More Belizeans are poor, according to CPA report
It is not exactly a secret, but the magnitude of the level of poverty in Belize, is still shocking. In fact, Belize is now the country with the highest poverty among Caribbean countries. According to a report commissioned by the government, forty-three percent of the population is officially poor and poverty is sweeping among all sectors: young and old, male and female in urban and rural areas. The main contributing cause is the lack of income and the area most affected was the north, once a prosperous district. And could government have done more? News Five Jose looks at the Country Assessment Report.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
The Halcrow Group of the U.K. and the Belize National Assessment Team have released the executive summary of the Country Poverty Assessment Report. The man on the street already knew, but its official today that poverty levels has increased throughout the country over the last eight years.
Joe Wood, Leading Consultant, Belize CPA
“Around a third of households in Belize would be classified as poor and just over forty percent of the population. In terms of severe poverty, that is people who are really going to struggle even to get enough food, the proportions are about ten percent of households and sixteen percent of the population.”
Jose Sanchez
“We’ve gone from twenty-five to forty-three percent of households, all the way to forty three percent of the population being poor. That’s significant isn’t it?”
There has been an increase in poverty in every district except Toledo where it could not have gotten any worse. Because poverty has increased in other districts, Toledo no longer contains half but only a third of the indigent population.
Joe Wood
“Toledo still remains the poorest in the country. The increases have been greatest in the northern areas of Corozal and Orange Walk.”
Poverty has increased in all groups, young and old, female and male headed households, and also in urban and rural settings. The most significant difficulties faced by communities are economic, health, education, social and political. The statistics are clear but Wood still maintains that Belizeans on a whole, aren’t poor.
Joe Wood
“One still has to remember that the majority of Belizeans aren’t poor and that whichever group of Belizeans you look at, whether they’re young or old; whether they are those living in the towns or villages, those that are headed by men or households that are headed by women, the majority of the population in Belize and the majority of these groups will now be.”
Jose Sanchez
“But by what definition if there’s an increase?
Joe Wood
“I mean the poor population has increased, but most of the people are still not poor.”
The government has a national poverty elimination strategy and action plan since 2000. The current version is an update of the policy document which runs from 2007 to 2011. Since poverty has increased, the implementation of the strategy has to be considered a failure.
Joe Wood
“This is a wide ranging and comprehensive document detailing a number of strategies and objectives that would need to be undertaken in order to reduce poverty. As we’ve seen, poverty has actually increased. In that sense one would say that the poverty reduction strategy has failed. But this would be very much an oversimplification because in many ways many of the factors that have caused poverty to increase in Belize over the recent years have largely been outside the government’s control. There have been severe natural disaster in terms of severe flooding in 2007, in 2008; there have been declines and continuing difficulties with major employment sectors such as bananas, sugarcane and citrus. You’ve had the global economic recession that has hit quite badly. As a result, unemployment has jumped and economic activity has stagnated.”
Jose Sanchez
“Could the government have done better?”
Joe Wood
“Yes, the CPA team is sure that the government could have done better. It could have done things like reduce the political interference in the development process. It could have improved the operations and maintenance of its facilities. It could have improved the delivery of the services that it provided; improve the delivery of health care; it could have improved the management of its staff, both to improve the morale of the staff, but also to help them to deliver a better service to the public. The difficulties that are faced the most are those that are related to economic issues. These are seen as the ones that are the most important. And that might be issues like high prices, low wage rates and more simply and seriously, absence of work and absence of job opportunities. There is a clear way forward governments must do their best to encourage the private sector and produce an environment that is conducive to investment and to increase job creation.”
Though there are difficulties, the government still has to take hold of Belize’s social and economic future. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.
According to the CPA, poverty increased due to difficulties in key industries, little trickle down impact from major growth areas in San Pedro, Placencia and the oil sector, severe flooding and a general stagnation of the economy.
First I want to say, a BIG THANK YOU, for adding this “Comment Section” on you website. I live in the US and come online almost everyday to read the Belize news. I notice that the Belizes Times are the first ones to have this feature on their site. However, on numerous occasions I have sent my comments, but to no avail…they were never posted…always waiting moderation. I also realize, they don’t like my comments, because I don’t put the blame on the present government, for all the problems in Belize. All of the comments from ppl on the Belize Times site, express blame and dislike for the UDP administration, especially our Prime Minister. Their motto “the truth shall make you free” is hypocritical and decieving, because the only truth they print is the one they want, or pretend to see. Unlike them, I notice you all are open to everyone’s opinions and viewpoints. This is refreshing and encouraging, THANKS AGAIN!!!!!
