One of Belize’s rising reggae stars, Jeremy Lizama, better known by his stage name Phynxxx [Phoenix], is creating a buzz on social media. His music, a vibrant blend of Caribbean rhythms and relatable lyrics, has struck a chord with audiences across the region. As he gears up to release new tracks, Lizama reflects on his newfound success and shares some valuable advice for aspiring musicians.
Jeremy Lizama
Jeremy Lizama, “Phynxxx”, Reggae Artist
“Don’t stop. Be committed, be determined if this is what you want to do. Sometimes you got to go through some crazy hurdles to really just stay focused and believe, because sometimes it’s so easy to say, this isn’t for me, I’m wasting my time. I’m not getting the feedback I want. I’m not getting the love I, thought I would have. I thought this was my hit. This is supposed to be my hit. Because you invest so much in your music. When you hear it, you’re like, this is my hit. This is it. I’m going. But you won’t necessarily get that reaction. And a lot of times, for me as well, it’s been the songs you don’t expect to hit. Which is one song called Only One. And it’s been, Blowing up recently on TikTok. I keep getting notifications. I think it’s at like forty-K or something like that views right now. So I’m like, Whoa that’s a huge leap for me. I’m used to like five-K or maybe 10k. So to go from that to just all of a sudden, like thirty, forty-K is it’s crazy and it can happen. You just gotta work and not stop.”
Many tertiary institutions in Belize are still finding their way through the transition to fully online education. For secondary schools, the challenge of offering a virtual option is even greater. Initially, we assumed that primary-level education in a virtual setting was non-existent. However, we stumbled upon a school that not only offers this service but does so with an innovative twist that piqued our interest. This month, our ‘On The Bright Side’ series shines a light on unconventional education. This week, we feature La Isla Carinosa Academy, one of only two fully online primary schools in Belize.
Sabreena Daly
Sabreena Daly
In 2020, our dependence on technology became indispensable as the world abruptly transitioned online for work and education. Since then, many have adapted in various ways—some reverting to their pre-pandemic habits, while others have embraced changes that could forever alter our lifestyles and work environments. While many have resumed traditional methods, a significant number, particularly in the education sector, have fully embraced this digital transformation. So when we discovered that there was a primary learning institution in Belize that transitioned to online learning and stayed there, even after having the option to return to face-to-face learning, that sparked our interest. And to speak to the persons guiding this process, you’d imagine, we had to jump online as well.
Eryn Peters was only six years old when she made the switch from traditional classroom learning to online education at La Isla Carinosa Academy. That was four years ago.
Eryn Peters
Eryn Peters, Student, La Isla Carinosa Academy
“In standard one, we have learned a lot more information than I have gotten in face to face learning and I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but when I go over to other schools and ask what they’re doing in their classroom, they tell me something that I’ve already learned in my class, even though we’re in the same classroom.”
She embarked on her online learning adventure in Standard One, while her mother, a dedicated teacher at a traditional school, courageously chose to keep her daughter in this innovative and unconventional educational path.
Reena Peters
Reena Peters, Parent “To me, it helped the children to be more prepared for the future especially in this era in technology. They probe the children to think outside the box, to be creative, to be free thinkers, critical thinkers. And, I love that about the way they deliver their lessons. And so I thought tha La Isla Cariñosa is the perfect place for my child.”
Dr. Alberto August, a passionate career educator, has devoted his entire life to the field of academics. In 2015, he realized his dream by founding an educational institution on Caye Caulker. When the pandemic struck, Dr. August was quick to adapt to the changing landscape of education. Since then, his academy has seamlessly transitioned to a permanent virtual platform, now enrolling over fifty students from within the country and abroad. This innovative online learning model has become an invaluable and far-reaching resource, offering primary level education to a diverse student body.
Alberto August
Dr. Alberto August, Founder, La Isla Carinosa Academy “It started out as a physical school on Caye Caulker in September 2015. We had practices, for example, away from the traditional. We had no bell, so we had clocks. We had no lineup, so the children learned orderly how to go to classes and how to respect each other’s space. We didn’t have a roll call of attendance. We had a small class size. We had technology embedded and we didn’t punish children. That was one of our big things. We focused on positive reinforcement besides punishing children. We got enrollment from Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek, Toledo; all six districts. As a matter of fact, some of our enrollment were students from Guatemala, from Mexico. From the United States, we had students in our program. Yes. So it was that. And that was how we delivered across, not just Belize, across the region.”
