Fire victim receives big help from S.S.B.

On Sunday morning she and her four children barely avoided injury in a fire that totally gutted her house and belongings. Five days later Dawn Billary’s life is beginning the return to normalcy as today the Belize Social Security Board presented her with a cheque for ten thousand dollars. It’s help the Board’s External Relations Services Manager, Rhojani Perriott, says they felt compelled to offer.

Rhojani Perriott Toombs, External Relations Services Manager, Social Security Board
“The Board was touched by the fact that her son actually went in and saved the children and stories such as this I think it’s good to donate and to contribute to help a family build up again.”

Dawn Billary, Recipient of Cash Donation/Recent Fire Victim
“Lot of people try. They’re doing a fund-raising fi mi tomorrow da Henry Williams, wah Bar-B-Que. Lotta people try their very best fi help me though eena many ways. Only because I noh get no way yet fi seh really stay fi me and mi kids them. I di stay da mi neighbour fi right now. Then mussy bout three weeks time they seh they wah finish my place.”

Marion Ali
“So you’re gonna rebuild your home?”

Dawn Billary
“Yes, they seh they wah repair it fi me; the man, Mr. Harvey, from Housing and Planning.”

Marion Ali
“And then you’ll use the money to buy furniture?”

Dawn Billary
“Yes ma’am. Furniture and try get back some clothes fi me and mi kids, and try fi mek deh go back da school.”

Billary’s sixteen year old son, Ernest Billary, went back into the burning house and rescued two of his younger brothers. He suffered injuries to his forehead in the process. Meanwhile, Dawn’s brother, also named Ernest Billary, has since been charged with arson.