As far as poverty in Belize, in my opinion it still exists, but I don’t agree that ppl are more poorer under the present administration. There are many who can remember more poverty stricken days, under the PUP’s administration. No matter who is in government, poverty will always remain and we will always have the HAVES and the HAVES NOTS in every level of society!!! The government should be held accountable and resposible for improving certain conditions in their country, but where should we draw the line? This is where a lot of people get stuck, because they put ALL the blame on the government. I agree with Tashy and OHernandez. Wake up people….We hold our destinies in OUR HANDS…We determine what wether we will SUCCEDD OR FAIL…We need to be more reponsible and work out a plan to be self-sufficent and make self-improvement. We need to LOVE ourselves more, and show PRIDE, RESPECT and CONFIDENCEin who we are and be a good examples to the children and youths. Right now all the younger generation see mostly are fighting and violences from the adults, so they in turn are becoming more and more angrier and more violent…and all for what…all the wrong reasons…Not too many people are teaching or being examples of good values and morals anymore. Not enough people are teaching the the children nd youths to fight for the right things, like EDUCATION, GOOD CHARACTER, and DETERMINATION. Education, good character and and the ability to stay focus and work to achieve your goals can open up doors that you never imagined. Seems like what was once regarded as GOOD behavior is now BAD, and what was once BAD is now Good. So it is a sad fact, but true that it is much easier to blame the government, than for these indiviuals to reason with themselves and try to make self-improvements.
And as long as this ignorant way of thinking exists, poverty will remain and crime will continue. Education is a defiite Key to a life out of Poverty!!!!! I would like to see the government assist more in this area…like providing free education from primary to the completion of high school, for every child in the country.
Poverty is not as much a problem like GUN crimes in any part of the world. It’s a serious and urgent problem when you can’t leave your own home and return safely because of unnecessary violence. Belizean americans such as myself are getting older and building our house in Belize and getting ready to move back home and we have all invested heavily in Belize. We would like to go home to our country without experiencing the violence and fear that have become such a part of every day life. I am appealing to the government to please do something about the crime situation and to keep Belizeans and visitors safe. Honest, upstanding and law abiding citizens will not oppose the use of drastic measures when needed because we all know sometimes those things are necessary.
I read and it is clear that people like myself are dying to see our beloved country become a beacon and haven for safety and a place where we would want to retire. That is Home. It is always easier to see the problem when you are on the outside looking in. The biggest problem is the Lack of Accountability. There are approved programs that can work in Belize if implemented the right way. But the number one factor must be accountability. Start with cleanliness …it is shameful to see what we are trying to show tourists when no one is interested to show their best ,no civic pride. Hold businesses accountable for how their store fronts and surrounding areas are kept and ensure that they are being maintained. There should be a grace period set up for them to make it right. Give them a deadline and hold them to it. If this is not done a fee should be assessed for everyday of non-compliance. But these monies collected should be kept in a transparent account where the Belizean people can see where these funds are being kept and how it is being spent for the betterment of the city and not in the pockets of the unreliable people that have earned our mistrust.. Pay hard working folks to keep the city clean with that money, it will not happen in a day but before long the difference will be clear, and by doing so, one more hard-working individual will be able to provide for their family. “Transparency” , thats what we need for the Belizean people to see and for them to start to trust the people that we have put in power. Uphold to rule of law no bribes will be tolerated .. and that starts from the top. Put people in place with high integrity. And guys what’s the meaning of INTEGRITY, it means very simply .. doing the right thing even when no one is watching , and yes ,we still have some of those people in Belize believe it or not. This is our jewel not their money making machine. We need folks in government who are legitimately interested in our country and not their well being. WAKE UP BELIZEANS WE ARE IN CHARGE OF OUR FUTURE , PUT GOD FIRST AND THEN MOVE ON AS RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Socialism is the only ism that will help to alleviate the poverty problem in Belize .Share the wealth.
….Would love to see Belize improve… but the government can’t do everything. Our people need to adjust their mindsets as well. We need to work harder, and not expect everything to be spoonfed to us. God helps those who helps themselves… he never gives us more than we can handle.. if we think we can’t handle it, it’s because we haven’t pushed ourselves.
There are more comments on the article entitled: “Shyne gets turned away at the UK airport” than this article! What a BIG surprise!
Why Poor?? Cause Lazy???
Or Goverment!!!!…Easy As That!!!!
