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  • Magistrates’ Court Goes Digital with Launch of Public Resource Portal

    Magistrates’ Court Goes Digital with Launch of Public Resource Portal

    In a landmark shift to modernize Belize’s judicial system, the Magistrates’ Court officially launched a new public-facing digital resource portal on August 7, 2026, designed to break down longstanding barriers to accessing court information and services for all Belizeans.

    The new web platform offers members of the public the ability to browse up-to-date court details, download official legal forms, and follow clear, step-by-step guidance on navigating common court procedures — eliminating the previous requirement to travel to a physical court location or spend hours on hold to obtain basic information. Court leadership framed the launch as a direct response to years of public feedback calling for improved digital access to judicial services, while emphasizing a deliberate blended approach that preserves in-person and paper-based support to avoid excluding marginalized communities.

    “For years, one of the most consistent criticisms of the Magistrates’ Court has been that we fail to clearly explain processes to the public,” Chief Magistrate Deborah Rogers explained in remarks following the launch. “Our court is a high-volume institution: magistrates and clerks handle between 50 and 100 cases daily, leaving staff stretched thin to answer routine individual questions. A dedicated public website emerged as the most practical solution to meet ongoing demand for accessible information.”

    Rogers stressed that the digital upgrade does not signal a full shift away from in-person services, a choice shaped by the demographic of the communities the court serves. “We frequently receive handwritten correspondence from litigants, which tells us that a large segment of the population we serve does not have reliable access to home internet, computers or printers,” she noted. “While other government branches are moving toward fully digital operations, a complete switch here would disenfranchise the majority of the people we serve. That is why we are adopting a hybrid model: new digital services will expand access, but paper-based, in-person support will remain fully available for anyone who needs it. Staff will continue to assist patrons who cannot use the online platform.”

    The portal is not an isolated upgrade, but a key milestone in a broader regional justice transformation initiative funded and supported by the European Union. Elizabeth Lanzi Mazzocchini, project officer for the European Union in Belize, explained that the reform program aims to make the entire justice sector more responsive and accessible to ordinary citizens.

    “Before this portal, accessing even a simple legal form could mean hours of bus travel, significant out-of-pocket costs, and relying on potentially incorrect secondhand information from friends or family,” Mazzocchini said. “Getting answers to basic questions often required waiting extended periods for a return call from court staff. This new platform solves those pain points: it provides clear guidance in plain, jargon-free language available in both English and Spanish, and lets users download forms and access information directly on their own time.”

    The four-year regional justice reform project, which provides training and capacity-building support to eight Caribbean nations, is scheduled to conclude in six months. To date, Belize has been recognized as the top-performing participant in the program, outpacing other regional partners in implementing inclusive, people-centered judicial reforms.

    This report is adapted from a transcript of an evening television news broadcast, with Kriol language content transcribed using a standardized spelling system where applicable.

  • Belize City Marches in Blue for Child Protection

    Belize City Marches in Blue for Child Protection

    On the morning of August 7, 2026, the streets of Belize City were flooded with crowds dressed in blue, as dozens of local residents gathered for a unity march focused on defending children and adolescent survivors of abuse. Coordinated by the National Women’s Commission in partnership with the Ministry of Human Development, the public demonstration forms a core component of a national outreach campaign pushing for broader community engagement in child safeguarding, survivor support, and ending the culture of silence that surrounds domestic and societal violence against minors.

    Organizers emphasized that the campaign’s core message is both straightforward and time-sensitive: child abuse must no longer be dismissed as a private family matter, and every member of Belizean society holds a responsibility to help prevent harm against young people. The march also aligns with the ongoing national Blue Teddy Bear Campaign, a long-running initiative dedicated to raising public awareness of child abuse, encouraging survivors and witnesses to report incidents, and building safer, more supportive communities for children across the entire country.

    In an on-the-record interview during the event, Minister of Human Development Thea Garcia-Ramirez outlined the scale of the crisis the country is facing, as well as the government’s new steps to address growing caseloads. Garcia-Ramirez shared official data showing that in 2025 alone, Belize recorded 240 reported cases of child sexual abuse, with another 125 reported cases of child sexual assault handled by the Department of Human Services. Combined, this adds up to 365 reported cases of sexual violence against children – an average of one reported incident every single day of the year.

