By Kendall Hampton, OERD Graduate Research Assistant
Ah, spring break. A quiet time in the middle of the busy semester to relax, recharge, and… reengage. While some people take the break to catch up on sleep lost during midterms or work on their tan on a beach, a group of students from NIU spent their spring break presenting workshops to the National Sports Council (NSC) in Belize (and working on their tans). Dr. Jennifer Jacobs from the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KNPE) has been leading this Alternative Spring BAE (Belizeans Advocating for Equity) trip with students for the last ten years.
Together as a team of ten, we carefully crafted workshops to present to NSC members and Peace Core volunteers. We wanted to ensure that we were taking into account the culture and resources available to the Belizeans. After a group brainstorming session, we came up with three themes for the workshops: Doing more with less, inclusivity, and mindfulness. We worked in small groups to create our unique sessions, which would all work together to incorporate those themes throughout the day.
The beauty of this trip is that the NSC is used to NIU coming to present. They look forward to it. Because this relationship has been built over time, our association with NIU alone was enough to garner an incredibly warm welcome on each day of sessions. In the past, the sessions are all held in Belize City, and NSC members come from their respective districts to attend. This year, we traveled to four different districts to present on their home turf. This allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the resources available to each district, which enabled us to tailor our material.
The first session of each day focused heavily on doing more with less. Our team presented about engaging warm up games that require very little, if any, equipment. We discussed modifications and extensions to the activities to make them simpler or more challenging. Then, we dove into the next session – Basic First Aid. This session included tutorials for wrapping an ankle, a CPR refresher using a homemade CPR dummy, tricks for using a T-shirt as an arm sling, and crucial information about injury prevention and recovery.
After lunch, our team presented about effective coaching, emphasizing the importance of teaching, seeing, correcting, team management, presence and attitude, and demonstrating. The final session of each day was about fundraising and event planning. We discussed motivations behind donating, and then hosted time for council members to work together with each other and with our group to brainstorm and workshop details of their upcoming events. These sessions weren’t just about transferring information; they were about fostering meaningful connections and empowering our Belizean counterparts to lead in their communities. Our team was intentional about elevating Belizean voices instead of lecturing at people all day. Each session was designed to equip NSC members with tangible skills they could apply immediately.
This experience wasn’t just about teaching; it was about learning and listening. Each day, our presentations evolved, guided by Belizean voices and perspectives. We recognized that the NSC members were experts, and collaboration was key to tailoring our programs to their needs. Resources varied greatly between each district. It was important for us to be mindful of our privileges and limited perspectives coming from the United States.
The impact of our time in Belize was remarkable. NSC members expressed their appreciation for the workshops, eager to implement the knowledge gained in their communities and with their teams. The reciprocal benefits were equally profound. NIU students gained valuable cultural insights, forged meaningful connections, and honed their skills as global citizens.
As I reflect on our journey to Belize, I’m reminded of the power of engagement – the power of coming together, sharing knowledge, and evolving collectively. This trip is a testament to the transformative potential of global engagement. The alternative spring break trip to Belize celebrated ten years this year. Clearly demonstrating that the partnership can stand the test of time, I look forward to seeing what good will come from the next ten years of Alternative Spring BAE.