The Day of Healing initiatives have taken the city by storm since they began earlier this year, and last weekend, the Yarborough community on Southside Belize City got to experience it firsthand.
Despite intermittent rains this past Saturday, approximately 200 residents of the community – young and old – came out to enjoy the festivities, which were held at the Yabra football field. There were lots to eat and drink and fun-filled activities for one and all. The event, known as the 5th Day of Healing, was organized and hosted by the Day of Healing Committee.
Due to the weather conditions, the sporting activities were postponed, but that did not put a damper on the spirits of those who attended. The Day of Healing is geared towards bringing a day of “peace” and “healing” to communities that have been most affected by violent crimes, such as murder, through the promotion of positive activities, such as sports.
Perry “Sticks” Smith, who has spearheaded the Day of Healing initiatives, said that he persisted in making the event possible despite the wet weather, because he saw it as a blessing. Smith said that this is not the first time that they have had a rainy Day of Healing, and he saw it through because he wanted the youths to come out and have a nice time and play some basketball and football, and at the same time the youth and the older people in the community also wanted an event like this. He mentioned that the children that were out there got excited when they saw him, and when they saw bags of “ideal” and water being unloaded from the truck that he was in. They said that they were ready to play the games and that they wanted to win the beautiful trophies, he recounted. “We have to continue to push this; we couldn’t postpone it nor hold it back”, Smith said.
The organizers said that this coming Saturday they intend to oversee the sporting events which did not take place due to the rains last week. Other activities that will be conducted are egg toss and lime-and-spoon competitions, and other games. There will also be entertainment by various Belizean artists and more delicious free food, according to the organizers.
Anyone who would like to assist with the Day of Healing initiative can contact Perry “Sticks” Smith at 601-2342 or Jerome “Peeloff” Mejia at 607-3030.