Me to Y p l o e u H p l e H

Call: 0-800-922-8477

INFORMATION ABOUT CRIME STOPPERS BELIZE WHAT IS CRIME STOPPERS BELIZE? Crime Stoppers Belize (CSB) is a not for profit organization that was introduced to Belize by the Rotary Club of Belize in July 2004. It is managed by a volunteer civilian board of directors and supports its self through donations and fund raising efforts. The main purpose of CSB is to provide a confidential toll free hotline (0-800-922-8477) for the members of the public to call in information about unsolved crime while remaining safe and anonymous. The hotline is answered by Miami Dade Detectives. You are not asked to give your name or any personal information and the number does not appear on your telephone bill. If your tip is successful, meaning someone is arrested and charged for a crime, you are then eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers Belize have helped to solve many cases such as murder, vehicle theft, child abuse, contraband, fraud and is responsible for the apprehension of several fugitives including two from “American Most Wanted” HOW CRIME STOPPERS BELIZE WORKS a- A Caller has information regarding an unsolved crime b- The Caller calls 0-800-922-8477 c- The Miami Dade Detective answers the call, takes the information/tip and gives the Caller a code number to use. The Caller is advised to call back in 2 weeks time to check if the tip was successful d- Miami Dade Detectives then sends the information/tip electronically to the Coordinator of Crime Stoppers Belize e- The CSB Coordinator passes the information to the relevant law enforcement agencyPolice, Customs, Immigration or Human Services Department f- The CSB Coordinator does constant follow up to find out the status of the tip. g- If the tip is successful, the Coordinator informs the Detectives in Miami. h- To find out if the tip was successful, the Caller calls Miami, gives the code number and learns the result of the tip. i- If the tip is successful, the Detectives in Miami advise the Caller how to collect their reward if they so desire. Note to Teachers, parents, guardians and children, to enjoy and engage in the activities for the Middle and Upper Divisions, it is necessary to understand what Crime Stoppers Belize is and how it works. You are therefore encouraged to read and discuss the information provided above before reading the stories and doing the activities.

HELP ME TO HELP YOU A COLLECTION OF POEMS AND SHORT STORIES INTENDED TO HELP PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN LEARN ABOUT CRIME STOPPERS BELIZE, THEIR ROLE IN CRIME SOLVING, AND HOW THIS ORGANIZATION WORKS. Leroy A Green JP... WRITER: LEROY A. GREEN JP EDITOR: ALVIN P. LEDLON IllUSTRATIONS: CONCEPCION MARTINEZ POLANCO, BRC Printing PRINTED BY: BRC PRINTING & DESKTOP PUBLISHING September 2011 This children’s booklet was made possible by Crime Stoppers Belize with support funding from the Central America Regional Security Initiative Grant through the United States of America Embassy in Belize. 

Thanks to NCFC for collaborating with Crime Stoppers Belize in making this book a reality.

HELP ME TO HELP YOU By Leroy A Green JP.

STORIES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL LEVELS ……

Table of Contents: CSB information Introductory Poem (Infants) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - pg 2 Baby’s Bottle (Infant Story)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -pg 3 Teacher’s Money (Infant Story)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -pg 6 Follow Up Activities (Infants)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -pg 8 Introductory Poem (Middle Division)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - pg 10 Maccu Saves The Day (Middle Division Story) - - - - - - - - - pg 11 Follow Up Activities (Middle Division) - - - - - - - - - - - - - pg 14 Introductory Poem (Upper Division) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - pg 16 Secret Solver (Upper Division Story) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - pg 17 Follow Up Activities (Upper Division) - - - - - - - - - - - - - pg 20 Vocabulary - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - pg 21 Glossary- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - pg 23

----------INFANTS A---------For Very Young Infants

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Help A CENT OR A DIME, HELP TEACHER SOLVE THE CRIME …… WHISPER THE NAME IN HER EAR -----SO ONLY SHE ALONE WILL HEAR.

BE A GOOD BELIZEAN! HELP CRIME STOPPERS BELIZE TO HELP YOU!

