SIGNATURE DRIVE PRACTICALLY A DONE DEAL, OCEANA CAMPAIGN SHIFTS GEARS TO VOTER EDUCATION

Oceana in Belize is almost ready to publicly announce the final tally of referendum signatures collected over a grueling three month campaign, but the organization is still not breaking its stride. To keep the momentum going to prepare for a winning national referendum vote, Oceana aims to draw from a Belizean public that has been properly educated on the Oil Industry Issue.

To this end, Oceana invites all institutions, organizations and communities from across Belize who would like to learn more about the Social, Economic, Legal, and Environmental impact of our Oil Industry, to contact us at this time to arrange for a dynamic presentation on this critical subject. We are also inviting volunteers – especially students – 17 years and older, to apply to assist us over the next few months in our voter education campaign. This is a historic and exciting time, and it is a wonderful opportunity for all Belizeans to become involved in creating a positive difference in the future of our country.

Oceana, founded in 2001, is the largest international organization focused solely on ocean conservation. Our offices in North America, Central America, South America and Europe work together on a limited number of strategic, directed campaigns to achieve measurable outcomes that will help return our oceans to former levels of abundance. We believe in the importance of science in identifying problems and solutions. Our scientists work closely with our teams of economists, lawyers and advocates to achieve tangible results for the oceans.

Anti Bullying Campaign presentation at (ACES) Ambergris Caye Elementary School

One definition of school bullying describes it as a type of bullying that occurs in connection with education, either inside or outside of school. Whether physical, verbal or emotional, school bullying is repetitive. It sometimes consists of a group of students taking advantage of or isolating one student in particular and gaining the loyalty of bystanders who want to avoid becoming the next victim. These bullies taunt and tease their target before physically bullying them. Targets of bullying in schools are often the pupils that are considered strange or different by their peers to begin with, making the situation harder for them to deal with.

At the invitation of Diane Lawrence of Quicksilver, Ms. Elizabeth Hamill, teaching assistant in the school district of Abbotsford, British Columbia, was at ACES facilitating an anti-bullying campaign workshop. Look for this week's paper or visit our website for more information.

Following the presentation, the children engaged in a fun filled activity of creating tie-dye T-Shirts.

ROVING CAREGIVERS IN ACTION

Press Release – Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation – March 15, 2011 – Serious and violent crime remains a major concern in Belize City. Recent research conducted by Dr. Herbert Gayle and Nelma Mortis on behalf of the Government of Belize, could hold the key to combating this growing trend. Diana Pook, coordinator of the Belizean Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP) in an interview at the annual coordinators’ meeting at the Savannah Hotel in Barbados, outlined the progress based on the research to date.

“The new research that has been done (“Male Social Participation and Violence in Urban Belize: An Examination of Their Experience with Goals, Guns, Gangs, Gender, God, and Governance”), concerning the levels of violence in Belize City and the recommendations that have been outlined, have shown the pressing need for early childhood development programmes, such as the Roving Caregivers Programme.”

Ms. Pook further stated, “The government has started to look at early childhood development and parenting as two of the important things that can help combat the spread of crime within Belize City. More focus is being given to that at the moment and for 2011 we plan to expand our geographical reach, which is really positive because it means that we get more support for a programme that can really address some of the problems that we currently face with criminality.”

As 60 percent of the Belizean population is under the age of 29, crime is rapidly becoming a youth problem. In 2010 half the murder victims were 30 and under, who in turn were also the most frequent victims of gun violence.

Government’s Support

Suggesting that parenting initiatives such as Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP) can directly address these issues Ms. Pook said, “Dr. Herbert Gayle’s report that we just received last year shows the level of different things that Belizeans are taking action on to reduce the crime levels and we don’t want the whole country to be like what Belize City is becoming. We have the full support of our government when it comes to what we are doing so I think that is a plus. We are linking with other ministries who have understood the importance of RCP as well as education and early childhood development. The Ministry of Health is coming together to work with us and I think hopefully in the future, RCP will expand in Belize and become something more than just RCP.”

Impact of the RCP

Findings collated from the 2010 analysis of the Roving Caregivers Programme, highlights the integral role that early childhood development programmes play in providing an in-depth range of emotional, informational and educational support to families with infant and preschool aged children, which can tackle some of the risk factors that can result in negative behaviours, which if left unaddressed can lead to adolescent delinquency. Although the RCP programme has only been running in Belize for the last two years, there is an increasing recognition from the government of the benefits it brings towards tackling the issues of crime and delinquency in a holistic manner.

