Against a backdrop of persistent youth unemployment and a steadily rising cost of living across Belize, veteran educator Dr. Carol Babb is rolling out a new educational resource designed to shift young people’s mindset from passive job-seeking to proactive opportunity creation. Released on October 27, 2026, her latest children’s title, *Jacito Becomes an Entrepreneur*, is the fourth installment of her widely popular financial literacy storybook series, which breaks down the traditionally complex mechanics of launching a small business into accessible, age-appropriate lessons for young readers.
The narrative follows the eponymous Jacito, a young child whose casual dream of running a neighborhood dog-care service evolves into a hands-on masterclass in building a sustainable venture. Rather than framing the journey as a trivial childhood fantasy, the story walks readers through every practical step of entrepreneurship: from conducting independent market research, drafting a clear mission and vision, sourcing required supplies, to mapping out operating costs. The story’s central dynamic — a series of tough, probing conversations between Jacito and his grandmother as he plans his business — is directly inspired by the legacy of the late Jane Usher, a beloved Belizean financial literacy pioneer who dedicated decades of her life to advocating for household savings, responsible borrowing, and broad-based financial independence.
Clement Usher, Chief Financial Officer of the Holy Redeemer Credit Union (HRCU), emphasized the timeliness of carrying Usher’s legacy forward, noting that the critical value of emergency savings became universally apparent during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, when millions of people across the region lost full-time work or were placed on reduced pay, and only households with pre-existing savings buffers were able to cover basic living expenses without crisis. He praised Dr. Babb for translating Usher’s lifelong advocacy into engaging, child-friendly content that reaches a new generation far earlier than traditional personal finance education typically begins.
The preceding three books in the Jacito series have already introduced young audiences to foundational personal finance skills including earning income, budgeting, and setting aside regular savings. This new installment builds directly on that base, demonstrating how those core money management competencies can be combined to launch a self-sustaining business that not only supports the young founder, but can eventually create new jobs for other members of the community. Geridene Reneau, Chief Librarian at Belize’s Leo Bradley Library, highlighted that these lessons are uniquely critical amid current global economic volatility, where fluctuating commodity prices and lingering post-pandemic financial pressures have made household financial resilience more important than ever. She noted that the series does not merely entertain young readers, but arms them with actionable, long-term knowledge that will shape every major financial decision they make well into adulthood.
Unlike many popular simplified narratives that frame entrepreneurship as an easy, fast path to success, *Jacito Becomes an Entrepreneur* is unflinchingly honest about the hard work required to launch a venture. Young readers are guided through the process of calculating startup costs, researching small business financing options, learning the criteria to qualify for a small credit union loan, and mapping out consistent loan repayment schedules. The book’s core thesis stresses that while a creative idea is the initial spark for any new venture, rigorous planning and consistent effort are the only elements that turn a casual dream into a stable, operating business.
Dr. Babb explained that the project grew directly from her decades of frontline experience in Belize’s education system, where she repeatedly encountered young unemployed people who framed their only path to stability as waiting for external employers to offer them a position. Her core goal with the series is to dismantle that pervasive job-seeking mindset, and give children the practical skills and confidence to build their own livelihoods on their own terms. In partnership with HRCU, all credit union member-owners can claim a free physical copy of the new book at any local HRCU branch. The title is also available for general purchase at The Angelus Press location in Belize City, and via the official DigiWallet online Merch Store.
Jacito Teaches Belizean Children to Create Opportunities
