Another in a series of community-based activities geared towards bringing the residents of crime-ridden communities in Belize City together in a peaceful and positive way was conducted at the Albert Hoy Field/Hostel Field this past weekend.

The 4th Day of Healing took place on Saturday, August 10 and provided a rare opportunity for community residents to unify, engage in fun-filled events and participate in wholesome activities such as art, writing and sport competitions. An estimated 450 people from the neighborhood and other areas attended the event which also featured sack races, hula hoop and dancing competitions, plaiting of a Maypole and story-telling sessions. Trophies, medals and prizes were issued to the winners of the various competitions and school supplies were also distributed to needy kids. Food and refreshments were provided free of cost throughout the day.

There was even a special guest appearance by Jamaican reggae artist I-Octane, who signed numerous autographs and mentioned that it was pleasure for him to be a part of the event because it is an opportunity for him to give back to the community. Belizean artists such as Mr. Program, TR, Reality Youth and Blackberry were also in attendance and entertained the crowd along with Rock Hard Sounds and Tony G from KREM Radio. The Master of Ceremonies was Ras Vone, also of KREM Radio. Other performances were done by Youth Voices, a local poetry group, as well as other local artists.

The event’s organizer, Perry “Sticks” Smith, had said that the aim of the Day of Healing is to bring people from different communities together to utilize their talents in a positive and constructive way instead of being engaged in negative activities. He said that the Days of Healing are designed to bring back recognition to the Southside communities and show that they are able to come together and organize themselves and have fun in a safe and peaceful environment. Smith hopes that through this initiative, people will recognize what is needed for the betterment of their communities and make a unified effort to achieve it.

There are two more of these events scheduled for this year; one will take place in October on the Cumberbatch Field in the Yarborough area, and in December the other should take place in the Complex area of Lake Independence on Boxing Day.