October, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

A Challenge to Inclusivity; Hearing Individuals Learn Sign Language.

In our weekly segment, On The Bright Side, we continue to explore unconventional forms of education. So far, we’ve highlighted virtual learning spaces, where online education is making strides at the primary level in Belize, and examined the Montessori approach, known for encouraging independence and confidence in children. This week, we focus on a long-standing yet often underappreciated form of education that plays a crucial role in serving a specific community—sign language. As a vital tool for communication and learning among the hearing impaired, we take a closer look at the process of learning sign language. Here’s the story.

On Friday afternoons in Belize City, Stella Maris School buzzes with activity as students participate in various clubs designed to promote their growth and practical skills. In a small classroom, teacher Sheree Thurton-Gillett works with hearing-impaired students, introducing them to or enhancing their understanding of sign language.Thurton-Gillett is on a mission to teach hearing-impaired individuals the language of the deaf—Sign Language. She is a special needs educator for children with diverse abilities. Although the institution caters to students with various disabilities, Thurton-Gillett recognised that inclusivity could be taken a step further. Recently, her latest venture has been the inclusion of teachers and other students.

Sheree Thurton-Gillett, Teacher, Stella Maris School
“My reason here to have the sign language classes is to allow teachers and other students to communicate with those who can’t hear so that they can feel accepted and comfortable enough to share whatever they need to share because they tend to get bored and they get frustrated because they can’t communicate with others. Even though we can’t hear, to me it’s important for us to learn their language so that they can communicate with us, and for example, since I have only one hearing impaired student, I would like him or her to know, um, if they’re understanding what I’m teaching or how it is at home. You know, stuff like that.”

Sabreena Daly, Reporting
“I’m standing in one of the busiest commercial places in the heart of the Old Capital. Mikado Textile Palace is not only known for its quality in fabric but also for its progressive initiative in hiring special needs workers. When walking through these alleyways, you’ll likely be interacting with hearing-impaired persons, limited to signing with each other. Or, when interacting with customers, writing on paper to speak to you. But how much better would it be if we actually knew their language?”

Teresita Gladden, Staff, Mikado Textile Palace
“On a daily basis, we have approximately a hundred customers walking through our doors. We have Mr. Glenford and Shane that the customers interact with. Whether it’s with a pen and a piece of paper or with their phones. They would assist the customers with curtains, comforters, bedsheets, anything that they needed, or even help them. There are few customers that come in and know sign language, and they interact with the guys very much. But we try to also understand Glenford and Shane. Whether it’s by a piece of paper or some of the girls in here, they’re also learning sign language through them.”

Both of these gentlemen would have passed through the learning system at Stella Maris and are considered great examples of what inclusivity can look like for persons with diverse abilities. Sheree Salgado, another teacher at Stella Maris, urges everyone to learn sign language to improve communication with the hearing impaired and promote inclusivity.

Sheree Salgado, Teacher, Stella Maris
“It’s very important for us to spread the word of persons who are hearing impaired, or we call them deaf. It’s not only for those persons, but it’s for those people in the society as a whole, persons who will be able to communicate with them. So you don’t have to be deaf or hearing impaired for you to learn sign language. What I have to say to the general public as a whole, if you see a student or a person who is hearing impaired, it’s not hard for you to learn their language. You have to be interested, first, to want to know how to communicate with these students. And that’s the reason why we embarked on this sign language course that Ms. Thurton is doing right now. So that we can invite others to come in and learn a language so that they will be better able to communicate with these persons living with hearing impairment.”

And while Thurton-Gillett is working overtime to equip her student body and colleagues with the ability to communicate with the hearing impaired, she also extends an invitation to the general public to learn sign as well. Whether it’s for personal development or to add support to those in need, her message is clear: inclusivity. She firmly believes that everyone deserves to feel included, regardless of their abilities or limitations.

Sheree Thurton- Gillett
“It’s just simple classes most of the time I’m willing to give classes to help them communicate with those who can’t hear or just to have them have something else on their resume. I find that it’s more needed now than ever because there are more hearing impaired students just coming up and coming out more. So we need to equip ourselves at least with the basic science.”

Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.