The teachers at La Isla Carinosa are equipped with specialized skills tailored for online learning—a challenge that many traditional educators would have faced during the Covid Pandemic. Tanisha Lawrence has been an educator with La Isla Carinosa Academy her entire teaching career.
Tanisha Lawrence
Tanisha Lawrence, Teacher, La Isla Carinosa “The major difference is, getting to meet all the different people from around the country, having all of those, you know, personalities, those lives in our classes as well. I honestly don’t see it as very different because It’s the same amount of work. You still have to do the same planning, you still have to do the same reflecting, you still have to do the same amount of work. But. It comes with experience. This is my fourth year teaching online and everything is just super easy now and I get to enjoy it more.”
Dr. Alberto August
“I have a group of wonderful experienced teachers, and one thing that I found was key to that is the constant connection. For example, at our school, we have a CPD session weekly. That was something we started in 2015. Even today, this week, we have a CPD session where we train our teachers. It’s not just a meeting for a meeting sake. It’s sharing strategies. Sharing research, sharing ideas to develop our lesson, our lessons, our school. And so we have weekly PD sessions, which, which most schools in my, in Belize do not have.”
You might wonder, do these students genuinely feel a sense of achievement and fulfillment within this distinctive educational system? A LICA education could be the perfect fit for those eager to leverage the benefits of technology-driven learning. While students may not meet face-to-face, their connections transcend physical boundaries, creating a global community. The school’s motto serves as a powerful reminder of the core values that guide our interactions and how we should treat one another.
Eryn Peters “Based on my experience, I would say that it’s very fun and I think that it would be a nice adjustment to any child that’s in primary school to do online primary school because during online primary school everybody, they’re so nice to you because our golden rule in the entire school, basically our motto is Be kind to others and be treated how you want to be treated. So, knowing from that, you can know that it’s a very kind and sociable experience and environment.”
There’s two months until 2025, and Belizeans have not stopped wondering when the new Belize notes and coin designs will be released.
On September 26, the Central Bank of Belize officially announced the approval of a new family of banknotes. It said that it will be one that will celebrate Belize’s “rich heritage and will incorporate enhanced security features to combat counterfeiting.”
“We will be using the national heroes, both George Price and Phillip Goldson. They are the ones that are going to be on the face. So the new dollars will be introduced later this year or early next year,” said Prime Minister John Briceño. He added, “It will have a lot of other features to protect against counterfeit.”
The Central Bank stated, “Prior to the circulation of the new banknotes, there will be a period of transition, providing ample time for the public to view and learn about the notes.”
The Central Bank maintains that the Belize dollar is strong, as it has been pegged to the US dollar at a rate of BZ$2.00 to US$1.00 since 1976. “The new designs will be unveiled in early 2025, while the new banknotes will be circulated later in the year,” the Central Bank confirmed.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries and the University of Belize signed a Land Exchange Agreement with the University of Belize (UB). The signing marks the culmination of over two years of negotiations.
The agreement facilitates the relocation of the National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) from its current location in Ladyville to a more central site in Belmopan. This is expected to allow NFSS to better manage the country’s growing needs in forensic science and legal medicine.
The ministry will transfer 1.28 acres of land in Ladyville, where the NFSS currently operates, to UB. In return, UB will provide 12 acres of land in Belmopan, where a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory and mortuary complex will be constructed through funding from the Belize Integral Security Programme.
The Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining will oversee the land transfer process.
Dr. Vincent Palacio, President of UB, said the land exchange would enable the university to expand its academic offerings, including its recently launched School of Medicine and other related programs like forensic science and criminology.
Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa hailed the agreement as a significant step toward modernising the country’s forensic infrastructure.
Independence Village Resident, Karima Logan, reported escaping death after her common-law husband, Travis Lopez, allegedly poured gasoline on her and set her on fire during an argument.
According to Logan, Lopez took her outside, poured gasoline on her, and ignited it. He then attempted to extinguish the flames by placing her in the shower.
Logan informed the police that the incident was an accident. She received initial treatment for her burns at the Independence Polyclinic before being transferred to the Southern Regional Hospital for further care for her burns.