Da no di goverment Money ,man and man lazy fi find job job deh out deh but man just no wa work fi lee bit a money ,because a lot a them no educated and expect fi go work fi $200.00 a day that amount da just wa example.They rather rob the one’s who went to school and work hard for thier’s.That is just the way our ppl is thinking right now.The Brother Ky-Enie have the perfect song that says what Belize is going through right now. The song is Rain by Ky-enie if anyone get a chance listen to it …..One Love to All my Belizean.We need to be one people in our country the violence needs to stop so we can be a beautiful country like one time.
its a shame for who say that belize is the poorest country in the carribean .belize is not poor the people are just lazy in belize . to survive have to work not depending on the goverment to give us. we live in a rich land because evry one has acres of land that many people would want.so we are not poor …………………dont make no one fool you
Melanie, I understand what you are saying, but the point is, the people do not command a high level of education because diversity of majors especially in the scientific and technological field is not available at the University of Belize, and the reason for that is because the Gov has no money to invest in the university so that the people can get into carreers that make money and hence the government can get their taxes when people have higher wages. The Gov does not have enough money cause they are busy buying prados every year and sending their children to the University of Tampa at $40,000 US per year for tuition alone. So you see, it all goes back to leadership, if leadership is bad then the country goes down.
i just want to say that when i heard in the news that belize is the poorest country in the carribean i got piss ,because we live in a country that is blessed by many thing like a great tourist destination .not so violent like our neighbouring country .its a shame to say we are poor belizean .i am not with it we are not poor nor rich but its just being lazy thats all .we need to work not the depent on the goverment .so belizean stand up …………..work……….dont be lazy…………….to survive ……………..be proud where you come from ………………..because like belize its hard to find a next country………..lets stand up and help each other so we can live in belize.one love.
I’m disgusted, both at the deplorable conditions the country has fallen into, but also that as a nation we still haven’t stopped playing the blame game. Saying that Belizeans are lazy is a leftover of that old colonial mentality that says we can’t do anything right. Personally I most certainly believe that current and past administrations of BOTH political parties could have done more to alleviate the situation. On the part of the government there should be a greater push to if not nationalise, at least receive a greater percentage of present and future oil revenues. These monies should then be placed in an education trust fund that will ensure all Belizeans regardless of their socio-economic background have the chance of a free education from pre-school to their pHD. It’s a fact, higher wages and levels of income only go hand in hand with a better educated populace. Secondly, the educational system has to be remodelled to teach Belizean youths to be entrepreneurs instead of just waiting for jobs- foreigners obviously teach their kids to do so – so why don’t we. Sad to say but if these and similar measures aren’t taking soon the poverty rate WILL continue to go up.
Tony,
What are you/we doing to help the situation? (dont take it personal) John F. Kennedy once said “Ask no what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country”. I believe we all have a role to play, especially teachers and parents in upbringing children on the importance of school and work. Raising our children right, teaching them right from wrong, and also teach them to be hard working, honest, law abiding citizens. If we all do our part, including the government, in several years, the difference will be visible. Free education is not the fix, although it can help. There are a lot of opportunities for scholarships, but many kids drop out of school even before high school or sixth form. We need to be good role models for these kids. Encourage them to stay in school and find part time jobs to help themselves while going to school. I got my BA by going to school full time while working full time. Its a hug sacrifice, but at the end it pays off. Lets lead by example, always thinking twice before we do wrong, we never know who is trying to be like us.
The gun violents in Belize is only part of the problem creating proverty. It seems like Belize is under martial law comes 6:00 pm, downtown Belize is completely dark, and all the stores are closed. The the streets are also deserted comes 6:00 pm. No more NIGHT LIFE in Belize. Belize needs to bring back the night life open back the stores until 9:00 pm, and bring back the movie theaters, (turn the lights back on.) (People can still stay at home and enjoy their TV’s) However, people can start movie dates, and night shopping, again. (The night life will generate money to the Belize economy.)
The problem with Belize is simple easy to change. We need to change the whole structure from a Capitalist to maybe Socialist where more than 10% of the people will have more say; more money will then circulate and the masses will have better opportunity. People you have to understand that under P.U.P & U.D.P or I should says P.U.D.P system the same game will play; only the player will change. The Belizean People need to get self conscious then they will realize that when we the masses which is 40% vote we vote for the 10% who is the Capitalist these are the same people who finance the P.U.D.P so in return they have to dance to the big boys tune so don’t think that this system will be of any good until we the masses are willing to put a end to the P.U.D.P structure.
Concerning Belize’s poverty status… should there be a genuine focus on seriously curbing corruption and the mass inequality of wealth distribution, then we will begin to see belizeans living a better life. there is a huge disparity between the haves and have nots for a country that is so small in population and area. Is it any ownder that the general population is poor when the leadership does not emphasize the creation and attraction of manufacturing industries capitalizing on responsible use of the natural resources that are abundant in the country. How can a country that relies heavily on inbalanced imports and ffew exportint industries?
