Like nation building, it seems the work of confidence-building just never ends between the Belizean and Guatemalan militaries, and so it is that over the next two weeks BDF and GAF soldiers will be participating in a language exchange program. The idea is to have them interact with each other and hopefully establish ties of friendship through learning each other languages. We were in Belmopan to find out more today.
Claudia Vasquez,
"We give them language classes. To the Guatemalan we give English classes and to the Belizeans Spanish classes and we also take them to different tourist destinations in both countries and the objective is for them to interact as much as possible. The language part of it is only a vehicle for them to have something in come and I guess maybe to get the grounding of what learning a language is.
To me its really wonderful, its good. We open more ideas and it shows that we want to live as brothers and much better understanding."
Javier Ayuso,
"It is important not only to have an exchange with our Belizean brothers but with all our neighbors. We have enjoyed the hospitality of each one of them. We have eaten their food, rice and beans, chimole and some have even enjoyed the Belikin. The best experience is the friendship. Knowing that behind everyone of us is wealth that we share. That wealth is our heart like human beings and neighbors who can have good relations. I think we came to do something very important here and our brothers are also doing it. That important thing is friendship."
The Guatemalan soldiers will visit Belize and learn English for a week, while the Belizeans travel to Guatemala next week to learn Spanish.
