Posted: Monday, November 18, 2024. 3:18 pm CST.
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News.
By Wilder Gonzales: In southern Belize, many parents face significant barriers when trying to register their newborns due to financial constraints and a lack of information. Hospital bills often go unpaid, delaying the registration process, while many parents are unaware of the proper procedures to follow. As a result, numerous newborns remain unregistered well beyond their first birthday, creating additional hurdles when the time comes to submit late birth registrations. These families are then required to travel to Belize City, a journey that demands both time and money, where many families report the process is more complicated due to additional requirements.
For families in these rural communities, the journey to Belize City is not just a logistical challenge, but a financial burden as well. Public transportation often necessitates overnight stays, as the Vital Statistics Office is only open during certain hours, and documents are typically delivered in the late afternoon. Parents like Janelly Aguilar from Big Falls Village understand how frustrating and expensive this process can be. “Big Falls Community Hub assisted me with the application for birth certificates for my twin girls. The Hub Host helped me fill the forms and gather the necessary documents. I went to Independence Village where Vital Statistics had a mobile clinic. I had everything ready, and there was no complication. Three weeks later, I received both birth certificates.”
The Community Hubs currently offering services accessible to the public in seven communities in Stann Creek and Toledo districts through an initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by Humana People to People Belize (HPPBZ) are playing a pivotal role in alleviating these burdens. Trained Hub Hosts in Dangriga Town, Silk Grass Village, Independence Village, Bella Vista Village, Big Falls Village, San Pedro Columbia, and Punta Gorda Town, guide parents through the complex birth registration process, helping them fill out forms correctly, gather required documentation, and obtain witness declarations from Justices of the Peace. These services are a lifeline for families who otherwise might face multiple trips to Belize City due to incomplete applications or missing documents.
A key training was held in 2023 to equip the Hub Hosts of the seven Community Hubs with the knowledge they needed to assist with both birth and late birth registrations. This training taught them how to fill out registration forms correctly and ensure all the necessary signatures and declarations were included, minimizing the chances of applications being rejected. Additionally, HPPBZ has initiated dialogue with the Vital Statistics Department to officially recognize the Community Hubs as locations where community members can go to access this free support service. As a result, more parents are turning to their local hubs for help, and many have been able to successfully register their children.
The impact of this support is far-reaching. Children who receive birth certificates gain access to other critical services, such as social security and passports, which are essential for future opportunities in education, healthcare, and employment. For parents like Janelly, the assistance provided at the hubs removes the uncertainty and stress of navigating a complicated system, giving them peace of mind that their children’s futures are secure.
Yet, challenges remain. While the Community Hubs help guide parents through the registration process, the issue of accessibility persists. Ensuring that vital services like birth registration are accessible to rural communities, making the process less costly and more efficient for those who need it most, remains key. Without broader changes, many families may still face the painful decision to leave their children unregistered and effectively stateless, unable to access even the most basic of rights.
All people should be able to live in dignity. Birth registration is a fundamental human right and key for all children’s future as it helps ensure that children’s other rights are upheld, such as access to key services like health care, justice and education. By continuing to support Community Hubs and advocating for greater accessibility, we can ensure that every child is properly registered and able to fully participate in society. It’s time to bring these services directly to the people who need them most and make sure that no child in southern Belize or in any part of the country is left behind. This is what this initiative funded by the European Union is working towards.
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About the PLANTS Project
The PLANTS (Preparing Local CSOs to improve their Ability to facilitate an eNabling environment through Training and Service delivery) project is implemented by Humana People to People Belize and funded by the European Union. Running from February 2023 to June 2025, the project supports improved service delivery in seven rural communities across Stann Creek and Toledo Districts. Through seven Community Hubs, the project helps ensure that residents have access to critical services, including birth registration, which is essential for full participation in Belizean society.
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The post Securing identities: How the Community Hubs are helping parents register their children appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Monday, November 18, 2024. 3:18 pm CST. The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize
The post Securing identities: How the Community Hubs are helping parents register their children appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
