Like a humanitarian version of the Eveready Bunny, Belize’s First Lady, the indefatigable Kim Simplis Barrow, just never seems to wind down.
Having recently returned from a trip to the UK where she used her diplomatic expertise to create stronger ties with London children’s hospital wards while putting her social skills to good use in organising and hosting a successful fund raiser for paediatric care in Belize, Ms Simplis Barrow is again on the road – this time on a trip to the other side of the planet.
According to the China Post and Focus Taiwan News Channel, Ms Simplis Barrow is on a fact finding mission to learn more about how Taiwanese charity groups care for disadvantaged groups while exploring further avenues for cooperation on humanitarian aid.
During the August 27 to September 1st trip, Ms Simplis Barrow will visit the Genesis Social Welfare Foundation in Taipei, which cares for people who are in vegetative state as well as the National Taiwan University Children Hospital and Wenshan School of Special Education.
Ms Simplis Barrow is also scheduled to meet with Dharma Master Cheng Yen, who established the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation. Based in the eastern county of Hualien, the foundation’s mission is to help the poor and relieve suffering, a very Buddhist thing to do. The foundation is obviously successful in their compassionate endeavours, as it is now one of the most high profile Taiwanese charity groups, with offices in more than 40 countries.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that her visit is aimed at learning more about the development of charity groups and non-government organizations in Taiwan and exploring future cooperation between Taiwan and Belize.
In addition to being Belize’s First lady, Ms Simplis Barrow is also Belize’s special envoy for women and children, and, as we’ve seen, she takes her duties very seriously, showing a genuine commitment to caring for kids, women and disadvantaged people in her country.
She’s sometimes referred to as “Belize’s Michelle Obama”, but we don’t feel the need to compare Ms Simplis Barrow to anyone – she stands out enough on her own as a role model and representation of the strong Belizean women who are out doing things locally and globally to make the world a better place.
So good luck and safe travels Kim – we’re glad you’re out there representing Belize.