City youths experience the jungle with Trekforce volunteers

When Belizeans hear the name Trekforce they usually associate it with British youths carrying out special projects around our country. But one recent Trekforce expedition was designed specifically for Belizean teens… and as these urban kids found out, it’s really a jungle out there.

Janelle Chanona, Reporting
For five days this month, members of the Youth for the Future programme teamed up with Trekforce Expeditions Belize to participate in a daring jungle hike along the Indian Creek trail.

Their journey began with a truck ride to the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary on the Western Highway where the young men were given a crash course in camp life.

Hoping the dramatic shift in environment would open their eyes to the world of possibilities around them, the idea of the tour was encourage teamwork, appreciation for the country?s natural resources, and develop basic survival skills in the youths.

With support from the Forestry Department and the Belize Defence Force, Ian Diego, Thaddeus Castillo, Joseph Rowland, Christopher Alvarez, Dwayne Flowers, and Herman Grant survived their trip into the wilderness, exploring the vast wonder of Belize?s caves and enjoying frequent swims in Indian Creek and the Sibun River.

By the time, the group arrived at the Five Blues National Park on Sunday, organisers were encouraged by their attitude towards life in the bush.

Calvin Ruysen, Trekforce Country Manager
?We really hope that these young men will go on to do great things. I?ve been totally impressed by their performance and my congratulations to each of one of them for an outstanding trek.?

Mitch Brakeman, Guide, Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
?They had a little hard time, but they did it and they all enjoyed themselves, I love to see that. Looking forward to see some more Belizeans come through on the trail, ?cause it?s mostly tourists and those kinds of people you know.?

Richard Harris, Y.F.F. Coordinator
?The guys learn a little more about the country and the beautiful site we been in, the caves. Overall, Mother Nature was good to us, we had fun. It was very adventurous and also educational for the guys and myself.?

The Y.F.F./Trekforce expedition was sponsored by the British High Commission in Belmopan.