36 youths graduate from Cadet Corps

Sunday’s storms couldn’t dampen the spirits of thirty-six young men who participated in a ten-month programme with the National Youth Cadet Services Corps. The organisation caters to at risk youths and has been running for more than ten years. Addressing the young men this weekend was Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Francis Fonseca, who says his government remains committed to the programme’s objectives, calling it a model for how we can turn the young people of Belize into productive citizens. But Fonseca says it’s always disappointing when parents do not show up to support their children.

Francis Fonseca, Minister, P.M.’s Office

“The families have a very vital and important role to play. You need to provide support for these young men when they come to the Cadet Services Corp. I am very disappointed to hear that some families essentially drop these men off at the doors of the Cadet Services Corp and were never seen again. That is unacceptable my friends. You have a critical role, these are your children, these are the children of Belize, but first and foremost these are your children, you have to make a personal commitment to their lives, to improving their lives. They depend on you and you have to set an example for them. When they see that you care, they care. When they see that you have love for them, they have love for others and they have love for their country. So you need to set that example for them.”

But not every parent was slacking off as during Sunday’s ceremony Shirley Rodriguez was awarded for her outstanding support to her son and the programme. The Government of Belize has promised to grant additional resources to the Youth Cadet Services Corps and its programmes.