This weekend, the fledgling child outreach program, Harvest For Kids, had their big celebration to mark the end of their summer program. Harvest for Kids, as we've told you, is an initiative where children from Belize City, who are forced to grow up in the gang landscape full of violence, are given an opportunity to spend their summer camping in the outside districts. They are invited into the homes of the farming communities to show them a different way of life. 7News attended this year's harvest which is the biggest yet. Here's how that went:
Daniel Ortiz reporting
This year's harvest event brought out 15 combines - 4 more than last year - to harvest 20 acres of corn on behalf of Harvest for Kids.
Leah Perez - Moderator, H4K
"It's amazing to see an idea come to life, and I am very proud of my husband. He's done a lot; he's put a lot of heart into it, and you know, it seems really big. When you step back and see an event like this, it seems huge, but the reality is that it's just a bunch of people doing good when they have an opportunity. It's just normal people making the most of loving our kids, being examples, and taking the opportunity to teach them. We're just a small part of what's going on in city. There are plenty of teachers, pastors, and Sunday school teachers, and we're just a small part of that picture."
Alexander Perez - Director, Belize Camping Experience/H4K
"This year, we had our summer camp, and we dealt with over 1,000 kids, and we couldn't do it without the harvest from last year. And this year's harvest is going towards our follow-up for this upcoming year, and also our summer camps. But, what took place this year, there is a lot work. This year, we had 77 acres growing across the country of Belize, and it was the same concept from last year. They farmers give us the land and machinery, but we have to fundraise for the fertilizers, the seeds, the gas and everything that takes place for us plant the field. So, this year, we had more companies and individuals who supported us. They saw it last year; people got to see the vision, but Belize Camping Experience, this is just a start for us. There is more work to be done, and this that 
took place today is a celebration of all the acres right across the country, one event."
At $150,000, the farmers of Central Belize made a major donation of time, energy, and usage of their valuable equipment just to see the young participants of the program get a special experience of how a quiet life of hard work can be both rewarding and exciting.
Alexander Perez
"Our goal was to have 15 to 30 combines, and so today, we had 15 combines. What you saw here today is the some machines are owned by 3 farmers, 5 farmers, or a cooperative. So, we had machines come from all over, this area of Banana Bank, some from Spanish Lookout, and Belmopan. So, what you saw here today is that if you drive around, this 20 acres is just a little bit of all the acres of the 30,000 acres of corn planted in the country of Belize. So, what happened here today is that the farmer had to leave his crop because the rain is behind them. They left their farms to join us in this harvest, and I am so glad that they were able to come because it takes a lot of money just to drive a machine into one whole field."
For this particular harvest, Farmer John Carr donated the usage of his land to H4K, a decision which he believes will allow him to reap great rewards for a simple show of kindness.
John Carr - Donor, H4K
"Whenever I do something for other people, it always multiplies and comes back, so somehow or the other, I win in this deal by helping others, particularly when I learn about the kids from the Southside of Belize City, who don't get much help. So, if things can go in their directions, I am very happy about that."
For children, getting the camping experience, plus seeing these 15 machines at work up close, is something precious.
Daniel Ortiz
"You just road one of the tractors. Tell us about that."
H4K Participant
"That was nice because I asked the driver questions, and then I saw how the machine worked. It was good."
Errin Shepherd - H4K Participant
"Being inside of one of the combines is pretty fun because you get to see all corn going in, the machine cutting them, all the dirt and trash going out of the back, and seeing the corn being collected inside."
Daniel Ortiz
"Is this something that will always stick with you, something you will remember?"
Errin Shepherd
"Yes sir, I will always remember this experience. I came here a few years back too, so I remember.
Daniel Ortiz
"Is this your little brother?"
Errin Shepherd
"Yes sir, this is the first time that he's here."
Kimberly Conserve - H4K Participant
"They've brought me joy because it means that this can live on, and this can go on, and that's why I am here. I want it to go on until I am old and I can still come here see it still going. It's been fulfilling because through the years, my normal summer, I would at home watching TV, wasting electricity, but since I've met Mr. Alex and been in there, I have something to look forward to over the summer."
Errin Shepherd
"It's very different from what I experience in the city because life here is pretty slow. You have to do hard work to provide for your family."
Errin's dad, Edwin, told us that he's grateful for this opportunity which has been afforded to his 2 sons.
Edwin Shepherd - Parent Participant, H4K
"To be honest, it's really good because out here, it allows them not to see what's in the city. The city is too wild for them. I don't really want them to pick up and learn all that. I really want them to keep it up. It's a big difference. They are free; it's 
wide open. They don't have anything to worry about, a small amount of vehicles, and no bullets being fired around them, no peer pressure to force them what they want to do or shouldn't do as kids. I really appreciate this experience, for them and for me."
Kimberly Conserve
"I am used to gunshots, stuff like that. So, when it happens I don't get scared. But now that I have been away from it for a while, whenever I hear it, I get emotional. So, it's pretty different."
The very eloquent participant, Kimberly Conserve, chose to thank those entities who made Harvest for Kids possible.
Kimberly Conserve
"I want to thank Atlantic Bank, Circle R Products, Banana Bank Lodge, Caribbean Tire, RM, RB's Multi-service, CT Parts, BelCar, Track, Westrac, Green Tropics, and Green Line Eagle Ranch."
According to the Director, it is very easy to convince these sponsors and other donors to get on-board with the H4K program.
Alexander Perez
"It's when they see the children. I think that's what brings me. That's what brings every farm and supporter. When they see the children, and especially those ones that have come into Belize City, and to see where we work, that's what brings them here, when they see that, 'Wow, I can be a part of changing the lives of children in Belize City. I want to be a part of planting those seeds.'"
All proceeds of the corn harvested will be sold, and will go towards next year's Harvest for Kids.
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