Widow of dialysis activist threatened with eviction
She lost her husband less than a month ago and now Mileni Cruz, the widow of kidney patient and activist, Jose Cruz, is facing the possibility of being left without a roof for her herself and her two daughters. Just before the Christmas, Cruz, who lives in a government house in Central Farm, received a letter saying that she has to move by the end of the month. But she says she has a contract to stay in the house until 2012 and no reason was given for the sudden eviction notice. In the years she spent caring for her sickly husband, Cruz has been out of work and the job hunt has not been easy since his death. That leaves her without the means to move at such short notice. News Five caught up with her in San Ignacio today and she says that she found out from a Ministry of Agriculture employee that the order came straight from the top.
Mileni Cruz, Widow of Kidney Patient Jose Cruz
mileni Cruz
“He told me Miss Cruz don’t be mad. He said this came from the top, it came from the minister and the deadline that they are giving me is January thirty-first, they want me out of the house even though I have a contract that states that I can stay there until 2012 and if I do wish to stay a little longer, then I can extend it to 2017. But I don’t plan to stay there long. But I want the minister and his co-workers to have consideration, have a heart. Everyone knows that I had been with my husband twenty-four-seven; I don’t even have a job and my husband just died. I don’t have a job up to now. I don’t—how does he expect me to move? I’m asking patience and have a little compassion because what have I done to him or my daughter has done to him that he wants us so fast and hurry out of that house? Since my husband got operated in November, seven months ago he had his foot amputated and he couldn’t climb up the step. So Pastor wade said you know what Miss Cruz, I see the condition that you are living in and it is clear that the government doesn’t want to fix your house or do anything to your house. They are victimizing you so you know what we’re here to help you—which was wonderful news for me—and meanwhile we’re going to rent a house for you in Camalote where you can stay meanwhile. But Pastor Wade couldn’t finish the house because of different difficulties of finances. While we were staying there, they gave certain people, which I understand came from the top also, they gave directives to take out my stuff because I didn’t move all my stuff to Camalote because the house was too small so I had most of my things in Central Farm so they took it out. So I have a case pending on that so maybe that is the reason they want me out. I’m just figuring but again, they should have the decency to call me in. Just like the first incident that they did, they should have called me in and say you know—at that time my husband was living—Mr. Cruz, can we talk, I would like to talk to you because we need the house. I believe I have a right to be there also. My husband was working there and we have a contract. Respect the contract!”
Cruz says she and her daughters have nowhere else to go and while she is looking for a job, she is asking for financial assistance to complete the house in Camalote. She can be reached at 627-6057 or deposits can be made to Belize Bank account number 9373.
Widows, orphans & fatherless children are always sympathetic figures. This situation could have been handled with more tact but if their occupancy of Government premises is contingent on her husband’s continued employment, she does not have the option to live there indefinitely. The Government has to fill the position vacated by her husband & if that home is a part of the package, it needs to be vacated so that the new employee can move in. Removing her belongings without permission was wrong but I also heard what sounds like they may have assumed that she abandoned the property because she was living in a home rented for them by their Pastor.
If she can do the job her husband was doing before he died & that position is still open, apply.
I acutally know this lady and i find it absolutely disgusting if it is true that the minister has given an order like that, what kind of a man is he!! I’ll be honest i’m a UDP supporter but heck, i can’t believe such a thing would be carried out, it makes them sound almost like the opposition!!
Please people out there, let’s help this family out, they are a nice family.
That is just the way government works, Ministers, Directors, Mayor & the whole clique get to live FOR FREE in fancy homes paid by TAX PAYERS, and this little house where the family has no other means to survive on are being evicted. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU.
It is difficult to understand people. If we do we get damned and we dont do we also get damned. If the minister, gave the order, that is if, then he is following a rule and ethics. Mrs. Cruz cannot forever live in a government quarter just because her husband died. He was the employee not her. If the space is needed then with reasonable notification she can be evicted. In fact, common sense should tell us that she should have been making plans to move as soon as possible.
If the Minister, has not given the notice, then he is also at fault. The meat of the matter is however, that it is not the minister responsibility to make that decision. It is the management of the farm. The Minister could give an opinion there, but the management is the responsible body to make these decisions. The decision to ask her to seek other accomodation is right. What will people say if she is allowed to continue living in a government quarter and not being an employee? They will criticize the Minister saying “Oh, he should do so and so.”
I am fed up with stupid comments posted. People should start thinking and not just using fingers to write foolishness. But as the true saying says: Keep your mouth shut and appear dumb than opening it and confirm how dumb you are.
if you read the story properly, you would understand that she’s not asking to live there indefinitely, she plans to move but is still looking for a job since her husband’s death; taking care of him was a full time job. all she’s asking for is a little more time to get into her own place or assistance if she has to meet the minister’s deadline.