Barranco Family Gets New Home After Fire Destroys House

A family in Barranco Village, Toledo, is slowly getting back on its feet after a devastating house fire destroyed their home and left them with nothing. 

For homeowner Shamira Zuniga, the moment she saw the new structure marked a turning point after months of hardship and rebuilding from scratch.

“I’m a fire victim and so far when my structure went down to nothing, I was down. Down down down. I had to start from scratch,” Zuniga said. “Now I can do my best. I can extend it, I can do good to it. I really like it. Really happy and really blessed with it.”

Area Representative for Toledo East, Osmond Martinez, said the new house goes beyond providing shelter, especially for the children in the household.

“Her daughters and son can have an environment where they can study; they can sleep safe,” Martinez said, adding, “More importantly, it uplifts their confidence, their self-esteem.”

He also reflected on his personal background, saying his own upbringing in poverty helps him understand the importance of housing support for vulnerable families.

“Now God has blessed us in other ways where we are better off, and we have to bring that blessing to the people who need it,” he said.

Martinez added that the project is part of wider efforts under Plan Belize 2.0 to support families in vulnerable situations.