    This count only captures reported sexual violence cases, Garcia-Ramirez stressed, and does not include thousands of additional unreported or uncounted incidents of neglect, physical abuse, verbal abuse, and emotional abuse against children across the country. As a small nation, this daily average of reported incidents represents a disproportionate public crisis, she noted. Experts widely estimate that only 40% of all child abuse cases are ever reported to authorities in Belize, meaning the actual number of children harmed annually is far higher than official statistics reflect.

    To address the growing strain on child protection services that has left frontline social workers overwhelmed with unmanageable caseloads, the ministry has secured government approval to expand its workforce. Seven new child services officers have already been approved for hiring this year, with an additional seven positions set to be filled in the near term. Over the next three years, the government plans to add a total of 21 new child services officers and four new supervisory positions to respond to the more than 1,000 new child protection cases reported across the country every year. Garcia-Ramirez reaffirmed that expanding child protection resources remains a top policy priority, as the government works alongside civil society groups to turn the march’s call to action into tangible change for Belize’s children.

  • SSB Celebrates Academic Excellence with Scholarship Awards

    SSB Celebrates Academic Excellence with Scholarship Awards

    On August 7, 2026, Belize’s Social Security Board (SSB) gathered students, parents, educators and institutional leaders for a milestone scholarship ceremony, celebrating a quarter-century of expanding educational access for young Belizeans and awarding 85 new scholarships to deserving incoming high school and upper secondary students. Far more than just a one-time financial grant, each of this year’s awards carries a tangible vote of confidence in the next generation of Belizean leaders, echoing the program’s 25-year legacy of lifting up young people pursuing their academic goals.

    Launched in 2001, the SSB Scholarship Program has grown from a small initiative to a foundational educational support system that has helped hundreds of Belizean students access secondary and post-secondary education they might otherwise have been unable to afford. Speaking at the 2026 ceremony, SSB Public Relations Manager Vanessa Vellos emphasized that the 25th anniversary of the program makes this year’s event far more than a routine awards distribution—it is a celebration of decades of life-changing investment in Belize’s youth.

    “For the past twenty-five years the social security board has been transforming lives through education. So today is a very special day. It is not just a regular scholarship award ceremony. We are celebrating twenty-five years of giving back,” Vellos told reporters. Out of 200 total applications received for the 2026 award cycle, SSB selected 85 recipients based on strict, targeted eligibility criteria: all awardees must be native-born Belizeans, demonstrate verifiable financial need, prove their ability to complete a full academic program, and maintain a minimum B+ average to qualify for support. Of this year’s awards, 64 will go to students pursuing associate-level higher education, while 21 are allocated to incoming high school students.

    SSB officials note that the program serves a dual purpose: it rewards existing academic excellence and hard work, while making a long-term strategic investment in the young people who will go on to shape Belize’s economic, social and political future. The initiative aligns directly with SSB’s core institutional mission, which frames the board as a beacon of hope for communities across the country, achieved through targeted, meaningful investments in people.

    This report is adapted from a transcript of an evening television news broadcast covering the event.

  • From Court Archives to the Stage: The Story of Nora Parham

    From Court Archives to the Stage: The Story of Nora Parham

    More than six decades after a devastating Belizean domestic violence case ended in a woman’s death, a gritty, fact-based new stage production is preparing to bring her untold story to audiences across the country. Playwright and director Ray Gongora is set to premiere *A Woman Called Nora*, a hard-hitting drama that draws its entire narrative from declassified court archives and firsthand witness testimony connected to the 1963 murder trial of Nora Parham, a mother of eight who suffered years of escalating abuse at the hands of her partner before her life was cut short.

    Staged by local theater collective Square Peg Renaissance, the production also doubles as a fundraising initiative for the Optimist Club of Belize 501, a community organization focused on advancing public good across the country. For Gongora, the project is far more than a work of historical theater: its core mission is to center Parham’s voice, which was erased from official narratives decades ago, and spark urgent new conversation about domestic abuse — a crisis that remains deeply pervasive in Belize today.

