A new program called the Youth Resilience and Inclusive Social Empowerment - or RISE Project was launched today at Delille Academy in Dangriga. The CDB funded project will expand the Youth and Community Transformation Project to at-risk groups in Dangriga and the twins owns of San Ignacio/Santa Elena.
These communities are facing increased levels of youth crime and anti-social behavior and the RISE Project hopes to intervene by with the expansion of services to reduce social exclusion among youth and families in the target communities. Here's more from the opening.
Dr. Idamy P. Denny- Portfolio Manager, Social Sector Division, CDB
"This project is an expansion of the Youth and Community Transformation Project, implemented by the Government of Belize in 2012 with Caribbean Development Bank financing, as a response to the growing insecurity of the country citizens, resulting from a number of negative and alarming behaviors perpetuated by many of the countries youth in the south side of Belize. This project expands that response to the Stann Creek and Cayo districts, with specific reference to Dangriga and San Ignacio/Santa Elena."
Hon. Frank Mena- Area Rep, Dangriga
"I wanna thank my government for seeing it and I wanna thank the CDB for partnering with us to address this problem because it's just a matter of time, if these interventions are not what they are today, it's just a matter of time that we will be killing ourselves. I came from the marginalized group as well. I was raised by a single mother without formal education who was abused by her husband. I was raised in that environment. That da weh I come from- in Backa Town. That da weh I come from. So I cannot take failure for an excuse because you need to set it and go for it. So, students, I welcome you as well. And it's people like your principal and the teachers of Belize that are motivators; because I was motivated, I got motivated."
Cherese Ferguson- RISE Project Coordinator
"The project is executed by the Ministry of Human Development but in partnership with Delille Academy, Corner Stone Foundation, POWER, Department of Youth Services, Community Rehab Department to name a few. So through these agencies who have existed in the communities who are already present, already doing similar type social programs- social protection programs as well- that the resources will enable them to expand services and increase access to other persons within their particular municipalities. We expect to target about 16 hundred persons in each municipality- San Ignacio, Santa Elena, and Dangriga Town. Some of the outcomes that we expect is an increase in number of persons that, for example from Delille Academy graduate and are able to have skills- have their high school diploma and also certification with the partnership we will continue with the ITVET. We hope to make an impact in the number of persons, reduce the number of persons, young people, involved in crime and violence."
This is the CDB's first loan funded citizen security intervention.
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