Habitat hands over keys to 44th house

Today, Habitat for Humanity handed over the keys for their forty-fourth house in Belize. The lucky homeowner is Elphrine Elejio, a resident of Mahogany Street Extension. During brief handing over ceremonies this afternoon, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of National Development, Hugh O’Brien, had the honour of giving the Elejio family their keys. As part of Habitat tradition, the new homeowner was also presented with a Bible. Following the formalities, an elated Elejio spoke to News Five.

Elphrine Elejio, Habitat Homeowner
?I feel happy, good.?

Janelle Chanona, Reporting
?Was it hard to build it? Did you like that you had to dedicate some sweat equity??

Elphrine Elejio
?No. It worth it. At least I have my own house for Christmas.?

Janelle Chanona
?When you looking to move in??

Elphrine Elejio
?By weekend.?

Carla Sainsbury, Habitat for Humanity
?It?s not only building houses for families. I think that?s why we have such a good thing going because we are not only building houses for families, we try to work with them. When families face challenges, we sit down and we talk with them, so I think that?s where we are different with other lending institutions. So the need for housing is there, that?s no if or buts about it. How much people value having their own house, I don?t know. But the value is probably not as great. I think that sometimes people mix, food, shelter, clothing are the important things in life. But I think sometimes people don?t put shelter as an important matter, so I think that?s something that has to be encouraged.?

Elejio’s home is the sixth built in collaboration with the Ministry of National Development. The three bedroom house cost approximately twenty-three thousand dollars.