    In a reflection on the production’s origins, Gongora emphasized that every line of the play is pulled directly from the official court record, with no fictional embellishment added to heighten drama. “The stenographer who documented the trial created this script, not me,” he explained. “What audiences see on stage is exactly what came from the mouths of witnesses, police officers, and neighbors who were there. It’s so raw that many people will sit in the theater and question whether it could actually be real. You might not want to believe what you’re watching, you might even get angry enough to blame the cast — but that reaction comes from how authentically the actors bring this story to life. They’re pulling a hidden truth from 1963 into the light, and that’s what makes it hit so hard.”

    The play will run for two opening nights at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts in Belize City on September 11 and 13, before launching a regional tour that will stop in Belmopan, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda. Tickets for all performances are available for purchase through authorized outlets in each host city.

    This report, adapted from a transcript of an evening television newscast, preserves all original context and claims while using standard spelling conventions for Kriol language excerpts included in the original broadcast.

  • Stig Gets Sober, Drops His Most Personal Album Yet

    Stig Gets Sober, Drops His Most Personal Album Yet

    Beloved Belizean recording artist Stig Da Artist is stepping back into the global music spotlight with a career-defining new project – but this release comes paired with a profound personal transformation that has reshaped both his life and his craft.

    Officially dropping this week, the 10-track self-titled album *STIG* marks a major milestone for the artist, born Earlyn “Stig Da Artist” Hutchinson. Recorded in a tight two-week window at Placencia’s iconic Placencia Sound Studio alongside veteran producer Randy Sutherland, the project features collaborations with a star-studded roster of guest artists including Byron Messiah and Tanya Carter. While the album still delivers the high-energy club bangers that have earned Stig a loyal global fanbase, the artist says this work stands out as his most vulnerable and intentional collection to date: it is the first full album he has created entirely while sober, a shift that unlocked a new level of creative focus in the recording space.

    In an exclusive sit-down interview, Stig opened up about his journey to sobriety, the sweeping changes he has made to his daily life and personal mindset, and how that growth has seeped into every layer of his new music.

    “My goal for this album was to build a versatile playlist, not just a one-note emotional storytelling project that feels monotonous,” Stig explained. “Every track is designed to stand on its own – you can throw the whole album on at the gym, on a drive, on the radio, or out at a club and it works. I don’t have anything against alcohol; I still make music for people who love to party, and every now and again I might have a drink myself. But for me, personally, I’m committed to becoming the best version of myself across every area of my life: musically, spiritually, financially, emotionally.”

    Stig reflected on how daily pressures often push people toward habits that hold them back, saying he has intentionally shifted his focus to healthier, more uplifting pursuits. “For me, that means investing time in positive things: running, working out, reading, writing, and even going to church. It’s all part of a deeper spiritual journey – it doesn’t have to be church for everyone, but that’s what works for me, and that’s what I encourage other people to explore for themselves,” he said. “People might think my approach sounds contradictory: I make party music but I’m focused on personal and spiritual growth. But for me, it all comes back to mindset and your own individual journey.”

    One of the album’s most personal touches is a vintage interlude pulled from an interview Stig gave roughly a decade ago to journalist Isani Cayetano. In that old conversation, a younger Stig shared his goal to hone his craft and become the best version of himself as an artist. Looking back a decade later, he says the new album is the manifestation of that years-old promise.

    “My goal from the start was to be the most persistent, consistent, hardest working artist of my generation from Belize. Speaking humbly, I feel I’ve delivered on that,” Stig said. “I got to create a true masterpiece for our country, so I have to celebrate me and my whole team for pulling this off.”

    For fans eager to listen, the new album is currently available for purchase on iTunes and can be streamed on all major global music platforms including Spotify and Audiomack.

    This report is adapted from a transcribed evening television broadcast, with Kriol language phrasing preserved using standard orthography.

  • Bay Primary School to be renamed after Sir Garry

    Bay Primary School to be renamed after Sir Garry

    Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced Friday that a proposal to rename Bay Primary School in honor of the country’s beloved national hero, cricket icon Sir Garfield Sobers, has already drawn strong early public support, with more than 300 signatures collected to back the initiative. The plan will next be forwarded to the National Honours Advisory Council for formal review.

