Long Time Unionist and Beloved Teacher Arcadia Carrillo Remembered

Arcadia Carrillo

Last week the Belize National Teachers Union lost a warrior. Arcadia Carrillo was a teacher for more than five decades and never defaulted in showing support and unity for her union. Carrillo would never miss a B.N.T.U. event. She was present at every rally, at every demonstration, and every ceremony. In 2017, she was awarded the title of Belizean Patriot. B.N.T.U. National President Elena Smith says that Carrillo was influential in the union.

Elena Smith

Senator Elena Smith, National President, B.N.T.U.

“Miss Carrillo was very much involved in union. God and union, those were two and of course her family but every time the union had an activity Miss Carrillo was there. She never faltered from being with her union. She was always willing to give us advice. She was always telling us that we  must stand up for things that we believe in, we must fight, we must not be afraid even if we are the only one fighting we must not be afraid. She also would ensure that she would say to us, do you work, do your fighting without expecting anything in return. Don’t wait for the union to pay you for what you do but do it out of the kindness of your heart. There are a lot of teachings that he left with us that we can carry through in our union life.”