The Toucan is the winning entry for the mascot competition submitted by: Nisa Carillo, Std V student of Corozal Methodist School.

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Baby’s Bottle Note: To be read by teacher and discussed orally.

Mother was washing. Baby Bobby was sucking his bottle or “BABA” as it was called. Brother Juney took away the baby’s bottle. He started to suck it. The baby cried and cried.

Sister Susie saw what had happened, she asked Brother Juney to give back the bottle but he refused. So she quietly went and told Mother May. Mother May came and caught Brother Juney with the baby’s bottle. She took it away and gave it back to the baby; Baby Bobby stopped crying.

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Mother May then disciplined Brother Juney by putting him in time out. She gave Sister Susie a nice, red mango, for helping Baby Bobby. After his time out Brother Juney hugged Baby Bobby and told him that he was sorry.

Discussion Questions: -----

1] What did Brother Juney do to upset Baby Bobby? 2] What did Sister Susie ask Brother Juney to do? 3] How did Mother May discipline Brother Juney? 4] How did Mother May thank Sister Susie? 5] What did Brother Juney do to show that he was sorry?

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----------INFANTS B ------------For More Advanced Infants

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Teacher’s Money Note: To be read by teacher and discussed orally.

It was in the village of Flower’s Bank. The name of the school was St. Stephen’s. It was a Friday morning. It was lunch–break. Some of the children were inside with some teachers, while some were out in the yard with the other teachers. All were eating lunch.

Only two people saw Mrs. Flowers’ bag lying on her table with no one watching it. When lunch-break was over, everyone went back inside. Suddenly Mrs. Flowers exclaimed, “MY BAG! IT IS OPEN! MY MONEY IS GONE!” She started walking around the room looking on the floor. The children looked too.

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As Mrs. Flowers passed a little girl named Kira, she felt a soft touch. Mrs. Flowers looked at Kira. Kira pointed to another little girl named Lisa. Mrs. Flowers continued walking slowly around ….. looking ….





Then, suddenly, Mrs. Flowers said “Lisa! can I see you?” At the sound of Mrs. Flowers’ voice, Lisa jumped. Then she cried out, “TEECHA! ……….AH SORRY…..AH NEVA MEAN FI TEK YUH MONEY.”





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Kira went over to Lisa and gave her a hug and said, “I am glad that you are sorry and that you will never steal again.”

Discussion Questions:-1] Who took Mrs. Flowers’ money? 2] Where was the money stolen from? 3] Which two people knew who had done the crime? 4] How did Mrs. Flowers find out who had stolen her money? 5] Was Lisa sorry that she had taken the money? 6] What did Kira do to show Lisa that she was still her friend?

Infant Activities:-1] MATERIALS NEEDED: a) Several sets of large cut out letters to form the sentences in the activity section. b) Large flat surface to work on. ACTIVITY: Divide children into groups and have them unscramble the letters to form the following sentences:a) BE KIND. b) DO NOT STEAL. c) HELP OTHERS. d) DO NOT BEG. e) SAY PLEASE. f) SAY THANK YOU. g) I AM HAPPY. 2] MATERIALS NEEDED: Cut out pictures, Bristol board, glue, markers. ACTIVITY: a) A few days before this activity, have children collect cut out pictures of people they consider to be helpful and kind. (teachers, doctors, nurses, policemen, soldiers, mothers, fathers, bus drivers, firemen, waitresses, postmen etc.)

b) Divide children into groups to make posters using their pictures.



c) Have children explain what the person in the picture does that is helpful or kind.

3] MATERIAL NEEDED: None. Have children orally compose a story of policemen helping to solve a problem.

