Generally, there's nothing controversial about a poster competition - but today the Human Rights Commission of Belize presented the winners for one - and it showed a disturbing reality; that is that Belize City kids are war-damaged.
Certainly, it can't be said of all children growing up in Belize city - but a disturbingly large portion of the population has been exposed to a frightening level of violence.
It was amply demonstrated in the Dr. Herbert Gayle report on violence in Belize - and just so in the poster competition where the second place finisher who was a friend of a slain child - explained human rights issues for kids through the prism of sustained and extreme social violence.
First, though, here's more on what the competition wanted the kids to do:
Anotinette Moore - Member, Human Rights Commission of Belize
"This morning at the House of Culture, The Human Rights Commission of Belize gave the awards for the winning posters in the primary school poster contests. It was a contest for children in primary school to draw about what human rights means to them. We had 27 contestants of 12 schools from all over the country, and just incredible art work, as you can see behind and around me."
Reporter
"What is it are you depicting here?"
Wilber Barrera - Saint Joseph RC School
"It's the right of the child to play, learn, and the right to love and care."
Reporter
"Tell, what were you trying to portray?"
Nazim Ahmad - Grace Primary School
"I was trying to portray the day-to-day wars between Crips and Bloods, and all those other gangs, and how innocent people are being shot."
Reporter
"Tell me what the different part of the circle represents."
Nazim Ahmad
"The first is showing how my friend, Daniel, shot recently, how he was dreaming about being a BDF soldier. The second portrays how he was going home happy and contented, but because of these wars, he was shot. And in 3, everyone is sad, and his mother saying how people can't walk the streets anymore because of the wars."
Reporter
"So, you knew Daniel."
Nazim Ahmad
"Yes, he was friend, and we had fun. I feel very sad because he was a dear friend, and he is gone, so I don't have anyone to be friends with."
Anotinette Moore
"We have a very sad and serious moment at the same time because our children should be able to talk about human rights in the positive ways, but rather, they are talking about the violations of human rights, that they have to live with. This morning, we also gave out the award of the hit song contest. And it was a human rights song by Positive Vibes."
Positive Vibes - Composer, Won Human Rights Song Contest
"Well, the message is that no matter what race, age, religion, you can be red, purple, green, orange - we all have rights, and that's equal rights. Nobody has rights higher than each other. It's all about equal rights."
The event was held at the House of Culture.
Prizes were given to the winning students and the songwriter..
