Kim Simplis Barrow

Kim Simplis Barrow

Kim Simplis Barrow (born March 3, 1972) is the wife of the Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow. She was appointed as the Special Envoy for Women and Children of Belize in 2008. In that same year, she became the first Belizean to be designated as a Global Ambassador by Special Olympics International. Mrs. Simplis Barrow has, however, been working on behalf of children long before those titles and is the Founder and Director of one of Belize’s most acclaimed NGOs, Lifeline Foundation:^[1]

Career

Early career

After obtaining two Master's degrees from Florida International University, Kim Simplis Barrow returned to Belize and became the Executive Director of the Belize Tourism Association before turning to NGO's.^[2] In the vitally important role as Executive Director for the Belize Tourism Industry, she made numerous contributions to the strategic development as well as the implementation of the long term roadmap for Belize’s tourism industry. Prior to this position, she served as Marketing Director for the popular Fiesta Inn Hotel properties in Mazatlan, Cozumel and Belize.^[3]

Lifeline Foundation

The Lifeline Foundation was started in 2005, and registered as a charitable foundation and NGO in 2006 in Belize. Its objectives are to assist generally with the welfare of children in Belize. It raises tens of thousands of dollars annually to aid disenfranchised children. The primary focus of the foundation has been on children living with HIV/AIDS, support to children outside of familial care settings and nutrition programs for children.^[4]

The following are some accomplishments of the Lifeline Foundation^[5]

• Implemented feeding programs
• Built cafeterias at schools
• Provided educational material for students and teaching material for teachers
• Built classrooms at several schools
• Built proper toilet facilities
• Donated furniture and fixtures for classrooms
• Donated medication for persons living with HIV/AIDS
• Donated money to organizations who are directly working with cancer victims
• Donated to orphanages

The Lifeline Foundation celebrated its ten year anniversary in 2015.

Special Envoy for Women and Children

As Special Envoy for Women and Children, Simplis Barrow is the Belizean champion for children, undertaking projects big and small and working primarily in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Human Development, the National Committee for Families and Children and local non-government organisations in advocating for the passage of legislation and the development of social policies and programmes that promote and protect children’s wellbeing.

In early 2013, Simplis Barrow initiated the construction of two much needed facilities designed to improve the lives of some of Belize’s most vulnerable children. The first of these facilities is the Inspiration Centre, which opened its doors in March, 2014 and now provides integrated care services to poor children with disabilities.^[6] The other facility is a Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care wing at the national referral hospital which opened on October 27, 2015.^[7] The construction of both of these multi-million dollar projects were financed by local and international fundraising efforts, including two Inspiration Telethons in Belize; the first of which raised a million dollars in one day for the Inspiration Center. Both the Inspiration Centre and the Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care wings are the only one of their kind in the country.

She has hosted national conferences to raise awareness on the subject of commercial sexual exploitation of children and successfully advocated for the passage of legislation on the commercial sexual exploitation of children and human trafficking as well as the passage of amendments to the criminal code for stiffer penalties for all perpetrators of sexual violence against children.

In 2013 Simplis Barrow embarked on a public education campaign titled “My Body is Precious” that seeks to empower children and adolescents with information on sexual abuse and exploitation. She has co-authored two books as a part of the campaign. The first was a child friendly book on sexual abuse prevention that targets 6 to 10 year olds. This book was launched in April, 2013 and resulted in a countrywide tour that included the dramatization of the book and a song. The second book targets adolescent girls and was distributed at a countrywide Girl Empowerment speaking tour that was launched in early 2014.

On March 6, 2014 Simplis Barrow, along with the National Women's Commission put together the first 20,000 STRONG Women's Empowerment Rally which brought together thousands of women and girls countrywide, the largest non-political crowd ever gathered in Belize in a magnificent show of solidarity for women’s empowerment. From this movement, the Special Envoy made a significant step forward to empower Belize’s women and girls financially; hosting a National Call to Action Conference on Women’s and Girls’ Financial Health. Mrs. Simplis Barrow took that call to action to the rest of the world with a First Ladies Conference, held as a side event at the 69th United Nations General Assembly. The gathering of spouses of heads of states and governments were encouraged to support areas of micro-financing for female entrepreneurs, violence prevention initiatives and women’s health and education.Thousands gathered once again on March 11, 2016 when the second 20,000 STRONG Rally was held coinciding with the unveiling of the 20-4-20 Women's Economic Empowerment Program.^[8]

These crucial issues make for a busy schedule, but the Spirit of Christmas is never missing at the Special Envoy office. Each year Simplis Barrow hosts a Christmas concert for the young residents of the children’s homes across the country to ensure that while they are away from their families during the holidays; they still get to enjoy the cheers of the season.^[9] This concert along with the annual launch of Inspiration Calendars featuring artwork by children with disabilities and agendas sold a source of funding for the Inspiration Center,^[10] are the Special Envoy’s signature end-of-year events.

Health

Kim Simplis Barrow was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in October 2011.^[11] Instead of withdrawing and privately coping with her illness she parlayed the fight for her life into a successful campaign to increase public awareness on cancer and reduce stigma and discrimination by going public. During this time, Simplis Barrow worked closely with the Belize Cancer Society to increase cancer awareness among the local population by hosting cancer forums and talking about her own diagnosis. She has completed her chemotherapy and radiation treatments and is today in good health.

Education

Simplis Barrow holds two Master’s Degrees from Florida International University one in International Business and another in Hospitality Management. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality with a minor in Spanish from the Instituto Technologico de Morelia in Mexico City^[12]

Family

Simplis Barrow married long-time boyfriend and Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, on 7 February 2009 in Savannah, Georgia. They have one daughter, Salima Barrow.

References