Children begin Independence celebrations w/ rally
The school year might have gotten off to a rocky start but across the country today Belizean students and teachers abandoned their classrooms and hit the streets to participate in the annual pre-Independence day rally. News Five’s Jacqueline Godwin has more on this year’s event in the old capital.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Approximately three thousand students from twenty-six primary schools filled the bleachers inside the Belize City Centre this morning to participate in the annual Children’s Rally.
Rafael Sosa, Coordinator, Children’s Rally
“I have been intimately involved with the planning and the organizing of this event for the past two years. And so myself along with the other members of our operational committee, we have over the past few years taken a critical look at the Children’s Rally and we have been of the opinion that the Children’s Rally—because it is the signature event through which the children of Belize demonstrate their nationalism and patriotism—granted that we are of the opinion that the Children’s Rally must be made as meaningful and as symbolic as possible.”
One significant change this year is the fact that children controlled the event, a deliberate decision by the Ministry of Education. This year M.C. duties were awarded to twelve year old S.J.C. student Aaron Stock. Stock was the third top performer in this year’s PSE.
Aaron Stock, M.C., Children’s Rally
“Well I was very nervous at the beginning but then I got settled in as the events went by.”
Rally organizer Rafael Sosa says the day is more than just having the children enjoy the activities and getting the rest of the day off.
Rafael Sosa
“One would get the sense that when they come to the City Centre that it’s just a convergence of thousands of students just shouting over the place, no real significance being found in the Children’s Rally, no real meaning found in the rally. And so we decided as a subcommittee that we would address that particular area of the Children’s Rally and to try every effort to make it as significant and as meaningful as possible.”
Aaron Stock
“It’s important because you know, all the kids they need a special they for them and they need to have a rally to get them all hyped up and feeling good.”
The celebration was held under this year’s celebrations theme: Independent, Strong and Free, Belize Fih All Ah We.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“It is always a pleasure to be here with you this morning, during the month of September, as we gather to celebrate Belize and to celebrate the young people of Belize, our students. My friends, doesn’t it make all of us proud.”
Following the rally all primary school students forma cross the country were given treat and sent home.
Aaron Stock
“On a day like this I think they should be thinking about Belize and September celebrations and whatever and then I guess they go home and relax.”
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting for News Five.
