Festival of Arts

On Thursday, March 25th we helped volunteer with Ambergris Caye Elementary at the Festival of Arts competition. The festival of arts is a competition in which students performed different types of performing arts. It took place at San Pedro's High School auditorium from 5:oo pm until 10:00 pm. The performances included musical instruments, singing, skits, performance arts, dancing, and more. the students from all different age groups came from all over Belize to participate in this event.

At the event, each school had something to sell at their particular stand. This was used as a fundraiser for each school. Ambergris Caye Elementary was selling chicken and rice and beans for $5 or $3 Belize dollars. Other stands were selling baked goods, drinks, cheese dip and chips, and much more.

The stands and seats in front of the stage were full of eager parents and friends waiting to see the performances, and they were not let down. There were quite a few performances, and they were all done very well. My favorite had to be the three drummers (shown above). The one drum was made out of three different size turtle shells, while the other two boys played each played a drum with their hands. This type of music can commonly be heard playing on the beach as well. There was also a group of young children who performed a skit about the meaning of the Belizean flag. The students were each dressed up as something different that represents an important component of Belize. This included a tapir, toucan, Mahogany tree, two woodcutters, and many more. A few girls even sang popular songs by Hannah Montana.

While working the stand for Ambergris Caye Elementary, it not only gave me an opportunity to see the students perform an array of arts, but I got to interact with the locals as well. It was fun to speak with and be part of a local tradition, and to see how Belizeans support their children outside of the schools setting. Nobody preformed from Ambergris Caye, for teachers did not have enough time to prepare with the end of term 2 tests. This defiantly makes me appreciate the extra attention and support that we do get in the state schools for the extracurricular activities inside the school. So many children have a gift, but without the extra money or even teachers to help support it I feel it is being lost in the schools.