Volunteers help build Belize City house
The sun rose this morning to a day that was clear, dry and cool–in other words a perfect day to work outdoors. News Five’s Jose Sanchez joined a number of his fellow citizens to perform some manual labour on this the international day of volunteers.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
Habitat for Humanity is planning to build eight homes within the coming year. Anyone desiring to own a home under the programme must join in the construction of other people’s houses. As I found out this morning the work actually brings out the best in you.
Mirna Paul, Nat’l Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity
“They need to have land, a long-term lease. They need to have children under the age of eighteen living with them. They also need to work on the construction of their own homes as well as the partner families.”
“Families need to put in a total of five hundred hours if they’re a couple, if they’re married or living together. If it’s a single parent we require three hundred hours. Each one of them needs to complete forty hours on each other’s home.”
Because today is International Volunteer Day, Kendra Griffith and myself, both Channel 5 employees, were able to join in the community spirit by shoveling and carrying of buckets of gravel.
Kendra Griffith, Volunteer
“Just because I didn’t want Jose to be out here by himself, sweating in the name of Channel 5. And so I decided to come along and give him a helping hand.”
Ardrianna French, Volunteer
“I didn’t really want to do the tourist thing. I’m here visiting my sister and she’s a Peace Corps volunteer. I really wanted to get in touch with the community and meet some people and do a little work while I’m here. Hopefully, I’ll join Habitat when I graduate from college.”
Jose Sanchez
“The volunteers out there today do you know them, or is this the first time you are seeing them?”
Elsa Augustine, Homeowner
“First time I see them. I’m surprised that people would turn up for me. But still I’m happy that they do because me and my kids alone, we can not do it alone, so I am really glad that the volunteers show up to assist me in doing it.”
Mirna Paul
“Our regular working hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays. Soon we are going to start a programme on Sunday, where volunteers will be able to come out on any site. We will be of course be discussing the different venues because this is just one of the houses and some partner families are working today putting their hours into Miss Elsa’s home.”
Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez.
To become involved with Habitat for Humanity viewers may visit their office at sixteen Dolphin Street or call 76818.