A lot of people in Belize are poor because they choose to be that way.I went to Belize a few months ago and the same people that i left hanging on the street corner 7yrs ago,were still there doing the same thing…nothing.I saw some of them selling drugs through their windows infront of their kids.Cursing at their kids and yet because we fought hard to raise them we are proud to call our selves roll models.Those kids weren’t raised…they were dragged up.Belize is too much of a laid back country and no one wants to break the cycle.Its nice to be laid back but then you get comfortable and nothing get achieved.They expect the gov’t to do everything for them.George Price is my idol but that dude crippled that country by being free-handed to these people.They always want,want,want and no matter how much you give to them,its never enough.Everyone need to start taking responsibility for their own actions and get a grip on life.
it is hard for me to believe people are so poor, then when any big bashment takes place you see this same people dressed up to kill, they have money to buy expensice clothes, for drinks especially beer, and all kind of stuff, when xmas time comes around you see them shopping to time, after xmas dem broke, broke no money for food, only the ham bone left, then everybody holler, POVERTY!!! peopel have to learn to be resposible, you cannot compete with those who have, and if there is only bread and butter then it s ok but, thenk God for it, but our people like to spend big time on what they want, we have to learn to live with only what we need.
I have to agreeee with the few people that make sense. Most people still live at home (with mom & dad) eventhough they have started there own family. Now, wouldn’t you call that lazy. Yes, most Belizeans are lazy; they want others to provide for them and as soon as they are told about it they blow up. How funny. If you don’t want anyone telling you what to do then work for yourself.
hey original howman! have you heard the latest? huh! how beautifull the prime minister talk on the house? wow you are blind my dear, listen to him, how shamefull is he, you talking about respect? when he is a HUGE EXAMPLE !!!!!!!!!!!!! come on, he really need some advice on how to respect our belizean ppl
I have always been poor and criticized because I do not over spend but save to purchase the things we need for our family. Once a month we spend a little bit on something small not every month. I lived in Belize all my life and still am poor here in the US, I still work hard but we make ends meet and and try to be healthy. For the time we are here to study we work and we still love our country. Instead of thinking we are poor let us think beyond this learn to share expenses and bathrooms with our family members. I used to share apartment while studying and work. I did so and also my friends, the youth can do that too like our families still do. Families that stay united in Belize contribute to the home expenses and that is how they survive and make their little businesses prosper, if our youth learn this little trick they would produce wonders for our country, teach entrepeneurship in school and hard work and call lazy people LAZY! no beat around the bush! lol
The Prime Minister promised better possibilities,and the only posibility is get shot ina the city.
Belizeans are just simply lazy…. we can describe ourselves like crabs in a glass container.. pulling down the ones we see that are on that. ( simply call it hating ) this is the mentality we Belizeans have thats why we are not moving forward.
When will things start to get better in Belize? This UDP-Government is really not interested in helping the Belizean people,when the PUP-was in power- yes,they did so much wrong,but many things were done for the country,like there was a lot of employment,there are better schools in all districts,more potable water in the rural areas, more SCHOLARSHIPS{while the UDP take away} more lands were distributed for the people of this country even what the UDP’S have is what the PUP Govt gave them{while the UDP take away},many hospitals were refurbished for better service to all and their was better health care for everybody not only PUP’s,now under this UDP,many baby’s lives were lost due to there incompetence they just fired the experienced staff while they employed their inexperienced cronies, even UDP’s were employed under the past PUP-administration without being fired like what the UDP is doing,only victimise,even their own supporters- they forget that the people who elected them will be the ones to remove them,and the 2.5% raise in taxes will be 2.5% more for unemployment{already in a stressful high],2.5% more for crime{out of control because of the UDP Gov’t imcompetence to deal with the situation},2.5% rate increase in poverty and it will be 2.5% MORE for Mr.Dean Barrow’s profit and his cronies.The people has the power.
The people of this Nation of Belize,has the power to say enough is enough! with this UDP Government ,they are taking advantage in thinking they have the majority in the house of representatives and take decisions on our behalf, they the Ministers only think for their own enrichment ,not to better the lives of the people of Belize, we need to stand up for our rights now before its too late,who will benefit from the take over of B.T.L ?{Barrow.Telemedia.Limited] and the profits! and the tax increase in water {BWS]and the 2.5% more in taxes of course its only Dean Barrow and his cronies.The Prime Minister promised better life for all Belizeans,NO MATTER WHAT! where is it? We the Belizean people are demanding it now !stop taking us for fools{u can fool one at a time but not all the people all the time.
