7NewsBelize Reports
As we reported at the top of the news, Jamal Shyne Barrow – or Moses Michael Leviy, as he is now known is in Belize tonight. He was deported today after 9 years in a maximum security prison in New York. And so what did Shyne do in his first hours of freedom after 9 years in jail? Well he visited the Princess Royal Youth Hostel on the Western Highway. He went there to give residents a motivational visit. He told them they were his priority and that’s why instead of going to the hotel, before eating, and even showering – he went there because he knows what they are going through. And he should, because as Shyne explained, he spent two years in a youth facility. Keith Swift has that story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
The convoy of SUVs rolled into the Youth Hostel compound at 4 pm. That is when we got the first good look at the unassuming rap star as he jumped out of the Ford Excursion and casually walked to the diner area – stopping on the veranda to embrace and talk to Youth Hostel residents.
From there he headed into the dining room which is where the taping stop. He didn’t allow us to film the exchange with students. But it took about 15 minutes – and he spoke to residents about the mistakes he made.
Keith Swift,
“You just met Shyne, how do you feel?”Ian Wade, Resident – Youth Hostel“Well I nuh feel no way because he is a Belizean like we and he gaan dah foreign, he gaan do ih lil rapping and he got caught up, just like how we get caught up. Like he said, all of us make mistakes.”Keith Swift,
“Is this advice that you’ll follow?”
Ian Wade,“Yeah because he gave some positive choice and some good advice for the youths.”Keith Swift,
“Will you follow the advice he gave you?”
Rigoberto Garcia, Resident – Youth Hostel"Yes, that everybody makes mistakes and everybody learn from your mistake too.”Keith Swift,“How do you feel about the fact that as he told you guys, this is the first place he came?”Rigoberto Garcia,"Well that makes me feel soft hearted because the man just came out of jail and he came to see we.”
We were allowed to begin filming at the end of the meeting which is when he was posing for pictures with residents – and just about anyone who wanted one. The Chief Supervisor at the Youth Hostel Glenda Mae Martinez hopes the impression Shyne left on these students will be long lasting.
Glenda Mae Martinez, Chief Supervisor – Youth Hostel“This is an opportunity for our residents in our care to recognize that in life we make mistakes but you don’t lay down and die. I want them to take time and reflect tonight on what happened today and where do we want to go from here. Youths in our care, all they need is guidance and I am sure that Shyne will be a very good motivator for them. So let us see where this will take us but we will try to get the best result from this.”
Keith Swift,
“So you see him as being an example of what not to do?”Glenda Mae Martinez,“Definitely.”
And at the end of it, Shyne jumped back into his SUV and left. He promised residents that he’ll be back.
Shyne left the Youth Hostel and headed to the Radisson Hotel. His legal advisor Professor Charles Ogletree will address the media when he arrives on Saturday.
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