Community Outreach and Development
This program is executed with the collaboration of the Mayan communities of Golden Stream and Tambran to build local livelihoods, improve management of forest resources, and preservation of cultural heritage. This program is focused on adapting farming communities to promote community traditional livelihoods such as cacao, turmeric, ginger, etc. The program supports and promotes the reproduction of cacao processing and export at a community level.
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Current projects implemented by B-BLUE and partners
Community Chicken Coop in Golden Stream
The community chicken coop in Golden Stream, built in June 2024, offers a multitude of benefits, providing alternative livelihoods and creating new economic opportunities for the community. This coop, capable of housing 150 chickens, was established to supply eggs for the village's young, elderly, and frail, ensuring a steady source of nutrition. Additionally, the coop provides emergency funding for medical expenses and other critical needs, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
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The chicken farm is managed by the newly established Golden Stream Women's Cooperative, empowering women in the village by offering them a sustainable source of income. This initiative supports economic diversification and helps alleviate poverty among the villagers, fostering resilience and self-sufficiency.
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The community chicken coop also benefits the environment by promoting sustainable farming practices. The use of organic feed and waste management techniques reduces the ecological footprint and enhances soil fertility through natural composting processes. By integrating these environmentally friendly practices, the chicken farm contributes to the health and sustainability of the local ecosystem.
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Through this project, we enhance the productivity, sustainable trade, and community development in Golden Stream, fostering a thriving and resilient village. Together, we empower the community, promote sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to a healthier environment.
Establishment of Golden Stream Women's Cooperative
The Golden Stream Women's Cooperative, established with the assistance of the Belize Cooperative Department and training costs provided by BBLUE, offers a multitude of benefits, providing alternative livelihoods and creating new economic opportunities for the community. This cooperative is dedicated to managing the farming and production of cacao, turmeric, and chickens/eggs, as well as overseeing their management and sales. By empowering Mayan women, the cooperative fosters economic diversification and helps alleviate poverty among families in Golden Stream.
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The cooperative's initiatives not only provide a sustainable source of income for the women but also enhance community resilience and self-sufficiency. The management of diverse agricultural activities ensures a steady supply of nutritious food and valuable commodities, contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
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The Golden Stream Women's Cooperative promotes sustainable farming practices, enhancing soil health, and supporting biodiversity. The cooperative's activities include organic farming techniques, efficient resource management, and environmentally friendly practices that contribute to the sustainability of the local ecosystem.
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Through this project, we enhance productivity, sustainable trade, and community development in Golden Stream, fostering a thriving and resilient village. Together, we empower the community, promote sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to a healthier environment.
Tambran Village Water System Improvement Project
For many years, community members in Tambran have relied on hand pumps to draw water directly from wells, resulting in limited access to safe drinking water. Traditionally, they use rivers and creeks for laundry and hand pumps for cooking and drinking. There are three manual deep-well hand pumps, installed over a decade ago, that access groundwater. However, during the dry season, the community has reported limited access to clean drinking water.
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To address this issue, one of the hand pumps was selected for an upgrade to a new system that pumps water into a reservoir using solar energy. Technical supervision was provided to install a small water system with a 5,000-liter tank in the center of Tambran, utilizing solar power. This water improvement project has empowered the community to better understand their groundwater capacity and quality. It will be an ongoing initiative, with community members collecting data on water usage and quantity. This data will help them advocate for a more reliable water system, ensuring secure and convenient access to safe drinking water.