Caye Caulker Ocean Academy, Belize, Central America Nominators: Cam Culham & Gerry Luton Comp 2
Ocean Academy opened in 2008 as the only high school on the island of Caye Caulker in Belize, Central America. It is a non-profit organization.
Prior to Ocean Academy, only 35% of island students continued past elementary school due to school fees (school is not free in Belize) and additional travel costs to attend mainland schools. Now, more than 90% enroll in high school. Ocean Academy has 133 students. Many are the first in their families to attend and graduate high school.
Ocean Academy developed social enterprises as part of a “learn and earn” approach. Students lead Bike and Kayak tours. Half of students’ earnings go to their bank account and half pays school fees. Students also develop confidence and skills in leadership and public speaking. Prior to Covid-19, 11% of the school’s budget was funded by Social Enterprise.
Challenges due to Covid-19
· Tourism halted. Belize closed its borders and instigated a curfew.
· Students ceased earning school fees (no tourists for the Bike and Kayak trips). Parents also lost work.
· School campuses closed nationwide. Many students couldn’t afford laptops or Wi Fi for online learning
· The Government of Belize implemented a 10% cut in salaries for public officers and teachers in March 2021. The Public Service Union and Belize National Teachers’ Union protested to no avail.
Funding Request from the CUPE 4163 Social Justice Fund
If approved, funds will be used to re-vitalize student-led Bike and Kayak social enterprises now that tourists are finally returning to Belize, and campuses are again active. We will:
· Replace equipment that was damaged or stolen during the two years of Covid-19 inactivity (ex. bike maintenance, security locks, life jackets, first aid kits, kayak paddles)
· Train new students who want to get involved (ex. first aid certification, kayak skills and rescues, bike repair, public speaking)
· Support Ocean Academy teachers who mentor Bike or Kayak with Purpose
Note: Ocean Academy was co-founded by Joni Miller who is a UVic graduate (1993) and worked part-time in various CUPE jobs throughout her studies.
Clarity Press Nominator: Sundiata Kly , Comp 1
Clarity press is an independent publisher that published on social justice for the last 20 years. The CEO has won the “who’s who in Canada” lifetime award for her unyielding dedication to human rights publishing. Her books include heavy hitting names like Tamara Starblanket, Alfred de Zayas, Richard Falk, Diana Johnstone, Baroud Pappe, and Devon mihesuah.
I hope you have a chance to check out their website at : https://www.claritypress.com/
Literacy Now Cowichan Nominator – Amy Levine Comp 3
Established in 2007, Literacy Now Cowichan has worked on many fronts to increase the visibility of literacy issues within the Cowichan Region. In June 2009, Literacy Now Cowichan applied for and received status as BC nonprofit society and achieved charitable status in 2012. Pathways to Learning, the community adult literacy program, has been operating since 2012 and has helped almost 1,000 residents of the Cowichan Valley achieve their learning goals. A core group of 25 highly trained and dedicated volunteers provide hundreds of hours of tutoring each month as part of their commitment to helping others. This community adult literacy program is funded completely with grants and donations and is provided free of charge to valley residents.
For more about them: http://www.literacynowcowichan.ca/about/