Regional Networking Organization CLAC Involved in Finding a Solution

Anneke Theunissen

The Latin American and Caribbean Network of Small-holder Producers and Workers, CLAC, has two missions – one is the representation of those producers to the outside world, and the other is the provision of technical assistance to organizations which is a part of CLAC. CLAC is playing a vital role in the formulation of a solution which will enhance the viability of the industry in Belize.

Anneke Theunissen, Coordinator of organizational Development, CLAC

“The wellbeing of a family is something every important to ensure the sustainable future for the children in communities. And farmers are definitely worried about the lack of interest in children to go into small farming, agriculture activities; they are often thinking about moving into towns or moving even further to find work elsewhere. And in the end, the agriculture is left without any people to really work the fields. So the inclusion on youth in their way of working is definitely a worry. And then when we started to really sit down together with the youth and children to ask them what is happening, why are you not interested; the very obvious reasons that come out in terms of it is such a tough job; I see my parents working so hard all the time and in the end, there is not enough income to live on that as a family. So I want better opportunities, which is a very fair reason for children and youth to have. So now we are looking into ways of how can we work on that together between youth and adults and not only adults thinking of how can we solve the problem of children and youth, but how can we actually together start this dialogue and understand each other better. And work together from within the community on finding solution for the challenges we see in our own communities.”