Lions programme helps youth make decisions

For young people everywhere–and especially in Belize–growing up can be like walking through a minefield of drugs, sex, crime and violence. Sometimes it seems that becoming a responsible adult is just a matter of luck. But this week one training programme taking place in Belize City is trying hard to improve the odds. News Five’s Alyssa Noble reports.

Sue Tresidder, Workshop Facilitator, Lions Quest
?Fundamentally, you need a child in your room who is safe, responsible, comfortable and confident enough to be able to stay off drugs and that?s the bottom line. Kids don?t stay off drugs because you tell them to, they stay off drugs because they have something within them that tells them, ?I don?t need this, I feel strong right on my own.? That?s what this programme does.?

Alyssa Noble, Reporting
That program is known as Lions Quest. And over the next two days, the Lions Club of Belize will be hosting workshops on educating the educators in specific life skill areas.

Bobby Lopez, Country Director, Lions Club of Belize
?We have teachers from around the country, from ten different primary schools, participating this year. This is the second year that we are now moving into. And also of particular interest, we have representatives from the prison department, from the Youth Cadet and from the 4-H, who heard about the programme and thought that this would be ideal for them to implement in their institutions. So we are glad to have them also.?

And while the program incorporates teachers and administrators, its main focus is the youngsters.

Sue Tresidder
?One of the main reasons that countries decide to establish Lions Quest programmes in their jurisdiction is because they fundamentally have a problem with their youth. They have a problem with youths joining gangs; they have a problem with youths using drugs. So they go searching for a program that will address those youth?s needs. Way back when we used to tell teenagers ?Don?t do drugs because it will do x,y,z to you?, it was the ?Just say no? message and we know that that doesn?t work.?

And is Lions Quest working?

Oren Romero, Std. 4 Teacher, United Evergreen Primary School
?We?ve seen an incredibly big change in the students because as I mentioned, we had a control group, and so we had a group that we could have compared with. So that definitely showed us that the program was working.?

Eda Carballo, Std. 4 Teacher, Louisiana Gov?t. School
?We are starting a programme at our school with life skills. I think it is something that all schools need it because sometimes we gear towards the academic and we forget what we call the hidden curriculum, which are the values. And this programme is really set for that.?

Even though the programme seems to be flourishing, Lopez says, it doesn?t stop here.

Bobby Lopez
?Our goal is to reach every single school in this country and every single child. Because it?s a program that completely changes the way we?ve been looking at education. It?s not about memorizing, it?s about learning relationship skills, how to respect each other, how to respect yourself, how to get along, and how to set goals and that is what it?s all about.?

Reporting for News Five, I am Alyssa Noble.

Lions Quest is being funded by Lions International, the Organization of American States and the local Lions Club of Belize. If you are interested in contributing to or participating in the programme, please visit your nearest club branch.