Children learn media skills
The media is a growth industry in Belize and when it comes to learning, you can never start too young. But while the lessons being acquired this week by children may prepare them for an eventual job as a journalist or broadcaster, the point is to gain skills for dealing with life. Ann-Marie reports from St. Mary’s Hall.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
Some fifty children from schools in the Belize and Cayo Districts are acquiring new skills in life development and media production using the convention of the Rights of the Child as a backdrop.
Silvana Woods of Kriol Gyal Productions is the media trainer.
Silvana Woods, Media Trainer
“N.C.F.C. already has a programme called “Kid-o-Rama” on Love FM right now. The idea is we’ve got lots of languages, lots of cultures and kids who have different perspectives on their rights and responsibilities. We’ve got also, lots of radio stations. So the idea is Reef Radio in San Pedro perhaps, Wamalali in Punta Gorda, Radio Bahia in Corozal, a number of them negotiations, discussions will be conducted with them and have already begun with some to see how these children with their skills and their teacher trainers can help provide local programming.”
The aim is not only to provide local programming, but at the same time incorporate their rights and responsibilities. This group’s presentation of a tree of rights is indicative of what they’ve learnt.
Although it’s a media training workshop, radio has been prioritised over print and TV.
Silvana Woods
“It’s the hearing medium we’re stressing, so if you’re driving, if you’re just relaxing, you always have on the radio, and of course it’s a cheaper medium to produce in than television.”
Sherene Ramharak, a student of Wesley Upper School in Belize City, says she’s been made aware of an important right she has as a child.
Sherene Ramharak, Student, Wesley Upper School
“A right to an education, every child has a right to go to school and a right to a loving and caring family.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“What are you responsible for to make that education possible?”
Sherene Ramharak
“I should study and work hard.”
John Flowers, Programme Co-ordinator, N.C.F.C.
“What it does, it provides and enabling environment for children to become aware of the issues and be able to adequately respond to some of the peer pressures out there. And I think that is very important in this time and age, when we look around us and there are so many negative elements. We need to allow children to be expose from an early to be able to deal with those.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
The blueprint of today’s seminar will be used to train more children in the north and south of the country.
