These days on the news it seems that police are doing more than just law enforcement; they're doing mediation, social work, education, and now, even farming.
Today, Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett organized for 24 kids from Belize City to be taken to different farms in Maskall not just to learn about farming but to find out the benefits it has in promoting a positive lifestyle.
Sahar Vasquez joined the field trip and reports on the farming initiative.
Sahar Vasquez reporting
Maskall is home to many of Belize top producing farms and today 24 city kids that rarely ever leave the city got the opportunity to spend the day visiting them.
The farms ranged from a tomato farm to a cheese farm where fresh white cheese is made every day from scratch.
But what is the idea behind this field trip? Well according to Southside Commander Howell Gillett it is to take these kids out of their everyday environment and teach them a few life lessons that can make all the difference in the long run.
Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett - OC. Eastern Division
"What this does is not just for the kids to see fruits and vegetables, this teaches a lot of things including patience because to grow vegetables it takes a while and you have to have patience but you have to have that goal in mind that you want to reach it in a certain time but it's not in rush so this is very important for them."
And the kids were nothing short of inspired by what hard work and dedication can produce.
Reporter
"Is this something guys are going to do? Are you going to start maybe a small little farm at your house?"
Darrel Ramclam - Trip Participant
"Yes Ma'am."
Reporter
"Why?"
Darrel Ramclam - Trip Participant
"So my mom could stop buy fruits and vegetables and I could start my own farm."
Tannaejaah Castillo - Trip Participant
"I think it could do a little better, I could be a farmer when I grow up or something like that."
Farmer Ruben Pineda was elated to have the kids at his farm because now they can see what farming is and how simple it is to start
Ruben Pineda - President of Nagubank/Farmer
"The kids can see what is agriculture because into the city they don't see this and they can start it in their own back yard gardening, planting getting into backyard garden."
The point wasn't for the kids to necessarily leave with a farming career in the future, it was to open their minds to something new and positive.
Hon. Edmund Castro, Area Rep- Belize Rural North
"I definitely know that this will impact their life in a positive manner and they get to see something different than their little neighbourhoods that they are so accustom to. When they go back to school on Monday, they will be able to share with the other students and the other kids, we get to go and we saw this, we saw how that works, and it might be a turning point for them. So, if we can save one child, we are doing a good job."
Gillett says he has more upcoming projects with the young people of Belize City.
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