“Youth with Promise” project

Chess News – “Youth with Promise” project
16/07/2010 – 11:10 AM
Author: Kofi Geban, Acting President, BCF

Ownership of the Belize Chess Federation (BCF) is shared by every Belizean who cares about their children’s involvement; the children who participate; the associated groups and individuals who place their quality time and effort in program designations, preparations and promotions; the media personnel and companies who proffer us their special services in item promotions free of cost; and certainly, even without having to say, by those who invest hard earned invaluable currency into our projects. All together they contribute to the development and progress of projects of the Belize Chess Federation, shaping a tool that is bringing potential young minds by the hundreds together in Belize, to sharpen their wits in a board game situation capable of affording a channel to positively and constructively vent overly gathered adrenaline in a controlled atmosphere, rather than deploying their young energies at various community sectors negatively and venomously.

One such associated group, indeed appropriately worthy of mention, is the Belize Chess Institute (BCI) members, who persisted in their aura of integrity and character to produce, promote and implement this very positive “Youth with Promise” project for and on behalf of the Belize Chess Federation, a coinage developed by Doctor Isabel Tun, head lecturer at the University of Belize; and the General Director of the BCI, Mr. Glen Reneau, a finance and economics major and civil servant, who successfully led Belize chess twice to the regional Central American Under-18 Games; and, too, along with the dedicated visionary himself, Special Constable Mr. Santos Carbajal, manager of various youth chess initiatives in Belize.

It was a five-day week of meeting with the potential future of Belize, working along with youth and profiling them to the needs of our tomorrow – chess, per se, was only a tool, giving this opportunity whereby the understanding of a related universe could be examined and prepared for in principle. Absolute fun prevailed in the learning environment. Thirty students of chess can today attest that they are more informed by the resulting learning experiences, and can also assert a more positive sense of preparedness and insight to meeting challenges.

Here is the full article.