Tropical Storm Watch Issued for Belize, Orange Walk, and Corozal Districts

As of 3 PM local time, Potential Tropical Cyclone 15 (PTC 15) is located near latitude 17.5N, longitude 85.0W, approximately 210 miles east of Belize City. Moving west-northwest at 7 mph, PTC 15 has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and could strengthen into a tropical storm with winds between 40-50 mph before making landfall in Belize tomorrow.

The primary threat from this system is heavy rainfall, with 4 to 8 inches expected, especially over northern and central Belize, which could lead to flooding. Strong gusts will cause rough seas, and mariners are advised to seek safe harbor until further notice. Coastal areas north of the landfall site may experience flooding, and strong winds could cause minor structural damage to weaker buildings.

While the tropical storm watch currently covers Belize, Orange Walk, and Corozal districts, residents from Dangriga to Belize City should remain alert, as the watch may be upgraded and expanded further south.

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) urges the public, particularly those in flood-prone areas, to stay vigilant. NEMO advises residents to update family and business emergency plans, check food, water, and medical supplies, and assist the elderly and disabled. Shelters have been identified in the Corozal, Orange Walk, and Belize Districts, as well as in San Pedro Town, which will open if necessary.

Additional precautions include clearing drains to prevent flooding. Those in the agriculture, fisheries, and tourism sectors should monitor the situation closely. NEMO district emergency operations centers remain on alert countrywide, and the NEMO hotline is available at 936.

As the hurricane season continues, staying informed and prepared is essential. Follow official updates from NEMO and the Belize Met Service for the latest information. Let’s work together to ensure the safety of our communities.

Courtenay Says It’s High Time for Senate Inquiry to be Concluded

Has the Senate inquiry into the Definitive Agreement between the Government of Belize and Portico Enterprises Limited, for developing the Port of Magical Belize, come to a close? This question is buzzing around after a dramatic walkout by Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie and Minister of State Chris Coye on Wednesday. Both officials were summoned to the Senate Special Select Committee’s seventh session, accompanied by Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay. Leslie, the Cabinet Secretary, told the panel he couldn’t share details from Cabinet discussions due to strict confidentiality rules. Despite Senator Kevin Herrera gearing up to ask a question, Leslie made a swift exit from the building. Not long after, Junior Minister Coye took the hot seat, also with Senator Courtenay by his side. He read a prepared statement, refused to answer any questions, and promptly left the hearing as well. This might be the first time a walkout has occurred since the constitution was amended to allow for senate inquiries. The dramatic exit forced the session to adjourn and eventually led to its cancellation. This morning, we caught up with Senior Counsel Courtenay, who expressed that it’s high time to wrap up the inquiry.

Eamon Courtenay, Attorney-at-law

“I do not understand that there was any adversarial appearance yesterday. These two gentlemen were invited to appear before the senate, they accepted the invitation, they attended, they gave their statements and indicated that they would not have any further evidence to give and on the basis of my advice, we left.”

Reporter

“Sir, you have participated in a senate hearing in 2017. You saw the parade of minister’s that went through, substantive questions were asked, led by you. Don’t you think that these persons should also be fundamentally answerable for their public actions?”

Eamon Courtenay

“Fundamentally answerable for their public actions; the issue that we have to pay attention to is what is being inquired into and whether there is any evidence, relevant evidence that the Cabinet Secretary has to give and whether there is any relevant evidence that Mr. Coye has to give. If the Senate [Special] Select Committee believes that the position that they have taken is not the correct one, they know what to do. The position is, in my view, speaking for myself, I think that the inquiry needs to be brought to an end. It is costing tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayers money and it is on a frolic.”

Courtenay on Senate Inquiry: “That’s a charade.”

In mid-June 2023, four social partner senators, including NGO Senator Janelle Chanona, took a bold step by signing a motion to launch a Senate Special Select Committee. This marked a significant move to investigate the Definitive Agreement between the Government of Belize and Portico Enterprise Limited. The committee was tasked with digging into all aspects of the agreement, including how it was presented to the Cabinet in May 2023. Their mission? To uncover any relevant communications among the key players, ensure compliance with statutory procedures and policies, and promote transparency and accountability. But has it been successful in achieving those objectives? Here’s Senator Courtenay’s candid view.

Eamon Courtenay, Attorney-at-law

“Until Mr. Contreras goes before that Senate [Special] Select Committee, we are wasting public resources. That is my settled opinion, personally.”

