Belizeans organise Tsunami relief
It has taken a while for the magnitude of the disaster to sink in but Belizeans, no strangers to the wrath of nature, are beginning to respond to the tragedy in Asia. News 5’s Patrick Jones has more.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
Three of the local organizations that are organizing aid assistance for tsunami victims in Asia are the Belize Red Cross, Salvation Army and the Institute of Creative Arts. While most of the fundraising is for immediate application, Marylee Ellis of the Belize Red Cross says that organization?s contribution is part of a half a billion dollar international effort that will reach well into the future.
Marylee Ellis, Director General, Belize Red Cross
?And this is to be used over a period of five years. Now the Belize Red Cross obviously we don?t set a limit. We know that this is a hard time for a lot of people. But we know that a lot of people if not everybody certainly everybody that has TV has been watching it feel very distressed, fell very helpless and in many cases feel the need to give at least something so that they feel that they are contributing. That they are not just watching that they are actually trying in some way to assist.?
Assistance for the victims will also come from local artists who have been summoned to give of their time and talents to help those affected by the disaster. Director of the Institute of Creative Arts William Neal who is coordinating a tsunami relief show for next week Saturday says it?s a way for people in the arts to reach out and help.
William Neal,Director, ICA
?This idea is actually Jennifer Lovell?s idea. And I think we need to start there. She asked us to collaborate with her to provide the space for artists to come and to all pool our efforts together to use our artistic talents to raise monies for the victims, which I think was really a wonderful idea because you have so many times things happening and we are so caught up with what is happening in our own lives that we don?t take a time to really pause to see how blessed we are.?
Neal is hoping that that realization will spur the artists to donate their time and talents and the general public will open their hearts and wallets.
William Neal
?We have approached some people and they have enthusiastically said yes. We don?t have a full roster as yet but it?s open to any artist the length and breath of the country to really come in give of their time. We?re going to set up blocks where you have classical music, you have punta, you have everything so that people can use the Bliss as a free space, you walk in you can see any type of artist that you are interested in. We are hoping to have food from restaurants, you know, just really take this entire building and the area surrounding it and turn it into a place where all the effort will be towards raising money for the tsunami victims.?
Major Errol Robateau, Regional Commander, Salvation Army
?And we already have officers and members in many of these areas and therefore whatever contribution is being given will work through the Salvation Army and go to these people.?
Patrick Jones
?How confident can the people be that their contribution to the Salvation Army will reach the intended victims??
Major Errol Robateau
?Well I think that based on our track record the people can based on that. But most of our funds if not all of our funds is handled by international headquarters. So therefore this is not just Major Robateau alone. It will go through the channel, through the Salvation Army and in like manner we will be receiving reports as to the work of the Salvation Army according to the contributions received.?
Contributions to the Salvation Army tsunami relief effort can be deposited in the organization?s trust account number 500-9313 at any of Belize Bank Branches countrywide. Donations can also be dropped off at the Army?s Headquarters on Regent Street, or with Captain Mark Gilden in Georgeville. But why should Belizeans contribute to these appeals?
William Neal
?It speaks to our humanity. I know we are in our own crisis and people might say this is a difficult time for me to give. But that?s the time that you should give because it takes away some of the selfishness from you to realize that, you know, yeah maybe you can?t give five thousand dollars but if you can give five dollars its important that we contribute and be a part of the worldwide effort. And I think that is the main reason why people should come in and give. And I mean in giving, you receive. Our turn will come, hopefully not very soon, but out turn will definitely come.?
Major Errol Robateau
?I don?t think that we should look at the millions that is being given by other countries. That is being handled by the Government. And many times the church not only the Salvation Army, but other churches have ways of reaching people that usually drop between the cracks, those who are not politically affiliated perhaps or are marginalized, the Salvation Army as you know seeks to reach the poorest of the poor the needy of the most neediest and this is the way we mean to do it.?
Patrick Jones
?Miss Ellis in view of larger more affluent countries donating hundreds of millions of dollars why should I as a person from poor country like Belize, why should I contribute??
Marylee Ellis
?I think because with globalization we are beginning to think more as a global family rather than as just country family. And as I said earlier people I think sometimes people feel very distressed. It can be very traumatic to watch these scenes and not feel that you can contribute in any way. So this is one way to lighten the burden that we feel sometimes by watching these things.?
Patrick Jones, for News 5.
