Special Envoy’s Wonder Woman is educator and activist, Loraine Zuniga

Published by BBNTEAM at February 22, 2023

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Posted: Wednesday, February 22, 2023. 11:41 am CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: The Special Envoy for the development of families and children, Rossana Briceno features outstanding Belizean women making a difference in Belize every week.

Today’s feature is on leader, activist, teacher and public officer, Loraine Zuniga.

Zuniga was born in 1956 in Dangriga, Stann Creek District.

In 1958, her parents moved to Corozal where she attended St Francis Xavier Primary School, then attended St. Francis Xavier (College ) High School.

She is a mother of 3 boys, proud grandmother of 7 children and great-grandmother of 2 children.

She retired in 2011 as District Coordinator for the National Drug Abuse Control Council, Ministry of Health, where she had worked for 12 years.

She remains active in her community, having served as a Chairperson for Public Service Union Corozal Branch, Chairperson for the Ministry of Public Service Week Corozal, a Member of the Police Citizen Committee, a Justice of the Peace, Candidate for the People’s United Party Town Council in 2012, was an awardee for Women’s Month in March 2010 selected by the Corozal Bay United Women’s Group in March 2021.

Loraine studied Library Science (9 months ) at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, USA on a Scholarship from USAID. This led her to become the first Librarian of the Stann Creek Ecumenical College Resource Center in Dangriga.

Loraine attended the National Women’s Leaders Training in 2014 funded by UNDEF in Belize City, which led her to start a Girl Guide Movement in at St. Francis Xavier Primary School in Corozal. This is reflective of one of her youthful involvement of which she is quite proud, that of being a girl guide under the late Beulah Sheran.

Loraine’s first job was as a Police Officer, after having graduated from Xavier (College) High School at the age 17.

Presently, she is the founder and Programme Coordinator for a non government organization called Community Restore. Community Restore provides children, adolescents and parents with community support and resources enabling them to make healthy lifestyle decisions, build and restore confidence in themselves, their families and the Belizean community. The organization’s motto is “No Drugs, No Guns, No Crime. Just study!”

Loraine along with volunteers Nidelvia Bautista and Gustavo Ramirez facilitate free after school tutoring programs for primary and secondary school students ages 7-17, and work with put of school young persons to continue their education.

The organization also seeks sponsorship for tuition funding for less priviliged children.

Loraine states that her passion for learning and her desire to have all underprivileged children get the opportunity of an education is what has fueled her to keep going everyday for over 10 years.

She believes and thanks the Rotary Club of Corozal, Centaur Internet and the past and present Corozal Town Councils for their valuable assistance to the children in their programmes.

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