2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Fire Leaves Belize City Family Without a Home

A fire in Belize City has destroyed a home, leaving nothing behind. Steve Myles, who had lived there with his wife for over twenty years, was preparing to celebrate their twenty-fifth anniversary. Now, those plans are on hold as the family worries about how to rebuild their lives. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but Myles, his wife, and their grandson are left with only the clothes on their backs. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Steve Myles, a retired public officer, was looking forward to celebrating twenty-five years of marriage with his wife in just a couple of weeks. They had just started stocking up on food and drinks for the big anniversary party when the disaster hit. A fire broke out and destroyed their home, leaving nothing behind.

Steve Myles, Fire Victim

“This morning, where I do work and retired the same health came to fog out my house. They fogged it out and around the house it looked like fire from out of the machine the fire came out. But we did not know it touched something from underneath the house. I might have locked up my house and they gone and we gone. Like half an hour or so after they call me and tell me that my house burn. I tell deh no, my house nuh the burn dah just fog they fog it out for mosquito and different things nuh, because you know with dengue and thing nuh.”

But it was not fog. It was an actual fire. And, as you heard Myles mention, the fire could have been started by the machine that was used to fog the building.

Steve Myles

“Apparently ih look like the first fire truck that was here ran out of water. So the thing start again and ih just gone and catch the back part. When I retired I added a piece to my house, split level and so that start to catch everywhere. I didn’t save anything, not even clothes, only this weh I got on. I just want seh this dah just one of those things. We have to have ups and downs in life. We didn’t save anything, if anybody could help me with anything, with clothes or food or donation money to get back on my foot, because maybe this Christmas I wont get to see the Christmas. But I am not worrying about that, because there is lot more Christmas.”

Steve White was relaxing in his yard when he heard about the fire. Without hesitation, he jumped into action to help the authorities extinguish the blaze that had taken over his neighbor’s house. Interestingly, White had also helped recover King Shakel Wade’s body back in October after the child tragically drowned in a canal in Belize City.

Steve White, Belize City Resident

“I the eena my yard the drop asleep and deh tell me a house the burn down and that a man the een deh. So, I jump on my bike, out of my sleep and I come round yah and assist the firemen deh with the hose, because fire mih the get high and I don’t want anyone to get hurt, because dah my community and once I could come out, I will come out. I meet the firemen the haul in the hose and the out the fire and I just gone assist and just fih assist. That is all I the try do, assist.”

The home was where Myles, his wife, and their grandson lived. As his wife wept over losing their home of twenty-two years, her grandson hugged her on the side of the street. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire. Tonight, the family is in urgent need of help to find a new place to live.

Steve Myles

“Yo could reach me at six, one, five, six, zero, zero, eight. My wife is six two, six, zero, six, four, five. Everything was destroyed. I mih just get a refridge. It is not even ayear yet. My wife get a chair. We get new tank. Ih still deh in the drain right there. I just full my tank to, so all the gas have to come out. Nothing save. Only thing save that I was glad for is that the two dogs dah back never get hurt. This Christmas I would have had my twenty-five-year anniversary with my wife. We deh together thirty-eight years. All the drinks and thing in the house just burn down. We couldn’t save nothing. Nothing at all, not even bed, nothing.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Belize Ascends Historical Disability Bill on Disability Awareness Day

Today, Belize made history by passing its first-ever disability bill. Introduced in the House of Representatives back in May, it was signed by the Governor General six months later. This historic event coincides perfectly with World Disability Awareness Day, observed on November third. The bill aims to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities, protect their rights, and ensure they receive the privileges and benefits guaranteed by the Constitution. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Today, Belize made history as the Governor General signed the country’s first-ever Disability Bill into law. This landmark event coincides with International Disability Awareness Day, celebrated under the theme: “Celebrating a New Dawn, Creating Spaces in All Places.” Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, the Minister of Human Development who introduced the proposed law, shared that this legislation marks a new chapter for accessibility and equal opportunities in Belize.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“It takes into account both physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Again, the protection will come by actions that are taken by various partners and various entities. I know, for example, that BAPDA, the Belize Association for Persons with Diverse Abilities, I know that they will continue their advocacy. And as I have said the Inter-Ministerial Committee will meet to make sure that we can put in place a few more practical changes. So that basically is the answer. I have always said that legislation is not a magic bullet, everything won’t change overnight. But with the sanctions that can come from violations and lack of action or negligence, we will have better teeth to make sure that we are protecting our persons with disabilities.”

