2007 Speeches

Youth Enhancement Services Premier of "Precious" - May 19, 2007

Princess Hotel and Casino Cinema, Belize City
8:00 PM

We are here tonight for the premiere showing of “Precious,” a film that examines the problems faced by Belizeans living with HIV and AIDS.

Funding for this film production was provided by the Ambassador’s HIV Prevention Program.  In 2003, U.S. Embassies in the Caribbean region, including Belize, began receiving special funding for this Program — a program that is intended to complement the larger government-to-government assistance that the U.S. provides through such programs as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.  The Ambassador’s HIV Prevention Program supports local initiatives that may not otherwise receive funding, and to date it has provided over BZ $167,000 for various initiatives in this country.

This year I have a further BZ $50,000 of discretionary funding through the Ambassador’s HIV Prevention Program to support community initiatives that will specifically focus on HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.  I encourage everyone involved in HIV awareness and prevention — community- and faith-based organizations, NGOs, clubs, individuals, and government agencies — to submit your proposals to the Embassy by, June 1, 2007.

Everyone here tonight knows that education and research are important weapons in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  We can’t simply hope that some day in the future medical research may provide us with the means to cure HIV/AIDS or a vaccine will be developed that will prevent infection.  We must recognize the reality that education, testing, and treatment are the best means we have for individuals to protect themselves from this deadly disease.

The movie that will premiere shortly is only one of various tools that educational institutions, NGOs and others involved in HIV/AIDS advocacy may use to encourage personal empowerment and responsibility.  I hope that the regular and frequent showing of this film in schools, workshops, and other forums will help reduce the fear and stigma associated with the disease and encourage people to seek testing to know their status as well as seek treatment.

Please allow me to congratulate Youth Enhancement Services, in particular Ms Karen Cain, for her vision and the Y.E.S. Young Women’s Leadership Group for their creativity, hard work, and dedication in producing the film that we are about to see.  I would also like to congratulate Fer de Lance Productions and Ms. Suzette Zayden, for directing the film. 

We hope that many people — not only the young people the film is directed at — take the time to view and seriously contemplate the film’s message to effect positive and meaningful changes in their attitudes, behaviors, and communities.  Working together we can turn the tide.

Thank you.