Dara Robinson has been on this newscast countless times - following up on his life's work, which is feeding hungry children. He's tireless, action-oriented and committed. He's been honoured as a First Caribbean unsung hero, received the meritorious service award from the Government of Belize, and the Ubuntu community award from the ministry of education. But, none of that mattered last Thursday when Dara went to the US embassy in Belmopan and was rejected outright when he applied for a visa. Dara wanted to go to the Belizean communities in Los Angeles and California to fundraise for his feeding programme, but the consular officer told him he doesn't have strong enough ties to Belize. For this grassroots philanthropist, he fells as bad about the rejection as he does about watching 320 dollars go down the drain in a three-minute interview. He told us more:..
Dara Robinson, Rejected For US Visa
"This guy while he was talking he was on his computer. He barely watch me. He took this same paper and he fold it up like this and push it through the window and he says Mr. Robinson, you have to try again. You don't have strong ties to your country and I say what? How will you tell me I don't have strong ties to my country when you don't even allow me as a first timer to show you what kind of ties I have? Because if they think I want to go and live in America - that is the least thing. Jules, I am 44 years old and never yet - when it was $90 I never try think to go and live in America. That is not in me."
"I called that robbery. With that $325 I could have bought a sack of rice, a sack of sugar and a case chicken out of that money. I would never go into something that I know to the end of it I would lose that - you mad. There are several people who are telling me not to give up and this and that. But there is no way I would find that money to go in again like that. Because what else I could tell the consul? More than do the same thing that I did on the form and carry these same things back. They have to allow me to explain. They didn't treat me fairly. He treats me like somebody who had a Visa already or he know anything about me. I don't even have a police record or police never held my hand or try...I am 44 and clean. I even cut my hair because I didn't like how it looked when I was trying to grow back my hair and thing. Do I look like a criminal to have them judge me in that way? That guy treats me like I am nothing. I would never think to try live in America. I love this country more than any way else. That is what bothers me and that is the reason why I bring it the nation because I feel really robbed. That is how I feel."
Robinson says he is not inclined to go apply for another visa right now.
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