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-----MIDDLE DIVISION:-----

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Tell! 1] IF AROUND SCHOOL THERE LURKS A STRANGER, TO SOMEONE IT MAY SPELL “DANGER!” DON’T HAVE TO SHOUT...DON’T HAVE TO HOLLER ------GO QUIETLY …. TELL YOUR TEACHER. MIGHT BE A ROBBER OR A KIDNAPPER, A PEDOPHILE OR A MURDERER… STOP THE CRIME BEFORE IT GOES FURTHER! GO QUIETLY……. TELL YOUR TEACHER. 2] IN THE STREETS AROUND YOUR HOME … STAY INSIDE… DO NOT ROAM. SAW A LURKER ON THE CORNER, TELL AN ADULT TO CALL THIS NUMBER---RRRR ING ….O-800-922-8477 TELL CRIME STOPPERS WHAT IS HAPPENING! ALWAYS BE ALERT AND ON THE BALL…. YOU, OR AN ADULT, MAKE THAT CALL— CRIME STOPPERS IS HERE FOR ME AND YOU… BUT NOT THE CRIMINALS…THAT IS TRUE!

The second place winner for the mascot competition is the telephone, this was submitted by Zazie McKenzie Std 3H student of Belize Elementary School (BES).

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Maccu Saves The Day. Maccu was sitting at her window as usual ---but no one knew. Maccu was so skilled in the art of peeping that she could sit for hours peeping without the curtains budging a quarter of an inch. Yet…she saw everything. Maccu lived on Bread Fruit Road in Belize City. On this day school had recently been let out. Children from various schools streamed past. So, Maccu had a lot to “HEM” and “HAW” about. You see, Maccu hemmed and hawed about everything. If a little boy was walking with a little girl...Maccu,”HEMMED”. If two boys were playing in the street, Maccu, “HAWED”. Yes…everything bothered Maccu.

However, on this day, Maccu saw something which really peaked her interest! A short while before the children had started passing from school, a black car had passed back and forth several times. Maccu could not see who was inside as the windows were tinted.

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After some minutes the stream of children died down. Still… the car lurked. Maccu settled herself better behind the curtains and reached for her telephone which was always close by. She dialed—“911”. A voice answered, “Police Department.” Then Maccu’s eyes noticed something else. A lone little girl…about twelve years old rounded the corner. She passed the parked car apparently without noticing it. Maccu spoke into the phone. The little girl was walking slowly as if deep in thought. Maccu’s beady eyes brightened. The car turned the corner behind the child. At a snail’s pace it followed her. Maccu spoke into the phone. Maccu focused her eyes on the car without blinking. But, after a while, Maccu had to leave her post when nature called. Some instinct made her reach for a pen and a piece of paper though. Squinting her eyes to see better, she jotted down the licence plate number of the suspicious vehicle and stored it under the vase on the shelf above the telephone stand. Police responded to Maccu’s 911 call but the car had disappeared.

That evening Maccu was astonished to learn that a little girl matching the description of the one she had seen had not returned home from school. It was believed that she had been abducted. The reporter went on to add that this child was the third to have disappeared this way. All had last been seen in the general vicinity in which Maccu had seen the girl and the suspicious car.

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Three weeks later Maccu was at her usual post behind her curtains …. suddenly her attention was caught by a vehicle moving slowly along Bread Fruit Road from the direction of Rock Stone Canal. It was moving very slowly as if the occupants were looking for someone … Maccu peered closer... She could not see inside.. AHA… The windows were tinted...HMMMM...The numbers on the licence plate…not rising from her perch, Maccu reached for the paper she had written on three weeks earlier. Yes…IT WAS THE SAME … Quickly she dialed, “0-800-922-8477”. A voice answered, “Crime Stoppers Belize.” Whispering as if afraid someone would hear her, Maccu gave the information she had stored in her mind for weeks now, and the licence number description, and location of the suspicious vehicle which she noticed had stopped at a house down the street. She settled herself to wait………. Soon her vigil was rewarded with sirens blaring and lights flashing, police cars and pick-ups descended from all directions! Doors slammed! Heavily armed officers rushed the car which was still parked down the street. As Maccu watched, four men dressed in dark clothing were removed from the car. Police also removed two guns, rope, masking tape, a camera and other video equipment.

That evening it was reported on the 6:30pm news that the men had been arrested and charged for the abduction of the children and police had strong evidence to support their case. The missing children were found and returned to their parents.

Maccu had saved the day.

