A Garifuna Language Course, as part of this Project, will begin on SATURDAY, February 1st 2025 in Dangriga, Belize.
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Copyright 2025 by Teofilo Colon Jr (a.k.a. “Tio Teo”) for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved. Contact Tio Teo.
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Dangriga, Belize — The Yurumein Project, a new Initiative that aims to reestablish and share Garifuna Culture, will begin the Garifuna Language Aspect of their Initiative on SATURDAY, February 1st 2025 in Belize. Consisting of 3 Separate Garifuna Language Courses, this revolutionary Initiative aims high.
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The Yurumein Project Teachers
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The Yurumein Project is, according to their Yurumein Project website, is a “Not For Profit Organization that was established to intentionally mobilize for the retrieval and the reestablishment of the Garifuna Language as the primary means of communication for Garinagu” (plural for Garifuna People).
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In the Channel 5 Belize News Report above, Dr. Jeremy Cayetano makes a stunning admission that suggests why this Initiative is needed. She states,
“One of the saving graces that we have is that the language is still in homes. Granny still knows it. Right? The Grandmother still knows it. We need a Consciousness from all of us, to make a decision. That we are not going to lose it. When I walk in the streets and I hear the Mestizo children speaking Spanish, I applaud them. The Chinese Children speaking Chinese, I applaud them. Even my children and their friends who are Garifuna. I am not throwing my kids under the bus, (but) they struggle. And we are alive, and they’re struggling.” – Dr. Jeremy Cayetano
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The Wayanuha (Wayanuha means “We Talk” in the Garifuna Language) Garifuna Language Classes have 3 different levels.
Level 1 (Beginner) – Students with NO knowledge of the Garifuna Language.
Level 1 (Intermediate) – Students with a LITTLE knowledge of the Garifuna Language.
Level 2 – Students who can understand the Garifuna Language but are unable to speak it.
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Classes are scheduled as follows:
SATURDAYS – 9am to 1pm – IN PERSON – Level 1 Beginner and Level 1 Intermediate Classes at Stann Creek Ecumenical College.
SUNDAYS – 2pm – ONLINE – Level 1 for High School and Junior College Students
SUNDAYS – 3:30pm – ONLINE – Level 1 Classes for General Public
SUNDAYS – 2:30pm – ONLINE – Level 2 Classes
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Some of the Teachers of The Wayanuha Garifuna Language Classes include:
Dr. Gwen Nuñez-Gonzalez
Wahrisie Elijio
Biviana McDougal
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Dr. Gwen Nuñez Gonzalez
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Dr. Gwen Nuñez Gonzalez is Managing Director of The Yurumein Project Initiative. She is an Educator who was born in Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District, Belize. While still a child, her family moved to Dangriga, Stann Creek District, Belize.
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Dr. Gwen Nuñez-Gonzalez received her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Higher Education from Nova Southeastern University with a dissertation focus on Intercultural Bilingual Education.
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Her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing and Master’s Degree int Educational Leadership were obtained from the University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida. She has a Certificate in School Leadership and Management from The Belize Teachers’ Training College.
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Dr. Gwen Nuñez-Gonzalez has previously released various products designed to increase Literacy in the Garifuna Language. These include:
a) Iawaü, a Garifuna Card Game similar to the Mexican Bingo Picture Card Game, Loteria or Chalupa.
b) Lererun Bungiu Volume 1, a Garifuna Puzzle Book
c) Lererun Bungiu Volume 2 and
d) NUMERU, a Number Game.
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Dr. Nuñez-Gonzalez formerly worked at the Ministry of Education in Belize as an Education Officer. She also worked with the Catholic School Management. As an educator, she has served as a School Principal, Teacher, Teachers License Officer, Assistant Education Officer and Acting Career Manager.
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As if that wasn’t enough, Dr. Gwen Nuñez-Gonzalez was also President of the Belmopan Branch of The National Garifuna Council. She was also Moderator of the Youth Arm for Garifuna Tidan Ligilisi Katolika ( Garifuna In The Catholic Church).
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Wahrisie Elijio
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You must register on The Yurumein Project website to be a part of The Wayanuha Garifuna Language Class. All Wayanuha Garifuna Language Classes are sponsored, so there is no fee for the participants in the Classes. The Classes are FREE.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Jerry Valentine — 501-614-1247
Mr. James Cordice — 267-971-9152
Dr.Gwen Nunez Gonzales — 501-621-4097
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