Family of 12 Needs Help to Rebuild Home

Back in February, a fire in Belize City destroyed two structures that housed a family of twelve, including Virginia Garnett and her triplets.  The family lost everything in the fire and they have not yet been able to fully pick up the pieces. Today, the family is living in a small building that also serves as their business. They are asking for the public’s help to rebuild their home. Reporter Andrea Polanco spoke with the family to find out more about how you can help.

Kirk Davis Sr., Fire Victim

“We sell, food, fruits and vegetables and now it is our home for the last two months and change now. Triplets; everybody. Twelve ah we cramp up in the shop.”

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

Twelve members of the Garnett-Davis family have been living in this little shack on Holy Emmanuel Street in Belize City for over two months. This used to be the family’s small business – but it has now doubled up as their living quarters after their house was burnt down back in February.

Luwiena Garnett

Luwiena Garnett, Fire Victim

“It rough, rough, rough. Dah night we cramp up; dah mawning we stay out during the day how we could. We just the survive it by the grace ah God. He nuh give we nothing we can’t bear, so we just have to fight the battle until we get back on our feet.”

But to get back on their feet, this family needs help to put back a roof over their heads. Although they have been struggling to survive day-to-day, they’ve been making ends meet with what they make from the shop and small donations. Since the devastating fire they have been working hard to rebuild their home in the Gungulung area. The family is now asking the public to help them with building materials because they are most in need of a proper shelter.

Kirk Davis Sr.

Kirk Davis Sr.

“Right now we are in need of some materials to conclude the home – to finish the portion of the home that was burnt down on the eighteenth of February. We need sidings, plywood, two-by-four, door, toilet, nails and regular building materials that we need right now to complete the house because we have the house half-way up through the donations of the community, institutions and schools.”

Luwiena Garnett

“I wah ask again, beg again, who inna the situation to help us to please help us; especially for the convenience of everything, you know?”

It’s a devastating loss for the family. They received the house through the Hand in Hand Ministries housing programme for underprivileged families. And over the years, they invested a lot in the house. The family woke up to their house on fire on the morning of February eighteenth. Their belongings were destroyed in the blaze.

Luwiena Garnett

“They saw that I mi need a house – that me and my family mi really need a house. They donate it fi me and I bring it back yah and I just add on addition while my children deh di get big. It was a beautiful sixteen-by-sixteen and I mi grateful fi my house weh we mi have.”

Andrea Polanco

“So, when the fire destroyed your home, you lost everything as well – your personal belongings, everything?”

Kirk Davis Sr.

“Everything. No memories, nothing. Everything gone.”

Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.

To assist the Garnett-Davis family, you are asked to call 651-6744.