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Discussion Questions:1] What was the name of the main character and what did she like to do? 2] In your own words describe what Maccu saw that peaked her interest. 3] Why could Maccu not see who was in the car? 4] What does “TINTED” mean? 5] Which was the first number Maccu dialed and who owned that number? 6] Were the police successful in catching the men the first time? 7] What did Maccu hear on the news which made her call another number? 8] Which number did she call the second time? 9] What do you think the men were going to do the second time Maccu saw them? 10] Which very smart thing did Maccu do the first time she saw the car? 11] What is the number for CRIME STOPPERS BELIZE? 12] Who answers that number?

Middle Division Activities:-1] MATERIALS NEEDED: Chalkboard, chalk, paper, pen or pencil, a paragraph explaining the purpose of Crime Stoppers Belize but in the form of jumbled sentences. Use the section “Information About Crime Stoppers Belize” as a guide. ACTIVITY: a) Teacher writes the sentences on the chalk board. b) The students re-arrange the sentences to form a paragraph explaining the purpose of Crime Stoppers Belize. 2] MATERIALS NEEDED: Bristol board, markers, crayons, cut out pictures (have children collect pictures a few days before), glue.

ACTIVITY: Posters created by groups explaining how Crime Stoppers Belize works. 3] MATERIALS NEEDED: Left up to children’s imagination. (Give children a few days warning so they can decide on items to use) ACTIVITY: a) Divide children into groups. b) Children will act out the steps of how Crime Stoppers Belize works as it is outlined in the section “Information About Crime Stoppers Belize”. 4] ORAL or WRITTEN ACTIVITY: Choose words from the vocabulary section and have children use them in sentences to show the meanings.

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---UPPER DIVISION---

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Do Not Condone DO NOT CONDONE ANY CRIME! CALL CRIME STOPPERS BELIZE HOT-LINE… REPORT SUSPECTS OF ANY NATURE— DISCRETION ---ONE OF THIS LINE’S BEST FEATURES. UNKNOWN OPERATORS FROM AFAR ALERTING OFFICIALS WHO ARE HERE. IF IN TIME, ANOTHER CRIME IT MAY PREVENT AND IN SOMEONE’S LIFE PREVENT A DENT. SO MANY CRIMINALS….SO MANY CRIMES— WE ARE LIVING IN CHAOTIC TIMES. BUT CALL “0-800-922-8477”----HELP SEND SOME CRIMINALS OFF TO PRISON. THE POLICE, THOUGH THEY TRY VERY HARD, DON’T HAVE EYES IN EVERY SQUARE YARD… SO BE A GOOD SAMARITAN—A GOOD CITIZEN JUST DIAL 0-800-922-8477. LIVE WITH NO FEAR OF CRIMINAL REPRISAL, YOUR CALL IS COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL. IF CAUGHT OR SOLVED – A REWARD IS GIVEN…. SO CALL – 0-800-922-8477. DO NOT CONDONE ANY CRIME CALL BELIZE CRIME STOPPERS HOT-LINE! WITH CONFIDENCE AND MAJOR SECURITY--HELP INCREASE BELIZE’S SAFETY. STOP IT! SOLVE IT! CALL –O-800-922-8477 IN CONFIDENCE, EVEN THE REWARD IS GIVEN.

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Secret Solver

Papito smiled to himself as he listened to the 12:30 pm news on Love FM. He was seated at the kitchen table in his home located in San Pablo Village-a village just outside Orange Walk Town on the road leading to Corozal. As he chewed on a mouthful of corn tortilla, stewed chicken, and fried beans,.. one of his favorite meals, Papito felt good about himself. The announcer had just stated that the police had just arrested and charged the two local village “BAD-MEN”—Marco and Anastacio, after they had been captured and forced to lead the police to the shallow hole containing the missing iron safe and jewelry from Mrs. Sylvia Romero Store... the store was burglarized several days previously. The Police had acted on a tip called in to Crime Stoppers Belize. Papito felt good about himself. He, Papito Gomez, had made that secret call to...0-800-922-8477. He, Papito Gomez, had helped the police solve the crime and helped to make his community safer. As he chewed on another mouthful of food, he thought of the praises his parents had heaped upon him, and wondered where they were. All he knew was that his parents, Juan and Selma Gomez, had gone to an undisclosed location to collect the reward money he had been offered from Crime Stoppers Belize for his secret assistance. He himself could not go as he was still a minor. Papito gazed into the distance as he recalled that day not so long ago …

