Living Positive Lives
There is a group of young people that is busy doing good works and actively seeking to influence other youths to lead positive lives. The group is made up of primarily high school students, with input from different local influencers. Today, they gathered to celebrate and make a statement. Andrea Polanco was there.
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
Belize Peer Helpers, it is a group started by Andrew Munnings last year. And today, they held a short ceremony to recognize the people who have been instrumental. The group, Munnings says, is to inspire and effect change in Belize.
Andrew Munnings, Founder & Executive Director of Guide Light Productions
Andrew Munnings
“Guide Light Productions is that first organization that deals with the youths who want to change, because most of the time some youths who don’t want to change and we can’t change who don’t want to change. So, we are anchored to work with those ones who really want to see a change in Belize.”
It is made up of eighty six students from high schools, and supported by volunteers, directors and advisers. The team has taken on several initiatives and looking to do more:
Andrew Munnings
“The different activities, community service, the different district to district programs and food drive and stuff. It is not only that. Those are just the physical parts of it. We want to mentally grow the minds of the youths to give them that sense to not only gives back for them to change themselves. Change others around them and we will team up to probably change Belize because we are in trouble right now. Our future are in trouble.”
Today, Munnings set to make a statement, and a loud one it was. They destroyed a car with a sledgehammer in the center of Battlefield Park. It wasn’t just any car. It was symbolic, says youth exec director:
Andrew Munnings
“First things, first- the car nuh di work. If I h mi di work I mi wah drive off with it myself. But once you look at the car, you will see words that bring down society- greed, hatred and things like that and by breaking the car, we are showing Belize that we are united to shub weh den deh, kick weh den deh. Kick all of those negativity out of our country.”
Dianne Finnegan was honored with the humanitarian award at today’s ceremony. Reporting for News Five, I am Andrea Polanco.
The Belize Peer Helpers will be hosting training for students at Nazarene High in the coming weeks.
