Timmy Stamps’ After School Program for at-risk Youths

Tonight’s look on the bright side highlights the Jah Love evening program where kids from the George Street community are provided with support from a man with a story of redemption. Sabreena Daly shares this story after an evening spent with community members.

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

It’s a regular day for Glenford Stamp. He lives and operates his business on one of the busier streets in Belize City. From morning to afternoon, he works at a confection store. But when the day comes to an end, children come trickling in. Jah Love evening program is Stamp’s redemption in more ways than one. A dark past, an uncertain future from an illicit lifestyle, birthed a project of Love, one he credits one person for. Many of us know him simply as Timmy Stamp.

Glenford “Timmy” Stamp

Glenford “Timmy” Stamp, Founder Jah Love evening program
“Da wa gift from God. I used to be a gang member. The good Lord changed my life around, so I decided I want to give back something to fo we community. I da one ah the old schools they. We help get this country, how this country stand right now. We used to be from back ina the days, eighty-six, eighty-seven. Dah we get this country how ih stand. We used to use machete and knife and fork. So, it’s only right that we try to do something back for we younger generation.”

And that something began three years ago. Stamp, a person that only went as far as standard three in primary school, saw the value in kids getting an education. He set out to establish an evening program for children, nothing fancy, he started with what he had.

Sabreena Daly
“And starting where you are can look like occupying an open lot. Conveniently, this was right across the street from Stamp’s confectionary store.”

Glenford “Timmy” Stamp
“I share my life story with them. Every day, I try push that in their head. They could be better than me. I neva gone da school, I stopped school early. I want better fo them. They are the future leaders of tomorrow and if they will be the leaders of tomorrow, then we have to give them the tools that they could get ready for tomorrow.”

While Stamp shares lessons of life in the classroom, he has help with academic sessions. Kyanna Garay is one of the newest members tutoring the kids. She now accompanies her big sister as an assistant tutor, but began as an attendee herself.

Kyanna Garay

Kyanna Garay, Assistant tutor Jah Love evening program
“I first saw Mr. Timmy having it and I approached him and I asked him what was going on there. He said they were having an evening class mixed with a summer class. I asked if it was okay that I attend and he said yes. I joined and now that I grew up now, I decided to give back to the other children.”

Jazlynn Garay

Jazlynn Garay, Tutor Jah Love evening program

“The kids at the back, they are very small so we teach them their names and their ABC’s, 123’s and the basic stuff. Then the ones at the front, most of them are in standard four and five so I teach them the standard six and first form work so when they go ahead, they know what to do and then help with home works and stuff.”

Eric Arzu is a retired teacher giving back to the kids in the program. He covers all the bases, from teaching, to sports, guidance and even spirituality. The kids look up to him like a father figure.

Eric Arzu

Eric Arzu, Teacher Jah Love evening program
“As a matter of fact, when they see me on the street, they run to me, like a father. And some of them really need it and I ask myself, what were they doing in school. But I can see a lot of changes since I got here. As soon as I came around, you can see the difference in their faces. You can see that they are willing to learn, they are willing to be tutored and hey with these two other abled girls, I think we have gone a long way.”

Glenford “Timmy” Stamp
“These kids da di future leaders of tomorrow. So, its only right that we, that been there and done that, try fo we best to see what we can do with the kids here. 5:53 In: They kids here get caught up in something weh they no nothing about. We have a problem for forty-four years weh no politician, no party give a damn about-P.U.P. or U.D.P. Every year, fo we kids they just…we di lose fo we kids. Every year these kids di get involved ina gang or something different. So, its only right that we try save fo we kids. We say we love we kids, but what we di do fo save them?”

Saving kids from falling into the abyss of gang violence can start with a small gesture, such as encouraging them to have a dream and believing that it can become a reality. The kids at Jah Love evening program dream of being police officers, tour guides, coast guards and even a pilot. A regular day for Timmy Stamp ends with kids waiting for him across his confectionary store… but a regular day also begins with him waiting for them to arrive. Looking on the bright side, I’m Sabreena Daly.