New house for disaster victim

The area of Belize City known as Port Loyola has earned a reputation for controversy over the subject of housing. Last year, for instance, there was the infamous house built in the middle of Matura Street. Then earlier this month it was a disaster on Rivero Street, when a house came tumbling to earth. Today I heard there was some good news from Port Loyola and I went out to investigate.

Exactly one week and three days after the Wade’s family house came crashing down at number three Rivero street in the Port Loyola area, the family today was handed over the keys to their brand new three bedroom house.

Gertrude Wade, House Owner

“I say to myself, I never tell it to anyone. I say to myself, how will I manage to build a house and I can’t work so all that I had in mind. I say I was going to pass my house to any of the government them, and mek they build a house, so I could live because I can’t live out of door.”

Construction of the house was made possible through the kind donations from neighbors and the business community after they were first approached by the Port Loyola Housing for the Poor Group.

Joan Castillo, Chairperson, Port Loyola Poor Housing Group

“Well the same morning that the house fell, you know, we were informed and the guys came out to immediately start clearing down. You know, the house that fell and the following morning we went around asking for donations, material wise and commenced work immediately.”

The Wade family who will not need to pay rent, say they are just relieved and happy to be back in their own new home.

Sylvia Cumberbatch, Resident

“I could tell you, it wasn’t a nice feeling. I felt like fish out of water, but today I have a dream house, much better, better feeling, right.”

The house was built at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars.

Castillo told News Five that her group has plans to help other needy residents in the area.