Many times before on this newscast we've told you about the group from Western Canada. We have spoken many times to the employers but we've never had a chance to speak with the prospective employee. And that's because even though we've asked for interviews, most are a little bit shy about saying that they are out of work and willing to take a job in another country.
But today we had the opportunity to speak with 18 year old Lloyd Gill – a 4th form Business student of Sadie Vernon High School who is unashamed; he feels like this is his big ticket to a future he could not otherwise afford
Lloyd Gill - Student of Sadie Vernon
"Every year graduates come out of school and it takes them a long while to get a job with a High School Diploma. So this will be a good opportunity for me and other graduates that are coming out of High School to get this job because it's a once in a life time opportunity. So that is why I think this job will be a good opportunity for everyone."
Monica Bodden
"Are you aware of how cold it gets in Saskatewan, Canada?"
Lloyd Gill
"Well mam' I'm aware that it gets really cold, colder than how Belize gets. But I have to make sacrifices if I want to make it ahead in this world. Maybe if I get a job and pay so that I can go to college, I will then have a degree and I could get something better."
Monica Bodden
"You are young and inexperienced in the world, aren't you afraid that you might get home-sick?"
Lloyd Gill
"Well, home-sick is not a problem because my parents, my mom - Carol Gill, she has tried a lot for me and now she is pushing me so that I could get a job. I don't blame her because Belize is hard. She has worked all her life putting me through school and these things. So home-sick will not be a problem, it's just one phone call away from my mom. Plus, she will miss me because I do a lot of things for her but I need a job to help her now. She did a lot of things for me in school so now I have to do for her now."
Monica Bodden
"The pay is about $10.00 U.S per hour, which is slightly above minimum wage in Canada. What would you do with the money you make?"
Lloyd Gill
"Like I said, my mom pushed me through school, paid everything for me so I have to give back. So once I give back to my mom, my mom will know she didn't do all these things for no reason. She knows that she will get something out of me, so if I get this job I will give back to my mother. My mother is the person who influenced me to these things in school, study hard. So I need a job, I need this job, so I could help my mom. I really need to help my mom and my family. I will have a High School Diploma but in Canada I could get a job there, that same job plus do a part-time job on the side and send home for my mother. But if I do it in Belize, slightly, I will not make a lot of money. Even the money that I will make will not help me, help my mother, help my family, nothing at all; it will only take up for bills, bills, bills. So if I get to choose between Belize, staying in Belize and work and going to Canada and make over the minimum wage, then I will take that opportunity. I love school, I don't mind the push to go into a college and get a degree in something and get a nice job; help out parents. Like I said that is what all mothers want in Belize."
Monica Bodden
"You just can't afford it right now"
Lloyd Gill
"I just can't, I just can't afford it to continue school. Once I could afford it to continue school then I will stay in Belize. I love Belize, that is my home, I love it; i need a little push. Once I get a little push, I'll go and Canada and this job is a push and this is a start."
Actyl Group will be at 19 Barbados Street in Belmopan tomorrow.
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