Five American students traveled to Belize for a study abroad trip where they learned that education is not free or universally accessible as it is in the United States. They observed that most children in Belize's weak economy do not continue their education past elementary school, and it is even less common for girls to attend school. The students met women like Miriam who, without an education, weave baskets and bracelets to make a small income for their households. The American students brought back handwoven bracelets and baskets to sell with the goal of returning the profits to the Belizean women artists.

1. Study Abroad: Belize
Photos contributed by
Logan Hulsey and Tom Besom

2. Five students went on a study abroad trip to Belize. Students
discovered that the schools were small, and schooling, even for high
school, is not free to the public as it is in America.

3. Paula Susana Choc and Agueda Choc pose after their elementary
school graduation ceremony. In the weak Belizean economy, it is rare
for children to achieve an education beyond elementary school. In their
male-dominated society, it is even rarer for females.

4. Miriam Choc, 25, weaves homemade bracelets. In exchange for not
getting an education, Miriam and many others that the students met in
Belize weave baskets and bracelets to keep a steady, but small,
income in their household.

5. Miriam created weaves a basket that the students brought back with
them to America.

6. Five students went on a study abroad trip to Belize: Logan Hulsey,
junior anthropology major, Valencia Johnson, senior anthropology
major, Nathan Pepper, sophomore undecided major, Ashley Dailey,
senior English major, and Danielle Jordan, senior anthropology major.
(Also pictured: Philimon Choc, a Mayan from Santa Elena.)

7. Dailey and Jordan learn how to make the hand-woven bracelets from
Christina Choc (36) and Anna Choc (15).

8. The students have brought the handmade bracelets and baskets back
from Belize. They hope to sell them and give all the profits back to the
women who need the income.