Last week we showed you the men from tough neighborhoods who have been hired to do the trench work on the Central American Boulevard. The Boulevard is going to be paved from the Belcan Bridge right up to the port of Belize, so there's a lot of trenching to do, especially if it's manual labour.
But, there's a wrinkle in the project to report tonight. It's not only men that are doing it - we found some ladies in the trenches today! And they weren't there serving refreshments, the 12 of them were brandishing shovels and pick axes and getting the job done! Monica Bodden found out more from their contractor:
Monica Bodden
"Now, for many people they will say that this is a man's job. How comes you guys actually have the females onboard?"
John Pollard
"These females have a lot of heart and as you guys can see - take a look at what they are doing, this is their production. This morning I said to them there is no job for females and they are saying to me 'man, Mr. Pollard, please don't take us likely because we can do what men can do too.' So here I am. They got their respect, they got their try and they are showing me that yes they can do what the males also can do."
"These 12 were very persistent. They came every minute - 'Mr. Pollard, anything there to do.' and before chasing then away I said to them to break down their spirits that this is a man thing and they are saying to me 'Mr. Pollard, you are taking us likely as females, we will show you that this is not a man thing that you are talking about - this is also a female thing because we have family to feed.' That was their cries."
Monica Bodden
"Tell me how you even got involve with this. I just is looking at this and I am tired."
Shaniqua Budna
"I went to CISCO many days like for probably for a week and I was behind Mr. John Pollard telling him that I am willing to work and he said to let us form a female group and then my friends and colleague along with Mr. John Pollard plans it and this morning we are here to work now."
Monica Bodden
"For a female, could you describe how hard this is?"
Shaniqua Budna
"Well actually it is not hard to that extent but the sun is the problem."
Monica Bodden
"So you guys are ready to finish this off?"
Shaniqua Budna
"Yes we are here to help ourselves and help our country."
Monica Bodden
"Are you impressed?"
John Pollard
"Oh yes I am. I am more than impressed from these females, they are very good."
We'll keep following their progress.
Email
Print