Earlier this year, the proposition received unanimous support at the National Assembly. Lead Government Senator, Eamon Courtenay celebrated the bill on its anti-discrimination legislation.

Eamon Courtenay, Lead Government Senator (File: July 24, 2024)

“This bill represents a recognition by our society that over time and as we mature as a democracy and nation that we are called upon as a collective, community, people, to be more tolerant, to be more inclusive to be more respectful to the differences and diversities within our society and to provide a legal framework which guarantees the protection needed and to ensure there is no discrimination or at least we try to reduce the chances for discrimination.”

The bill addresses several key areas, including affordable health insurance, protection from workplace discrimination, and access to public places and transportation. It mandates that all existing public buildings be modified for accessibility within twelve months of the act being signed into force. For example, the Assembly Building in Belmopan is already adding wheelchair ramps. Kenrick Theus, President of the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities, BAPDA, who has a physical disability himself, says the bill is a positive step forward, but there’s still room for improvement.

Kenrick Theus, President, BAPDA

“We’re looking at a societal change. To understand that the services needed are not just based on ground floor. Because access to a building, I have, I could have access to the the building here the complex building. But if you’re not on the ground floor, I still no have no access. But I am in need of the services. So all of that has to come with societal change where people will see certain things go in place and certain things will have to be mandated by law.”

The bill aims to reduce discrimination against people with disabilities by setting up a Disability Tribunal. This tribunal will listen to complaints from those who feel they’ve been discriminated against.

Marshall Nunez, Disability Coordinator

“Celebrating a new dawn the coming of the disability legislation. Absolutely exciting for me and I think the contents of the legislation, which include the establishment of a disability commission, a secretariat working towards a disability register, a disability tribunal, and creating accessibility for all persons with disability physical access, access to technology, the looking at access to education, to health, social protection employment. These are all exciting times for me and I hope that they will be completely beneficial to the population of persons with disability in Belize.”

Protecting people with disabilities goes beyond just passing a new law. As Theus points out, it also requires ongoing advocacy and acceptance from everyone in society. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Disabilities Bill Guarantees Protection of Persons Living With Disabilities

CT Scanner at K.H.M.H. Breaks Down After Eight Months

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health and Wellness finally got a CT scanner for the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Before March twentieth, patients needing CT scans had to pay high prices at private facilities across the country. Unfortunately, after just eight months of use, the K.H.M.H. Authority announced today that the expensive machine is now out of service. The management explained that a condensation issue caused the hardware components to stop communicating, and a small part needs to be replaced. The root cause has been fixed, and a specialized technician is on the way to Belize to oversee the repairs and get the machine back up and running. In the meantime, arrangements have been made with nearby facilities to ensure patients can still get their CT scans. The hospital says that replacing the part and performing routine maintenance will keep the CT scanner reliable and efficient, benefiting all Belizeans. The machine breaking down over the weekend was a major inconvenience for several patients, especially the teenagers injured in the road accident near Carmelita Village on Friday evening.

Ocean Academy Accident Victim Still in Critical Condition

With the CT scan at KHMH temporarily out of service, the Ocean Academy accident victims had to turn to private hospitals in Belize City. Eighteen-year-old Alexander Bainton has already had five CT scans at a private facility. He was supposed to have another scan today, but his condition is so critical that it had to be postponed. His mother told News Five that moving him to the private hospital would mean disconnecting him from the machine that’s keeping him alive. She went live on Facebook today to share an update.

Voice of: Nikita Marin, Mother of Accident Victim

“Light a candle for Alex and pray for him. Alexander was scheduled to do a CT scan yesterday. But they postponed it. Alexander’s pressure is all about the place. He is doing really bad, and they don’t want to risk moving Alexander because it could cause more complications. It could cause a stroke or a vein to burst and more problems. So they do not want to be moving him right now. Alexander was scheduled for his CT scan today, unfortunately this morning I went in again and they postponed Alexander CT scan again. He is still not doing well. He is not in a medical coma. He is in a coma because his body has him there in a coma. As a mother it is hard. So they also cancelled Alexander CT scan for today. They told me I can go back for my money. But I don’t care about that money. It can stay right there, because I know that tomorrow my baby will get up and he will be able to take that CT scan.”

