Animation Bootcamp Empowers Women in Belize

In a landmark achievement for digital education in Belize, twenty-three women from southern Belize have graduated from a specialized animation bootcamp. This initiative, part of the Taiwan-Belize Women Economic Empowerment project, aims to foster creative digital skills and innovation among women and girls. The program, which concluded at Bella Vista Government Secondary School, follows successful sessions in Orange Walk, Corozal, and Belize City last year. Over three months, participants created impactful animations on critical topics such as road safety, autism awareness, gender equality, and environmental protection. Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Area Representative for Dangriga, emphasized the importance of blending creativity with education to unlock endless opportunities. He highlighted the shift from traditional memorization-based learning to practical, transformative skills that benefit society. Andrew Su, Chief of the Taiwan Technical Mission in Belize, praised the participants for their creativity and effort, noting the rapid progress they made in producing their own animated videos. The bootcamp culminated in an animation competition, with the winning project focusing on road safety—a pressing issue in Belize. Juanita Lucas, Principal of Bella Vista Government Secondary School, expressed pride in her students’ accomplishments and stressed the need for innovative educational initiatives. This program not only provides a platform for creative expression but also opens doors to Belize’s growing Orange Economy, offering women new pathways to economic empowerment.