H.R.C.U. Issues Almost Half-a-Mil in Education Grants

The Holy Redeemer Credit Union gave almost half a million dollars in educational grants in time for the new school year. It is the biggest amount in financial aid that H.R.C.U. has awarded per year. COVID-19 is affecting families all over the country so the grant is much needed to help transition students back to the classrooms.  On Saturday, hundreds of member-owners is visited the H.R.C.U. in Belize City to collect the Henry Charles Usher scholarship grants for their children. Here’s a look at how that went.

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

The Holy Redeemer Credit Union awarded four hundred and sixty thousand dollars in scholarships. The one thousand five hundred recipients are from pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Mark Menzies

Mark Menzies, HR Manager/Henry Charles Usher Scholarship Grant

“This year because we have had so many applications, we had to cut it down a little. Pre-school and primary get two hundred dollars; high school get three hundred dollars and tertiary level sixth form gets four hundred dollars.”

Doctor Carol Babb of the Ministry of Education says that the grants will go a long way – praising the H.R.C.U.’s contributions.

Carol Babb

Dr. Carol Babb, Co-Director Education Committee

“The H.R.C.U., in my opinion, is a trail blazer. It is setting the bar so high. H.R.C.U. is saying to the entire country of Belize that education is important and we must invest in our youth.”

This is the largest number of student grants the H.R.C.U. has given out since the programme started out fifteen years ago.

Darren Leal

Darren Leal, Assistant Chief Finance Officer

“We are so happy seeing that previous years we were able to give so much back but due to COVID-19 we are able to give so much more. So, we are happy. Education is key to the success of a nation and so with H.R.C.U. giving back to our membership, we want to continue building upon this important cause.”

Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.