Throughout the week of June 12, 2016 twelve parishioners from St. Boniface Parish, Fulda, IN and St. Meinrad Parish, St. Meinrad, IN built a home in Belize City, Belize, Central America in partnership with Hand in Hand Ministries Building for Change Program. This build was the 293rd home built in Belize City through the Building for Change Program. Many Belizean families live in substandard housing. Hand in Hand volunteers make a difference by hammering out 16-foot by 16-foot wooden homes that keep families dry during Belize’s six-month-long rainy season. Parishioners work side-by-side with the family receiving the home as well as other Building for Change partners, forming close personal connections as they complete construction together.
Families must undergo an intensive screening process in order to receive a home, and are required to assist in other families builds in a “pay it forward” system. In conjunction with this program, the recipients must provide proof of ownership of their own land, assist with the building of their home and attend empowerment classes. These classes teach life skills such as parenting, personal finance and hygiene to empower and encourage positive lifestyle changes.
This is the second build that St. Boniface Parish & St. Meinrad Parish have completed in Belize. Their first build was in June 2015.
2016 Immersion Trip for Service and Outreach in Belize participants: Luke Beier, Aaron Boehm, Jared Boehm, Francie Borho, Katelyn Davis, Pam Davis, Sally Gravatte, Nik Greulich, Ellen Haefling, Jeff Mohr, Kathy Mohr, Father Anthony Vinson, OSB.
For more information contact Pam Davis, Immersion Trip for Service and Outreach in Belize Coordinator at 812.661.9110 or myhandinhand.org.