4H celebrates 50 years in Belize

For fifty years the organisation known as 4H has been equipping at-risk Belizean youths with skills in agriculture, food processing, building technology, and most recently tourism development. And while countrywide celebrations for the milestone began in January, and will continue throughout the rest of the year, this weekend the festivities were located in Belmopan.

Karl H. Menzies, President, National 4H Council
“Despite the many challenges of the programme, we have survived fifty years in Belize; 1958 to 2008. This is indeed worth celebrating … let me hear it.”

Kendra Griffith, Reporting
On Saturday members of the 4H National Council and youth groups gathered at the George Price Centre for an annual general meeting under the theme “A legacy of learning to earn and save in Belize”

Karl H. Menzies
“Our primary function at present is to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Youth and other partners to provide support and guidance to the 4H youth development in Belize. The greatest accomplishment and evidence of such partnership was the establishment of the National 4H Centre in the mid to late ‘70s. During this time enrolment in 4H peaked to over three thousand youths.”

In addition to the National Centre in Belmopan, there are twelve 4H clubs across the country with approximately two hundred and seventy members.

Dwight Tillett, C.E.O., Min. of Youth and Sports
“I would like to pledge on behalf of the honourable minister, Marcel Cardona, that our ministry will do more this year to assist 4H and our other agencies in order to make sure that we get the best out of these organisations as we can.”

Diane Finnegan, Director, Youth for the Future
“As the new captain for this ship, I pledge my department’s support to the continued success of the programme and I urge all of those here today that are present or not part of this family to get involved in making a positive difference in youth development.”

During the ceremony, several long-standing members were awarded for their contribution to 4-H.

Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.

This weekend twenty-eight students will be graduating from the 4H program.