You might remember in August of last year when we told you about Catherine Blease, who lost her home to fire. At the time she was in distress: she had nowhere to go and pleaded for anyone to come to her aid. Two teachers from Saint John's College High School heard that appeal, and now 5 months later, Blease is in a new home. We visited as students from St. John's College took time out of school last week to help this fire victim.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
On August 28th of last year we found Catherine Blease here. Her home had been burnt down; she had no job and had all but thrown her arms in the air in defeat. Desperate and out of options, she called for anyone who could to assist her in putting her life back together. That=s when Saint John=s College stepped in. These pictures catalogue the work that the students of Saint John=s College along with Hand in Hand Ministries put into getting a home for Catherine. $6,000 later this is what Catherine Blease=s house looks like. St. John=s College 4D students were putting in some finishing touches. They painted the house and filled the lot with sand. Reynold Bowden is the school=s interim head master.
Reynold Bowden, SJC Headmaster
"We don't have the know-how, the expertise to construct a house since we are a liberal arts school and not an industrial school. So we partnered with Hand in Hand Ministries and Mr. Panton provided the supplies and so forth and we provided the finance of $6,000 and also the labor, the non-skilled labor. Hand in Hand Ministries provided us with two foremen, Mr. Ray and Mr. Beto, who led us in the construction process. Most of the money came from our families. I submitted an appeal to them, let them know what the project was all about, and they contributed. We are still short $2,800 and we borrowed the money from Saint John's College and Mr. Garbutt again our president was kind enough to give us the loan and it was important for us to get the project completed by December so that Miss Catherine Blease could have a structure in time for Christmas and in time for the new year. Hand in Hand Ministries provides a basic house, a basic structure and so it doesn't include the painting of the home although the $6,000 will contribute and so that's what the boys are doing now. They brought their brushes and they are using the paint to paint the house and it doesn't include any sort of landfill which Mr. Gillett and homeroom of 4D of St. John's College provided. They provided a load of sand which they are spreading at the moment. But there is also need for electrical work to be done. Ms. Blease already purchased some of the wirings that are required and Mr. Gillett has promised, an electrician of his to come in and probably maybe do the installation. Also too in terms of bathroom fittings, the toilets, a shower - all of those along with the plumbing aren't included and so that is the ongoing project that needs to be done."
Today however it was filling the lot and painting the house. It was work that Sean Reneau and Alberto Chem freely gave up, time from their schoolwork to do. Both these young men say it's personally gratifying.
Alberto Chem, SJC Student
"John's promotes a big men for others and well they told us that her house had burnt down and they wanted us to help her out by spreading some sand and do some manual labor. So we raised a trip to Chetumal and some fees that we gave up like a dollar everyday to buy some of this material like the paint brushes, paint thinners and those stuff. This kind of thing is supposed to happen more often because everybody should be like brothers and sisters and help each other out in times of hard needs."
Sean Reneau, SJC Student
"It feels good to help because you know you are helping someone in Belize who needs help and we are devoting our time to come out and help. It feels great to help someone in Belize. I like helping people and the class likes helping people. It is very good to help someone. If we have more people helping other people, Belize could be a much better place and it will look much better than how it looks now."
And while these young men appeal for others to get involved Blease is the one who is most thankful that at least for her these students got involved.
Catherine Blease, Recipient
"This is the kind of help I had asked for and I am glad to get it now. Thanks to Mr. Bodden and his students...I didn't expect this help from no one to come and help me. I had planned to struggle on my own. Good people still deh 'bout."
Bowden says plans are underway to make this kind of project an annual event. He adds that anyone who is able to help cover the expenses can contact the high school.
