Police award to those who “Du Di Rait Ting”
Du Di Rait Ting, that’s a program initiated by the police as an effective way to involve the community to reward students that show positive behavioural patterns and attitudes. The program first started in the United States and now in its third year in Belize, it has been met with much success. News Five’s Delahnie Bain was at Old Belize today for the closing ceremonies of the one year programme.
Delahnie Bain, Reporting
Over twenty schools countrywide participated in monthly competitions held under the Du Di Rait Ting Program. Those who were outstanding throughout the year of activities, were recognized in the program’s third annual award ceremonies. Commissioner of Police, Crispin Jeffries, says the aim is to have better behaved kids and there are plenty success stories.
Crispin Jeffries, Commissioner of Police
“It is basically the police and the community working together to recognize good change in behaviour. Some of the students, as you’ve heard today, have some very impressive and challenging stories that they tell you and these things have impact on the lives of the participants in the program in their school life.”
One of those stories, is that of Jesucita Castellanos, who hails from Benque Viejo Del Carmen, and took top honours. Castellanos gave up high school to raise her thirteen younger siblings. And in 2006 she made the life changing decision to finish her education.
Jesucita Castellanos, Mount Carmel High, Benque Viejo
“I was knocking doors at different institutions until Mr. David Cruz was the one who gave me the opportunity. He told to write to the board of directors Mount Carmel High to see if I can get the opportunity. They gave me the opportunity and I tried my best. I graduated this year, 2009, with good grades. Now I can make my dreams come true.”
Delahnie Bain
“And your dream is…”
Jesucita Castellanos
“To become a teacher.”
Jerry Ramirez, Eden SDA High School, Santa Elena
“I decided to join the Du Di Rait Ting program due to the fact that there are a lot of people in the community that may need my help and my principal really saw that I was eligible for the competition.”
Delahnie Bain
“What have you gained from participating?”
Jerry Ramirez
“Well I have gained self-confidence, I have volunteered to help out my community, to ensure that there’s a brighter Belize tomorrow.”
Keira McLaughlin, Orange Walk Technical High School
“You just get a wonderful opportunities and stuff to actually mek your dreams come true and things like that you know.”
But there seems to be a lack of interest in the Old Capital since all awardees are from the other districts. The ComPol told us the effort is just not there.
Crispin Jeffries
“Well, we noticed that this is a pattern. There are schools in Belize City who have been entering students but they have not been selected because of the difficulty with some teachers and schools not really putting a lot behind the effort being made. So we encourage them to do more because we’ve noticed that a lot of the good stories that have won the first pace in the last two years have been coming out in the districts rather than Belize City.”
The top five students were awarded scholarships funded by the Ministry of Education, Belize Natural Energy, FirstCaribbean and Atlantic Banks and Old Belize. Another major supporter of the Du Di Rait Ting Program is Crime Stoppers Belize. Delahnie Bain for News Five.
Du Di Rait Ting was started in Belize by the former Commissioner of Police, Gerald Westby.
