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.”
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.
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
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 ChildrenAct, 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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.”
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.
“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.
The Caye Caulker Ocean Academy High School is reeling from a tragic accident involving its boys’ basketball team. On Friday, the team was on their way to Orange Walk for a regional tournament when their vehicle overturned due to a blowout. There were twelve passengers on board, mostly teenagers. Thankfully, most of them have been treated and released from the hospital. However, five students remain hospitalized, with two in a coma. This heartbreaking incident has sparked a wave of generosity, with businesses and residents from across the country contributing to fundraisers to cover medical expenses. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Tragedy struck the Caye Caulker Ocean Academy’s boys’ basketball team on Friday as they were on their way to represent their community. Fresh off a victory against San Pedro High School, the team was heading to Orange Walk for the regional championship when their van experienced a blowout and overturned. All twelve occupants, mostly teenagers, sustained injuries. Two of the students are currently in an induced coma, including eighteen-year-old Alexander Bainton. His mother, Nikita Marin, shared with News Five, “As a mother, my only goal is to be there for my son. We need prayers for a miracle which God is preparing for my son.” She added that Alexander, who is a fisherman, basketball player, open water certified diver, volleyball player, and honor student, did not suffer any broken bones but needs a CT scan.
The high school provided an update on Sunday night, stating that of the twelve people in the van, six were treated and released on Friday, one went home today, and five remain hospitalized. Two are in recovery, while three are in critical care, including the two in comas. The school is consulting with doctors both locally and internationally to ensure the best possible care for recovery, especially for brain and spinal injuries. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Caye Caulker community, sparking a viral fundraiser movement. Belizean-American Lee Vanderwalker launched a campaign that has already raised twelve thousand U.S. dollars for the team’s medical expenses. The community’s support is a beacon of hope during this difficult time.
On the Phone: Lee Vanderwalker, Fundraiser Director
“I saw the news story, I read that and I know some of them, I know the coach and some of the young boys on the team. I know their families and I saw a message out about eleven o’clock that night from Elizabeth Usher and she is my neighbor and I have known her for twenty-four years. She asked if I could open my accounts so fundraising could start for these boys because there were four in critical condition and they needed this money really fast.”
Vanderwalker has made it easy for donors from outside Belize to contribute by providing access to several accounts like Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp. She keeps the donor list and donation amounts updated regularly. Here’s the latest list of generous contributors.
On the Phone: Lee Vanderwalker
“Overnight several thousand dollars came in overnight. The fundraising has continued to the point now that as of last night my report was that we had raised over twelve thousand U.S an then we continue to get more donations today. So people want to help, they want to help.”
In addition to Vanderwalker’s efforts, several businesses on the island have committed to giving a hundred percent of a day’s proceeds to the fundraising effort. The Caye Caulker Town Council has kicked off its own local fundraising campaign to support the injured students. Meanwhile, the school has assured that students are receiving professional counseling to help them through this tough time.
On the Phone: Lee Vanderwalker
“Caye Caulker people really step up and help each other. I have seen this happen over and over and over again.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Police are yet to issue an official report on the accident that occurred.
Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams shared some encouraging news with reporters: the number of murders in 2024 is trending down. Although the year started with a significant spike compared to the end of 2023 and was generally higher than the entire year 2023, the Belize Police Department managed to bring the number of murders down to double digits for the first time in over a decade. Williams credited much of this success to the hard work done behind the scenes by Nuri Mohammed and his intervention program. Their efforts are making a real difference in reducing violence and improving safety in Belize.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We continue to do our best in fighting crime fighting crime and make the people of this country safe. Like you rightly said, we have seen that the murder numbers are trending down even though we had a good year last year. 2024 so far, it’s going well for us. While we do celebrate the accomplishment I have to give thanks to those persons who are very instrumental in what we have been doing. And at the forefront of that is Brother [Muhammad] Nuri and [Raymond] “Footie” Gongora. Two individuals whom I have passed to meet twice weekly with those persons who are under the SOE. And you would know that One of the things that affected us is that when the SOE was, would normally be over, there is no follow-up with the guys. And so we find that very quickly they would go back to doing the things that would have landed them in prison under the SOE. And so what we did this time was that we got the team of Brother [Muhammad] Nuri and [Raymond] “Footie” Gongora. And on occasions I would join them, I would meet these guys twice weekly to see what are some of the issues that confronts them and to provide some semblance of guidance. And this is a continuation to what they did while they were in prison, as, as a part of this. So we, we had Nuri going into the prison twice a week to meet with them. And we also had the prison administration doing the journey to freedom program with them while they were there. And so now that they’re out, we just try to have that continuity working with them. And then we also have the LIU that which continue to do what they can in providing some sense of employment to these young men in different areas where they resides. And then of course the efforts of the police patrolling these areas, making sure that we enforce the law, particularly the quality of life offenses, preventing the loitering, the public drinking and so forth. All of these are things that are leading to what we are seeing now in the reduction in crime across the country.”
