When Lindsey Elliot first traveled to Belize in 2019 with her daughter on a mission trip, she didn’t expect the journey to alter the course of her life. When she discovered families struggling to afford school fees, children forced to choose between education and survival, something was born.
Just three years later, Elliot would become the founder of Oaks of Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Belize through education, sponsorship, and sustainable community support.
Unlike in the United States, education in Belize is not free. Families must pay for school fees, uniforms, and supplies. For many, especially single mothers, the costs are impossible to cover.
“Sometimes parents are forced with the decision of, ‘Do I send my child to school or do I put food on the table?’” Elliot explained. “If you don’t send your child at least through eighth grade, the government has the right to come and take them. It’s heartbreaking.”
In 2021, while working with a partner organization, Elliot asked where she could make the biggest impact. The answer was clear: education. That year, a fundraiser helped send dozens of children to school, planting the seeds for Oaks of Hope.
By 2022, Oaks of Hope had become an official nonprofit. Its model is simple but powerful: U.S.-based sponsors contribute $40 per month, covering school fees, uniforms, and supplies for a child. The organization also ensures access to nutrition, either through daily meals at school or monthly groceries for families.
Today, Oaks of Hope supports more than 100 children across two Belizean communities. “It’s not just about paying for school,” Elliot said. “It’s about letting these kids know someone is looking out for them, that they are loved, valued, and prayed for.”
Elliot’s favorite part of the work comes during annual trips to Belize, when she and her team visit families in their homes. These intimate encounters reveal both the struggles families face and the profound impact of support.
One story she recalled was of an eight-year-old boy who had never been asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. “His face was just blank, like no one had ever asked him that before,” Elliot said. Later that evening, after receiving his scholarship, he ran up to her beaming: “I know what I want to be when I grow up!”
Moments like these capture the essence of Oaks of Hope. “The word we hear most often when we’re in Belize is hope,” Elliot said. “These families tell us, ‘You’re committed to our children beyond just one year. You give us hope.’”
Another boy, Jonathan, discovered he could continue on to high school—an opportunity few Belizean children have due to cost. “His eyes just lit up when he realized he would be supported through high school,” Elliot recalled. “It was such an aha moment. In the U.S., it’s expected. There, it’s a gift.”
To sustain its programs, Oaks of Hope hosts one large fundraiser each year. This fall marks the second annual “UnBelizeable Race,” a family-friendly event in Franklin, Tennessee.
Held at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, the event will feature a 5K, a fun run, and field games designed to bring the community together. Last year’s inaugural event drew families from across Middle Tennessee with food, coffee, and activities.
“This is our biggest fundraiser,” Elliot said. “It ensures that we can keep supporting the kids and employing people in Belize who run the programs day-to-day.”
Middle Tennesseans can sign up for the 5K or fun run through their website.
For those who cannot attend in person, Oaks of Hope also welcomes volunteers, donations, and contributions through its Amazon Wish List to help supply the event.
“This isn’t just running a race, it’s running for a cause,” Elliot emphasized. “Every step taken here helps break the cycle of poverty for children in Belize.”
Fill out the form and get the latest issue delivered right to your inbox
