Ras Dara Recieves MBE Recognition for Philanthropy

Joel “Dara” Robinson

Another of the 2021 honorees for Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is Joel Robinson. Ras Dara, as he is popularly known, was recognized in the past as an Unsung Hero by First Caribbean Bank in 2011.  He is celebrated nationally for his philanthropic endeavors, particularly through his primary school feeding program.  Since the pandemic began in 2020, and with schools being out, Ras Dara has shifted his focus towards farming, in order to assist underprivileged children with their necessities.  While he is grateful for the recognition, Dara is somewhat resentful that notwithstanding his efforts as a Belizean patriot, he is still being denied a visa to the United States to further his charitable ambitions.

Joel “Dara” Robinson, Recipient, MBE Recognition

“Of course, I am thankful that again, the government recognize me and mi own country, soh ah di hope with all these awards and thing I get that when mi lee opportunity come again fi step up and try apply again fi mi visa and thing that people give me more respect, yoh undastand, because that still mi bother me how I try do everything good eena mi country, try be wahn example and still, when yoh go fi yoh lee opportunity yoh get denied.  You know, soh I still got di lee anger towards that.”

Isani Cayetano

“How have you been holding up?  We’re in COVID times, I know that your feeding program was taking off prior to the pandemic, when schools were in full swing.  All of that has changed.  What have you been up to?”

Joel Robinson

“Well, as usual, you know, ih hard fi do wah program like weh I do without having fundraising and with the COVID ih stop all di lee concert, di lee ride.  So right now I deh strictly into farming and weh we get from offa di farm we try help wid and thing, I still try reach out to who ah could reach out to and help, you know, because that da my life ‘til I dead, fi help who could get help.  But right now, I deeply into farming, like raise chicken and grow vegetables and thing you know.  So once that successful, ah wahn continue help dehn kids weh ah could help, you know.”