People its not the guns, its not the government, its not the conspiracy theory, Take a good look at the poor on the east coast, look at the ones comitting the crime, it is the exact same in most african countries. I hate to say it people it is most of us that sit and do absolutely nothing and expect everything to be handed or given to us. Big fat asses waiting for our food? yes now come on it has to start within no matter how you see it. Is the Government responsible for alot of things? Yes. Are they responsible for every shyne on the corner holdin a gun till his music is heard? No. The previous articles about LAZY are 100% correct. Look at it, Git off your butt, get a job, and if there is no job then help clean up the streets till one comes round cause if you let the streets go shyne then the streets go to hell. Make a difference and you will shine in the end.
More Belizeans got to be poor when Barrow is boasting about been 3.5 million Ritcher,You don’t need to be a Rocket Scientist to figure that out.This man needs to be audited.It’s such a shame how this lame duck can be boasting about his wealth when our Belizean brothers are killing each other and living in subhuman standard.What about you start doing something for the people.
I agree with that ,but he doesn’t care one’s he got ,he no care for the rest – he has shown himself already ,there’s no hope. we can only imagine the posibilities .
THE KILLA VAT IS BACK 25%, looks ok for DEAN BARROW…..we just have to expect for the worst to come be prepared!
So, MR. Barrow! If the CPA report states that there are more Belizeans poor…why the f….do you raise taxes? Why are you PM if you cant decide on your own how to run the country? You have to follow what the IMF says. It seems that if the IMF tells you to jump off a cliff you will!!!
Where there is no vision the people perish; likewise, my people die for a lact of knowledge; quotes from the Bible. There are many contributing factors that causes poverty in Belize as well as any other country for that matter.Real knowledge is power, (to know) but along with knowledge there must be wisdom because its not only to know, but the application of one knows that result in success.
Lets begin with the knowledge of politic since its the very foundation of successful socioeconomic well being of a society. We vote individuals into office who has very little knowledge of what it take to develop and run a country sucessfully, and we let them do on the job learning. In the mean time very little is accomplish while he/she goes trough the learning curve; but society expect much in the mean time. In the absense of propere performance what the public is petty back stabbing. Little does the public realize that they contribute to this nothingness from politicians. We dislike fellow citizens because of their political persuasion, not realizing that in the final analysis everyone wants very much the same thing.
If the party in office go about willfully denying those of different political persuation the opportunity to make a living, why should society expect those that are marginalized to make any meaning contrbution to the very society that we all must interact in and share the spoils. We make our heaven or our hell. How many of us have realize that politicians has caused the lives of more people than any desease. This only happen because certain classes in a society has fuel certain unti-social behavour that play into the hands of egotistical politician. Then there is the matter of deifying politician, we give them a job and in turn we pay homage to them.Is there any reason why they should not feel that they are above masses?
Of course the peole who runs the political machinery in Belize is well qualify locally, but very few are qualify to deal in the international arena in a meaningful manner that will command real respect in matters that could be of great benefit to the country. The behavour in the National Assembly bear witness to this fact. We must realize that we are no longer opperating in a little corner of our world. Whether we know it or not, what goes on in Belize is reported abroad not only by our local television news, but also by the various country’s representatives amongst us.
The voting public must come to realize that as far a politicians are consern, you the voters are looked at as vote in stock, and your constant dependent on government is not the way to improve you economic well being. Don’t vote for someone because of sentiment. Ask yourselves what knowledge and experience will that person bring to the office that will allow him/her to hit the ground running when voted into office.
Last but not least, let me address the writer consern about taxes and Mr. Barrow allowing the IMF to dictate to him. There is no excuse for the public to continue to allow their government to be dictated to by the IMF when there is an abondant of information on the web about this institution and similar institutions. Read the book, (Confession of an economic hit man) This book was written by a former insider of the IMF. To understand this institution its necessary to follow the trail of the international , monetary history, especially the Federal Reserve that begun in 1914. These institutions has held the world hustage for their own benefit. A few years ago Brazil said enough is enough with the IMF, pre-paid their debt and said good by. Not too long ago Brazil loan $10,000,000,000.00 to the IMF. What a difference.
I end with where I begun. Knowledge is power.
It breaks my heart to hear so many people talking about that the Belizean people are just lazy to work hence of the reason being poor. i grew up in a family of 12 my parents have never attending school my father was a farmer we grew as very poor family he struggle to put us school the limit was primary school beside that he cant afford to send us to high school. he is farmer and he work very hard to provide for us. now i am a growing woman i am still poor there are no job available to those who don’t have an education and even if they do, the money they give to cleaners to security guard to those who collect garbage to the ones that keep mowing the city grass or chopping it with machete those workers who keep this city running are what you call hard workers, but the pay they get is not even enough to support the family, i know because of my experiences so you know what if you have a good job and you can support your family don’t think about yourself and say oh they are just lazy to work think about the stories of the lives of so many Belizean and what they have been through and why poverty is on the rise! most of these that are written down here all talks about politics and lashing at each-other and never thinking of the Belize people talk about how things could get better not arguing about it! don’t blame the people of Belize for being poor blame the government i don’t care which one of them is in power they do the same thing the udp the pup whatever its is or whoever it is they could make a change but they only think of themselves and blame the people for being poor. Who would want to be poor no one! don’t judge the lives of our people for being poor unless you know whats its like!