Paul Lopez
“Isn’t it, though, a slap in the face of the Belizean public to have these two individuals walk out of the senate inquiry? You had Hugo Patt who spent perhaps an hour or more just responding, “I cannot recall.” Isn’t that at least what the public deserves?”

Eamon Courtenay

“That’s a charade. I think for you to bring somebody who says I won’t answer a question and ask the person ten, fifteen, twenty questions so that the person simply says, “I’m not going to answer. I’m not going to answer,” seems to me to be quite a charade and there is no way that I would advise my clients to participate in that.”

Reporter

“Sir, this matter of Cabinet confidentiality, do you think that, through the People’s Constitution Committee, that could be reversed?”

Eamon Courtenay

“It absolutely can be reversed if we think, and when I say we, I mean Belizeans, if we think that that is an appropriate thing to [do].”

Reporter

“But it’s not listed in the constitution, purely notional. It’s a practice and a convention but it is not grounded in public law.”

Eamon Courtenay

“Really? Speak to one of your many lawyers, they will show you the provision where it is.”

Reporter

“So now the SSSC has put out an appeal to your clients saying, “man, baby come back.” Will they come back?”

Eamon Courtenay

“I don’t know what they are going to do.”

Reporter

“Your advice. You know, I find it remarkable that they got an invitation, my clients attended and then the senate committee puts out a release that says we did not participate. It is a lie, it is a lie. So the senate committee needs to check itself.”

Godfrey Smith: “Everybody should be held answerable.”

Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith served as Attorney General during the second Musa administration from 2003 to 2008. It was under his watch that the constitution was amended to allow for commissions of inquiry. Smith continues to strongly support these measures and emphasizes the importance of holding public officials accountable.

Godfrey Smith, Attorney-at-law

“First of all, let me be clear that I have to support the ability of the senate to have a special inquiry because, if I’m not mistaken, it was the government that I was a part of when I was attorney general, that amended the constitution to allow for that to take place. I can only imagine [that] we must have thought it a good thing, but I still think that it’s a good power to have. I can’t and won’t comment on particular legal stances taken by any particular minister because I haven’t actually looked at the law in relation to ministers, the Cabinet Secretary and those things. It may be that, arguably, if I was retained I would have had to put forward legal arguments supporting their refusal or their decision not to. I don’t know, because I haven’t examined it. I don’t know the law, but certainly I support the concept of senate special inquiries into matters of public interest like this one, but as to the nuances, I can’t get into the weeds of the particular because I don’t know the law, I haven’t looked at the facts.”

Reporter

“But you agree with the principle that public officials should be held answerable.”

Godfrey Smith

“Of course, everybody should be held answerable and accountable.”

U.D.P. Condemns Senator and CabSec for Walkout

The United Democratic Party has issued a statement strongly condemning the actions of Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Senator Christopher Coye, Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie, and Senator Eamon Courtenay for their dismissive appearance before the Senate Special Select Committee on Wednesday morning. The opposition says that their public display of disrespect towards the committee reflects the P.U.P. administration’s disregard for democratic values of accountability and transparency. Following the advice of Lead Senator for Government Business, Eamon Courtenay, the two key witnesses in the committee’s investigation refused to answer questions and walked out of their testimony without being dismissed by the Chair. The release goes on to say, “Contrast the approach taken in this Portico Inquiry by the P.U.P. administration with that of the immigration inquiry into the U.D.P. administration and the difference is night and day. Several U.D.P. Ministers of Government appeared before the committee and took questions for many hours. Even while asserting privilege, never has a U.D.P. official disrespected the authority of the Senate like witnessed in today’s hearing. Such disdain for the Senate cannot be countenance”.

G.O.B.’s Stake Bank Compulsory Acquisition Put on Pause

We’ve been covering the Government of Belize’s plan to compulsorily acquire twenty-three and a half acres of land on Stake Bank Island. Well, that plan has hit an early roadblock. Michael Feinstein has filed a constitutional claim challenging the legality of the government’s move. Through his attorney, Godfrey Smith, Feinstein also sought an urgent injunction to stop the acquisition process, which typically takes at least three months to complete. Today, attorneys for both Feinstein and the Government of Belize faced off in the Senior Courts to argue the injunction. However, a proposal was made in court for the government to pause its actions until the constitutional challenge is resolved and a verdict is reached. Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay, who represents the Government of Belize, had this to say after today’s adjournment.

