UNESCO Contributes to RESTORE Belize
Patrick Faber
Since launched in 2011, RESTORE Belize’s Peace in the Parks program has refurbished a number of public spaces and staged entertainment in south side communities. This morning, UNESCO made a financial contribution to RESTORE Belize which will be used to make recreational facilities culturally attractive to the youths in neighborhoods where crime is flourishing. Andrea Polanco was on hand for the donation.
Patrick Faber, President, UNESCO Belize
“Mr. Bradley, on behalf of the Belize National Commission for UNESCO, I present to you this cheque for fifty one thousand one hundred and seventy five dollars and fifty three cents. We hope that the initiative, Peace in the Park, will really be a tremendous action; one that will of course see, as the Reverend described, some relief especially for the terrible crime situation that we have here in Belize City.”
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
And with that, Restore Belize was gifted with over fifty thousand dollars to invest in their Peace in the Park Program. This year’s donation will be used to promote educational and cultural activities in crime ridden neighborhoods in Belize City.
Marie Muñoz
Marie Muñoz, Programme Officer, RESTORE Belize
“We particularly focus on areas where we have seen communities been affected by crime. We go back to the park in that area and we bring life to that park. In some cases it means we are fixing up a park and in some cases in this particular instance, this year we have formed a relationship with Yata. He does advocacy through theater, Mr. Joseph Stamp Romero. We are supporting their work; they do arts and drama and this is going to help us in getting the word out about the issues that girls face in the community.”
Andrea Polanco
“Talk to us about the impact of these projects in terms of the communities that you implement them in?”
Marie Munoz
“What we do when we are coming to a community, we invite them out. We issue flyers and do radio announcements. We like that this time around we are doing a lot of work in drama. It will, one, give young people to show case their talent through arts and it builds self esteem. Also, we show the communities’ issues they are facing and we see them so engaged. There is always a twist in the play that shows them an out, for example in this case for someone facing with Sleepless Girls, and the community gets to see what molestation is and you are dealing with that as young girl.”
This donation marks UNESCO’s second contribution to Restore Belize’s Peace in the Park program.
Rudolph Anthony
Dr. Rudolph Anthony, Secretary General, UNESCO Belize
“UNESCO saw that they were so successful in their first project that they decided to give them another initiative another resources for their project in the sum of twenty six thousand US dollars this time. UNESCO gives these initiatives every two years, every bi-annual. So, Roger, if you use this check wisely and effectively, by January 2016, they can apply for another project. So, if we prioritize it that it is worth it for Belize, Restore Belize and Southside Belize, then they can be approved again.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Andrea Polanco.
