Habitat hands over another new house
It may not be a new story but it is a good story: the creation of another new Belizean homeowner thanks to the diligence, hard work and common sense of a programme organised by Habitat for Humanity. Today News 5’s Jacqueline Woods was both reporter and presenter.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Today thirty-three year old Carlene Theus?s dream of owning a home became a reality. The single mother of two young daughters was officially handed the keys to her two bedroom concrete house situated in the Lake Independence Area. The building is one of nine completed by the organisation Habitat for Humanity between July and December of this year. The programme provides affordable housing for families in need of decent shelter.
Albert Hoy, President, Habit for Humanity, Belize
?This programme is extremely important because you have a lot of people in Belize especially Belize City who are really in need of housing and as long as Habit exist in Belize and we get the support from the public we are seeking I think that we should go a long, long way in building homes for people who really, really need them.?
Carlene Theus, Habitat Homeowner, Belize City
?Well to be honest, I am really happy. I am a very determine person and I applied with them in the year 2002. But I had to back out and now that I get it, I am really happy. I know that me and my two daughters will enjoy it.?
Since the non-profit housing ministry established itself in Belize in 1999, a total of thirty-one families have benefited. Twenty-five houses have been built in the Belize District and six in Independence Village.
Jerriann Frost, Habitat Homeowner, Lords Bank
?I feel happy for everyone who has been trying and young like myself, trying to get their own home and trying to make everything okay in life.?
But no sooner had Jerriann Frost settled in her new home, someone took advantage of her happiness.
Jerriann Frost
?It has been okay, the only thing is that this year, July they have broken into my house and went through the door, but for that everything else is okay.?
Today, Habitat remains committed to the cause and encourages families in need of affordable housing to apply.
Albert Hoy, President, Habitat for Humanity
?It?s sort of a self help programme because they also work on building their own homes.?
?There are plans to continue building more homes and also to renovate homes for people who really, really need homes renovated, for example a new roof, a bathroom added on to their house or change the flooring.?
Theus has plans to move into her home sometime before the New Year. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
If you are interested in this type of self help housing programme, please contact Habitat for Humanity at telephone number 227-6818 or you can drop by the office at 146 East Collet Canal and Allenby Street.
