Friday: Dangriga

This weekend marks Garifuna Settlement Day.  Belize is incredibly diverse in its demographics and the Garifuna are a strong presence.  They are of African and Amerindian ancestry and have a strong culture, which includes the preservation of their Arawakan language.  

They are represented throughout Belize but their main centre is in Dangriga, about 75 minutes south of Belmopan.  I had some engagements at a couple of schools and K. has come with me.  

We drove down this morning, with our driver, Humberto, and went straight to Delislle Academy, a high school of about 345 pupils.  The principal and teachers were so passionate about kindness being the core of what they teach.  And they do live an absolute hand to mouth existence, in terms of having the financial ability to provide for the kids.  I did have a slight moment of frustration when I thought about kids in the UK (or elsewhere) who just squander their educational opportunities without realizing how lucky and privileged they are. For example, some of the pupils at this school  are in their twenties as they’ve come back to complete their education.

We spent a little bit of time at a second, larger school, but it was the first that really touched us.

We’re overnighting in Hopkins as there are a few more things going on tomorrow.