2024 - Channel 5 Belize

21-Year-Old Artist Encourages Belizeans to Pursue Their Passions

From a young age, kids are encouraged to express themselves and dream big, believing they can become anything they set their minds to. While many spend their whole lives searching for their passion, twenty-one-year-old artist Samir Habet has already found his. In today’s episode of Belize on Reel, we visit the Belmopan-born and raised painter in his home studio to hear how he discovered his love for art. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Two years back, Samir Habet dusted off his old paintbrush, eager to find a fresh way to channel his creativity. He decided to give painting a shot, and from that moment on, he’s been hooked. Now, you can hardly pry the brush from his hands!

Samir Habet, Artist

“I don’t know if it’s healthy, but it’s an obsession, I guess every free time, I don’t really have free time because all of it gets consumed by painting. So it’s really about sacrificing, I guess.”

The twenty-one-year-old artist is entirely self-taught, using YouTube videos and online references to learn new skills and techniques. He shares that a lot of his artistic flair actually stems from his graphic design background.

Samir Habet

“I started off in graphic design. I watched a YouTube video on graphic design and I was very intrigued by it. So I started, and I found out that I was good at it, and that just kind of made me more, you know, obsessed with it. I wanted to get better and at a certain point I felt limited by searching for pictures on the internet. So I kind of wanted to do my own thing and could be able to do any, anything from scratch, and that’s how I got into painting..”

Habet estimates that he’s painted about thirty pieces over the past two years. Depending on its complexity, a single piece can take him up to a month to complete.

Samir Habet

“My art style right now is just experimenting. It’s street art, realism, anything that I feel could give a sense of what I’m trying to express, what medium works best.”

He finds inspiration in his everyday experiences, blending them with influences from artists like Jean Michel Basquiat. His work is known for its raw, gestural style and its blend of text and imagery. Basquiat’s art often explored themes of race, identity, and social issues, drawing from his experiences as a Black artist. Lately, Habet has been diving into bigger projects, and he’s excited to reveal them at his upcoming art show.

Samir Habet

“This painting is them nailing Jesus on the cross. And this is a part of a bigger project that I’m working on of the stations that, and the journey that Jesus took to dying on the cross. What went into this was a lot of time and, I don’t know, just trying to give a good idea or historical representation of what happened. Even though I wasn’t there, but I tried my best.”

Every corner of Habet’s bedroom is occupied by paintings and art supplies, as it doubles as his studio. He walked us through his favorite mediums to paint with.

Samir Habet

“I have my brushes here. Some of them are from out of district, but most of them you can find at Stationary House in Belize City. I have mostly acrylic paint. All of them are acrylic paint. I don’t know how to use oil paint. I find acrylic is just more convenient and it holds up to everything that I want to do.”

One of the standout pieces in his collection is called ‘Colour My Life’. It beautifully depicts two people stepping into a vibrant world after seeing life in dull shades. Habet first painted this piece a year ago and finished a second version earlier this year. Every time he looks at it, he’s reminded of how far he’s come.

Samir Habet

“This one was something that I felt a year ago and I was trying my hardest to express what it is that I had in my mind. And I really couldn’t, I didn’t have the technical ability even though I had the idea. And a year later, I was able to create something more close to what I had in my mind. So it was a really nice experience see how far I came in that year.”

No matter their background or skill level, Habet encourages all Belizeans to pursue their passions and let their creativity thrive.

Samir Habet

“I think that you just really need to want it. If you want it, you will seek it out and you will find it. And it’s, you don’t have to create anything extraordinary. It’s just whatever is in you, you can use art in a way to express that. And that is beautiful regardless of how the painting looks.”

Habet is gearing up for his first solo exhibition in March 2025, where he’ll finally get to showcase his art. In the meantime, anyone interested in his work can connect with him on Instagram. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Minister Says B.D.F. Camps Are Being Upgraded, One by One

A week ago, Major Roberta Usher, the B.D.F. Chief of Staff, shared with News Five that they are working on improving the living conditions for soldiers at Fairweather Camp in Punta Gorda. This effort is part of a broader renovation plan across all B.D.F. installations. Today, News Five followed up with the Minister of National Security, Florencio Marin Junior, about these upgrades. He mentioned that it’s a work in progress and that these issues have been around since before the current administration took office. He and his deputy are tackling them one step at a time.

Florencio Marin, Minister of National Defense

“You all knew from the beginning of this government, we inherited deplorable conditions, no, and we didn’t complain, we didn’t cry out and all that, try to make a scandal, we quietly, Minister Mira and I quietly rolled up our sleeves and we decided to get to work and I believe over the past four years you’ve seen us one by one sometimes going to different bases and creating some form of improvement. And now you now have two barrack rooms. in Price Barracks. We’re finishing up a kitchen there. We’ve done some repairs in Riley’s camp. We’ve done repairs in Camp Belisario. But the next biggest camp is Fairweather. And what we’ve just had, I would say about a month ago, we’ve had members from CABEI who were there. We will help provide the government to some fundings to refer to rebuild some barrack room. So it is an issue for us. We are not, we ourselves are not happy for the conditions, but at the very least it is livable at the moment and we are working to improve on it.”

