HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-05-03, Page 11Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Exeter Times–Advocate
11
Local woman to work at shelter in Belize
By Kaitie Jinks
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
DASHWOOD — "It is so
easy to forget about the
millions of men, women
and children without food,
shelter, health care, edu-
cation and various forms
of support we have so
readily. There has always
been a special place in my
heart for those suffering
merely due to demo-
graphics. We must remind
ourselves that they are
human, just as you and I."
Candace Becker, 21, of
Dashwood, is thrilled to
finally pursue her dream
of helping those less fortu-
nate in countries that live
in poverty. Tuesday she
left to San Ignacio, Belize,
in Central America, to
work at a women's shel-
ter.
Becker, who is in her
third year at the
University of Waterloo, is
pursuing a Bachelor of
Arts Degree majoring in
Religious Studies. She was
approached by a religion
professor, who told her
about Intercordia, a pro-
gram that hosts immer-
sion experiences in sever-
al different countries
around the world.
Becker has always been
interested in world pover-
ty and issues such as
HIV/AIDS in less fortunate
countries. A little over a
year ago, Becker became
a World Vision sponsor of
a six-year-old Ugandan
girl, Justine. Becker has
wanted to travel overseas
to a foreign country to
work with people living in
poverty for about three
years, ever since she
began university. After
hearing about Intercordia,
Becker began trying to get
into the program over a
year ago.
There are 10 people in
the group who left
Tuesday, and only one
other girl is travelling
with Becker to Belize. The
other students will be
travelling to places such
as Bosnia and the
Ukraine.
Becker says she will be
predominantly involved
with youth development,
literacy and HIV/AIDS
awareness programs. She
is very interested in
assisting in classrooms in
Belize, developing and
conducting after school
activities in art, music and
sports, running summer
day camps, and mentor-
ing. Central America has
a high HIV/AIDS rate, and
an important initiative of
the Cornerstone
Foundation is to teach
Belizeans about birth con-
trol.
Becker has travelled to
many places with her
family and friends, includ-
ing Barbados, the
Dominican Republic and
Europe, but she has not
travelled this far alone
before. She says she is
going to miss her friends
and family very much.
Becker's community has
been collecting supplies
for her to take with her on
this trip for some time
now, including school
supplies, toys and basic
necessities, and she is
excited to present these
items to the people of
Belize.
Becker says although
she does not have specific
work experience in
women's shelters, she has
been studying countries
living in poverty, and has
been involved with youth
development for some
time. She feels she has
great experience with
children.
Justine, Becker's World
Vision sponsor child, lives
in Africa, and Becker
hopes that Africa will
btothers
"nem
This Little
Sister is a fun
loving and active
nine year old
who enjoys
many different
activities! She
likes to play soc-
cer, baseball, and hock-
ey. She also enjoys bak-
ing, movies, and arts and
crafts. She hopes to have
a Big Sister who is fun
and nice!
This Little Sister
is one of the
many children
waiting to be
matched within a
mentoring friend-
ship. For infor-
mation on
becoming a Big Sister for
a Summer, or our other
volunteer programs, call
our office at 235-3307 or
visit our website at
www.shbbbs.on.ca
ti
bbcntihg Thr
Joan & Joanne
from
The Mane Event
Unisex Hairstyling
would like to thank their clientelle for
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iMMW
Candace Becker left on Tuesday for San Ignacio, Belize,
to work in a women's shelter. Becker will be staying in
Belize until August. (photo/submitted)
some day be her next des-
tination.
"I think that travelling to
Belize will open my eyes
to see what is really hap-
pening in countries living
in poverty," said Becker.
"I'm not saying that I will
go over there and make a
huge difference, I'm not at
all saying that by going
there I will put an end to
poverty, but I am hoping
to make a difference for
the people of Belize, and
make their everyday
struggle a bit less burden-
some."
Becker will be living
with the founder of the
organization, Anna, along
with her husband, their
son Oscar, and their
daughters Karyna and
Shantel.
World Vision and
Intercordia are programs
that Becker says she is "so
passionately involved
with."
Becker's parents, Joe
and Nancy, say they are
proud of their daughter.
"I am very excited for
her," Joe said. "But surely
I am going to miss her."
"Candace is a naturally
content member of our
family," Nancy said. "She
brings so much excite-
ment and surprise to us
each and every day. As a
parent, you hope your
children are healthy and
happy, and, as her moth-
er, I am worried about
her safety, with the HIV
and AIDS rates so high
over there."
Becker said she is excit-
ed to have this opportuni-
ty
"We are very proud of
her," Nancy said.
Becker said she is over-
whelmed with the support
of her friends, family and
her community, and
would like to thank every-
one who helped her make
this trip happen.
POLICE BRIEF
Zurich man gets impaired
MIDDLESEX — On April 14 a Zurich man entered
a R.I.D.E. check at Medway and Adelaide in
Middlesex Centre. Police determined he had been
drinking. The 22 -year-old is charged with driving
with over 80 mgs.
Reservations Required
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2 Sittings 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
$12.99 - Adults
$6.99 - preschool to 10
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Farmers' Market
soon to be a reality
GRAND BEND - Bob Chorney, Executive Director of
Farmers' Markets Ontario was the keynote speaker
at the April 10 meeting held in Grand Bend and orga-
nized by the West Coast Lions Club. Chorney has
more than thirty years of experience in developing
and supporting local Farmers' Markets. He has long
been a champion of community driven, producer
based Farmers' Markets.
His encouraging presentation showcased many suc-
cessful Farmers' Markets throughout Ontario.
Communities much smaller than Grand Bend have
supported successful markets for many years.
Chorney believes the key to success is to remain
community driven and producer based, selling only
home grown produce, home made crafts and value-
added products where the vendors are primary pro-
ducers (including preserves, baked goods, meat, fish,
dairy products, etc.). Characteristics of such a mar-
ket include fresh, local produce, a connection with
local farmers and a sense of community.
Plans are underway to open the market in mid June
and a steering committee consisting of Lions Club
members, potential vendors and community mem-
bers are already active in developing a market associ-
ation, seeking vendors, and gaining support from
other community partners.
Acting Market Manager and local Lions member
Christine Bregman, was excited by the meeting
response. It was well attended and a number of
enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers stepped
forward to make the market a reality. She said, "This
is a great thing for Grand Bend, we are planning a
number of events during the season and we will run
Wednesday mornings from mid June to late October."
Joan Brady, a potential vendor and steering com-
mittee volunteer, said, "I know people are becoming
more health conscious and are concerned about what
they are eating and where it comes from. This farm-
ers' market will be an excellent opportunity to deal
directly with the farmers that grow their food."
Contacts Christine Bergman - 238-5854, Joan Brady
- 237-3139.
Irvin running again
STANLEY WEST — The
number of candidates
declaring their intention
to run in this
municipal election
continues to
increase with
Stanley West
Conn. George
Irvin announcing
his intention to
run again.
Irvin lives in Hay
West and is
employed as a
facilitator with
Partners in
Employment in Exeter, a
non-profit organization
years
which assists individuals
with disabilities and bar-
riers to obtain employ-
ment in Huron and Perth
counties.
Irvin is a past
director of the
South Huron
Chamber of
Commerce as
well as co-chair
of the Zurich -St.
Joseph
Watershed
Committee and is
Georg
e Irvin
a graduate of
Mohawk college
in industrial and Retail
management.
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