Schools celebrate Children’s Day
While the adults spent the day wondering if the Belizeans in Guatemala would be home this weekend as hoped, the children of the nation turned their thoughts to more innocent pursuits as they celebrated their day. There were some somber moments as they remembered those among them who have been murdered, but in general it was time to take a break from classes. Jacqueline Woods reports.
Children shouting
“Happy Children’s Day!”
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Boys and girls throughout the country spent the day enjoying being children. There were a lot of outdoor activities as children celebrated their day.
Jacqueline Woods
“What have you been doing today?”
Child #1
“Play, dance and so.”
Jacqueline Woods
“And what about you?”
Child #2
“Miss, I play and I dance and we watch how the girls they dance and thing.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So everybody having fun today?”
All the children
“Yes!”
Although the children of Queen Street Baptist and students from other schools did have fun, they did not forget the eight children who have been murdered.
Leroy Smith, Teacher, Queen Street Baptist
“So we decided to do a balloon decoration on our fence and also we have made posters depicting different aspects of the murders and the specialness of each child. Actually we have performances by different class and actually these kids they choreographed these dances by themselves so that makes it even more special.”
Carol Babb, Teacher, Queen Square Anglican School
“A number of children have been abused, some of them have been killed so we are using a part of this day to sensitize children on child abuse, child abduction, child safety. We are making sure that children are aware that they need to be responsible to be a part of making sure that they are safe.”
The children themselves also took the time to advise their peers to be careful and not to accept anything from a stranger, no matter how hard the situation may be at home.
Michael Pitts, 12 years old
“We think that the children they are getting to like things that they do not have and that they should be satisfied and contented with what they have.”
Although the problem was on their little minds, smiles were on their faces.
Lisa Louriana, 12 years old
“The dance good because you could exercise your foot and have fun with the other members them and when you are doing the dance you could just learn more steps then when you hear the song on the radio you can just practice it at home.”
Students from St. Joseph School celebrated the day by holding a costume parade.
As part of the celebration the Children’s Rights Song was played at schools and over the airwaves across the country.
Reporting for News Five, I am Jacqueline Woods.
To try and make Children’s Day a little brighter for those confined to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, the Police Zone Beat Liaison Officers presented gifts today to twenty-five kids and spent some time talking and playing with them. The Police Force also announced today that the number for the hotline, which can be used to report information concerning the child murders or new crimes. The number is 0-800-CARE-4US. All calls are free with BTL absorbing the costs.