Deplorable Conditions at BDF’s Fairweather Camp

What will the budget look like for National Defense?

It’s still up in the air whether the general elections will be called earlier than planned. However, in just a few months, the national security budget will be up for presentation and debate in the House. We asked Minister Marin if he plans to request a budget increase for his National Defense and Border Security Ministry. His response was a bit ambiguous—he didn’t give a clear yes or no.

Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Defense

“There’s already the budget call and I’m already sitting down with our commanders, having various meetings with them, putting our priorities on the table. All right. Of course, after that, then we’ll be meeting with the Ministry of Finance to finalize what the budget will be. But yes, as always, and I believe you’ve seen that over the years, we have had the welfare of our soldiers foremost, right? We are a country with some restrictions in terms of our resources, but we’ve always have their welfare first and whatever we can, we’ve always worked to improve on these. And I believe over the four years you’ve seen some significant improvements things that we that we’re there where we should be. Not yet. We’re working to it.”

Belize’s Foreign Exchange Holding on the Rise

Foreign exchange is vital for a small, open economy like Belize. Trading goods with other countries requires foreign currency, making Belize’s foreign exchange assets crucial. According to Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael, the country’s foreign holdings are in good shape. Right now, the entire banking system holds one point nine billion dollars in foreign exchange assets. Governor Michael shared more details during Wednesday’s Central Bank press conference.

Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank

“Currently the foreign exchange assets of the entire banking system, those held by commercial banks and those of the Central Bank, stands at one point nine billion. And of this total the pool of official reserves by the Central Bank totals one billion, equivalent to four months of imports, comfortably above the three months benchmark. In contrast the pool of reserve held by the domestic banks are just under Central Bank’s one billion, at nine hundred million. And, this is the highest it has ever been on record. Factors driving this performance are tourism leading the way at one point two billion, up almost eleven percent for the year to date, January to September. Export Revenue is up marginally by point one percent or ten basis points and total seven hundred and sixty-three million, up to September. FDI very strong for the first three quarters of the year, by four-four percent, up one hundred and ninety-five point four million. BPOs helps to explain some of the labor market’s pressures or tightness, totals a hundred and sixty-nine point one million and up seven point four percent. Remittances up small, one point two percent, two hundred and twenty-two million. And loan disbursements, I don’t mind this one being down at all, fifteen point seven percent and total a hundred and forty-nine point four million dollars.”

Central Bank Strengthen Credit Union Regulatory Framework

Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael also highlighted the ongoing efforts with credit unions nationwide. Since 2005, when the Central Bank’s governor was appointed as the registrar of credit unions and given regulatory and supervisory authority, Michael’s team has been busy. They’ve been working hard to strengthen the regulatory framework and liquidate inactive credit unions.

Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank

“The Central Bank has also been working to bolster the resilience of the credit union sector. The entire financial sector has had to adapt with the evolving economic landscape and the Central Bank has undertaken initiatives to build credit union resilience and to enhance competitiveness. In 2005 the Central Bank assumed responsibility for the regulation and supervision of credit unions when the Central Bank’s governor was designated registrar of credit unions. Since then the Central Bank has made strides to address laxities in regulatory oversight and we have seen credit unions enhance their footprint in the sector with an asset growth of over one billion since two thousand six along with expanding their range of products and services. Redrafting credit union legislation ensures that regulatory frameworks keep pace with industry developments. Our second approach is to liquidate long inactive defunct credit unions. The credit union has identified nineteen nonoperational credit unions and have published a notice of liquidation.”

Decreased Banking Fees and Charges for Financial Inclusion

A few months back, domestic banks decided to lower their ATM withdrawal fees and online transfer fees. They also cut costs for account closures, maintenance fees, and early loan payouts. However, they did hike up fees for over-the-counter withdrawals and cashing checks. But are banks making more money from these increased fees? According to Michael, it’s unlikely, as most customers have shifted away from using checks and over-the-counter withdrawals.

Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank

“I will say that the increases on this side should be less than the overall activity within the financial system. So, the way how online transactions have been growing and growing exponentially, versus how much people actually want to go into a bank and wait in line over the counter. I think it is slowly sinking in with those people who are still using checks that it is not the way to go. There are better ways to conduct financial transactions. But, I am not the one to tell somebody who has his entire system built around checks to move away from checks. It is unfortunate that there was a spike on the other end. But our objective is financial inclusion and increased access to services within the financial system and when we talk about services, more efficient and digital forms of payment. And one of the other projects which we talk about the next time is our file payments project. I want everything to be on the access from your phone. That is what we should be doing and moving towards.”

