They called themselves "Concerned Belizean Women"; A group of ladies who have joined forces to help fund raise and donate to numerous organizations and charities in the country. One of their latest fundraisers is their annual "Independence Day Jr. Miss" Pageant- which will be taking place this weekend.
Birdy Francis
"It's a group of women who advocate for women and children especially women who have experience domestic violence and children who have experience sexual exploitation. What we do is raise money through different functions whether it be a pageant, talent show, seminar and we use the money that we raise to help. We've been helping domestic shelters and school feeding program. Right now we are helping the Salvation Army to paint the classroom and buy chairs for the standard 6 students."
Monica Bodden
"Now one of your latest initiatives is the upcoming pageant. You would care to tell us more a little about that?"
Birdy Francis
"That's the Independence Day Junior Miss Pageant which will be held this Sunday the 29th of August at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, it starts at 6 pm and the tickets are only $10 across the board, so we are making it very inexpensive so everyone can come. We are asking the parents to bring their children dress in cultural costume, if they don't have a costume, maybe bring their flag as we are celebrating our Independence Day at this pageant and we have a prize for at least 25 children who participate on stage."
Monica Bodden
"Now tell us a little bit about the contestants?"
Birdy Francis
"Ok the contestants are between the ages of 9 and 11 and they will be competing in cultural costume representing a district in Belize and one caye, they will also be giving a statement in regarding that district or caye telling you all about it and why you should go there. There will also be modeling and evening gown to show their grace and poise and elegance. This is the second annual Independence Day Junior Miss Pageant and we also do the African Queen Pageant Miss. But this one; we wanted to do something to give youngsters like these a platform to display their creativity with an opportunity to gain individual recognition."
The pageant will be held on Sunday at the Bliss Center for the performing arts. It starts at 6 in the evening and tickets can be purchased right at the Bliss for only 10 dollars. The proceeds from the pageant will go towards painting the Standard 6 classrooms at the Salvation Army primary schools and also donating classroom chairs.
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