is committed to continuing her service to Dangriga, preserving Garifuna culture, and creating holistic change for her community.

U.S. Embassy Belize

Belize's Wonder Women! Marley Ack-Goodin

We are proud to announce that Marley Ack-Goodin is our Belize Wonder Woman for the month of June!

Marley is the COVID Relief Project Manager and Volunteer Manager with the Belize Red Cross.

Marley holds a Bachelor's Degree in General Biology from the University of Belize and a Diploma in Counselling from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus, and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Management Studies with a concentration in Project Management. Marley is certified in a variety of knowledge areas and also attended Wellesley College in Massachusetts, USA as an exchange student for plant biology research. This institution is the alma mater of former First Lady Hillary Clinton.

In 2015 Marley became employed with the National Health Insurance (NHI), as the Social Advocate for Nutrition Welfare for the Toledo District. In her three years as a social worker, the undernutrition rate for the Toledo District decreased from 23% to 14%. In 2018, Marley began her work with the Belize Red Cross Society as a volunteer and transitioned full-time as project manager for the Caribbean Zika Prevention Response Project.

Marley currently serves as the Red Cross COVID Relief Project Manager, addressing socio-economic impacts caused by the pandemic. Through the COVID-19 project, Marley and her team have assisted over 20,000 families through the provision of a one-month food supply, distributed 50,000 masks to people throughout the country in addition to hygiene travel kits, and donated 1,800 school bags and supplies to children in marginalized communities whose families have been impacted by unemployment. Marley also wears the hat of Volunteer Manager for the Belize Red Cross and provides support to all volunteers countrywide in various fieldwork, community service and branch activities.

Also an entrepreneur, Marley is the owner of two small businesses, Belize Online Shopping Service (BOSS) and homemade self-care body scrubs - Naked by Marley and has also created a safe space for Belizeans to share their health journey on social media platforms, called "Let's Get Physical Belize."

Marley has realized that humanitarianism is her calling and says that a motivating force is an empathy which allows her to tap into the reality of suffering that people face everywhere. She is determined to leave the world a better place than she found it.

U.S. Embassy Belize

Belize's Wonder Women! Lieutenant Commander Alma Pinelo

We are proud to announce that Lieutenant Commander Alma Pinelo is our Belize Wonder Woman Spotlight for the month of July! Alma is the first female Acting Vice Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard.

Though she was born in Belize City, Alma spent her childhood in San Pedro. She describes growing up in San Pedro as "like no other," and credits her time there with her love for the sea. This passion inspired her to pursue an education in Natural Sciences at St. John's Junior College. In 2008, while working on her studies, she was offered the opportunity to sit the officer selection board for the Belize Defense Force (BDF) and was ultimately selected as a cadet.

Upon selection and joining the BDF, Alma worked with a mentor from the U.S. Naval Academy to further her education at an American service academy. Ultimately, she attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy where she graduated in 2013. Upon graduation, she returned to Belize as a Lieutenant (junior grade) and served as the only female officer in the Belize Coast Guard at the time. She served at postings in accordance with the needs of the organization, including 3 years as a Coast Guard Adjutant. To maintain eligibility for further promotion within the Belize Coast Guard, she traveled to Mexico to complete officer training at the Centro de Estudios Superiores Navales (CESNAV) where she was the first woman to complete the school's "Especialidad de Mando Naval" course.

After returning from Mexico, Alma was promoted to Lieutenant and continued to pioneer the path for women in the Belize Coast Guard. Her postings include Coast Guard Liaison at the Ministry of National Security, Sector Commander for Sector Central, and, after completing the International Maritime Officers Course in 2019, Fleet Commander. Since, she has been promoted to Lieutenant Commander and is currently serving as the Acting Vice Commandant.

Looking back at her experiences, Alma says she never imagined the path she has taken. Though the opportunity "landed on her lap," she emphasizes how much it has changed her life. Particularly, one of the most rewarding parts of her career has been helping establish and conduct the "Women, Peace, and Security" group (WPS) in the Belizean government. An interagency group of members from the various security forces in Belize, WPS has helped establish the "WPS Agenda" - a policy agenda aimed at increasing Belizean women's role in national security.

U.S. Embassy Belize