Elderly Woman Without a Home After Being Evicted

Tonight, an elderly woman from Belize City is reaching out for help to rebuild her life from scratch. Gertrude Hunter, a familiar name in the news, first caught our attention earlier this year when police officers tried to evict her from her home under a court order. The Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, even reprimanded his officers for reportedly tossing her belongings out during the eviction. Despite receiving numerous legal notices to vacate, Gertrude stayed put, claiming that her common-law husband had left the property to her in his will. But in August, she was finally removed from the home, leaving her displaced just as the Christmas season approaches. This saga, filled with legal battles and frequent police encounters since 2015, centers on a sixty-three-year-old woman yearning for a fresh start. News Five’s Paul Lopez brings us her story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Christmas season is here, bringing joy and celebration for many. But for one sixty-three-year-old woman in Belize City, there’s little to cheer about. After losing the home she cherished for over a decade, the holidays are looking bleak.

Gertrude Hunter, Belize City Residents

“I am experiencing a lot of police harassment. Since my common law Benjamin Ferguson was removed away from me by force and then police stay harassing me to tell me get off the place, get off the place and they just keep removing me off the place, saying I am just a squatter, they don’t know who I am, when I was there by my common law, Benjamin Ferguson.”

To grasp Hunter’s situation, we need to revisit the early aughts. That’s when she moved into a home at the corner of Cemetery Road and Amandala Drive with her common-law husband. The house that once stood there is now gone. According to Hunter, her husband’s relatives separated them in 2015. Despite staying on the property, she’s been battling constant ownership disputes ever since.

Gertrude Hunter

“The only time I get to see him is when a friend comes in hospital, and I get to see him in there. His friend gave me the bad news that he was on his last. And so, when I went to the hospital to look for him the security went there said anybody who wants to see him, only the name that was there, was supposed to see him.”

Back in February, Hunter’s legal woes made headlines as efforts to evict her from her home intensified. At one point, she found herself in the Belize City Magistrate Court, facing charges of property damage, two counts of aggravated assault on police officers, and trespassing. Hunter, however, insists that the police roughed her up, leaving her with injuries and locking her up for two days. That case is still ongoing. She maintains that her common-law husband left her the Cemetery Road property in his 2011 will, and she has the documents to prove it.

Gertrude Hunter

“The will state that the property should leff with his common-law wife, Gertude Hunter.”

On the other hand, a 2018 land transfer document shows that the land was transferred to one of her common-law husband’s relatives. After that, the legal notices kept piling up, demanding she leave the property. In 2019, a civil suit ruled in favor of her common-law husband’s relative. Hunter, however, claims she had no idea the case was even happening. The elderly woman maintained that she is the rightful owner of the property based on the will in her possession and stayed on the property. But in August of this year, the property was sold to a new owner who sent her a legal notice, ultimately forcing her to leave the home for good.

Gertrude Hunter

“I really hard. It was hard, because it was a constant harassment from time to time nuh. I live in a constant harassment from 2015 is when it really get worse you know. It really get worse.”

Paul Lopez

“What are you doing now, or where are you staying?”

Gertude Hunter

“I stay at my little sister…”

Thankfully, Hunter isn’t completely without a roof over her head—her younger sister has kindly taken her in. Hunter admits she doesn’t have the financial means to continue the legal battle. The Ombudsman’s Office has acknowledged her claims about the property and the alleged police brutality. At this point, Hunter just wants to move on with her life, even if it means starting over at her age.

Gertude Hunter

“I have a phone number, six, two, eight, one, zero, two, nine and I also have my sister number, six, zero, four, one, three, nine, one. And if you can’t get me on those numbers, because I am at my daughter sometimes, that number is six, three, six, one, zero, two, two.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Elderly Belize City Woman Receives MIDH Home

A sixty-three-year-old Belize City woman has just received a new home from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. But this isn’t your typical starter home from the ministry—it’s much larger. That’s because she’s not living there alone; she shares the space with her nine children and sixteen grandchildren. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the full story on today’s handover.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Tonight, a family of twenty-six is filled with gratitude after receiving the keys to a brand-new home from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. Sixty-three-year-old Paula Thomas attended the handover ceremony at the corner of Iguana and Lakeview Streets, where she shared just how rundown her previous home had become.

Paula Thomas, House Recipient

“Oh bad, because when the Hurricane come, Lisa, that is when my house destroyed with everything. It never so collapsed, but it was in a bad state, so ih mih have to change.”

Lawrence Ellis, the PUP Standard Bearer for Mesopotamia, was also present at the handover. He shared the story behind the decision to build a new home for the family.

