This afternoon, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner, Education Minister Francis Fonseca, and Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa visited the Vin Hong Wholesale building on Euphrates Avenue in Belize City.
They were there to receive a generous donation from the Belize Chinese community through their organization, the All China Federation of Overseas Taishanese. The Chinese merchants are making close to a hundred thousand dollars in funds and food packages to aid the Belize City citizens who are still in distress, 16 days after Hurricane Lisa wrecked their homes and blew off their roofs.
Our 7News team was present when they handed over the donations to these elected officials, on behalf of their constituents. We got a chance to speak with the donors and the recipients, and here's what they had to say:
Kelvin Lee, Rep., All China Federation of Overseas Taishanese
"We have about 70,000 worth of dry goods and then apart from that we donated $20,000 in cash to the mayor and area reps that were here. As we all know Hurricane Lisa had done extensive damages to our city, so the All China Federation Overseas Chinese here acted quickly and gathered donations within the Chinese community in Belize City. Today we are handing this over to the Belize City Council and the different area reps. As a community we believe that we are in a position to help. We should help to alleviate our people from struggle."
Bernard Wagner, Mayor Belize City
"This is another show of support for the residents on the City and we feel that this will go a long way to alleviate the suffering of the people of the city. Many of our residents are living day to day right now after Hurricane Lisa. We have been very good at getting the debris out of the city, but is need for relief and supplies and this will go a long way."
Reporter
"Have you all began to brainstorm where best these food packages would best be use?"
Bernard Wagner, Mayor Belize City
"All across the city, especially in those impoverish areas. We know the Lake I, Collet, Mesop, Queen Square, Pickstock - all the areas have some level of poverty and so that is where we want to ensure that these goods reach the people."
Reporter
"Some of the people who will benefit from these are some of your customers right?"
Kelvin Lee
"Of course, we are a part of Belize community now, we are here to 20-30 years. The same people that we are helping are the same customers that go into our stores every single day, so it's a worthy cause."