Ocean Academy Athletes Left in Coma Following RTA

Family of Ocean Academy Accident Victim Believing for Miracle

Nikita Marin is asking everyone to light a candle and say a prayer for her son. The doctors have given him just a ten percent chance of survival, but she is holding on to hope and believing in a miracle.

Voice of: Nikita Marin, Mother of Accident Victim

“Please like a candle for my baby. Pray for a miracle because miracles do happen and I do believe that Alexander will come home to me, to his family and his friends. That is all I am asking for my son. That ten percent chance that they are giving for my baby, I declare it in the name of the Lord, that Alexander will have a hundred percent recovery. Light a candle even if you are not religious. Pray to Allah in heaven, any god, I just ask for a miracle for my son to get up from that bed. He is not a bad boy. He never gives me trouble. He does not deserve this. So, I ask of you guys, message any family member, friends, anyone, light a candle for my baby, for Alexander to wake up. We need him to feel better so we can get a CT scan for him.”

Annual Youth Awards Held in Peini

The Department of Youth Services wrapped up National Youth Week with its annual National Youth Award Ceremony in Punta Gorda on November twenty-ninth. This event celebrated the creativity and determination of young people across various fields. Special guests Sheldon Ramirez and Jahrine Avila spoke about the incredible potential of youth to innovate and lead. Hon. Gilroy Usher highlighted the crucial role of young Belizeans, saying, “ young people are the backbone of our nation’s progress”. Hon. Rodwell Ferguson also addressed the youth, saying, “your potential is limitless”. He encouraged them to dream big, work hard, and never forget that your effort and enthusiasm are what keep this country thriving. We can work together to create a Belize that reflects your talents and aspirations. The awards honored winners in thirteen categories, including Youth in Agriculture, Sports, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Protection, Leadership, and more. Each category celebrated individuals and groups who have shown excellence and dedication to community growth and national development.

35 Years Since Ratifying Children’s Rights Convention

Thirty-five years ago, Belize ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention was mandated by the UN General Assembly and Belize was the fifth country in the world to ratify the convention. Since then, we have passed several legislations that protect the rights of children, promote their advancement and create opportunities to uphold these rights. To celebrate the occasion, UNICEF teamed up with government ministries to host a ceremony with the theme: “Keeping the Promise: For Every Child, Every Right, A Belize Fit for Children 2025 and Beyond.” News Five’s Marion Ali was present and filed this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

It’s been thirty-five years since Belize ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Over the three and a half decades, there have been significant measures taken to protect the rights of children and to promote their wellbeing and advancements.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“The progress that Belize has made towards fulfilling its obligations under the CRC reflects not only our legal commitments but also our deep moral responsibility to safeguard and promote the rights of every child in our nation. As a country, Belize ratified the C.R.C. in 1990, recognizing the inherent dignity and equal rights of all children. And acknowledging the necessity of ensuring their protection, development and wellbeing. Over the years, we’ve implemented the core principles of the C.R.C, focusing on non-discrimination, the best interest of the child, the rights to survival, to life and development, and the child’s right to be heard.”

Minister of Human Development, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia says Belize’s efforts lies in strong legislative reforms, innovative policy frameworks and enhanced mechanisms for child protection and developments.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

“Key milestones: legislative reforms as Adele told us, the Families and Children Act, the Criminal Code Amendment of 2014 which introduced neutral protections for children and expanded the definitions of abuse and exploitation; the evidence act, allowing children to testify without experiencing trauma, and of course we looked at the road map to ending child marriage and early unions, challenging harmful cultural norms and empower young girls in particular.”

UNICEF is an agency of the UN that protects the rights of children globally. It does so by assisting governments to live up to the commitment they have made towards this goal. Communications Officer, Stephanie Daniels shared with News Five some of the plans that have been put into action and others that are to follow in 2025.

Stephanie Daniels, Communications Officer, UNICEF

“What UNICEF does is on the invitation of the government, it comes into a country and it supports the efforts of the country, helping the country to meet the national goals that they have set for children, providing technical resource, sometime financial resource, as well as leverage our networks, because UNICEF exists in 196 countries. So our role is as a development partner to the government, ensuring that the things we want for our children can be achieved and that whatever is required to support that effort, we provide.”