Noting the positive reception and the tangible results that the programme has offered she said, “It has been very well received in Belize and so far we started in Toledo and what we have noticed, especially with the teachers who are teaching the children, they have told us that these children are the brighter ones in the classroom and they can see which ones have been in RCP in relation to their levels of socialisation. They speak more English in comparison to other children their age who speak more Mayan, and the RCP children are not scared to go to school.”

Ms. Pook further reported that, “The parents of RCP children have also been mentioning that for them they can see the difference and it helps them, the parents, to speak more English at home. The children develop a lot more skills and at a lot faster pace than children who have not entered the programme. There have been benefits to the parents and guardians also, especially with the literacy programme that we started. The parents are starting to read more and before they did not sing or interact with their children, now they are doing it a lot more. They learn different things when it comes to the children’s health, and how to discipline their children so it is having an all round positive effect.”

Y-Wam entertains at D Sea Convenience Store

On Friday March 4th D - Sea was the venue for various groups from Y-WAM who wowed the crowd with various gospel selections.

The Youth With A Mission , (YWAM) Destination Paradise Caribbean Base is located five miles north of San Pedro Town. The 2.5 acre property is located right on a beautiful white sand beach overlooking the second longest barrier reef system in the world.

The setting provides an ideal location for students to immerse themselves to get equipped and prepared for serving in missions, to gain understanding in the ways of God and each one’s place in His plan and His will and to have a great time in the process.

The Group Performing

The YWAM DP Caribbean Base is home to the Adventure DTS where students develop leadership skills, grow in the knowledge of God and get equipped to make Him known. As part of the course, students learn skills in SCUBA diving, receiving up to two levels of PADI dive certification as part of the DTS and having plenty of opportunity to dive throughout the school.

Belize Coalition to save our natural heritage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Geovannie Brackett

Chair, Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage

Telephone: 664-3771

Email: coalitioncoordinator@apamo.net

Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage Supports SATIIM’s Opposition to Oil Exploration in the Sarstoon-Temash National Park

Belize City, Belize, January 19, 2011 - - The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage supports SATIIM in its opposition to oil exploration in the Sarstoon Temash National Park, a protected area, by US Capital Energy. The Coalition also firmly rejects the Prime Minister’s publicly stated position that oil exploration and exploitation should be allowed in protected areas.

Protected areas in Belize have been designated as such to safeguard ecosystem services such as the provision of clean water, clean air and food, and to maintain biodiversity. In addition, both marine and terrestrial protected areas are the primary tourist visitation sites in the country. Countries such as Ecuador have allowed oil companies to exploit oil from ecologically sensitive areas with devastating effects. Over three decades after fourteen thousand barrel of oil spilled in the Ecuador Amazon, the effects on people’s health and lives continue.

The minimal economic benefits that the people of Belize are receiving from tax revenues from oil exploitation do not outweigh the high risk of an oil spill in ecologically sensitive areas during the exploratory or exploitation phase.

We call on the Government of Belize to rescind its policy of allowing oil exploration and exploitation in protected areas and in our marine waters through the cancellation of leases issued within these areas, and protect the livelihoods and health of all Belizeans.

Join the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage in its fight. Contact us at 223-7962 or at coalitioncoordinator@apamo.net.

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The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage protects our natural heritage by serving as a channel for the voice of the people through advocacy, education, research and actions, which promote the best interest of Belize and its people.

San Pedro Catholic Church holds Christmas Bazaar and Procession of the Lady of Guadalupe

The San Pedro Roman Catholic Church held its annual Christmas Bazaar and Serenata to the Virgen de Guadalupe, on Saturday December 4th. Hundreds of parishioners and supporters gathered on the church grounds and the streets bordering.

There were much to eat and drink, games and activities for the entire family. One aim of the Bazaar was to raise much needed funds for renovations and replacement of the chairs inside the church. There is already a demo bench and the cost for each is Bze$800.00. The Church is asking the public and its parishioners for donations to get the thirty chairs needed.

