One week ago, we told you sad story of Edith Ramirez, the mother of 3 young children who has been living in a makeshift house surrounded by swampland for the past 6 months. Since then, Human Services has intervened to tell her that she can no longer stay in that perilous location with her young children, so she's now begging accommodations with her sister.
But even though the struggling single mother is still technically homeless, she is still holding on to all hopes and so far she has been receiving assistance from those who can help. One person who was touched by her story is grassroots philanthropist, Dara Robinson - who personally took groceries for Ramirez and her family yesterday evening.
7news was there to capture the moment.
Dara Robinson - Grassroots Philanthropist
"After I watched the news and watched your story, it was touching especially when you interviewed and I saw they kids. It made my heart felt sad that day. I wanted to react a long time on it, but I had an amount of stuff that I wanted to put together. After I received some much needed stuff, then I took things from my program, and called you because I said I don't have plywood, zink and things to really help the lady with what she really needs. But food, although you need a shelter, you need to eat, so I put together a nice 2 weeks' amount of items. The Bernice Yorke School, they had a field day where all the classes had a food drive, and I think the school, with the most food get a big points. They donated the food to my program. So I had those food along with others that I give around to people, reach out to people who really in need. When I saw her story, it really touched me. Easter went and I wanted to take it around that time and that was on my mind every day; I said that I have to give something towards that lady."
Monica Bodden
"People have been contacting you?"
Edith Ramirez - Needs Assistance
"Yes, yes lot of people."
Monica Bodden
"I noticed that you have moved out from the area that you were living. Where are you staying now?"
Translator
"The Human Services have moved her from there. They said that she can't stay there with the kids."
Monica Bodden
"So she is staying where now?"
Translator
"She stays at my house."
Monica Bodden
"Now in terms of helping with a house, has anyone offered you a house or somewhere where you can live and stay permanent with your kids?"
Edith Ramirez
"No, nothing."
Dara Robinson
"One thing that bothered me, talking to my own Belizean about this young lady's problem, some people had said it's like she can't talk English. She is not from here; they come here and then they want Government help. I see people as people; not only people from other country are suffering. You have Belizean people in those same situations, but not everybody or I could reach out. It's hard to know that people sit down in those conditions, and don't come out and try to ask for help. We only can help those who we know really need it, and then you can't even reach - you see the condition. I went to see it for myself; my God! There is not any reason anybody should live like this. To those who can help, and I'm talking from the Government side, who so ever deal with house. I mean this is great to give food, but this lady urgently needs of a little house. I mean it's so urgent, it's just a plywood thing and proper zinc so they can go back together, because right now you see she is with her sister. Nobody tolerates you for so long. So I'm pleading to the Government, pleading to the NGO group, anybody come and assist this young lady. If they find the material, and if I have to come back with some people and knock up something for her, I'm willing to do it. But she's really in need of a house. I mean, we're not talking about anything fancy, but just something, set up a little plywood with windows and get them back because they're people. Listen to the little boy. Kriol is what he speaks; please help."
If you'd like to help Edith Ramirez, you can call 607-1146.
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