Youths share ideas on staying straight
The problem of disaffected youth is not unique to any generation, but what makes today’s young people in Belize a bit different from their predecessors is that the dangers they face are a whole lot more lethal.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Most of Belize’s crimes are committed by young people, and it is a growing problem that this group of high school students hopes to address. Today the young men and women representing various institutions across Belize City gathered at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall to listen to testimonials and discuss what they can do to help. The one day forum was planned by the Faith and Justice Commission of Saint Martin’s Parish.
Maria Coyi, Member, Faith and Justice Commission
“We looked at the violence that has been plaguing us for quite a few years now and we decided that we would have a youth forum where we can bring youth to talk about their experiences, about their concerns, basically to hear what they have to say so that we can get from them some solutions or ideas as to where to go from here. “
It was a troubled past that caused Travis Arnold to drop out of high school. Today he is serving time in Hattieville prison after being found guilty of murder. While incarcerated at the Wagner Youth Facility, this eighteen year old is involved in programmes that he says have helped to rehabilitate him. Today the students listened keenly as Arnold told them his story and why they should not make the mistakes that he did.
Travis Arnold, Inmate
“To me the key word is decision making, you know, and you have to make your own decision. Don’t let nobody make your decision for you. So my message to these young people dah, “Please, noh try let bad company influence you inna doing wrong things, because all ah we grow up with the mind that we know right from wrong and so just noh try be a part of it because then it noh mek sense. You either end up dead or end up inna prison. And that dah noh a nice way to go.”
In May 2008 Arnold says he go up for parole and if he is granted a release he plans to counsel other youths.
Travis Arnold
“And it wah be something great, because then fi mek they listen to somebody weh been through circumstances in life, then they wah really get the message within themselves.”
It’s one message that seventeen year old Esau Ferguson plans to share with his fellow students at Excelsior Junior High.
Esau Ferguson, Student, Excelsior Junior High
“We have to go forth into our schools and spread the news about mek we stop fight, you know you have a little saying put down the gun and the weapons and what not and pick up the book.”
The students not only listed poverty and peer pressures as two of the main issues affecting young people and also spoke about another problem occurring in many homes that negatively affect children.
Esau Ferguson
“They showed how the husband and the wife fight over little stuff, so se should stop that and come together as one people.”
Maria Coyi
“Well this is the first time that we are trying this and we hope what this will do is that these representatives from various high schools from Belize City, we hope that they will take it back to their schools and make a presentation.”
