Southern Belize continues to receive relief
Life may be returning to normal in southern Belize following the passage of Hurricane Iris almost three months ago, but there are many people, especially in the Toledo District, who are still in need of supplies. Today, one Belize City couple demonstrated that it is never too late to reach out and give a helping hand. Jacqueline Woods reports.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Seven months ago, Millie Tyler, a Belizean who has been living in the United States for the past forty years, returned home along with her husband, Nelson, not only to retire, but to help the people of Belize who are most in need. Tyler says she could not help but reach out to the hurricane victims in San Jose and Silver Creek Village after she saw how the storm destroyed those communities.
Millie Tyler, Belizean Christian Efforts
“We have blankets, bedspreads, non-perishable foods, lot of warm clothing, sweaters, food wear, about thirty to fifty pairs of brand new jeans, lot of women clothing, towels and a few sheets in there.”
Today a van arrived in Belize City to collect those boxes of items that were donated by Belizean Christian efforts by Tylers’ family and associates living in the United States.
Felipe Ical, Teacher, San Jose Village
“If you go there to San Jose now, a lot of people are still living in canvas although the sun is pretty hot, or very cool for the pass few weeks. With these few supplies that we are getting now, with blankets and so on, I think it will be of great help to them from San Jose. San Jose is very remote; it’s like thirty-one miles south-west of Punta Gorda. People hardly would want to go an visit there.”
Jacqueline Woods
“And what’s the situation like in Silver Creek?”
Juan Chun, Silver Creek
“In my village, Silver Creek, everything is still rough there. Basically, we need supplies like these stuff that we are getting here and I’m so happy to receive them this afternoon. And although we have some, it doesn’t mean that help should stop there, we would appreciate more contributions, donations whatever from any organisation. Like Mr. Ical has just said, everything there, especially now it’s very cold and I’ve just noticed that some boxes are marked blankets, so I know my villagers will appreciate those donations.”
Tyler says the donation is just the first of many that will be given to Belizeans they believe need assistance in some way or the other.
Millie Tyler
“It makes me believe that I’m accomplishing my effort to give back to my country. I asked the Lord what he wanted me to do with the do with the free time that he gave to me because I wasn’t doing anything in Florida, and this is where God appoint me to come back to. I left this country in 1964 and I feel satisfied in my heart that it’s going to the right people.”
Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods
