We met Saldivar at an event for the Belize Youth Challenge program. It's a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Human Development and Defence to take at risk youths off the streets and give them some structure and military style discipline. The initiative celebrated its first Passing Out Ceremony today as 22 young men between the ages 15 and 17 successfully completed the residential phase of the program. During that time, they lived together and were taught military principles such as discipline and teamwork as well as vocational and academic skills. We spoke to both Ministers as well as a parent about the success of the program...
Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez - Minister of Human Development
"Well I think it is important it was a program to look on, especially young people who we believe were marginalized, and with the involvement of parents it's a very positive program. I think that the first pass out is very important for these young people, for the families. I am very gratified to see that they have stood their course and as you hear in the commencement, many challenges and also the good thing coming out of is in terms of children going back to school, in some case two of the persons in the program going to sixth form of which the ministry of Human Development will provide with full scholarship for both the two students going into high school and two students going into Sixth form. And we'll give the other's support in terms of the field that is necessary."
Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of Defense
"We are very convinced that the military has a role to play especially in terms of discipline, in terms of imparting in these young people the kind of discipline that we believe will help then in their life choices in their life skills. So the military in our view has a great role to play and that's what we're doing here."
Anthony Perry - Father of cadet
"Now seeing the major part of life from him, he changed a lot. Between discipline, attitude, self-esteem and respect he did change a lot. SO by having this organization coming out for supporting young, dark youths. It's a good thing and I give the government the props, the goodness of it that they're doing something good and they could do better."
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