Kids Talk Tough on Ending Violence in Port

RESTORE Belize hosted an event called “Walls Down” in the Port Loyola area during the extended weekend.  Residents were invited to enjoy a community day on a closed-off section of Faber’s Road. Bouncy houses, trampolines, music, snacks, and a basketball competition were set up, and children spent the day enjoying the community space made safe. To commemorate this, Belizean artists came out to paint a mural for peace. But those who spoke to interviewers with the organization say this is a rarity in their community. They gave powerful testimonies about what is needed to stem the violence.

Interviewer

“Do you feel safe in Belize?”

Port Loyola Resident #1

“No, because lot of shooting is happening around Belize right now especially in the area where I live and other places.”

Interviewer

“So then what would have to happen for you to feel safe?”

Port Loyola Resident #1

“I just wish the world [would] change that I could feel safe, that I could go everywhere that I want, and not have to run away from people that is beefing in my area. I just hope the world changes.”

Interviewer

“What would that mean for you? Would you like to have better relationships with people around you? What would a safe Belize mean?”

Port Loyola Resident #1

“A safe Belize means the world would be safer everywhere, and everywhere you could go and no shooting or nothing would happen in Belize.”

Interviewer

“Do you feel safe in Belize?”

Port Loyola Resident #2

“No, ma’am.”

Interviewer

“Why not?”

Port Loyola Resident #2

“Because of all the shooting happening everywhere.”

Interviewer

“So what would have to happen for you to feel safe? What would a safe Belize mean for you?”

Port Loyola Resident #2

“That they stop the shooting and all of that.”

Interviewer

“And would anything change for you if Belize was safe? What would change and in what way?”

Port Loyola Resident #2

“Yes ma’am, my behavior and everything. [I would be] good.”

Interviewer

“So would you be able to do new things that you can’t do right now? Like what?”

Port Loyola Resident #2

“Play basketball at this court; ride about every day, ride come home from school.”

Interviewer

“You can’t ride home from school? Why not?”

Port Loyola Resident #2

“Because of all the shooting and traffic.”

RESTORE Belize says this is the first in a series of planned community building events with safe spaces for children as the focus, to foster peace through community building and social inclusion. The event was held in conjunction with Youth Advocacy Through Arts, the Department of Youth Services and St. John’s College Junior College.