Tonight, more Belizean families than ever are still struggling to make ends meet.
It's an economic reality that's only worsened during a two-year global pandemic, and it means that a large portion of the population is having a hard time finding the resources to send their kids back to school but also to clothe them, and to put food on the table.
Indeed, this is the plight of many Belizeans but for those in the Lake I area, there may be some relief on the horizon. That's because the local Catholic Parish is hoping to raise enough funds to adopt some of its less fortunate families.
This morning we sat down with the parish priest to find out how, you, the public can get involved with this very worthy cause.
Fr. Andres Vallsera, Pastor, Saint Martin De Porres
"St. Martin's is a parish that has done some incredible things here in the Lake Independence area and something that we always keep in mind is something that Pope Francis is inviting all the universal church to do. The theme is participation, communion and mission. So part of our work as a Catholic church is always to be trying to participate, to invite people to share their gifts and so we recognize that the world, Belize City, our homes, our streets are in need and so we need to find ways in which our parishioners can help share what they have with the people here in Lake Independence."
Reporter
"Give me some specifics on the program, how it is supposed to work?"
Fr. Andres Vallsera
"Right now, we are in the phase of fundraising and what we are looking to do is to help families that are in need, be it specially with food. The situation with covid has really struck a hard blow to families economically. Prices of food are expensive. If people are not working, people don't have the money and so we need to find ways in which we can help people that are in need so that they can feed their families."
"We have some packages. So, for a family of 5, somebody can donate $150 per month and for a family of 8, we are looking at $240 that people can donate per month. For a family of 10, we are looking at $300 that families can donate per month to help out others that are in need right now."
And if you want to take part you have the option of purchasing one of three packages: You could support a family of 5 for $150.00 per month, a family of eight for $240.00 a month, and you could even decide to support a family of 10 for $300.00 a month.