    Sir Garfield, who passed away recently, has deep roots tied to the school and the surrounding Bayland community. He attended the institution’s predecessor, Bay Street Boys’ School, one of the oldest public primary schools on the Caribbean island. The legendary cricketer also honed his skills and earned his first athletic recognition on Bay Pasture, which today serves as the playing field for Bay Primary School after the campus relocated to its current Bayville site in 1958.

    Speaking during a formal tribute session in the House of Assembly, where lawmakers unanimously adopted a resolution honoring Sir Garfield, Prime Minister Mottley said she expected widespread backing for the renaming plan across the country. Renaming the school after the local-born global icon, she argued, would create a permanent, generations-long source of inspiration for young students from the community. It would stand as a constant reminder that children born and raised in working-class local communities can achieve extraordinary, world-class success, just as Sir Garfield did.

    “There could be no more long-lasting and fitting tribute,” Mottley told the assembled lawmakers.

    Beyond the school renaming, the Barbadian government is launching a second project to embed Sir Garfield’s core values in future generations: a pocket-sized collection of life lessons titled *365 Not Out*. Mottley explained that the book will feature one daily insight drawn directly from Sir Garfield’s life experiences and personal character, with a goal of distributing copies to every schoolchild across Barbados by the start of 2026. The prime minister envisions the book becoming a core touchstone in the national education system, ensuring that Sir Garfield’s wisdom outlives him and continues to guide young Barbadians long into the future.

    Mottley emphasized that Sir Garfield’s greatest contribution to Barbados extended far beyond the countless athletic records he set during his legendary cricket career. His most enduring legacy, she said, is the belief he instilled in ordinary Barbadians that greatness is within reach for anyone, regardless of their background. “Government can build pavilions, fund programmes, and prepare pitches. But we can’t legislate belief,” she noted. “What Sir Garry did for this country was to make aspiration visible.”

    Reflecting on the widespread outpouring of public grief following Sir Garfield’s death, Mottley highlighted the remarkable fact that even 52 years after his final Test match appearance in 1974, the cricket legend remained one of the most respected and beloved figures in the country. Mottley credited his enduring standing to his personal character, rather than his athletic achievements alone: he was known for his quiet humility, often offering gentle encouragement to young emerging cricketers without seeking public recognition for his mentorship.

    The prime minister also used the tribute as an opportunity to challenge Barbadians to reevaluate how the nation recognizes greatness, noting that there was public debate in 1998 when the living sportsman was first named a National Hero, with some questioning whether a non-political figure deserved the honor. “We must not believe that the only people capable of greatness are political persons,” she said. “He was never just a cricketer. He was always the greatest of all time. And he was always a Barbadian man exhibiting some of the best values that this country could have.”

    Mottley also addressed past unfair criticism of Sir Garfield’s plain-spoken communication style, recalling his response to detractors who judged him for his informal use of English: “I never set out to be the best English speaker in the world.” She used the anecdote to push for greater inclusivity across Barbadian society, noting that too many people are marginalized for not conforming to narrow expectations of speech, appearance, or background. “This country must forever be that place that accommodates people,” she said.

    Mottley made clear that both the school renaming and the book project are designed not just to honor Sir Garfield’s legacy, but to create a foundation that encourages the next generation of Barbadian talent to emulate his combination of excellence and humility. “The actions which we take as a government must not be to simply reflect on him and his record, but must always be a platform to see where the next Garry Sobers is going to come from, where the next Robyn Rihanna Fenty is going to come from,” she said.

    Following the prime minister’s address, the House of Assembly unanimously approved the resolution honoring Sir Garfield, naming him “an exemplar of excellence, dignity, humility and grace” and extending its deepest condolences to his family.

  • “Laid to rest”: Forensic Service Pushes to Identify Remains Dating Back to 1998

    “Laid to rest”: Forensic Service Pushes to Identify Remains Dating Back to 1998

    More than 25 years after the oldest set of unidentified human skeletal remains entered its custody, Belize’s National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) is moving forward with a dedicated initiative to give names to the unknown dead and bring closure to families that have waited decades for answers. As of August 2026, the agency has successfully completed its first major milestone of the project: one set of remains has been formally returned to the family of the deceased for a proper burial.

    The initiative, which launched to clear NFSS’s backlog of unidentifed remains held in storage, targets approximately 20 sets of skeletal remains that have been in the agency’s possession, with some of the cases stretching all the way back to 1998. To connect remains to missing people, the NFSS is leveraging a multi-pronged approach that combines modern DNA testing, detailed archival record research, and intentional public outreach to connect with potential family members.

