Uncertainty Surrounds LIU Gang Employment Program

It’s widely regarded as one of the most unpopular government programs in Belize, the Leadership Intervention Unit’s gang jobs initiative. The unit employs young men from gang infested neighborhoods, who have long been cast aside by the formal employment sector, for beautification projects in their own community. The average worker is paid three hundred and fifty dollars twice a month, with supervisors earning a bit more. However, with the Belize City Council recently awarding a cleaning and beautification contract to Lawrence Ellis’s Reliable Waste Solutions for thirty-three thousand dollars weekly, there are even more questions on the necessity of the LIU program. We tracked down Acting Director of the Leadership Intervention Unit Andrew Dawson and asked if their program is still alive.   

 

Andrew Dawson, Acting Director, Leadership Intervention Unit

“Definitely the guys are working.  The guys continue to work. The work program is functioning. Of course, we have some slight hiccups as it relates to small persons who or small groups who may not work as efficient as we want them to. But as you can see, and it’s evident that these guys are on the ground and they’re still putting in their pound and they’re working towards beautification of their communities.”

 

Shane Williams

“How many people are still enrolled?”

 

Andrew Dawson

“I would say about three hundred and fifty persons from within Belize City. Various communities are part of the community beautification program. That works towards giving them civic pride, gaining civic pride within their community working towards identifying open lots, parking lots parks that we, playground school areas where they can give a little hand to beautify the community where they reside. Because changing the ambiance of the community also affects. What their mindsets are or how they think or how they operate because their environment speaks volumes to, to, to how it’s conducive to the development of the persons and also recreational spaces and ensuring that there’s places where people can go and enjoy themselves peacefully without violence. It is very challenging, as I said, because a lot of the time. What we do is not something that is accepted to the wider public. But I know those who benefit from the different sessions and conversations that we have understands the importance of the leadership intervention unit and the conflict trace team.”