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It was a hot Saturday in July… Papito had gone hunting –or trapping to be exact – a sport which he enjoyed and which often brought extra meat to the family table. After setting his traps in the thick, tall bushes some distance in from the roadside, his patience had been rewarded. One of his traps had been sprung. Hurrying towards it, Papito quickly put a fat gibnut out of its misery and, as efficiently as his father had taught him, strung the carcass up to make it easier to carry. Smiling contentedly, he set off along the “PICADO” that led to the roadside. He was pleased as he knew that roasted gibnut was a family favorite and that he would be given a choice cut as he had brought the prize home. He was just about to emerge from the path when he heard car doors slam! The sound came from another “PICADO” parallel to the one he was on. What on earth was a car doing in the bushes?... Then he heard a voice “Wi have to bury it weh no one gwain find it.” Papito’s eyes opened wide! Cold sweat broke out on his body!… Who were these men--- What were they burying? Then he heard another voice, “Yah Dawg.” Papito recognized that voice … it belonged to Marco... one of the village’s two “BAD MEN”. He was reputed to have killed at least three people but had never been convicted. It was also said that he was responsible for many burglaries in the surrounding villages.

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Afraid, but always a quick thinker, Papito quietly set down his prize catch of meat. Moving as silently as a shadow, he crept through the bushes to the edge of the other “PICADO”. He was just in time to see Marco and another fellow called Anastacio spreading branches over what was shaped like a grave. He stood stock-still until they had left. Then he went back for his gibnut.

When he got home his parents were not there and he soon became engrossed in cleaning and seasoning his catch. At newstime they had still not returned from the “CITY”. That was when he heard the reporter on Love FM state that Mrs. Sylvia Romero Store which was located in San Jose, a nearby village was burglarized two days previously. Police was investigating but had no clues… Papito recalled the mysterious happening he had witnessed earlier that day. Taking his prized cellphone which he had recently received for his birthday from his parents, he dialed the number he had seen advertised on the local TV stations - 0-800-922-8477.

The Rest was history……

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Discussion Questions:-------1] 2] 3] 4] 5] 6] 7]

Which two villages are mentioned in the story? What do you think is a “PICADO”? What did Papito hear on the news which made him smile? Why did he feel pleased with himself? How do we know that Marco and Anastascio were criminals? What did Papito see the two men doing in the bushes? After he heard the news on the day he had gone hunting, what number did Papito call, and who owned that number? 8] Why was the reward being paid at an undisclosed location? 9] Why was Papito not allowed to collect the reward himself? 10] List all the things you learnt about CRIME STOPPERS BELIZE from the story.

Upper Division Activities:-1] MATERIALS NEEDED: Pen or pencil and paper. ACTIVITY: a) Divide children into pairs. b) One child will write a letter to the friend telling about a series of crimes committed in his/her neighbourhood which Police have been unable to solve. The writer has some information which can help the Police solve the crime. c) The other person will write a letter detailing how the other can use Crime Stoppers Belize to help solve the crimes. Use the section “Information About Crime Stoppers Belize” as a guide. 2] MATERIALS NEEDED: Pen or pencil and paper, markers, crayons ACTIVITY: a) Divide children into groups. b) Groups will compose and create original illustrated short stories portraying the procedure of Crime Stoppers Belize in helping to solve crimes. Use the section “Information About Crime Stoppers Belize” as a guide. 3] MATERIALS NEEDED: Left to children’s imagination. ACTIVITY: a) Put children in groups. Children will compose and dramatize original pantomimes depicting the procedures of how Crime Stoppers Belize Works. Use the section “Information About Crime Stoppers Belize” as a guide. 4] MATERIALS NEEDED: Bristol Board, markers ACTIVITY: a) Divide children into groups. b) Children will make a poster showing suggestions/activities of how we can help to keep our self, home and community safe. 5] ORAL or WRITTEN ACTIVITY: Choose words from the vocabulary section and have children use them in sentences to show the meanings.

