Today was culture day at the Youth Hostel but if you were expecting presentations about the Garifuna, Creoles, Mestizos, and Mayas – you would have been disappointed. That is because the residents at the Youth Hostel flipped the script. They focused on the other world cultures – Muslims, Mennonites, Nigerians, and Chinese. The residents spent all week researching and learning. Today was a graduation day of sorts and we were there to find out more.
Pattymae Bainton, Teacher – Youth Hostel
“Normally we are more focused on the Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, and Maya and we think that these cultures are sometimes looked on negatively and so we are trying to bring across a positive message that all of us, even though we are from different cultures that we are Belizeans.”
Ian Wade, Resident – Youth Hostel
“I learnt about the Nigerians because they are different ethnic groups and some Nigerians are Muslims, some are 95% Christians and they dance and music are like local music.”
Shenice Stevenson, Resident – Youth Hostel
“I have learnt like about the food they eat, spice food, and they are very interesting to learn.”
Pattymae Bainton,
“What we are looking at is to learn to accept people, to know that they are different and that we don’t all have to be the same.”
The Youth Hostel is home to both male and female residents.