    In an official statement, NFSS Executive Director Gian Cho confirmed the progress of the ongoing work. “Since we launched the project, we have successfully handed over one set of skeletal remains to the next of kin via our local representative,” Cho explained. He added that the agency has already sent DNA samples from three additional active cases to overseas testing facilities over the past few months, and results are expected to arrive within the next 60 days. If those tests are successful, three more families will soon be able to lay their missing loved ones to rest.

    Cho clarified that the current project is limited exclusively to remains that are already in NFSS custody, and does not extend to open missing person cases where no remains have yet been recovered. For the agency, the work is rooted in a core commitment to human dignity: “Every person has the right to be recognized, and to be treated with respect even after death. Equally importantly, their family members have the right to be reunited with their loved one’s remains so they can give them a proper burial. That is our ultimate priority,” Cho emphasized.

    To continue advancing the identification work, the NFSS is issuing a public call to action: any Belizean family that has a missing loved one matching the profile of the unidentified remains in the agency’s custody is urged to come forward to provide information and DNA samples. This community participation is a critical piece of the project, as it provides the genetic matches needed to confirm identities and bring the decades-long wait for closure to an end.

  • New St James housing project to deliver 34 homes

    New St James housing project to deliver 34 homes

    Barbados is one step closer to expanding affordable home ownership for its low- and middle-income residents, after the City of Bridgetown (COB) Co-operative Credit Union broke ground this Friday on the Deanstown Heights Housing Development in St James. The project will deliver 34 moderately priced homes, with more than a dozen prospective buyers already confirming their interest before construction even begins, marking a new expansion of the credit union’s role in the country’s housing market.

    Traditionally, COB Credit Union has offered home financing to its members, but this development represents a strategic shift: through its subsidiary COB Financial Services Incorporated (COBFSIA), the organization is now directly developing a full residential community tailored to the needs of ordinary Barbadians. Kemar Cumberbatch, president of COB Credit Union and chair of COBFSIA, called the groundbreaking a defining milestone for the institution during the ceremony, where he turned the first sod for the project.

    “Together we give ordinary people extraordinary economic power, and today that collective boardroom vision becomes a visible reality,” Cumberbatch told attendees. The development is designed with flexibility to fit diverse household needs and budgets: it offers six distinct home models, ranging from 873 to 1,492 square feet of interior space, sited on individual lots between 5,443 and 10,079 square feet. Pricing for the completed homes falls between BDS $362,500 and BDS $571,000, a range structured to align with the financial capabilities of target buyers.

    Cumberbatch emphasized that the true impact of the project will extend far beyond construction statistics. For young professionals securing their first property, working-class families growing their children in a safe, permanent space, and parents building intergenerational wealth, Deanstown Heights turns the long-held Barbadian dream of “a piece of the rock” into a tangible reality. He acknowledged that rising costs for land, construction, insurance and financing have made home ownership increasingly out of reach for many in recent years, prompting COB to redesign the home buying journey to remove common barriers. By integrating land access, home construction, mortgage financing and property insurance under a single connected institutional framework, the credit union eliminates the administrative and financial hurdles that often derail aspiring homeowners.

    “This project demonstrates the evolving powerful role that our credit unions must play in the modern Barbadian economy,” Cumberbatch said, thanking the state-run National Housing Corporation (NHC) for its partnership and expressing openness to future collaborative developments. Rhonnelle Smith, senior operations officer at COBFSIA, outlined the accessible financing terms that set the project apart: developers are offering up to 95 percent financing for buyers, with insurance options provided through partner Cooperators General. As of the groundbreaking, more than 12 potential buyers have already submitted inquiries, with several nearing the final stage of securing commitment letters for their properties.

    Located near established St James communities including Apes Hill, Polo Ground, St Silas Heights, Waterhall Terrace and Waterhall Tenantry, Deanstown Heights benefits from pre-existing local infrastructure including roads, water access and electrical service, reducing development costs and allowing more competitive pricing for buyers. All homes will be constructed using the Forster construction system, a Swiss-engineered sustainable building method that uses 100 percent steel framing for durable, eco-friendly residential architecture.

