Photo of 6 year old alone at a bus stop raises concerns in Belize

Last week, a photo of a 6-year-old went viral when a resident observed the child waiting for a bus alone in Sandhill Village, Belize District.  The child was dressed in a school uniform, and equipped with a school bag, but had no adult accompaniment or supervision.  The citizen posted the situation, not to bring into question the parents’ decisions, but to call on the transport officials to work at accommodating appropriate bus runs for school children.  What our newsroom has found extremely concerning is the deafening silence of the organizations that are mandated to look out for the best interest of children.  Within one week, we have told you of a toddler shot to death, an infant crying as she watched her mom held at gunpoint and robbed; a 6-year-old awoken by a burglar who was assault and raping her mom; a 13-year-old with special needs who drowned, and a 6-year-old alone at a bus stop at six o’clock in the morning.  To our knowledge, there are several organizations who reportedly cater to children, including the National Committee for Families and Children; the Envoy for Families and Children, and the Ministry of Human Development.