And in another happy ending, a mother and her five children are getting
a new home. That's after their old house collapsed, while they were
inside. It's a tragedy no doubt, but one that's being eased by the City
Council which has offered to re-build.
We visited the building site this afternoon to catch up with Elizabeth
Smith and City councillor Micah Goodin as they laid the foundation for
the family's new home.
Elizabeth Smith - Single Mother
"The morning going on the 13th of May, I just hear a little crank from the
tree, when the house collapse with the kids but thank god me and them are
alright. The house gone down but we are alright."
Reporter
"What was it like in that moment when you felt it?"
Elizabeth Smith
"All of us were shaking, all I was worried about was my kids and if they
alright. Thank god I had my pa next door that could have give us a little
roof over our head until we could the house back. Well I want to thank them
very much that they the try give me a roof for me and my kids them before
my work start to open back by the end of August because I work at the
school. So we're very grateful to them and all who give donation, to my and
my children that we could have a little money to eat and thing because it's
rough for me because I'm not working right now because of the Corona. I
thank everybody that reach out to me, friends, family and people no even
know me come and reach out to me, so I thank them very much and even the
city council people, that are here working hard to do the thing to try and
get this roof over me and my children head. Thank them very much."
Micah Goodin - City Councillor
"I grew up in a community where housing was always inadequate, always
dilapidated, always substandard and I had promised by myself that whenever
I got an opportunity to make a difference, I would provide housing. I'm
just a Belize City councillor, I'm not a minister, it's not my mandate but
being the person that I am and seeing that there is a need and I have
experienced this dilemma, it's a project that is near and dear to my heart.
I hope to be able to build some more homes, I know it's not a mansion, I
know it's not a cement 2 story building but I think that in the meantime
it's better than what some of our people have had and I hope that when we
form the next government, that we're able to roll out an extensive housing
program so that Ms. Smith and many more like her, can be the recipients of
real strong long lasting homes."
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