Belize City Mom Gets New Home in Easter Season Turnaround

With the Easter season fast approaching, a time that calls for reflection, renewal, and hope, one Belize City mother is living a story that captures the very essence of second chances and new beginnings.  Today, in the Fort George Division, that spirit came to life as Erica Twist, a single mother, was handed the keys to a brand-new starter home, marking a powerful turning point in a journey shaped by hardship, resilience, and unwavering love for her child. For Erica, the moment was overwhelming. Fighting back tears as she spoke with Love News, she reflected on a life that saw her navigating the streets from as young as fourteen years old. Now, years later, she stands not just as a survivor, but as a mother determined to rewrite the narrative for her five-year-old son, Jermaine Isaiah Twist, her constant source of strength and inspiration.

Erica Twist, Home Recipient: “I can’t explain how I feel right now I want to burst into tears you don’t understand the fight I went through for this house. But at the end of the day Jermaine Robert Isaiah William Twist has a home and I’m very grateful. Very grateful because I went through a lot, a lot. From since I was fourteen I’ve been on the street like a wandering dog so for my son five years old and have a whole entire two bedroom for himself I’m more than grateful. I’m more than grateful. I can’t explain how I feel you know ? I went through so much that’s why I was so angry in life but now the feeling in my heart is so whole again the only thing I have to give is just love. God just sat me down for six months I haven’t been working, he humbled me down completely and I just received all these blessing that’s why I’m so overwhelmed.”

Reporter: You’ll spend the Easter weekend moving in ? 

Erica Twist, Home Recipient: “As you all leave I’m moving in. I’m not wasting any time. As you all leave I’m moving in. I don’t even care if I have light. With the grace of the good lord the minister again even though I like to rough him up, rough up his mom, rough up his coworkers he’s still here for me. The Minister again, a stove I got and my son already said he want’s pizza so I will hustle a gas tank between today and tomorrow and I’ll make a pizza for him. So that’s it.”

Reporter: So you got a two bedroom house ? 

Erica Twist, Home Recipient: “Yes that’s how special he is, not me you know ? Jermaine Robert Isaiah Twist, he is special he got two bedrooms he didn’t get one he got two and thanks to the minister and his mom again.”

Reporter: So you will stop rough them up now ? 

Erica Twist, Home Recipient: “I have to it’s not that I want to. The good lord put me to do that.”

Henry Charles Usher, Area Representative, Fort George: “I’m already used to the roughing up already.”
Erica Twist, Home Recipient: “I won’t say rough up, let me take that back, tough love because I was raised with tough love so that is what I give but now I am a new Erica.”

Erica says her son has been her anchor through it all and receiving a home means more than just shelter, it represents safety, dignity, and a future she once feared might never come.

The emotional handover also underscores the continued impact of the Government’s housing program, which has been expanding access to safe and stable homes for Belizean families in need. Area Representative for Fort George, Henry Usher, shared that this particular home stands out even among others delivered nationwide.

Henry Charles Usher, Area Representative, Fort George: “You just interviewed Erica and you heard how much these means to her. How long she has been waiting to be able to provide for her family especially for her son Jermaine William Isaiah Robert Twist. I remember the name. It’s an important day for them. It’s an important day for Fort George and certainly I’m happy that I could be a part of it and could assist in this. Erica mentioned it, we sat right over there in this house five years ago and we spoke about building her a home and now that has come to fruition. The fact we could have done this in the family yard was also important to keep this family together. They have always been looking out for each other, working together. I’m happy we were able to build a two bedroom house. The space was a bit confined so we had to reconfigure how the house was designed but we worked with architects and the engineers of the Ministry of Housing and they were able to design a house that would fit in this yard and also be a two bedroom house. So the second house is Natalie Fuller. Again Ms.Natalie has been waiting for some time to own a home of her own so we’re happy for her. We’re going to be walking right over there as soon as this house is handed over and giving Ms.Natalie her opportunity to step into her new home.”

According to Minister Usher, the unit is a specially designed two-bedroom home, maximizing space while maintaining the footprint of a standard starter house, an innovation aimed at better accommodating families like Erica’s.  He noted that his engagement with Erica began with a simple conversation, one that has now culminated in a life-changing reality.