The Firstborns of 2020

In the first hours of the New Year as many as five babies were born at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. And as we do every year, we headed to the national referral hospital where we were introduced to the newborns, which include a pair of twins. The mothers were beaming with pride with their bundles joy. The first newborn was a bouncing six-pound and eight-ounce baby girl. Here is News Five’s Duane Moody with a report.

Duane Moody, Reporting

It was a celebration of life at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital today as five newborn babies, as well as their mothers, were showered with gifts for being the firstborns of the year 2020. Among them was a pair of twin boys, Kayden and Kaydan. The official first of the bunch, though, is the second child of Clemarsha Flowers; at six pounds and eight ounce, meet Zarayah.

Clemarsha Flowers, Mother of Zarayah

“She mi born 1:56 a.m.; it mi hurt but ih mi feel good when ih come out.”

Reporter

“So absolutely no complications?”

Clemarsha Flowers

“No ma’am.”

Reporter

“So you had a healthy pregnancy throughout?”

Clemarsha Flowers

“Yes ma’am.”

Reporter

“How did you choose her name?”

Clemarsha Flowers

“Well my first daughter name Arayah, so I just give she Zarayah, a combination.”

Hours later, before five a.m., Amelia was born. She is the sixth child for Erleen Chee, who has three other girls and two boys. Chee says that her pregnancy and subsequent delivery was smooth and that her daughter was named after the main character from the Princess Diaries movie.

Erleen Chee

Erleen Chee, Mother of Amelia

“This one dah mi wah blessing; quick. All the rest mi long so thank God for this one.”

Reporter

“At what time was she born?

Erleen Chee

“She born quarter to five in the morning cause I reach yah about two-thirty.”

Today, various corporate citizens came out in support of the newborns providing some basic necessities for the mothers and their respective child.

Selma Bermudez

Selma Bermudez, President, Rotary Club Sunrise

“This is the second year that Rotary Club Belize Sunrise asked to donate to this cause and as you know, Rotary is about life and health and so we decided to be a part of this.”

Angela Hung

Angela Hung, Marketing Supervisor, James Brodie & Company Ltd.

“This year we have a package that is for the babies and the mothers as well. For the babies we have like wash, baby powder and baby clothes. For newborn babies, their skin is very soft and delicate so maintenance of how to protect it, it is very important. And per K.H.M.H. strategy of breastfeeding is really important as well so for the mothers, we have the nursing pad for them.”

Aisha Trapp

Aisha Trapp, Marketing Manager, San Cas Limited

“This community has served us, it has supported us so we have to do oru social responsibility and give back to our community as well. This is just one of the small ways that we do every year and we will continue to do it. What we added last year is giving a package in each district. So the baby that was born in each district do receive the same package that you all saw in there. But the number one overall baby, we go back and check the time and that baby receives a month supply of Huggies diapers and wipes. What’s in the package, we give seven seas vitamins for her and Ovaltine for her as well to help her with the milk. We do not give anything that goes against the breastfeeding policy of the hospital; no milk substitute. Whatever milk we give is to mix with the Ovaltine for the mother.”

The parents were so appreciative of the gifts…

Clemarsha Flowers

“I appreciate it; I feel good, excited.”

Erleen Chee

“I love that; thanks. I feel blessed.”

The mother of the twins also received a package from San Cas Limited. Duane Moody for News Five.