Donations coming in for Saturday’s telethon
The political rally is not the only big event happening Saturday in Belize City. At the same time that protesters begin their march, a large number of the nation’s broadcasters will join together to solve a problem that no politician anywhere in the world can ignore. Patrick Jones reports on Living with Hope.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
The three thousand dollar cheque handed over by Director of Health Services Dr. Errol Vanzie is a sizeable contribution towards the one hundred thousand dollar target for the Living with Hope telethon. Vanzie says it signifies the ministry?s support for Saturday’s event.
Dr. Errol Vanzie, Director of Health Services
“We believe and we know that there are people living with AIDS that have difficulties meeting the most basic needs; needs of food shelter clothing. And the Ministry of Health and the National AIDS Commission addresses the issues of treatment, counselling, but there is this other social aspect of it. And so there is the need for additional funds to support and to address the needs of those people.”
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Chairperson, National Aids Commission
“We do know that the Ministry of Health is one of our chief implementers of our entire National AIDS programme and the multi-sectoral work of the Commission. But Living With Hope is a special project which we have created the bank account and it’s a humanitarian and a community effort for people living with HIV/AID, especially children.”
Baldermos Garcia who is chairing the project steering committee says all systems are going for Saturday?s fund raiser.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia
“Aurelio Martinez is in town now. He is officially here. We just had a nice rice and beans and fried fish lunch with him and also Paul Nabor from Punta Gorda. The telephone lines are in at the Bliss and the number to call tomorrow will be 227-1166 and we’re also encouraging people to get their tickets. Tickets for the concerts are available right here at the commission and also at the House of Culture and I can say to the Belizean public get ready for a great show.”
And that’s just what Aurelio Martinez and Paul Nabor are promising.
Paul Nabor, Artist
“Well I’m going to sing and put a little exercise that he people can see. Make them feel happy and I feel Aurelio Martinez will do the same damn thing, how I did it and let’s put it together and so that everybody can enjoy their self happy; loving and happiness with one another.”
Aurelio Martinez, Artist
“As always there will be some surprises, I would like to do some songs with respect to HIV, there are some very good songs that we are trying to promote, especially in the Garifuna communities and tomorrow we would like to address the problem of HIV within the Belizean society. It will be a memorable night since I will be surrounded by so many Belizean artists. And it’s also a good idea, to come together and address the problems we are facing right now.”
Balderamos Garcia says that while the telethon which will be carried live, right here on Channel 5 will run from eight on Saturday night, the overwhelming show of support from local artists has made it possible for an all day music fest.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia
?For the radiothon we have quite a few, quite a few people lined up. We have the Heavenlies; we have D-Combo replacing D Revelation I am told; we have the Steel Band; the Caribbean Trio, quite a few people. But the actual headline artists for the concert are Aurelio Martinez, Paul Nabor–we have Leila Vernon, Bredda David, Mr. Peters, and Andy Palacio, so our headline artists are all lined up and we are hoping to have a fantastic show.?
Patrick Jones, for News Five.
The phone line for the radiothon opens at ten o?clock on Saturday morning and closes at six in the evening. The line re-opens at eight for the televised concert. The number to call is 227-1166
