Future for a Brighter Belize is an organization that wants to make a difference in the lives of children. Ms. Edna Jones, the Program Director, is from Belize but now works out of Los Angeles, California, USA where the organization is based. Ms. Jones is passionate about helping Belizean children and frequently returns to Belize with a vision to help; she makes it clear that she wants to make a positive impact in the lives of children.     

    This past weekend in San Pedro, her organization sponsored a workshop titled “Working with abused and traumatized children: a workshop for those who care”. The training specifically focused on child abuse and child maltreatment, a serious social problem, because of the growing problem of child sexual abuse in the San Pedro area.     

    Child abuse and neglect is a topic that people don’t want to talk about. It is a serious problem in Belize. Ms. Jones stated, “I want to help the children who are very often forgotten by society. These children need to have a voice that protects them from predators and abusers”.    

    The full day of training took place at Holy Cross Anglican School in San Pedro. Heavy rainpour and  a temporary power outage did not stop approximately 25 to 30 teachers from attending the conference.     

    Dr. Adrienne Davis a clinical psychologist from Evans, Georgia, and Dr. Harry Taylor, III, a licensed psychologist from Palmdale, California, provided an overview of the research as related to child abuse. The training was packed with information; research findings and the presenter used power point slides, handouts, and group exercises to promote interaction among the teachers.     

    Both presenters were passionate about topic and volunteered their personal time to do the training. Prior to presenting the training in San Pedro the workshop was presented to teachers, principles, clergy, and social workers at in Belize City at Bishop Sylvester Hall.    

    Dr. Davis stated, “We wanted the people of Belize to know that the sexual and commercial exploitation of children must be dealt with by all. Trauma from abuse emotionally paralyzes the individual and erodes trust having serious short and long term effects are serious”. Her colleague Dr. Taylor added, “Before we can eliminate the problem we must have and understanding of the nature and extent of the problems”. Dr. Taylor goes on to say, “We really wanted to give teachers a general overview of the topic child abuse and to underscore that everyone can make a difference, if we all work together as a united front.”    

    It was pointed out that teachers are on the front line in that they have a lot of direct contact with students thorough out their working week. Dr. Taylor believes that, “It is teachers who have the most direct contact with our children while away from home and often children will approach their teacher and confide in them. This is the time that the child needs a supportive adult in their life”. Their students often perceive the teacher, as a “substitute” parent.    

    Both clinical psychologists explored with the participants their role, addressing how they can be caring and helpful adults figures to a child experiencing personal distress; how they can be supportive and assisting the abused child as a caring professional. This was not asking teacher to work outside of their professional scope, but rather to be a shoulder for the child to lean on.     

    Actively addressing the question, “What can we do?” the visiting team engaged the group in self reflections of positive attributes, and exercises that identified their role in clear layman term. Also the team underscored the point that kids are never the blame but victims who need to be restored and empowered in a healthy way. To do this a multidimensional community approach of education that involves the child, family, the community, and society at large.    

    Ms. Jones noted that workshop’s design is stimulating and she is hopeful that it can made available to others professionals, teachers and social workers in Belize.    

    At the close of the workshop participants were upbeat. One teacher cited, “I now have a better understanding and I know we all must work together”. Ms. Francis Wilson, the program director at Holy Cross Anglican School echoed her appreciation and praised the training workshop as inspirational, having practical application. One teacher expressed the sentiments of the group citing that much was learned from the training.  

Dr. Harry Taylor is a licensed clinical psychologist and Adjunct Instructor at Antelope Valley College in California where he teaches a number of classes in psychology. He has worked extensively with both youthful and adult offenders. He enjoys consulting, teaching, and helping others understand how mental health services can improve the quality of life. He can be reached at his email [email protected] or by calling (661) 575-1800.