A new group of 23 Peace Corps trainees arrived in Belize today to begin 27 months of service under the Youth Empowered by Sports (YES) Project, a national initiative aimed at empowering Belizean youth through education, mentorship, and physical activity.
The trainees’ arrival marks a continued commitment by Peace Corps Belize to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports & Diaspora Relations in promoting youth development. They will join two active YES volunteer cohorts already serving in communities across the country.
Over the next eleven weeks, the trainees will undergo intensive Pre-Service Training. The program includes instruction on Peace Corps’ development philosophy, the goals of the YES Project, technical skills training, health and safety preparation, and immersive cultural and language education in Kriol or Spanish.
The trainees will be sworn in as official Peace Corps Volunteers on July 18, 2025. Once sworn in, they will support efforts in two key sectors: Youth Development and Education. Volunteers in these areas work closely with community leaders to help young people build life skills, promote healthy lifestyles, and unlock opportunities for personal and academic growth.
The Peace Corps has a long-standing history in Belize and around the world. Since 1961, more than 240,000 Volunteers have served in 144 countries.