A Brief History
JA was founded in 1919 with its first program, JA Company Program, for high schoolers. In 1975, the organization entered the upper primary classroom with the Project Business program. Over the last 30 years, JA has expanded its activities & broadened its scope to include in-school & after-school students from kindergarten to high school.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT IN BELIZE………..

What is JA Belize's Purpose?

Purpose:
To support and stimulate growth of JA Belize’s primary and high school programs. We have reached almost 5,000 student participants since 2003; and expects to reach another 3,000 more for the 2007-08 school year.

Junior Achievement Belize's Mission Statement
To develop, maintain, and implement JA’s business education programs in Belize; ensuring that every young person has a fundamental understanding of the value of free enterprise, business & economic system at the primary & secondary levels of the school system.

JA Belize's History:
JA Belize started with discussions in 1989 with a feasibility study by a JA consultant to determine the extent of support for the program in Belize. This resulted in the activation of a fledgling JA Belize program in 1991 under the Chamber of Commerce with the help of USAID & the Peace Corp. However, a lack of funding led to its de-activation shortly thereafter.

The re-activation process began in 1998 under the Belize Business Bureau (BBB) through a letter of interest written in April 1998 by then president, Ms. Rosalie Staines. This led to the transfer of the program to the BBB, followed by an application to to JA International on September 1st & 22nd , 1998 to re-establish & revive the JA Belize program. This was finalized in January, 1999.

Through the efforts of the new president, Mrs. Lourdes Smith, in 2001 the BBB commissioned the development of a business plan with the assistance of students from the University of Belize’s Small Business Management class. This resulted in the approval of the project proposal by the Organization of American States (OAS), leading to the official commencement of the JA Belize program in 2003.

Who Benefits from JA:
Young People – entrepreneurial, business & economic education; ethics, financial literacy, career development, and life skills training; positive difference in students’ knowledge, attitude and achievement.

Teachers – unique & cost-free program which compliments the curriculum; practical resource with hands-on activities; enhance business knowledge; decreases absenteeism.

Volunteers – become role models & influence young lives; opportunity to share their knowledge & experience with youths; professional & personal development.

Businesses – making a practical, relevant difference with today’s students; developing, growing & inspiring future workforce & business leaders; giving back to the community.

Community – economic literacy and entrepreneurial skills is key to developing and contributing to the economy.