Youths honoured for doing the right thing

Do the Rait thing, it’s an initiative that started back in 2005 , to encourage youths to lead productive lives and keep out of harm’s way. This morning, a ceremony was held to recognize the newest winner of the initiative; she’s a charming young woman from San Ignacio. News Five’s Jose Sanchez reports from Old Belize.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

Forty students from around the country converged at Old Jones this morning where the winners of the Police Department’s Du Di Rait Ting Program were announced. According to ASP Bart Jones, community policing units in the districts worked along with high schools to come up with the selections.

ASP Bart Jones, Community Policing Unit

bart jones

“Throughout the school year from September we start to get monthly submissions from the high schools across the country giving something on the different students, mostly those in fourth form who are exemplary, who have a maybe in fact had turnaround in their life in some cases or are going through a personal crisis and overcoming those crisis and still excel in high school; highlighting those students who are excelling and overcoming the challenges instead of falling on the wayside and becoming negative statistics but are in fact doing the right thing.”

One student who has done the right thing despite her physical disability is Tracy Donis.  She was paralyzed from the waist down after a vicious attack, but instead of giving up she excelled.

tracy donis

Tracy Donis, Winner of Du Di Rait Ting

“I got involved with it because for, you know, for the struggle I’ve been through the past you know. It’s been a hard time. The principal just talk to me and ask me if I wanted to participate because usually the police from different schools they choose different people. That’s the way how I got involved in it and I got selected for the month of May; and that’s how I got this far in winning first place in “ Du di rait ting.”

Jose Sanchez

What kind of activities have you been participating in ?

Tracy Donis

“Well, activities that I have been in participating are du di right ting as in like helping like people for example. One of my community service that I have did is in Octavio-Waight center in the Cayo District. You know just, it is a joy to go and help people and you know you feel a joy after that. You know, help young people, give them good advice, tell them to do the right thing. Stuff like that I do.”

Jose Sanchez

Some people may say, oh your in a wheelchair you might be handicap; but are the helper, you are able, Right?

Tracy Donis

“Yeah I know. I like help others as well I like to be an inspiration to others. So that when they look at me, they say “wow , this girl despite of what she’s been through , she’s still strong , she always have this smile on her face. She go through a lot and she could go far in life and be someone.”

Marconi August won the award for the new program logo.

Marconi August

Marconi August, Winner, Logo Competition

“The invitation came to Western Nazarene in Succotz village. It’s a very small high school. So I entered my entry and days later they told me that I was in the top three. My logo is a toucan with colors in the background with the “Du di rait ting” and the police department title on the bottom and the toucan in a police shirt.”

Jose Sanchez

Where you surprised that you won?

Marconi August,

“Yeah a bit surprised shock because I said it’s countrywide.”

Jose Sanchez

How does this award motivate you to do more in life?

Tracy Donis

“Well it motivates me a lot because now I know that I can continue my studie. That’s basically what I’m going to do this year and I know it will be a  big help for my parents as well.”

Donis received a  scholarship from Sacred Heart Junior College, three hundred dollars cash, and a net book with one year of free internet access. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.

The program was conceived by the former Commissioner of Police, Gerald Westby.