Eamon Courtenay, Attorney-At-Law

“The judge raised with us whether we can resolve the substantive hearing by the end of the year and we were able to agree with the dates. The matter will be tried on the nineteenth and twentieth of December. Therefore, there was no need to hear the injunction since the trial will be expedited. As I understand it the attorney general has given an undertaking that they will not proceed with the compulsory acquisition until this matter has been determined. The judge indicated to us that he would hope to have a decision within two to three weeks after we have argued it So, before the end of January we anticipate knowing the result of this case.”

A Small Win for Feinstein as Compulsory Acquisition Halted

So, the Government of Belize will hold off on any further actions to compulsorily acquire Stake Bank until Michael Feinstein’s constitutional challenge is heard. While the Mediterranean Shipping Company, eager to buy the island from OPSA and develop a cruise port, might see this as a setback, for Feinstein, who insists the island is rightfully his, it’s a small victory. His attorney, Godfrey Smith, shared more details with us.

Godfrey Smith, Attorney- At-Law

“What happened today, all parties came prepared to argue the injunction. The judge suggested to the parties that rather than engage in a battle royal over the interim injunction that the government extends the undertaking again, meaning freezing, no action, they would not proceed to compulsory acquire until the hearing and the determination of Mr. Feinstein’s challenge to the constitutionality of the compulsory acquisition. The attorneys representing the attorney general consulted and said they would be willing to give the date which was set for the nineteenth and twentieth of December to hear the substantive matter with the undertaking in place. That means there is no need for an interim injunction because the state has said we will take no further steps until the matter is cleared up.”

Reporter

“So, with the compulsory acquisition stayed or frozen, is that at least an interim victory, an interim relief?”

Godfrey Smith,

“Well, it is interim relief, because you would recall that the prime minister, in one of his interviews had indicated that the first step is the first declaration, there is a six-month period to negotiate and if after that there is nothing, you proceed with the second declaration. The second declaration is what effectively vests the land in the government. So yes, in the interim we got the relief we wanted, no action, no further step to compulsory acquire.”

Reporter

“What is your client seeking, what is the end goal here for him?”

Godfrey Smith

“The end goal is vindication that the twenty-three point four acres standing in his name which was issued to him by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the validity holds title to it and it is lawfully his.”

NTUCB Calls on GOB to “Do Better”

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) wrote to Prime Minister John Briceño today, expressing disappointment with his response to their September 23rd letter. According to the NTUCB, the PM’s reply was essentially a non-response. In their latest letter, the NTUCB urged the Government to, “do better – to make sound decisions in the name of the people of Belize”. The umbrella organization also mentioned its plan to submit a bill for the government’s consideration, aiming to amend or replace the Land Acquisition (Public Purposes) Act and the Land Acquisition (Promoters) Act. The NTUCB argues that the current approach to acquisitions leaves the public in the dark, with little to no information. It contends that the government fails to evaluate and report on the outcomes of these acquisitions, the actual benefits, who ultimately benefits, and the costs to taxpayers. Last week, NTUCB President Luke Martinez told reporters that news of MSC’s interest in Stake Bank supports the union’s claim that the compulsory acquisition is not in the public’s interest. Today, we asked Smith for his client’s take on MSC’s interest.

Godfrey Smith, Attorney-At-Law

“That is why we are in court because the instruction from our client is that he does not believe it is for a legitimate public purpose and for a number of other grounds. So, his position is he intends to challenge that. Without the land being vested to the government it cannot be transferred to MSC, OPSA, Stake Bank or anybody else. So, the outcome of this hearing will determine whether the government can compulsorily acquire Mr. Feinstein’s twenty-three point four acres.”

Reporter

“Is your client concerned that there is a plan afoot to sell the project.”

Godfrey Smith

“He clearly is, otherwise, there would not be instructions to take the actions we are currently taking, to challenge that action every step of the way.”

Reporter

“Is your client open to a buyout?”

Godfrey Smith

“There are discussions, or let me put it this way, letters have been exchanged.”

Reporter

“Is it the view of yourself or your client that this acquisition is an abuse of the compulsory acquisition law?”

Godfrey Smith

“Yes, among several arguments that we have, some of which, interestingly were hinted at or indicated in a letter I saw from the NTUCB. They wrote a letter and noted several points in there which we have also raised before the court.”