Belize Red Cross juniors praised for their efforts

The Belize Red Cross (BRC) has expressed its appreciation for one of Toledo Branch Youth Group. The group from south Belize has come a long way from its beginning.

In 2001, the group planned to participate in the National Independence Day Uniform Parade. After a few unsuccessful attempts at fundraising with events such as car washes, walkathons, and barbeques, the group was still short of a few uniforms.

Some parents were able to pay for uniforms and even helped sponsor other children. The members underwent a vigorous daily routine of drill movements in preparation for the celebrations.

The success story is the group of youths (ages 6 to 16) was ready for the parade. In fact, because of their input, The Belize Red Cross Youth Group won first place in the Uniform Competition.

Later that year following Hurricane Iris, the junior volunteers were active in relief work. They bagged and packed food items, visited the elderly and even “adopted” some shut-ins.

These junior volunteers have maintained high visibility throughout the Toledo District by helping with beach clean-ups, and planting shrubs and other plants in different locations.

Branch Coordinator, Mr. Anselmo Cruz, has taken the group on swimming and camping trips where they learn outdoor skills, and has organized several sporting events including football, volleyball and basketball.

Lately, the group has been meeting at the Branch Center to learn more about the Red Cross Principles and the Movement.

In fact the coordinator has gone above and beyond the call of duty and those at the BRC highly commend his dedication and fierce spirit.

It has now become a tradition in the Toledo Branch that every year the junior volunteers participate in all parades.

However, the children keep growing and new uniforms need to be purchased, which is the biggest challenge for Mr. Cruz.

This year he borrowed money to purchase shirts, socks, pants, skirts and badges and, thankfully, the children were able to parade proudly again.

While Mr. Cruz and the Branch Chairperson, Mrs. Mahung, admit that they have struggled to keep the group going since its reactivation in 2001, their perseverance has paid off.