Volunteering in Belize

Celso has worked in marine conservation in Belize for the past eight years as a marine biologist for local NGOs and the national university. Celso Cawich graduated from the University of Belize with a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management. More recently, Celso pursued a Master’s degree in Marine Science from the University of the South Pacific. His Master’s degree was focused in the identification of shark nursery grounds in Fiji. He has extensive knowledge of Belize’s marine science programs and has played a crucial role in the development of national marine monitoring databases such as the Reef Fish Spawning Aggregation Database, the Turtle Database and the Coral Bleaching Database. Celso has also worked as a student volunteer trainer, teaching young students in Belize about regional marine research methodologies. In his spare time, Celso enjoys diving new sites, exploring Belize’s coastal islands and hiking the Maya Mountains.

Ashty is originally from Belize City, but has been living on the island of Ambergris Caye for about six years. She is a certified massage therapist and volunteer with the Belize Red Cross (San Pedro Branch), of which she is currently the Vice Chair and First Aid/CPR Instructor. She loves animals and learning new things in her spare time.

Claudia joined Projects Abroad in October 2013. She was born and raised in Cape Town, where she graduated at Cape Peninsula University of Technology with a National Diploma in Tourism Management. She is passionate about working with and meeting different people from different cultures. In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors, travelling domestically and exploring new places.