UNICEF is in its sixth program cycle heading into 2025 and education and curriculum reform are a big part of its program document. CEO at the Ministry of Education, Dian Maheia shared that the ministry has introduced instruments that are on par with the requirements of the Convention.

Dian Maheia, C.E.O., Ministry of Education

“The competency-based education, there’s so many of the values and principles are absolutely matching to the values and the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. They’re the same. We’ve seen that early childhood education, making sure we’re reaching our three-year-olds and four year olds is so important. We started a program called Think Equal that actually supports the teaching of socio-emotional learning through books. These things all matter. We also have on 501 Academy, something else that is directly linked to the C.R.C: The Inclusion Corner. The Inclusion Corner is so important to so many of our schools, our students and our families countrywide. Four years ago, one of the things that we heard the most often was that we can’t access anybody for special ed. We don’t know how to get help. We don’t know what to do. In reality, we still have a very small human resource base. We don’t have a lot of officers, but what we did in creating the Inclusion Corner on 501 Academy was we set up a place where resources become accessible.”

Adele Catzim, C.E.O at the Ministry of Human Development, noted several other accomplishments that Belize realized since signing onto the Convention, including eliminating corporal punishment at schools. Marion Ali for News Five.

“End Child Marriage in Belize”

National Women’s Commission Host Educational Fair for Children

Gender-based violence remains a serious issue, with studies revealing that one in three women has faced physical or sexual violence. In 2023 alone, over fifty-one thousand women were killed by partners or family members. Belize has also witnessed some shocking incidents in 2024. To combat this, the National Women’s Commission launched its Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence last week. As part of their events, they held an education fair today aimed at empowering children on this critical issue. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Just over a week ago, the National Women’s Commission kicked off its Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with the theme #NoExcuses. They’ve planned a series of events over these sixteen days. Today’s focus was on empowering children to help end gender-based violence. Primary school students from across the city gathered at The Hub, where representatives from various NGOs and government departments engaged with them. Stacie Gladden, a program officer at the commission, was also present.

Stacie Gladden, Program Officer, NWC

“We are here celebrating the sixteen days of activism, ensuring that we ensure that information is being shared when it comes to relationships, what one should accept from what they shouldn’t accept, especially seeing in our country the rise in domestic violence has been on, it is going up. So, we are trying our best to put the information out there.”

The Safe Belize Project provides lessons on what human trafficking is and how to spot it. Eve Banks, the Community Engagement Officer, emphasizes that this information needs to be simplified so children can understand it.

Eve Banks, Community Engagement Officer, Safe Belize Project

“We need to break it down as simple as possible, because having some of the terms, like vulnerability they might not know and recruiting, harboring and servitude, as simplified as possible just so they could know what human trafficking is. For example, we would say it is something mommy can do even if you are not comfortable with it, and she is getting the money and know you know that you should be getting, even though you should not be out there working under the age of eighteen, especially for someone that you know is not, and especially things that are against your will.”

We spoke with thirteen-year-old Elsworth Logan from James Garbutt S.D.A Primary School. He was particularly intrigued by women entrepreneurs who were present representing their business.

Elsworth Logan, Student, Jamez Garbutt Primary

“I went to the woman’s booth, and I learnt that you don’t need get yourself low about starting a business. You just need to get something, like one little opportunity and take it because it could be your first and last. That is basically that women don’t have to pressure themselves starting a business and it is very easy. It is about connecting with other women and talking about starting their businesses and how to start it and when to start it.”

The Ministry of Health and Wellness set up a booth to teach kids how to avoid catching or spreading the flu. They also shared tips on nutrition and physical exercise. Some kids even got to show off their strength by doing planks.

Shadrack Ariola, District Health Educator, HECOPAB Unit

“Living health is more than just the nutritional part. Living healthily has to do with emotional health and mental health. Gender-based violence, while you might be eating healthy, you might be stressed out, emotionally burdened but what you are going through. Living healthily encompasses the whole spectrum. It is more than just eating well and physical exercise, we also have to take care of our emotional and mental needs. That has to mean sometime tackling gender-based violence.”

For eleven-year-old Shania Lamb, a student at Saint Luke Methodist Primary School, being present at today’s event taught her valuable lessons on women empowerment.

