While the Belize Red Cross was on the relief circuit, Cane Farmers Association were back in Belize City to help with the cleanup - because there's nothing that a few dozen caneros along with some machetes and the machine they call a "tractorvator" can't clean up in a hurry.
It went so well yesterday, their hosts convinced them to return for a second day today.
We spoke with the BSCFA Chairman and his colleagues, who were back in the Kings Park area this morning. He told us that the farmers helped the Council to remove over 130 trucks of debris from those city streets:
Alfredo Ortega, Chairman, BSCFA Council of Management
"Yesterday was very good because we saw the people who came with us were really pushing to see that we demonstrate that we came to work. We managed to clean up the area where we were working, along with the BDF and the Coast Guard. It really demonstrates that when you come in unity, many things can happen. I think we really achieved, yesterday, what we wanted to do. Now, we can see - all of us who participated yesterday can see how great the damage can be, even with the category one hurricane. What I can say is that we managed to clean at least 6 to 7 roads that had a lot of debris, and really it was a huge amount. I think that we managed yesterday - even though we started late, I think that by the time we finished yesterday, we had already sent maybe in the vicinity of 140 truckloads of debris outside the city. We have been accepted very well by the residents, and I think that they're seeing the effort, the work that the cane farmers are doing, and they're really pleased with what is going on. That is why, because of the plea of the people and the City Council, we are here today. It's the same area where we worked yesterday. We are expanding that area, and according to the City Council, they sent us over here because there are a lot of big trees, and it's true. Presently, we're helping an old lady - well, I wouldn't say old lady, but one of our senior citizens over there, cutting a tree that fell into her yard."
As you heard, a senior citizen requested their aid to remove a downed tree that fell into her neighbor's yard and damaged her fence. She wanted to thank the farmers for their kindness. Here's what she had to say:
Gloria Elliott, Belize City Resident, Kings Park
"I am thankful for the help that I got because I have nobody else to do it for me. Yesterday, I asked - when they were cleaning outside - if they could cut the tree for me, and they said yes. They would do it today. But I didn't see the young man with the machine. So, I went around the other side to look for him, and he then got the machine and cut the tree for me. I am so glad and thankful for the help because of all the dirt that we had out there; they took it. So, I am glad they left their home to come down here to help us. And I ask God to continue blessing them, that they continue to do work like this. I don't want them to leave their jobs because they have to make money for themselves, but it's really good to have them come here to help us out."
