Belize Alumni Team

Five alumni are heading both of our global hubs in Belize , to take part in an exciting Advanced Leadership Program sponsored by Copal Tree Lodge . This group will be creating and leading workshops for youth in the Punta Gorda community, connecting with community members, and volunteering to support local initiatives. Along the way, they’ll have the chance to explore the beauty and culture of Belize, experiencing its vibrant landscapes and traditions. This program is another exciting step forward for the campuses, and these alumni are paving the way for its future success.

Interested in meeting alumni or sponsoring an activity? Contact us at programs@ff.international .

Jessica

Current Country: Scotland

Year of Initial FFI Program: 2014

Current Occupation: Oncology Nurse

Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "My biggest lesson was that every conversation, volunteering task or simple act of kindness can have a larger impact and cause a ripple effect that goes much farther than what we can even imagine. It taught me that the world is so connected and that despite all the differences across the world, every person is striving for the same thing: Peace- in mind, in body, at home, in work and in the world."

Plans for the Belize Program: "I will ensure that I embrace every day with a positive attitude. I don’t ever take aFFI experience for granted and approach every single program with the same realisation that the program is bigger than me, the team and FFI. It’s for the communities we serve and the things they teach us. Each challenge is an opportunity to grow and I look forward to that."

James

Current Country: Austria

Year of Initial FFI Program: 2022

Current Occupation: Taking a gap year in Austria

Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "I generally got myself a little more figured out. Just being more of a nice person. I bécame closer with a lot of friends at home, emtionally and just in general. I also made new friends, I tend to gather rather large friend circles, to the point that its something of a joke that James knows a guy. Or that if you randomly make a new friend, your Jamesing them. Both running a ton of personal research into it, as well as trying to unite people, make friends, and guide people I know into other people, more friendships across the board."

Plans for the Belize Program: "I'll be helping farther setup campus for future projects, and be familiar with layout and happenings for being an alumni leader with teams. Also being more versed in the world is not going to ever do me harm."

Lisa

Current Country: Ireland

Current Occupation: University Student at Manchester Metropolitan University, completing an internship at Primark in Dublin

Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "My last FFI program was with Harvesting Change and they taught me a lot as a group, mainly playfulness and patience. They taught me so much and made me realise how powerful a 'Thank you' can be when it comes unexpectedly from a group that did not share feelings often. Since the summer, I feel as if I have grown a lot, even in a short space of time."

Plans for the Belize Program: "I will stay grounded by reminding myself of the limited time I have in the space and recognise how lucky I am to be in a position to witness Belize as it will be such a unique part of the world, one in which I haven't explored, especially away from phones, university and my life back home. As well as this, just adapting a 'get on with it' attitude by seeking out what needs done for us to adapt and trying to do it whilst still making positive memories with the team I am surrounded with."

Natalie

Current Country: United States

Year of Initial FFI Program: 2018

Occupation: Community Engagement Specialist

Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "I learned how big the world is and that everyone has a story. I realized how complex the lives of others are on a scale I had not seen before. It led to a deeper appreciation for every part of my own life and reinforced my desire to experience the world beyond New Hampshire."

Plans for the Belize Program: "Further making sure the campus is prepared for successful programs in Belize in the future, building meaningful relationships to strengthen FFI's community connections in Belize, engage and encourage newer alumni, continue maintaining a strong relationship with FFI and coming back, I miss everyone everyday"

Una

Current Country: Northern Ireland

Year of Initial FFI Program: 2016

Current Occupation: Special Education Needs Classroom Assistant

Biggest Lesson Learned from FFI: "I would say it was teamwork and self-confidence, and the fact that I can achieve things that I really want."

Plans for the Belize Program: "The experience will bring many leadership skills, and experiences to learn from. I can’t even be sure of all of the things that I will learn on this program. I would love to use this opportunity to help shape me as a leader and therefore help shape programs-leading participants guiding alumni and even helping to write curriculum or new experiences for FFI."

Thank you to our program sponsor, Copal Tree Lodge!

Thanks to the generous support of Copal Tree Lodge, FFI is bringing its Education and Empowerment Camp to Punta Gorda. Working alongside TeachGreen and local partners, our alumni coaches will deliver hands-on leadership workshops to 100 young people, using FFI's RECIPE framework (Resilience, Empathy, Communication, Impact, Playfulness, and Effort) to build teamwork, empathy, and problem-solving skills.

This is just the beginning. Our long-term vision is for this to become an ongoing tradition in PG, growing to reach more young people each year, and creating mentorship pathways for returning participants.

Logistical Information

Program Focus

Youth Programming, Community Engagement, Alumni Planning

Number of Alumni

Number of Leaders

1 Staff Member

Ages of Students

21-27

Team Interests

Activism, leadership, volunteering

Dietary Restrictions

100% Vegan

Allergies

N/A

Vehicle

SUV