When asked about it this morning, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams informed the media that he had no knowledge about the case.
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) has secured a USD $98,600 grant from UNESCO to lead the project “Empowering Communities for the Safeguarding of Belize’s Foodways.”
NICH said in a statement, “This initiative will train 140 community members and cultural officers to document and protect our rich culinary heritage. By focussing on our vibrant local cuisines, we aim to inspire healthier eating habits among students and the wider community.”
The project is expected to be implemented over the next two years.
Consultations wrapped up today to enhance Belize’s integration into the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). CSME is designed to promote cooperation and economic growth within the Caribbean.
Led by Minister of State Dr. Osmond Martinez, this three-day mission convened government officials and key stakeholders.
The consultations involved representatives from the private sector, civil society, tertiary institutions, trade unions, municipal authorities, and public servants. In its statement, the ministry said, “Key topics of discussion included the free movement of goods and people, trade, customs procedures, education, intellectual property, public awareness, competition, agriculture, immigration, labour issues, and the implementation of the CARICOM Interactive Market Place Suspension Procedure (CIMSUPRO).”
According to the Ministry, “This electronic platform aims to facilitate connections between producers and buyers within the CARICOM region.”
During the mission, the CARICOM Secretariat emphasised that the CSME is an ongoing process. It stressed that its success depends on the “sustained commitment of Member States to ensure its success.”
The CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) has named Sharonmae Smith-Walker as its new CEO, effective 1 November 2024. Smith-Walker, who has over 12 years of leadership experience, succeeds Deryck Omar, who served as CEO since 2014. Smith-Walker previously led the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) and brings extensive expertise in quality infrastructure, accreditation, and environmental management. Her career includes more than 15 years of contributions to quality infrastructure and two decades of consulting in environmental management, food safety, accreditation, and quality management systems.
She expressed her excitement about the role and aims to further CROSQ’s mission of enhancing standards and quality across the Caribbean.
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead this vital organisation at such an important time. I look forward to working with the team to position CROSQ for continued growth and to support the economic development of the CARICOM region.”
CROSQ also extended its gratitude to outgoing CEO Deryck Omar, whose 14-year tenure saw the organisation become a leader in quality standards across the Caribbean.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister John Briceño met with Mexico’s new Energy Minister, Luz Elena Gonzalez Escobar. Their discussion centred on energy security, the continuation of their power purchase agreement, and improving energy transmission infrastructure in Belize and southern Mexico.
PM Briceño said on social media, “We as well reviewed challenges facing the energy sector on both sides of the border and reiterated assurances for the continued bilateral relationship.”
Representatives from Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) were also in the meeting.
This year, Belize has faced a record amount of load shedding. On May 2, Belize Electricity Ltd. CEO John Mencias explained that Mexico’s CFE could only supply 20 megawatts due to contractual limits. Mencias clarified that CFE’s actions were within the contractual arrangements, stating, “What we purchase from CFE is called opportunity cost energy… it is interruptible at any moment’s notice.”
Following a May 13 meeting between Briceño and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, CFE agreed to increase its supply to 75 megawatts. This effort alleviated some power shortages. Briceño stated, “The Mexican energy provider will now supply a total of seventy-five megawatts to the national grid.”
Belize generates about 60% of its electricity from renewable sources, the highest in the Caribbean, with hydroelectric power playing a key role. Fortis Belize Limited operates three hydroelectric plants on the Macal River, contributing up to 40% of the national grid.
A three-day strike at East and Gulf Coast ports in the United States has come to an end. The International Longshoremen’s Association resumed work today. The strike, which began early Tuesday, was primarily about wage increases and threatened supply chains and exports.
The maritime alliance USMX agreed to a $4 hourly raise, boosting current pay from $39 to $43, resulting in a total increase of $24 over a six-year contract—an overall 62% hike. Union leader Harold Daggett indicated that the union was open to this raise prior to the strike but had rejected a lesser $3 offer. Both sides swiftly resumed operations, with workers eager to minimise income losses.
Ports, including New York and New Jersey, are working to restore normal operations. Container backlogs remain, with the Port Authority reporting daily losses of $250-300 million during the strike, totalling around $1 billion.
While the strike has ended, the final contract still requires ratification by union members, leaving open the possibility of future strikes if the agreement is rejected.
