BDF Commander Says Reform Camp is a Success
Brig. Gen. David Jones
According to Brigadier General David Jones, the change in the youths in just a matter of days has been nothing short of miraculous. It’s a short term solution when one has been desperately needed, and he says it is working. But, like with all else, there is the looming spectre of lack of resources. The program is expensive, and it needs to be expanded, but there will need to be a serious investment by government.
Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander, Belize Defence Force
“After a few days there has been an amazing transformation in what the BDF has been able to achieve with these kids. They are now working in harmony. They are following instructions. They are doing exactly what they are told and their mentality is changing. So it has been a great initiative. More of it needs to happen. The program is only going to be for a month, perhaps for six weeks, but it’s something that needs to continue. We have them for the moment and eventually when the school is open in the Mountain Pine Ridge area that will be a more ideal area because it’s more isolated. It’s far away from civilization so I think we’ll have even better results when we keep them in the Mountain Pine Ridge area. These kids that we have here at the moment…most of them are attending school, so they will need to go back into the school system. They need to continue their education because that is critical. When these kids go back to school there are some that are not in school. We will continue to keep them. But long term what should be done is to have the school system in this same reform program so when the kids are with us we have the teachers, counsellors and educators and whatever we need to keep there and so as for them to get the same educational qualifications as if they were in primary school or high school, but that’s a long term project and requires investment, but I believe it’s an excellent idea and it’s something we have to look into.”
Brigadier General Jones says the BDF is willing to carry on with the project into the medium and long term, providing that they can source the funds to do so.
