Breaking Barriers, Building a Greener Future: How One Mayan Youth Leader is Transforming Her Community
In the heart of Belize, Roxanna Shook is defying cultural expectations and inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards. As a young Kekchi Mayan woman, she’s challenging traditional constraints while leading her community toward a more sustainable future.
“I’m like an inspirational leader or a role model to many, especially when it comes to my culture” Shook explains. “There are certain things my culture are not believed to do because we are Kekchi Maya. We are very strict with our beliefs and traditions.” But rather than letting these constraints hold her back, Shook sees opportunities to create meaningful change.
Her partnership with TIDE began when the organization established an environmental club in her village of Trio in 2021. Working closely with TIDE’s education outreach coordinator for the past two years, Shook has developed the club into an active thriving youth program that organizes summer camps, exchange visits with other clubs, and environmental training sessions.
The impact of her leadership is evident in the ambitious projects her young club members are spearheading. Their initiatives include renovating a 20-year-old primary school with environmental-themed murals, developing an eco-friendly playground that educates while it entertains, and installing environmental signage along the crucial riverside – their community’s lifeline during recent drought seasons.
Shook’s vision extends beyond immediate projects. She dreams of transforming her community into what she calls a “green home” complete with a revitalized marketplace where local farmers can sell their produce, creating a sustainable cycle of community support. She’s also advocating for adding environmental science to the primary school curriculum, ensuring future generations have the knowledge they need to face climate challenges.
“All these projects that I’m trying to do could unite people together” Shook reflects. “What I’m doing today, maybe I will not see what would happen later. But all I know is that I’m trying to create a change, even though it might be a slow change.“
In response to recent wildfires and environmental challenges, Shook is working with TIDE to increase community resources and training programs, helping residents adapt to and mitigate climate change impacts. Her work exemplifies how youth leadership can bridge traditional values with modern environmental needs, creating positive change that ripples far beyond her immediate community.
Through fundraising, cleaning campaigns, and summer camps, Shook has already begun to win over skeptics. The community that once might have questioned her breaking with tradition is now rallying behind her vision of environmental stewardship. As she continues to empower youth and build environmental awareness, Roxanna Shook is proving that one person’s dedication can spark a movement that transcends cultural boundaries and inspires an entire nation.