Education Situation

Child labor in Belize begins at the age of 12 (often younger) when children complete what is equivalent to our 6th grade and government-provided education ends. Due to the limited resources to families, the children seek jobs in the local chicken farms or tortilla factories, working for $10 ($5 US) per week to supplement family income. Without continued educational opportunities, children are trapped with no hope for the future.

Obviously, most families from villages in and around western Belize live in dire poverty and do not have the means to send their children into neighboring San Ignacio or

Santa Elena for secondary education. Often the cost of secondary education is more than the families’ annual income. With this bleak picture, it is the goal of ROWKIDS to end the cycle of poverty and child exploitation by giving the children and families of Billy White and the neighboring villages a brighter future.

ROWKIDS provides school supplies, books, and services to small village schools. ROWKIDS provides opportunities for continued education to the children in two different ways.

Belize Secondary School Opportunities

The Cayo Center for Employment Training (CET) is a 1-2 year course of study providing students with skills needed to realize careers in a variety of fields, such as Automotive Mechanics, Building/Grounds Maintenance, Food Preparation, Furniture Making/Cabinetry, Garment Design/Sewing, and Tourism: Hospitality Management or Front Office. The children are also taught daily life skills, English, and Computer skills during the nine month program, with one month on-the-job training period. Upon graduation after one year of study the student is considered a Skilled Supervised Worker and at the end of the two year period, a Skilled Unsupervised Worker. ROWKIDS sponsors the children to CET at an approximate cost of $1,500 (US$) per student per year for tuition, supplies, books, and transportation.

A second opportunity in assisting students to obtain a traditional secondary education at Sacred Heart College (High School) or Eden High School. The associated costs of approximately $700 per student per year, includes annual tuition per student, books and supplies required for the specific course of study.