$9,000 gift helps Habitat build homes
It is an organization and a concept that are capable of turning hundreds of low income Belizeans into proud homeowners. Today News 5’s Janelle Chanona found that, with a little help from friends abroad, that potential may one day be realized.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
This morning, housing organization Habitat for Humanity got a much need donation from its affiliate in Pinellas County, Florida: nine thousand bucks. The representatives came loaded and stuck around to help load sand and cement for a Habitat house in progress.
Dick Giebner, Habitat for Humanity, Pinellas County
“Last year was the first time that they actually had buildings going that we could come down and actually help with. We had six of us last year, but there’s a couple other fellows that probably come down later in the year.”
Janelle Chanona
“So you’ll start making this an annual trip now?”
Dick Giebner
“It looks like it. It may not always be around this time but we’re going to try to make it once a year, at least once a year.”
This is the seventh house for the year Habitat is helping to build. According to National Partner Carla Sainsbury, as the organization gets older, more houses will be built…if the volunteers keep showing up.
Carla Sainsbury, Nat’l Partner, Habitat Belize
“I must say, hats off to the schools, the students, especially St. John’s College, St. Catherine’s, Ladyville Technical High. They’ve been very excited about our work and we want to thank God for the young people that have embraced it. Over the summer, we’ve had over a hundred students that have assisted us, and we want to thank God for those students.”
“I want to also encourage the adult population, I want to encourage you that when you give of your time, it’s helping to develop this community, to develop this country because Habitat is not only here to build houses, we’re here to build communities.”
One of the adults who has gotten involved with the charitable construction is Yvonne Bowen. Bowen has worked on eleven houses and is now a member of the Habitat staff.
Yvonne Bowen, Habitat Belize
“When I was in need, people came and help me, so I want to do the same thing for somebody else.”
Janelle Chanona
“And how does that make you feel inside?”
Yvonne Bowen
“Good. I enjoy this kind of work because you do housework, you go home and you have to do the same thing again. You come out here, when you go home, you feel fresh fu do you housework after a hard day of work.”
By early next year, Habitat hopes to set up to shop in Big Creek.
Janelle Chanona
“What do you need to get the program moving off in the districts.”
Carla Sainsbury
“We need volunteers. People that not necessarily are interested in housing, but people who are willing to volunteer with the organization in terms of sitting on boards, being on committees, you know to keep the program going. We need that kind of thing, we need volunteers, people that are willing to give of their time. If you don’t have a heart for it, don’t touch it, but if you have a heart for volunteerism, I would encourage you, Habitat is the place.”
Dick Giebner
“Join us.”
Reporting for News 5, I am Janelle Chanona.
If you would like to help the community by helping Habitat for Humanity, please contact them at their office at 146 East Collet Canal or phone 227-6818.
