U.C.B. interns work with youths

With 5 Belize City schoolgirls murdered and the media full of missing persons reports, the need for social work among young people has never been greater. Today at one southside school ceremonies were held for two programs that have already made a difference.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

Despite the heat of the day, the staff and students of the Sister Clara Muhammad School spent two hours outside of their classroom to give thanks to three UCB students who spent the past 12 weeks counseling the children. The 2nd and 3rd year UCB Students are part of a social work programme and undertook their internship at the primary school. The interns say the job was challenging and exciting and they have committed themselves to continue helping the children at the school.

Tricia Collins, Intern, Social Work Programme

“The children were nice to work along with, the families. It was very exciting.”

Jacqueline Woods

“What were some of the problems you’ll were confronted with?”

Tricia Collins

“Sexual abuse, anger management, behavioral problems basically across the board that currently exist in Belize right now.”

Myrna Willoughby, Intern, Social Work Programme

“Very valuable because working with children in a school like the Sister Clara Muhammad, where there are children come from the less fortunate, the amount of problems that are here and the amount of things that need to be done. The time spent here has been very short, but I feel to myself that have accomplished a lot with the short time.”

Kamaal Marin, Intern, Social Work Programme

“I think one of the first motivation for me in making that decision, I am a Muslim, I’m also a teacher at the school and doing the social work programme at UCB. Having over the Easter holiday been given the opportunity as a part of the social work programme to do a lot of home visits. The hard reality of the situation of the families and the children who are coming to this school in the Port Loyola Area…it is just very heartwarming and they have received us so well, so to continue would be an extra service.”

During the ceremony, the student interns donated a number of chairs, water containers and kitchen utensils, which they received from the business community. But it was not only the UCB students who were recognized today. The school has also been assisting parents by offering them classes in a Parent Education Programme. Those who successfully completed the course were awarded certificates.

Linsford Mckoy, Father

“Well I was the first man, the only man who came to take the class. I took it really seriously because I have children and I know what it is like to teach the children about the wrong things and the good things and that is why I took the class really seriously.”

Romie Anthony, Mother

“What we did was share experiences about how we go about disciplining more or less day today things with our kids, our feelings, problems and so on. We learnt from each other and helped each other along with advice and opinions.”

Jacqueline Woods

“Now that you have taken this Parent Education Programme, what advice you have for parents?”

Romie Anthony

“If they could get involved with our parent educating classes it would be good because it helps, it helps as a parent to be a better parent. It helps to be a better parent to our kids.”

The Sister Muhammad School has been offering its counseling programme and Parent Education Classes since October.

Reporting for News Five, I am Jacqueline Woods.