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It was overcast in the city today and while it may not have been favorable for outdoor activities, that did not stop the Belize City Council from kicking off its annual community based development programme today. For the past three years CITCO has been enrolling at risk children in two months of activities designed to enhance their performance in school without being too much of a bore. But more than just sharpening up on academics, it gives the kids a chance to interact with local football greats such as Ian Gaynair and Deon McCauley. Councilor with responsibility for sports Philip Willoughby explains.

Phillip Willoughby, City Councillor
“This program evolved out of underprivileged kids and at risk youths.”

Ian Gaynair, Football Player
“I think it is very important because it will keep them out of trouble, they will have something to do for the whole summer, and it is something they can learn from.”

Deon McCauley, Football Player
“This is very important because we can come out here and teach the children what we have learnt over the years and I feel that it will definitely keep them out of trouble and let them have something to do for the summer.”

Besides playing ball the children will also be taken on field trips where educational tours will be conducted in the districts. The children also spent time with Belize City Mayor Zenaida Moya who was present for the kickoff. Only a few hours before Moya was at another CITCO event where she handed over nine thousand dollars worth of food and other supplies to the Salvation Army. This will be used to provide for as many as thirty persons at Gann’s Rest House on East Collet Canal.

According to Moya the home will play an integral part in their overall program to get the homeless off the streets. The plan is to help those who can be rehabilitated and Moya explained why she believes this time the effort will not fail.

Zenaida Moya, Mayor of Belize City
“We are trying to get them off the streets. We know that they need a place to go. Some of them are homeless for different reasons. Some are homeless because they simply became unemployed, some simply they don’t have families, a few of them were deportees from the US. You have some that are mentally ill and some that are drug addicts and some that for whatever reasons. There are some that we know we can rehabilitate simply by having them at such a place as Gann’s Rest House and helping them to get them on their feet.

This is a holistic approach, this isn’t one entity. For example this isn’t only the Belize City Council. Yes we are spearheading the effort under the direction of Councilor Wayne Usher. However, we are working with Salvation Army, we are working with the Mental Health Association, we are working with HECOPAB, we are working with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Human Development. The point is we are working with different relevant agencies.”

Moya estimates that there are close to one hundred persons homeless in Belize City. If you would like to assist in the rehabilitation programme you can contact the Belize City Council.