Tax collectors have been despised all through history - and for consumers, the GST office is no different.
But this year as they observe their fourth anniversary the folks at GST thought they'd do a little more than just public awareness, these public officers wanted to do some public service.
They turned to a neighbor in need. We found out more today:....
Emaun Hyde Reporting
The house is not much bigger than a stall - but it's home for 84 year old Henry Bowen - who's had one foot amputated and now he's confined to a wheel chair. He used to live on the street, until his plight came to the attention of Hand In Hand Ministries.
Bernard Panton Sr., Hand In Hand Ministries
"He was a homeless person, he didn't have anywhere to stay, he usually hanged out on Central American Boulevard, and so he didn't have any home at all."
Hand in Hand built him this home - right in front of the CB Hyde Government complex - which is where the next group of benefactors come in. They're from the GST office which is headquartered in the complex building
Now GST staffs are giving the octogenarian a paint job, a house cleaning and a folding bed as part of its fourth anniversary celebration:
Martin Rivas, GST Office Belize City
"In addition to collecting taxes we are all so doing community services, as you can see behind me we are assisting through Hand in Hand Ministry, we are assisting Mr. Henry Bowen were by we are adopting him, basically so Hand in Hand ministry gave us the paint and the paint brushes and the GST staff put money together so that we could be able to purchase a bed for him and a mattress and a pillow so that he can be very comfortable. So what GST will be doing as part of the community services is adopting Mr. Henry Bowen for the rest of his life.
Like today, he will be getting some clothes. Like I said earlier we the GST officers have put some money together to purchase him a bed we are going to give him water, a supply of water every month, so basically every month we are going to check on him to see how he is doing. Because apart from that we are going to make sure that we can be able to build a proper ramp for him so he will be able to cross, and so we will be checking on him from time to time."
Monica Bodden
"Now Mr. Bowen you're getting a new bed, you're getting a new everything, so you will have a new bed to sleep in tonight."
Bowen says he didn't expect the generosity:
Henry Bowen - House Owner
"I know, I did not expect that they would come."
Bernard Panton Sr., Hand in Hand Ministries
"I feel good to know that other organizations are looking at the situation and are helping, so it's an Hand in Hand effort as our organization is named, but I feel happy that other organization are chipping in and trying to fit the puzzle and give us a good and happy ending."
The GST team will be doing public awareness in Public's tomorrow....
And that's it for tonight's news...if you noticed that we didn't have any scores for today's CENTROBASKET tournament when Belize was to play Cuba in a pivotal game - well, three games had to be postponed because the arena is too hot and the floor has become too slippery. According to those we spoke to -the arena is far hotter than the sweltering city center....the games will be played tomorrow.
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