C.Y.D.P. rededicates itself to fighting gang violence
We often hear about projects being launched and then the participants fade from the headlines, but the Conscious Youth Development Programme is one organization that continues to let the public and its members know about their progress. Today the C.Y.D.P. members gathered at Birds Isle, the site of the original gang truce, to rededicate themselves to the program and a new way of life.
The C.Y.D.P. has been in existence for the past three and a half years. To help combat gang violence in Belize they have conducted individual and group counseling workshops and participated in work projects. This afternoon the C.Y.D.P. held a meeting with young men and women to reassure them that there is hope for the future. The highlight of the session was when the youths spoke out about their lives.
Javier “Stagga” Saragosa
“I am from the ghetto and I am talking to the ghetto because this is the piece of the ghetto right here. The ghetto has been forgotten. Society people, they got so large and they forget the youths. All that they want to do is to put us in jail, lock us down and take advantage of us. A lot of us are in prison doing twenty or fifteen years and they did not even commit the crime. I have been to jail, did so much years. Got chopped, shot… anything.
Now I get wise; I opened my own shop, my own business and make my own money. I make twenty, thirty dollars a day and I can feed my family.”
Timothy Stamp
“The prison is over populated. It’s people like us that needs to start working with the youths to make them know what time it is. My thing is that I do not care what it cost, I want to work with the youths. I want to continue to work with them.”
Patrick “Super P” Palacio
“If we learn to unite and respect each other. Respect each other complexion, look out for each other then things will get better. But we cannot be jealous with each other. First thing if we are jealous of each other things will come right back down to confusion.”
One person who listened to the comments was the Minister of Youth, Dolores Balderamos Garcia. Garcia assured the youths that although the Government cannot provide jobs for each and every person they will do their best to provide adequate programs so if they decide to be self employed they will have all the necessary skills to do so.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Youth
“When we talk about empowering people I want you to know that it’s not empty words; we will be working hard. We may not be able to provide jobs for each and every one of you. But we will work with you, with skilled training and good projects. This will enable you to find a job for yourself or for you to create a job for yourself or fit into those areas of society.”
The C.Y.D.P. meeting for the members to recommit themselves to being productive citizens was attended by over a hundred and fifty youths. Hyacinth Latchman for News Five.
Currently the C.Y.D.P. offers literacy courses, sessions on conflict resolution, aftercare support for those released from prison, as well as counseling on parenting.