Attendees were entertained by Rompe Raja and Mr. Will Nuñez

Honoring la "Virgen de la Guadalupe, Lady of Guadalupe", patron saint of the Americas; was a major part of the celebrations on Saturday night as well. Local artists gathered at the central park to serenade the Lady of Guadalupe. Offering their gratitude to the Saint for protection through the outgoing year and asking for protection for the comping year; Regina Brown, Sr. Severo Guerrero 1st, Eline Palma, Velma Melendez, Yoli Aguilar, David Aguilar, Pawny Arceo, Lily Nunez, Javier el mariachi, Eva Acosta were on hand to share their talents and through poetry, invocation and serenading. Singing a Homage was Alexi Williams and her brother Javier Williams Jr.

On Sunday, Parishioners gathered for the annual Procession of the Virgen de Guadelupe around the streets of San Pedro at 5:30pm, followed by the 7:00pm mass.

Papo's Tropical Studio Art Exhibition

Local Artists; Milton Chan Jr., Roxana Bradley "Roxy", Joe Godoy, Chuy Carillo and 10 years old Josie Alamilla have been showing off their artwork at the San Pedro Central Park. The group will be at the park daily until Sunday November 28th.

Roxana Bradley "Roxy", shows off one of her masterpiece

Joe Godoy is one of the Artists whose work is on display at the Central Park

The creator of this exquisite masterpiece is 10 years old Josie Alamilla

Holy Cross observes Cultural Day.

Students from Holy Cross Anglican school observed Cultural Day on Thursday November 18th; in observance of Children's day. Students were encouraged to dress in their ancestral garments and shared the various cultural food items.

The Garifuna Culture demonstrated the re-enactment of the arrival of the Garifuna as part of Cultural day.

High Profile officials detained in involvement in suspected Cocaine Bust

On Saturday 13th of November 2010 about 2:00am, Independence Police (ISF) received information of an aircraft suspected to have landed somewhere in Bladden Village. As a result ISF police proceeded to the area where a white van was seen coming through the area , where with the assistance of Belize Special Assignment Group (B-SAG)the van was intercepted at the San Juan Bus Stop.

On board the van were the following persons.

(1) Driver was Renel Grant 33yrs, Corporal of Police attached to Traffic Branch in Belize City;

(2) Nelson Middleton 39yrs, Corporal of Police and Driver assigned to the Govenor General and resident of Camalote Village;

(3) Lawrence Humes 38yrs, Sergeant of Police presently attach to Belmopan Police Station of #2 Grapefruit Street in Belmopan;

(4) Jacinto Roches 42yrs Sergeant of Police attached to the Internal Affairs Desk Belmopan and a resident of #22 Tangerine Street Belmopan and

(5) Harold Usher 36yrs Boatman at Customs Department of a Finca Solana address in Corozal Town.

All of the above persons were detained and escorted to the Independence Police Station along with the van. At the station a thorough search was conducted on the van resulting in the discovery of the following items: Several BDU’s with ADU markings, several wet clothing, 2 car size batteries Atlas brand , muddy jungle boots and tennis, can food , empty sausage cans, a licensed 9mm for Harold Usher.

The said van has been processed by Scenes of Crimes and Forensic, and items found have been labeled as exhibit. ASP Alton Alvarez, Officer-in-charge for Independence Police along with other police officers left en route to Bladden Village where between miles 56 and 57 they met BDF/B-SAG personnel. At the scene, they secured a white twin engine Beechcraft aircraft 300-FA 137 with Black, Red and White in color with number N786B Super King Air 200. The aircraft was processed for finger prints.

Also found at the scene was:

(1) Atlas brand car battery with 2 pieces of board which had

(3) lights attached on both sides. Further checks between miles 59 and 60 led to a small white container truck with VIN# JDAMEO8J2RGF75162 that contained (23) 17-gallons plastic containers

(3) tank with about 500 gallons of aviation fuel and 3 fuel pumps. Also found were a total of 12 pine logs.

Searches by the police in the Hicatee Area about 5-10 yards inside some bushes led to the discovery of

(1) GPS Garmin brand

(1) Iridium Satellite phone

(4) Hand Held radios

(2) RAYOVAC Flashlights

(1) Colt .223 semi-automatic rifle with Sr. No. 007865 with a magazine containing 5.56 rounds and 2 pairs of camouflage jackets.

At around 5:00pm as a result of further searches in the area conducted by Police on a road at mile 65 near the Genus Saw Mill, about ¼ mile in, led to the discovery of 80 bales of suspected COCAINE and 17 loose packs of suspected Cocaine. The drugs have since been secured by police and is being processed by Forensic personnel.

Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood Police Press Officer Tel. 227-2222 ext 302 www.police.gov.bz