The problem that I think is affecting the Belizean people is the lack of proper education. But in reference to this aspect, I must say that the way how things are in Belize, I mean without a proper regulating body that sets pay scales within the private sector, it sometimes is more tempting to join the work feild and start making money. There are great chances that even without the highest of education, you can make if u are good worker and a leader. If you look at the Hotels in Belize, many people there are holding big post that are not well educated. This is the main reason why some people do not want to pursue higher education. Until when a Belizean can feel sure that coming outside to study for three years, giving up the possible income that he could have generated within that period make period makes more sense, we will continue to have people leaving their education half way.
I could not agree more with the suggestion that schools needs to start stimulating the interest of our young kids to be entrepreneurs, but not only our kids, our adults also. Some suggestions include creating Entrepreneurship Forums more than one time for the year with succesfull business mean and women as speakers and motivators. Some folks from other countries will certainly be a plus and will bring some new ideas also.
We need to stop feeling that only the “chinese” and “hindu´s” have the ability to run a business. We all have that ability but we need not be afraid of taking risks, but before doing so, a good understanding of the basics of entrepreneurship is the first option. We belizeans need to start supporting our belizean people and stop trying to bring down others who are trying to make it and start thinking that more like ” if he can do it, so can i”. One of the reasons why the Chineese and the Hindu´s have been successful in controlling the markets that they control is that they work as a team. In the case of the Hindu´s I was made to understand that they get together and make huge orders that then allows them to get better cost prices and thus they are able to make more profits when selling their goods. That is why all of them have the same stock!
Whilst I agree with some of the comments that there are some belizeans that are simply lazy, I must say that little is being done to eliminate or minimize these type of mentalities. Sometimes we can´t blame them for thinking like that since it is directly link to the fact they did not get get good education in their early ages. I support programs like youth for the future but i think it must reach to more people than it is currently.
I am convinced that Belize will get head, I am conscious that many Belizeans, like myself, are currenty abroad studying and will bring a different type of leadership skills to our country.
I have to agree with education we can take Belize further; but many of our youths who leave our country to study never return because they claim there are no opportunities. It make me wonder what they really learnt while studying as we need to make our own opportunities. What we need are people who are dedicated to our country and not their pockets, we need more open minded people and we also need people who are not thieves. I say thieves because they sign a bond with the government and agree to retun to serve their country for a number of years, many of them do not return. I know many people who have done this.
Janet:If we are talking about thieves,the Government officials are the bigest thieves in Belize.
I maintain that it is a good option to send Belizeans abroad to study because coming outside gives you a broader vision. Its unfortunate though that after you finish study, you find your self needing to leave your country to work else where because a lack of opportunity back home. Who should be blame? well the people who appoint their buddies into government wihout proper qualifications taking up valuable space of these people who are coming back. ( not specifying any government ) What else can you expect, to sit down on you studies in Belize? Well certainly not!, Among the things you learn out here is that there is something called “cost of opportunity” and sitting down on your studies is an opportunity that you are losing so go for where that opportunity is. Its a pitty how some people´s vision is so narrow!
Those Belizeans of us my age of 70 + really know Belize. This has been and continue to be a country of the survival of the fittest. We`live by uncommon sense, because very few of us had anything handed down to us. Even the old Pioners who came to the country worked their butts off to bulid some of the industries that are still going today such a the citrus. Go and find out what Frank Sharp, Henry Bowman, Usher, Buller, just to name a few in the Stann Creek did to turn vergin land into farming when things were very crude. In the North, the Geggs, Henry Melhado, and God rest his soul Jaime Nogero, Ferland Gilhary now the buss owner and many other hard working cane farmers not mentioned here, who contributed to that industry in its infancy.
In the west, the mahagony industry that was opperated by many Lebanese and the one creol black man, Dan Davis. Contemporary Belizeans need to stop feeling sorry for themselves. You have a lot more than old Belizeans like myself. Ask about the roads we had to travel on, the houses many of us had to live in, and slept on the floor for many years of our lives,the water situation in Belize city, the transportation we had to get by with, the crouded class rooms, and had to walk to school no matter the distance we lived from school. Many of us only had one change of clothes for the whole week and we managed. Very few of us had anyone in the USA to get money from. My grandmother pension was $150.00 per month. Belizeans, stop looking for the easy way out, this lead to criminality. Stop been jelouse of your neighbour. We are finding out that many of those persons we covit are deep into crime to get what material possession they flashes in the punlic domain.
