Dear Editor,
Please allow me space in your reputable newspaper to address issues relating to the “youth mentality”, which are considerably important to our National Development.
Some people might ask, what is “Reconstructing the Youth Mentality for National Development”? Well, in my professional perspective, the majority of our young people in Belize is poor and thus, is OVERLOOKED. The system TOLERATES this. We, at the Teens Belize Organization say that this must change. There is URGENT NEED for reconstructing the youth mentality if our youths are to take Belize to economic prosperity. Currently, the majority who is poor, and are at a disadvantaged, just “go” with the flow. But they have potential, but it’s no use they advance this potential because the system generates a sense that “it’s the survival of the fittest”. How about “the fittest who survive” help those who didn’t survive the system? Have our people “up there” ever thought of that? A careful person should provide help to those in need. It is in the midst of all the “Rackle & Tackle” of society that this reconstruction begins. I am from one of the poorest areas of Belize, and I am come from a very poor family. And only someone who is poor knows what it is to fight for our poor brothers and sisters. We can’t let them done. We must help them one step up, at least. And if you can, all the way!
The dynamics of our system, “worked on with politics” have changed the format for real national development of our young people. What piece of the pie is really for youth empowerment then? Have those in high power realize how many of our young people are astray? Do they realize that our young people need their “proper share” of the pie too? We have heard of the national youth policy, but that’s all. No action, none at all. Where is the fair play? How can there be mere talk, but NO mere walk?
Our system need to start supporting initiatives that will reconstruct the youth mentality for national development. We need to fully include our young people in the decision making of our national policies. It is of paramount importance that all the youth organizations, both Government-operated, and NGO operated, to form a National Coalition, and lobby for the BEST policies that would directly affect how young people are being addressed. The time for “average” attention is long gone.
I am hoping to meet with Prime Minister Dean Barrow, and the Minister of Youth, to dialogue first on how we can work for all the youth in Belize. The Teens Belize Organization philosophy is that all young people in Belize deserve the right to an equal opportunity for their potential to be unleashed, and for it to be “nourished” for equitable growth, in order to become someone. Our country is very small, population wise, compared to our Central American and Caribbean neighbors. And look at the vast amount of resources our country have! The time is right to put our cards on the table, and listen to what the youths have to say. The time is right for our youths to begin the transformation to be the leaders of tomorrow. Why wait until the next 5-10 years? Let’s champion the fight for our young people to be equipped with what they need to make BELIZE a safe, democratic, friendly, and economically great place!
Let’s DEVELOP BELIZE for everyone. Let’s ensure our youths are being nurtured: physically, academic, and technical wise, to lead the jewel to economic prosperity. Let’s encourage donors to come to Belize and sustainably invest in programs, which will deliver great results for our youth’s success. When I say results, I mean the “real show”. Our youths have ideas in abundance, great ideas. Our youths have the enthusiasm to go the extra mile. But we lack the support from those who have the powers in their hands to give the nod.
It is time for our International Funding Agencies to invest in programs, and provide technical support, that will aid us to prosper fully “Reconstructing the Youth Mentality for National Development”. – …Belize’s National Development!!!
Yours Respectfully,
Kenny Jacobs
Executive Director/TV Host
Teens Belize Organization/Developing Toledo TV Show
www.teensbelize.com