Commissioner Williams highlighted that domestic-related murders are particularly challenging for the police to prevent. He explained that the warning signs leading to these tragedies are often hard to spot in advance. However, he believes that the activities during the sixteen days of activism will encourage everyone, including police officers, to think twice and be more aware of these issues at home.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“It’s difficult. We’re trying our best to hold on to the conventional type of murders. The gang-related murders and so forth. Those that emanate from like clubs with drunk, with drunkenness, and so forth. And then we see these ones pop up. The domestic ones that are not within the preventative reach of the police. And those frustrates me, because, we’re out there, we’re trying, and out of the blue this one just came up. It’s tough. But, we have to continue to do what we can to hold those perpetrators accountable. I know that we’re in sixteen days of activism right now, and there is a lot being said in terms of domestic violence. very much. and gender-based violence, and so we’re hoping that what is going to be shared around this time is going to help to reduce these types of crimes, in our department, we have commissioned our local psychiatrists to go around the country and to speak with our police officers because we also saw an increase in domestic issues involving police, where a number of officers were arrested. And so again to stem that Mister Leslie is going around talking with the police officers across the country, giving them insights in terms of what they can expect or what they can do to avert issues of domestic violence..”
Commissioner Williams provided an update on three recent violent deaths. Miriam Castellanos and Guillermo Martinez’s deaths have been classified as murders. However, the case of Matthew Moses, who died from two gunshots to the head, remains undetermined. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover the truth behind these tragic incidents.
Reporter
“In the case of Matthew Moses, can we talk about why that wasn’t classified as a murder? I believe the postmortem said that he was shot twice behind the head and one ot the back.”
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I would not be able to speak to that whenever we have these issues with a person raises self-defense in a fatal shooting or stabbing or beating, the file must go to the a and a rep from the D.P.P. the file and a rep from the office goes through the file and direct the police on what charges to be leveled on the individual.”
Reporter
“Is there a classification for Guillermo Martinez, he was the one that was found stabbed up in the river in Dangriga.”
Reporter
“Any motive or suspects at this time?”
Chester Williams
“No, we have not been able to come up with a motive or suspect for that.”
Reporter
“Is there any update in the murder from Miriam Castellanos?”
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“That will be provided by Mister Romero, but I don’t think there is any update at this time. There is some information circulating. But we’re not able to confirm those informations as yet, and so I don’t think we’ll be able to provide a motive, a definitive motive at this time. There is an individual the police is looking at who we believe may be able to shed some light in terms of what transpired, but we have not been able to find that person.”
Last week, a man was stabbed in Gales Point Manatee Village. Today, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero informed reporters that Leonel Duhaney is on the mend. Meanwhile, police are on the hunt for Gilbert Moore, who faces serious charges, including attempted murder, in connection with the incident.
“On Wednesday, the twenty-seventh day of November, police responded to Gale’s Point, Manatee. Upon their arrival, they learned that Leonel Duhaney had been taken to the Sonora Regional Health Center for treatment. He was found there, where he reported he was involved in a fight with one Gilbert Moore, who stabbed him. He’s in stable condition. Gilbert Moore is presently wanted at this time for the crimes of attempt murder, dangerous summon, use of deadly means of harm.”
Reporter
“Motive?”
Hilberto Romero
“No, they had a fight they met at that area in Gales Point and the person proceeded to stab him.”
Reporter
“Were they intoxicated?”
Hilberto Romero
“Yes, they were.”
Reporter
“But they knew each other before this though?”
Hilberto Romero
“Yeah, they knew each other.”
Reporter
“They both live at Gale’s Point?”
Hilberto Romero
“Yeah, they’re both from Gale’s Point.”
Reporter
“Okay. And you don’t know the last known whereabouts of the guy?”
Hilberto Romero
“No, we are looking for him. Checks were made at Gale’s Point, but he has not been found so far.”