In one of the verse in the book of Psalm it says: When I saw the prosperty of the wicked my feet almost slipped. Meaning. we covit the wicked, such as what is going on in Belize, and its causing lots of Belizeans to live without any dignity. If the government official are corrupt you don’t have to follow such rotten examples. This is becoming a society of no shame. All over the world its known that many government officials are like the snake charmers that show the snake one hand while they grab the snake with the other hand. Governments are, don’t do this ,and don’t do that, while they are off on their own fill their pocket/bank account games. Look at the many government officials that have been sent to prison in the USA for wrong doings, be it that many are due to political vendeta.
I hope this little bit of admonition will give some Belizeans some real food for thought for the better.
I totally agree with guillermo lopez u hit the nail in the board!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree poverty exist but this is such a broad term and this number is so way off. Its appalling to see an outside firm (from the UK to be specific) apart of this study. Many times, outside firms apply developed/industrialized notions to measure poverty in developing countries. You can’t compare Dean Barrow’s life with someone from Toledo and can’t base his final decision since he has never lived there. Sometimes the findings are exaggerated as in this case.
Poverty, as defined by Wikipedia, “is the condition of not having the means to afford basic human needs such as clean water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing, and shelter.” How many Belizeans don’t have clean clothing, shelter, and water? I list these three basic important things to sustain life becuase we have evidence of these in Belize. People are not deprived from these basic human needs. Education is on the rise and more people are educated but just don’t exercise what they learned in school. Many times they want big bucks just because they have a high school diploma but you need to work for it. I don’t see a large homeless population in Toledo or Cayo. There is in Belize City. I think down town LA has more homeless people in a square mile than in the entire country of Belize.
In Toledo, always the example and measurement of all things including poverty, nothing new here, people may not have money but they are rich in resources. They have acres of land to plant all sorts of food and have been doing so for many years. They eat well, enjoy the freshest game meats, harvest corn, beans and rice yearly, fish both sea and fresh water fishes, trap birds, rent free homes built from surrounding materials, and stress free. So, are their basic needs not met? I think they need to redo this poverty measurement. Sorry, I don’t buy into it. Belize is a rich country but we just wait for someone to decide for us. Don’t blame the government for we are the government. If you want change, it has to come from within.
Case study shows “More Belizeans Are Poor” now why isn’t this surprising? Are we talking about the same country Belize because i haven’t seen any economical improvement for decades. The only way Belize economy will strive is if a country like England decides to create 50-100 thousand new manufacturing jobs in Belize. Visit http://WwW.BelizeHeat.Com
The problem is the IMF (International Monetary Fund) & the World Bank!!!! Our stupid a…. government needs to do their home work about what the hell they are getting into when they are dealing with the IMF and the WB. To mention a few countries in their so-called back yard, Jamaica, Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico, Chile, HAITI,……. Belize… that they have completely caused these states to collapsed and pushed and kept them into poverty… Why do you think that Hugo Chavez wants nothing to do with these organizations Nor does Cuba… therefore they are the “black sheeps” in the US’ ‘back yard’! STOP DEALING WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS!!! THE LEADERS OF BELIZE ARE A BUNCH OF MORONS AND AS LONG AS THEY ARE VOTED INTO OFFICE WITH NO CHANGE IN THEIR IDEOLOGY THINGS WILL NEVER GET BETTER!!!
Thats right Ronda, tell ’em. We live in a society now where all and any foreigner wants to come into our country and tell us what to do, how to live and we cannot even go to their countries how we want. We have no say in how their governments are run and what to do, but they believe, I guess because we are little, and poverty stricken (thanks to the people we elect to lead us) that they should be able to come in and dictate to us. look at this oiol situation. They want to tell us that we should not drill to pressure. Presserve what? Our nhation is falling apart and revenue from this oil could go a long way to improve lives in Belize. After they did what they needede to do, drill ooil in the golf and anywhere they wan5t and make their life comfortable, we must not because they already distroyed theirs, and need ours to continue live well. They need the oxygen from our trees and exotic vacations to to our country to enjoy how they want with the money they stock piled from the very thing we should do. Us bushwackers should not be permitted to enjoy life on the same level as them. The if properly handled, given that the government is serious about eliminating poverty in this country can go a long way. In Alaska every Naural born citizen receives a montholy check from that state’s oil revenue. The same can be done in Belize. But we all know that thew greed and corruption that plagues our elected leaders will not permit such a fair endeavor. We know why the white people don’t want us to did for oil. It is to buy themselves time to figure out how to take it away from us for themselves! That’s all.
