Rotary puts on play to save more lives

Hardly a week goes by without an appeal to the public via the media to fund someone’s critically needed health care. And while Belizeans are often generous, such ad hoc efforts are often too little too late. One organisation that has consistently sought to institutionalize life saving medical care is the Rotary Club… and this week they are asking the public to combine philanthropy with first class entertainment.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
On Friday, Neville Bermudez will be celebrating his eleventh birthday, an occasion this young boy and his family never believed would have occurred. It was only three weeks ago that Bermudez had to undergo emergency heart surgery. Today, thanks to the Rotary Club of Belize, Bermudez has been given the gift of life. Sadly there are many more children critically ill whose families cannot afford the medical treatment to save their lives.

Yvonne Moore, Gift of life Programme
?There are three clinics held per year and on average fifty-eight kids are seen at each clinic. Invariably, the majority do have to go abroad for surgeries, a surgery that costs sixty thousand U.S.?

That?s one hundred and twenty thousand Belize dollars. And while the Rotary Club of Belize does receive some assistance from its international partners, the majority of the funds are raised in this country.

Sandra McKay, President, Rotary Club of Belize
?The Gift of Life is probably the largest programme that we have running. In fact every year when we sit down to do budgeting the largest segment off our budget is allotted to the Gift of Life. It is a very demanding role to be a Rotarian, but it is a very fulfilling role and so I totally enjoy doing it.?

Rotarians do not rely solely on community and business support. The members also use their own creative talents to help raise money… even if it means getting a little bit silly.

?CindyRelisha and the DJ Prince? is the organisation?s latest theatre production, directed by well known Caribbean stage actor Glen Campbell.

Glen Campbell, Director, CindyRelisha and the D.J Prince
?What we have done, we have taken the Cinderella story about Cinderella and the prince and the glass slipper and we have given it a Caribbean flavour, so it has quite easily transported from Jamaica to a Belizean setting.?

Yvonne Moore
?Did not expect it to have been so much fun, and in fact it is like a therapy for me. I let loose and I am there. It is hilarious, a lot of fun, oriented for the family. Come and support, have some fun with us.?

Sandra McKay
?My role is one of the stepsisters who is very unkind to Cinderella and I am enjoying that role. I am really going to be about five times my size now and that too, I enjoy. There is going to be a lot music, singing, dancing, I mean real light hearted entertainment that from the eldest to the youngest can come out and enjoy.?

Jacqueline Woods for News Five.

If you would like to support the Gift of Life Programme and have an enjoyable evening at the same time, then do not miss “CindyRelisha and the DJ Prince.” Venue is the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts and the curtain goes up at seven-thirty on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Tickets can be purchased at Mala’s Store, Old Belize, and at the door on the night of the performances for fifteen, twenty-five, and fifty dollars.