Love Foundation Instrumental in Youths Getting Funding

Devannie Apolonio is a youth ambassador who plays a key role in not only what the action centre and studio will offer her peers, but in seeking the funding through the Love Foundation for the project to materialize. She explained how losing her little sister some months ago flung her into the throes of grief and she herself used the medium to better cope. And Managing Director of the Love Foundation, Deborah Erskine explained how the foundation was able to assist the youths to tap into the funding. She shared that this Wednesday they will record the first of six episodes on different topics, after which they will air.

 

Devannia Apolonio, Youth Ambassador Alumni

“I would have my recording once every two weeks on a topic that I would feel free to bringing the professionals in and opening a discussion, bringing the students, bringing other people who would feel comfortable on that basic topic and let us have a discussion and find that solution as one. Mental health is a big struggle as a young person myself. I recently lost my little sister in February, and grief is my big thing, and this is my thing to do. So it really took on a toll on me, but I’m coming back from that. I’m using my sister as my shoulder to inspire people that, yes, grief is something, but you could overcome it and take it one step at a time. And so in this podcast room, we’re going to have an open discussion on certain topics that People would feel like if you want to start having a conversation, it would be, wouldn’t be accepted in certain areas where it would in this wide classroom, you come in and you talk as freely as you want with the guidance of a professional and your peers.”

 

Debra Erskine, Managing Director, Love Foundation

“It’s the first time that Belize has received one of these awards, and actually it was a group of youth ambassadors that came together and they had the idea. So the idea is from the youth ambassadors and then the Love Foundation just basically helps with the writing of the proposal, putting the ideas together. So we did that approximately two years ago and we got funded a year ago. They felt that this was a great way to help other young people countrywide, not just within their community. So they were looking at an opportunity to really be able to air.  Issues social issues that they may be going through but they just they wanted it to be available to young people everywhere So hence the reason for bringing in professionals alongside with them so that young people are able to get the right Information and know where to go to for help if they need, to seek help or advice from someone.”