Our Programs

Fighting Poverty & Mal-nutrition (FPM) 

This community program seeks to help families that are in need. Family members in various communities receive gifts of piglets and chickens, along with other resources and training.The training areas are pig and chicken care and management, business management, business marketing, leadership development, self-esteem, advocacy, communication skills, conflict management, cooperative formation, and conservation issues. These gift receivers pass on animals to other designated recipients.

There is ongoing integration and collaboration with other community programs and projects. A program partnership has been developed with the Ministry of Health, Agriculture Department, Julian Cho Technical High School, Toledo Community College, and ITVET, Village Council Association and the Alcalde Association. 

The FPM program is being implemented in Punta Gorda Town and twenty five communities in the Toledo District. Our Manager, Program Officer, Agricultural Assistant, and a team of community service volunteers from UB-Toledo Center, and a cadre of dedicated program promoters spearhead the implementation of FPM. In each community there is a Program Promoter volunteer who serves as a community contact person.

There are ongoing training sessions at district, village and personal levels. The annual activities are rural and urban meetings for all who apply to the program for animals. And an annual meeting for the immediate beneficiaries of FPM program. 

Market Connections (MC) Program

Market Connections (MC) program encourage and support men and women to use their indigenous skills, and other entrepreneurial cultural activities to make a living. The MC program encompasses the following components

Capacity building

Toledo District Belize Flavor Handcrafter Network

Connecting people to markets for their products 

Product Improvement

Information Sharing Program (IS)

Over the years many men, women, youth and children from urban and rural communities have frequented SEO Development Center seeking all types of information and support . They seek information in all areas such as local education , health, economic , agriculture, land issues, governance, community development , human development and personal issues. We have provided the necessary support , information or referral direction. We will continue to provide this valuable service. 

Fundraising Program

Our organization is able to carry out it's work through the generosity of our local and international supporters. The work of the fundraising program include the following:

                Annual Luncheon Date 

               Sale of SEO T-Shirts, Polo shirts, stickers, indigenous craft items

               Speaking engagements 

               International Fundfrasing

               International Cultural Immersion Work visit:

• Work along with community members constructing their pig pens & chicken coops.
• Assit in the teaching dof art and craft, physical education and health science in community schools.
• Visit with a Maya family and enjoy a traditional Mayan meal.
• Be a part of a fun Get-Together which includes ethnic food, drinks, music and dance.

Other special SEO activities

Staff and Volunteers Education Fund

Many of our young adult volunteers are from poor families. Without financial assistance they would never get a secondary nor a tertiary level  education . Monies donated to this fund are used to support our staff’ and volunteers education. Presently, we are supporting five students at the high school level and two students who are presently enrolled at the University of Belize, pursuing their associate degrees.   

Young Adult Volunteers retreat

Youths have contributed tremendously to the establishment and growth of SEO. Every year we sponsor a one day retreat for our young adult volunteers. Retreats focus on issues of interest to them. Their 2008 retreat took an in-depth  look at issues being faced  in life relationships: love, infatuation, friendship and exploitation.   

Socio-Economic Outreach Endowment Fund

SEO development work in partnership with the people of Toledo District is a life long affair. We are in the process of harnessing the necessary resources for this journey. Financial resources are vital for the success of our development work. Establishment of an endowment fund to assist with the long term sustainability of SEO is of utmost importance . Donate and join us in helping people to help themselves. Let’s teach people how to fish.

Up to US $99: Donor 

US $100- US $499: Contributor 

US $500- US $999: Sponsor 

US $1,000- US $9,999: Friendship 

US $10,000- US $24,999: Partnership 

US $25,000 and US $49,999: Kinship

   US $50,000 and up: Sustainers