Two weeks ago we were there for the sendoff of 8 young men from the city as they left the concrete jungle and headed out on a 4 day trek through the jungles of Southern Belize. The Wilderness Trek was part of the work that Youth for the Future's Violence Reduction Unit has been doing with at risk youths who are out of school. The adventure was led by Trekforce Expeditioners who made a video diary of the event. They provided us with the tape and Keith put it together for a revealing look into what it's like to be transposed from the mean streets of the city to the rough life, back a di bush.
[Youth Chanting: Be all you can be in the army.]
They weren't in the army but these street savvy youths spent 4 days toughing it out in the jungles of Southern Belize. In four days they trekked a total of 34 miles. The journey took them through the daylight cave which, as they found out, had anything but daylight. And over the four days they also hiked through a thick and uncertain path in the Manatee Forest.
And when they weren't walking these venturers were chilling on the block - literally a block of limestone cave. But this was nothing like their block, because mosquitoes were a way of life. And for those used to the luxuries of city life, this was their bed and this was how cooking was done…and you are looking at where they took their baths. Rashide Myvette who we talked to before he headed out on the expedition lived to tell the tale
Rashide Myvette,
"The hiking and the caving and all of that was good. We learnt new things like to put up hammocks, we went swimming, hiking, and we get treat good and thing. We learnt a lot of things that we never knew before. It was good."
But this trek wasn't meant to be a walk in the park. It was headed by Simon Tyler from Trekforce Expeditions and coordinated by the Youth for the Future's Douglas Hyde. Hyde says these youths were on a personal development training and personal moments like this one captured on tape made the trip worthwhile.
Youth Talking to Group,
"I grow up inna wah church home and me granny always tell me before ih dead - before you fight and kill somebody workout your differences because if you don't you'll feel the hard way. I just wah say I'm sorry to everybody and that is from me."
Douglas Hyde, Youth for the Future
"It was challenging. It was worth the while. Day after day we faced intense challenges and the young people who participated showed their confidence in positive ways; they showed their survival skills."
Simon Tyler, Trekforce Expeditions
"It has been a resounding success. It is the first time two organizations like this have worked together. I'm pleased to be associated with Youth for the Future and trying to assist them in what they're trying to do for the young people of Belize. Hopefully this could be the template for many more like this to come in the future and if we can involved, we can bring more people into this. Hopefully these young Belizeans can actually go forward now with renewed confidence within their own abilities into their normal lives and apply themselves."
And that will be the true test for these youths, applying those survivors skills learnt in the jungle - in this concrete jungle we call Belize City.
While in the wilderness the youths received training in life skills, personality development, and survival skills. The trek was sponsored by the British High Commission.
Related Story
. From the Concrete Jungle to the Real Jungle
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