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VOCABULARY WORDS

MEANING

abduct (ab-duct)

to carry off a person illegally, to kidnap

alert (a-lert)

watchful, on the lookout, attentive

anonymous (a-n-n-y-mous)

nameless, of unknown source

astonish (as-ton-ish)

to surprise greatly

budge

to move or shift slightly

burglarize (bur-glar-ize)

act of breaking into a building to steal

carcass (car-cass)

the dead body of an animal especially one prepared for cutting up as meat

chaotic (cha-otic)

state of total disorder

condone (con-done)

to overlook, disregard, forgive wrongdoing without punishment

confidential (con-fi-den-tial) told in secret, to be kept secret convicted (con-vic-ted)

found or proven guilty

contentedly (con-tent-ed-ly) satisfied, happy with what you have crime

an illegal act, an offence committed against the law

criminals (crim-i-nal)

person who committed an illegal act

danger (dan-ger)

exposure to possible risk, injury, or harm

descend (de-scend)

to move, come, or go from a higher to a lower level

description (de-scrip-tion)

an account or picture in words

discipline (dis-ci-pline)

training that produces obedience, self-control, or a particular skill

discretion (dis-cre-tion)

good judgement, freedom or power to act or judge on one’s own

emerge (e-merge)

to rise or come into view, to appear, to come into existence

engross (en-gross)

to occupy the full attention

evidence (ev-i-dence)

anything that proves a fact or gives reason for believing something, statements made or objects produced in a court of law as proof or to support a case

exclaim (ex-claim)

to cry out suddenly from pain, pleasure, surprise etc.

instinct (in-stinct)

an inborn impulse or tendency to perform certain acts or behave in certain ways, a natural ability,

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WORDS

MEANING

investigating (in-ves-ti-gat-ing) to make a careful inquiry or study in order to discover the facts jotted (jot-ted) kidnaper (kid-nap-er) lurk licence (li-cence)

to make a brief note someone who seize or hold a person unlawfully often for a ransom to lie concealed as in ambush, to lie hidden while waiting to attack, to be lingering legal permit from government to own or operate a specific thing e.g vehicle licence plate

minor (mi-nor)

lesser, smaller, under age, not of legal age

mysterious (mys-te-ri-ous)

puzzling, difficult to understand or explain

occupants (oc-cu-pants)

person who dwells or inhabits a building, area etc.

parallel (par-al-el)

moving or situated in the same direction but always separated by the same distance

paedophile or (pe-do-phile) an adult who has inappropriate interest in children Picado (pi-ca-do)

narrow footpath through the bushes

reprisal (re-pri-sal)

an attack or other action intended to inflict injury for an injury suffered, retaliation

reputed (re-pu-ted)

assume to be as such, said or thought to be

robber (rob-ber)

someone who takes property unlawfully, someone who steals

reward (re-ward)

something given or received in return for what is done or merit, money offered for the detention of a criminal or return of lost property

Samaritan (Sa-ma-ri-tan)

someone who readily gives help to persons in distress

skill

ability to do something well

squinting

to look through partly closed eyes

steal

to take property of another without permission

suspicious (sus-pi-cious)

to have doubts, to mistrust, to feel someone is guilty but have little or no proof

tinted (tin-ted)

a shade of colour, to apply a shade of colour on an object

undisclosed (un-dis-closed)

not made known, not exposed to view, not revealed

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GLOSSARY Baba

Baby’s bottle

Teecha ah sorry ah neva mean fi tek yuh money

Teacher I am sorry that I stole your money. I won’t do it again.

Time out

A educational technique for disciplining a child.Involves temporarily separating a child from an environment where inappropriate behavior has occurred, and is intended to give an over-excited child time to calm down.

Peaked her interest

Caused her to become very interested

When nature called.

Having to use the bathroom

Wi have to bury it weh no one gwain fine it.

We must bury it where no one will ever find it.

Yah Dawg

I agree with you

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This children’s booklet was made possible by Crime Stoppers Belize with support funding from the Central America Regional Security Initiative Grant through the United States of America Embassy in Belize.