    Barbados Minister of Housing Chris Gibbs praised the project during the ceremony, noting that it aligns directly with the Mia Mottley administration’s national target of delivering 2,000 new homes per year to address unmet housing demand. While the 34-unit development is a smaller addition to the annual target, Gibbs highlighted its strategic value as an infill project within an existing developed area, leveraging existing infrastructure to keep costs low for both developers and home buyers. He also noted the natural synergy between the COB project and the NHC’s existing waiting list for affordable housing: many applicants on the NHC’s list are also COB credit union members, allowing the partnership to deliver housing to people already actively seeking properties, rather than building unneeded supply.

    Gibbs emphasized that the public-private partnership model used for Deanstown Heights is the future of Barbados housing development, noting that government alone cannot meet the country’s growing demand for affordable home ownership. “This is the type of partnership that we have to explore because, as I said, government can’t do it all,” he said.

  • Traffic Advisory Issued for CHOGM Security Exercise at V.C. Bird International Airport

    Traffic Advisory Issued for CHOGM Security Exercise at V.C. Bird International Airport

    As the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda finalizes preparations to host the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), local aviation officials have issued an official public advisory to prepare travelers and motorists for a large-scale security simulation next week. The Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority (ABAA) announced that the full-scale security and preparedness exercise will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, August 10, on the grounds and surrounding area of V.C. Bird International Airport, the country’s primary air gateway.

    The simulation is a core component of national readiness efforts ahead of the high-profile multilateral summit, designed to test coordination between security agencies and airport operations teams to respond to potential security scenarios. To support the smooth execution of the drill, temporary traffic restrictions will be implemented on access roads leading into and around the airport terminal and parking areas.

    The ABAA is urging all members of the public who intend to drop off or pick up passengers at the airport during the exercise window to plan ahead, allocate extra time for their journeys, and prepare for unavoidable minor delays. Uniformed police officers will be stationed across the airport precinct and surrounding road network to manage traffic flow, while additional plainclothes and uniformed police personnel will be deployed throughout the airport terminal to participate in the security drill.

    Local officials have issued a clear appeal to all motorists and travelers to comply fully with all instructions issued by on-site law enforcement personnel, as this cooperation will be critical to keeping the exercise safe, orderly, and efficient. In a statement, the ABAA expressed its advance gratitude for the public’s patience, cooperation, and understanding during the drill, emphasizing that the preparedness exercise is an indispensable milestone in delivering a safe, secure, and successful CHOGM summit for all attending heads of government, delegates, and visitors.

  • Autistic Teen’s Body Recovered After More Than Three Hours of Search

    Autistic Teen’s Body Recovered After More Than Three Hours of Search

    On August 7, 2026, rescue teams in Belize concluded a grueling three-plus hour search operation to recover the body of 16-year-old autistic teen Xue Liu, who drowned after jumping into a river to escape a sudden swarm bee attack alongside her elderly father.

    The tragedy unfolded near Haulover Bridge, located just outside Belize City along the Phillip Goldson Highway, when Liu and her father were ambushed by a large swarm of bees while walking along the riverbank. Fleeing the aggressive insects, Liu jumped into the water to escape the attack and went missing shortly after.

    A combined response team made up of local lifeguards and Belize Coast Guard personnel launched an immediate search effort, conducted in water that ranged between 30 and 35 feet deep. Search lead Tevin Conorque explained that the operation faced multiple dangerous obstacles from the start: poor visibility from murky river water complicated the dive search, and rescue divers also operated under the constant risk of encountering crocodiles known to inhabit the waterway.

    Despite these extreme challenges, the team persisted through more than three hours of free diving searches, eventually locating Liu’s body in the exact area where witnesses confirmed she had entered the water. Conorque noted that the team prioritized recovering the teen’s remains to give her grieving family closure, a goal they ultimately achieved after delivering the body to Liu’s brother, who Conorque described as the most profoundly affected by the loss.

    “It’s an absolutely tragic outcome that a young life was lost to drowning in this incident,” Conorque told local outlet News 5. “But for our team, the priority was giving this family some measure of peace by bringing their loved one home. We held onto hope through every minute of the search, and that persistence allowed us to get her out for them.”