Let's "Pack for a Purpose"

Meaningful Travel

Belizing.com Outreach

We are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and take supplies for the projects we support in need, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families. Please click here to see what supplies are needed for our project/projects.

As such, Belizing.com has decided to partner with Mary Open Doors, a non-profit orgnazation assisting families affected by domestic violence in Belize. All donations we receive from the Pack for a Purpose initiative will be taken to the Mary Open Doors office in San Ignacio, Cayo.

Mary Open Doors

Mary Open Doors is a registered NGO operating in San Ignacio Town, Cayo District since 2008. Since 2008, Mary Open Doors has provided rehabilitative accommodations to women and children fleeing domestic violence situations and provided education and awareness on the issues connected to domestic violence through its resource center. In addition, the resource center does small scale humanitarian assistance to women, men, and children at risk for domestic violence. Public awareness activities to community stakeholders are also a regular part of the organization’s work in order to change public attitudes and perceptions that promote or tolerate domestic violence. Mary Open Doors also works closely with the police department to provided support and assistance to women who make reports to the police about domestic violence are undertaking the legal process.

Mary Open Doors is the only Domestic Violence shelter providing assistance to women in the Cayo district and is one of only 3 shelters in the entire country of Belize. Statistics show that domestic violence continues to be a permanent issue in Belize especially in rural and semi- rural communities. Statistics shows that from 2006 – 2014 a total of 96 women were killed in connection to domestic violence situations with 20 of those being killed in the Cayo District. Many of those women had no safe place to go to leave a domestic violence situation.

Mission

To provide rehabilitative accommodation services to women and children who are survivors of domestic violence that empowers them and improves their wellbeing.

Vision

Survivors of domestic violence are empowered to leave domestic situations and take action that can lead to their recovery and rehabilitation.

Guiding Principles

Mary open door provides services that:

Respects basic values of human dignity
Respects Integrity
Ensures confidentiality that are provided in a non-discriminatory and non-judgmental manner
Ensures provision of direct assistance to survivors that respect self-determination

Achievements

In 2015 – successful completion of project for renovation of the shelter facilities to add more beds and conduct repairs and maintenance
Between 2010 – 2017 temporary safe shelter provided to over 140 women

If you are interested in making a meaningful contribution to those in need, donations are accepted in-person, through mail, wire transfer, or through their Global Giving account here https://www.globalgiving.org/donate/26761/mary-open-doors/.

Contact Information

Corner of Carmelita Street, San Ignacio Town, Cayo District

Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm|Sat 8am to 1pm

Phone: 824-2768

Email: support@belizing.com | maria@belizing.com
Facebook: GoBelizing | Mary Open Doors

Instagram: @gobelizing | @maryopendoors