Poverty is a state of mind: ESPECIALLY IN BELIZE!!! seriously, Belizeans just need to get their friggin butts out there and look for a job….and be serious about it, such a small country with such a small population and we talking bout poor… agree with Voice, Swag and proud Belizean.. 🙂
I grew up in Belize and worked hard got a scholarship and am ok. I am not rich I work hard to make ends meet. I grew up poor we shared everything. Yes a lot of industries were taken away in the NOrth, but we adapted we move to where work is our we reunite our families and yep we share housing if we have to. If all the youth in Belize were to go to school, work hard there would be enough for everybody if they would be satisfied with the little they make, but they are not they want more! Parents are not the right role models either there is immorality and corruptness infront of kids and a lot of disciplinary problems left unaddressed linger on to become crimes. We are more people but still we are a small country, starting from the gov’t they need to tighten their belts down to the middle man cos the poor can not get poorer only more desperate! And that is what I would not like for little Belize then we would more civil unrest when people go more hungry…needed: gov’t and people come together, speak to the unions, gang leaders, parents, churches, atheists, anybody who is Belizean or lives in Belize care a little…little band aids keep falling off these cuts which are becoming magnified…
Belize da the best country around which we speak english belize no poor nor lazy the government need improvement of jobs maybe jobs de but too much tax but raise of pay MORE JOBS AND RAISE THE PEOPLE PAY CHECKS LOOK AT THE MILITARY NEED PAY TO LOOK OVER THE COUNTRY OF BELIZE NOT EASY LOOK PAN THE SITUATION PRIME MINISTER too much family help stop dat help others u no read your bible wa lii bit look in and read for your self
WELL I GUESS THAT POVERTY IS A SIGN OF BAD GOVERNANCE… LOOK AT ALL THE STEALING HAPPENING IN THE TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES.. ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS GETTING IN POWER AND LEAING WITH THEIR POCKETS FILLED WITHOUT KEEPING THE POOR IN MIND… HOW CAN A COUNTY PROGRESS IF THOSE WE ELECT TO BE OUR GOVERNMENT ARE DOING ALL KIND OF … RIGHT INFRONT OF OUR FACES AND WE DO NOTHING TO STOP THEM.. I GUESS AFTER ALL WE BELIZEANS LIKE LIVING IN POVERTY.. BECAUSE IF WE WOULD LET THESE IDIOTS KNOW WHO IS IN CHARGE OF BELIZE THEN THERE WOULD NOT BE SO MUCH POVERY.. CAUSE AFTER ALL BELIZE IS RICH AND DIVERSE AND WE AS BELIZEANS CAN REAP AND BENEFIT OF WHAT MOTHER NATURE OFFERS US CITIZENS.. LIKE GHANDI SAYS “WE SHOULD BE THE CHANGE WE WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD”
Things are bad but they can get better. Belizeans! Let’s rise up!
Let’s do something, anything, the smallest thing can change your life drastically!
So what? if majority of Belizeans are financially challenged.
Live your lives!
enjoy it! no matter what your circumstances!
Rise up!!!
Great post!
It breaks my heart to hear so many people talking about Belizean people being just lazy to work therefore is the reason for being poor. I would not contradict your opinions because there are indeed some Belizeans who are lazy and are waiting for people to bring them food on their hands but let’s see reality we cannot speak for all Belizean calling them lazy just because of some. My father died when I was 5 years so my mother was father and mother for me and my sisters and brothers she gave us the little she could struggle many times to give us an education. I am really thankful to God that he help my mother and me to achieve my education and for a job to help my family One reality that we Belizean need to face is that job opportunities are limited to those who don’t have an education and even if we do we have a hard time to find a job, Most of the times people do jobs which make them earn a small amount of money sometimes the money is not enough to feed their family so now i would like you to think one more time would you just say oh they are just lazy to work ahah!!!! Have you ever put yourself to think about the Belizean and what they have been through and why poverty is on the rise? Do you think or at least imagine all what they have gone through? Not because you have that means all Belizean need to have? We are sometimes faced with the most difficult situation. We eat with the little we have i would sometimes cry out my eyes when i use to see my mother crying because she had to meet deadlines didn’t had the moneys to send me to school. Now tell me do you still think that all Belizean people are lazy? Please don’t judge the lives of our people for being poor unless you know what it is to be poor to see your love ones struggling to give you the best they can. Why don’t you question our Government???? Why Mr. Prime Minister, don’t you have any answers to our question or better say solution to our grieving situation????????????????
Poverty is a state of mine, as is wealth! if one is happy then they are truly wealthy.