Shania Lamb, Student, St. Luke Methodist

“I went to gender booth, and they taught us about the different genders, ladies having kids, boys, girls, twins and they taught us about different abuses and emotions and people’s feelings and how you can hurt them really much. We learnt about how women can stand up for themselves, open business of their own, just with a little bit of hope and encouragement.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

16 Days of Activism: No Excuse for Violence Against Women

250 Families to Receive Annual Bowen & Bowen Jingle Boxes

For the last fifteen years, Bowen and Bowen’s Jingle Box program has brought joy to hundreds of families in Belize. This year, two hundred and fifty families will receive boxes filled with rice, canned goods, and gift certificates for meats like ham, chicken, and turkey. To make sure these boxes reach those who need them most, Bowen and Bowen works with local non-profits to find and help the recipients. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with more on this heartwarming story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

A holiday just isn’t the same without a big, delicious meal, but not every family can afford one. That’s why, for the past fifteen years, the team at Bowen and Bowen Limited has been on a mission to bring joy to hundreds of families with their annual Jingle Box donations.

Rosanna Villanueva, Corporate Relations Manager, Bowen & Bowen

“Our jingle boxes are funded largely from contributions from our employees. We also, the company matches what employees contribute. And then we have been very lucky over the past couple of years to get extra funds from the Coca-Cola company. So that has allowed us to increase the number of boxes to two hundred and fifty. And we’ve also been able to increase the value of the items in the boxes. So we’re very happy because we know that these boxes are much needed across the country. And along with our partner NGOs, they’re going to go to families who really need it. So we’re very happy about that.”

The Jingle Box is all about giving families the groceries they need to make a Christmas meal. Each box includes essentials like rice, beans, mayonnaise, and gift certificates for Quality Poultry products. And of course, Bowen and Bowen’s drinks and snacks are a must-have! These boxes are handed out by partner NGOs, who figure out which families need them the most. Monica Heredia from the Belize Red Cross Society shared where this year’s boxes will go.

Monica Heredia, Belize Red Cross Society

“So this year, with the fifteen boxes that we are receiving, we are going to support the families that were affected by flooding. As you know, the villages in the Coyote District and some parts of the Belize River Valley, they were affected by the recent flooding. And so our Volunteers and staff are currently out in the Belize River Valley area doing assessments and through those assessments we will identify the 15 most in need to support them with these boxes.”

The boxes were funded by Bowen and Bowen, Coca-Cola, and the Bowen and Bowen staff. This year, the employees made their biggest donation yet. Yareli Pariente from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul says these boxes are a huge help in their mission to support those in need.

Yareli Pariente, Society of St. Vincent de Paul

“Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an organization, which is a nonprofit. Basically we join the world in a social network of charity to help those in our parish community that are struggling, maybe the shut-ins, those with disabilities. These jingle boxes will help us to carry out that mission a little more.”

Several organizations, including the Belmopan branch of the Belize Cancer Society, are still conducting assessments for the recipients of the boxes but are eager to make the season brighter for families who need it the most.

Sonia Burn, Belize Cancer Society, Belmopan Branch

“We are more than happy to receive these boxes to help the real needy. And at the moment, presently, with the help of the members, we’re gathering the names of the people who really need and in Belmopan, we did have a little flooding too, to the people at the Maya Mopan area, the Silver Pan, the J&W establishments. Presently, we are gathering the names to send out the jingle boxes to the people that really need it.”

Bowen and Bowen hopes that by next year, they will be able to increase the number of Jingle Boxes for the benefit of more Belizeans. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Bowen & Bowen Continues Jingle Box Tradition

KHMH’s CT Scan Temporarily Down

News Five has confirmed that the CT scan machine at the nation’s referral hospital is temporarily down. According to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA), “A condensation issue caused the communication between the hardware components to go down, requiring the replacement of a small part. The root cause has also been addressed.”

According to the KHMHA, a specialised technician was dispatched to Belize today by the supplier to oversee repairs and ensure the restoration of the CT scanner. “Arrangements have been made with nearby facilities to ensure the continuity of care for our patients requiring CT imaging.”

The replacement of the faulty part, along with routine maintenance, is expected to enhance the scanner’s reliability and efficiency for the benefit of all Belizeans.