Lawrence Ellis, PUP Standard Bearer, Mesopotamia

“The Ministry of Housing, through the collaboration with human development saw the need for this family to be assisted because of their living condition that was here. So, the Human Department through the ministry decided to build this house.”

The design and size of the home is a stark contrast to the starter homes that the Ministry of Housing has been distributing since the People’s United Party took office.

Lawrence Ellis

“The size of the lot was a factor and it is not one person living in the home. It is three families actually so the only way to go was up. This is a first of its kind. A beautiful home. It is very comfortable if you see the inside. The people of Mesopotamia should be proud and you are going to see more of this to come. Upstairs have three bedrooms and downstairs have two, two-bedroom units. They have their own bathrooms. We actually put fridge and stove in all of them so we have a little extra. I am proud, very proud to be a part of it and if you talk with them you will see they are very happy too.”

And when Thomas was asked how she feels about the new house, she was unable to contain her gratitude.

Paula Thomas

“Oh yeah, praise the lord for everything. That is the only one you can depend on, Jesus, with the people weh help develop to get my house. I have nine kids and I have sixteen grandkids. Yes they live with me, not up here. That is why I make them divide it downstairs, because dah suh the first house mih stay.”

Reporter

“How were you guys managing before?”

Paula Thomas

“Well I was living on that side over there. So, I have to say I have gone through a lot living on that side. But I always call Jesus and my God always looking to me. My God always. But I appreciate whatever I get and I thank my God, because my God always there for me.”

It’s pretty clear that Ellis’ appearance is a campaign move. As the PUP standard bearer, he’s aiming to unseat Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Ellis confidently predicted a win in the upcoming general election and promised that, once in office, he would build more homes like this for his constituents.

Lawrence Ellis

“I as the standard bearer after I win next year, we have great plans to do housing in Mesop. Mesop cannot go out. Mesop can only go up because we don’t have enough space, so we are looking to build more proper homes in Mesop.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

TV Technician Dies in Bella Vista Motorcycle Crash

A tragic road traffic accident in Bella Vista Village has left a man dead and a woman injured. The collision, which occurred on Wednesday night, claimed the life of 54-year-old TV repair technician Jose Samuel Hoppington.

Hoppington was reportedly riding a red Skygo motorcycle toward Bella Vista from Independence when he collided head-on with another motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction. Police reports indicate that the accident happened in front of the Toledo Teachers’ Credit Union after Hoppington allegedly crossed into the opposite lane.

The other motorcycle was driven by 34-year-old schoolteacher Xiomara Molina, who sustained injuries in the crash.

Hoppington was rushed to the Independence Polyclinic, where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment.

Speaking to News Five, Hoppington’s wife, Gritchin Hoppington, shared that her husband had gone out earlier in the evening to collect payment for a completed job. However, when she recovered his wallet after the accident, it was empty.

Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Elderly Woman Appeals for Help After Home Eviction

An elderly Belize City resident, Gertrude Hunter, is reaching out for assistance after being evicted from her home earlier this year. She says she has been displaced just as the Christmas season approaches. Hunter, who first made headlines in February during an eviction attempt, has faced a turbulent journey marked by legal battles, police encounters, and claims of harassment.

“I am experiencing a lot of police harassment,” Hunter said. “Since my common-law Benjamin Ferguson was removed away from me by force, the police stay harassing me, telling me to get off the place. They keep removing me, saying I am just a squatter, but I was there with my common-law, Benjamin Ferguson.”

Hunter moved into the home at the corner of Cemetery Road and Amandala Drive with her common-law husband years ago. However, her troubles began in 2015 when she was separated from Ferguson by his relatives. Hunter claims she has been fighting to remain on the property ever since, citing a will from 2011 that she says left the property to her.

“The will states that the property should be left with his common-law wife, Gertrude Hunter,” she said.

However, a 2018 land transfer document shows that the property was passed to one of Ferguson’s relatives. In 2019, a civil court ruled in favour of the relative, though Hunter insists she was unaware of the proceedings. Despite legal notices demanding her departure, she stayed on the property until August of this year, when a new owner purchased it and evicted her.

Back in February, Hunter’s case gained public attention as she faced charges of property damage, aggravated assault on police officers, and trespassing. She alleges that police used excessive force during the eviction attempt, leaving her injured and in custody for two days. That case is ongoing.

“It was really hard because it was a constant harassment,” Hunter reflected. “From 2015, it really got worse.”

Now 63 years old, Hunter is starting over. She currently lives with her younger sister and admits she lacks the financial resources to continue fighting for the property. She has also sought support from the Ombudsman’s Office, which is reviewing her claims about police misconduct and property rights.

Hunter remains hopeful for assistance.