Since I have not heard back from any of
the individuals that I have attempted to contact I listened to a podcast from
the World Forum Radio. The individual I
listened to speak was Delfena Mitchell, she is the director of Liberty
Children’s Home, which is on the outskirts of Belize a City in Central America. She explained, that when children come to the children’s home they
have been abandoned, neglected or physically or sexually abused. Further, in the podcast she shared information about a
nine year old boy that had shut down and not spoken for over a year. He was living in a bad situation before coming
to the home he was physically abused and also saw his sister being abused. He
came to the home with his six older brothers and sisters. Delfena took him for a horseback ride and
during the ride he began talking to her. He shared some event that he had been
through. Such as he had to take his food
and hide under his bed in order to eat it, so his siblings or other family
members would not take it from him. He also shared how he had been beaten by a
stick and how there was a particular uncle that he missed. As he shared with Delfena during the
horseback ride he also began to regress in his talking ability, but most
importantly he was talking with her.
Once the horse ride was over he discontinued talking. After several weeks he would talk a few words
her and there. The children’s home
schooled in instead of enrolling him in school and allowed him to hang out in
the gardens. After a few weeks he began
talking and they were able to enroll him in school. When the other children would hear him
talking, they would stop to listen as they were amazed that he was
talking (World Forum Radio,2014) .
This story touched my heart dearly and I
decided to learn about the poverty in the city of Belize. Unfortunately, poverty
is an obstacle to children’s well- being in Belize (Humanium, n.d). I found it interesting that 1/3 of Belize's population is under 15 years old (Humanium, n.d). Due to natural disaster such as hurricanes and floods that are
increasing in numbers and strength (Unicef, n.d.) and global economic
crisis, forty-five percent of the population of Belize live in poverty (Humanium,
n.d). Many children are with out health care because they were not registered at birth (Humanium, n.d). Belize has the highest rate of HIV
in all of Central America (Humanium, n.d ).
Access to water is very poor, the schools discriminate against children
with disabilities because their buildings are not equipped to handle them and brooms,
belts and other tools are used to discipline as corporal punishment is a
routine still (Humanium, n.d.).
Humanium.
(n.d.). Children of Belize. Retrieved
from http://www.humanium.org/en/belize/
Unicef. (n.d.). The Children in Belize. Retrieved
from http://www.unicef.org/belize/20582.htm
World Forum Radio. (2014). Episode 3: Delfena Mitchell. Retrieved from http://sarah-
dev.worldforumfoundation.com/world-forum-radio/
What an amazing story! Thank you for sharing. I have heard of horseback therapy before for Autism, never for PTSD. Great post!
ReplyDeleteRandee,
ReplyDeleteThat is a very touching story. You never know what a child has to endure. We have to get in children heads sometimes to understand their mindsight. Also I have not heard from any contacts either. You mentioned corporal punishment. Wow. I hought that was non existent. Looking forward to reading more on your reaserch of Belize.
Randee,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like we have ran into the same problems, although I have not be in contact with any individuals residing outside of the U.S., I have taken this opportunity to learn about other countries on my own, as you have too!
The story you depicted in your blog is so sad. Unfortunately, it reminds me of the two children my parents recently took in as foster children. Leela and Joshua are both under the age of 10, their mother passed away and they have no family to turn to. My mother was a supportive role in Leela and Joshua’s mother’s life, so my mom chose to foster her children. The children have been put through abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse. They have lived for days without food, shelter, water, or clothing. My mother is an amazing woman and is getting these children to open up just like Delfena did in the story you summarized in your blog. My mother offered has provided these children with their first bedroom, sadly, it is also the first bed they have ever had to themselves. My mother is doing great things and I hope, as professionals, we can all aspire to be like her to do greater good for the world.
Jacqueline,
DeleteWow, how unique that what you are studying in this class is actually reality in your family. I would have to agree your mother is amazing and I am happy to hear that she is being able to make a difference for these two children.
I am sure that your mom has made a difference for these children that will last with them for a life time.
Randee
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThis was a great story. It is amazing how we have similar stories right in our back yard. Once children have gone through this type of trauma, it is hard for them to trust and open up about there feelings. I live next door to a home for children. There are usually about three or four children there at one time. Sometimes, I get to talk to the children or the director and the stories that they tell would be hard for an adult to endure. I think that these children should have constant counseling. Sometimes, they have trouble with them at school, but I think it's important to know about their pass. Their circumstances and situation may be the main cause of their behavior issues.
I am disappointed because I have not received a response from any of my contacts and I sent out several emails.