Tropigas Awards Grants for Back-to-School Initiative
There are four Tropigas Branches across the country—in Belize City, Belmopan, Orange Walk and San Ignacio. Today, about seventy-five students from those municipalities were chosen as the recipients of a school grant of one hundred and fifty dollars to assist their parents with the cost of their education fees. News Five’s Duane Moody stopped in at Downtown Plaza where thirty-five students, in the presence of their parents, received certificates. Here’s his report.
Duane Moody, Reporting
It is not strange for the Downtown Plaza on Albert Street to be buzzing with activity, as parents do their final shopping for back to school supplies in an effort to seamlessly transition their children back into the classroom. But this morning, parents and children flocked to the Tropigas Store inside Downtown Plaza as thirty-five primary school students were the lucky recipients of a school grant courtesy of the company.
Maleek Singh
Maleek Singh, Branch Manager, Tropigas
“We did a process where each parent had to submit an application form along with their children’s report cards. We gave them a time. After they submitted it, we went through the process of picking these children. They had to have an eighty-five percent average or more for them to qualify for the grant. We had a team pick the list and we came up with thirty-five for Belize City alone because the other branches did the same thing.”
Duane Moody
“Now I am sure it wasn’t only based on their grades; but also their circumstances.”
Maleek Singh
“Needs…exactly. Based on grades first of all and thereafter they looked at the needs of each child—who needed it more than the other one.”
One of the lucky recipients is ten-year-old Aniq Perdomo, a standard four students of Ebenezer Primary School in Belize City. He’s been at the top of his class since infant one and today, all that hard work is paying off.
Elroy Perdomo Sr.
Elroy Perdomo Sr., Father of Aniq Perdomo
“Any lee help we as poor people can get during this hard time dah wah blessing. And of course, I must be grateful and thankful to Tropigas for taking the opportunity to give back to the public for supporting him. So I greatly appreciate it; it will go a long way. I know my son, it is because of his hard work and dedication that has gotten us in this position and so for that I am very grateful. It makes me proud to know that my son Aniq is doing well, has done well and it is my hope and desire that he will continue to do well.”
Duane Moody
“So how do you feel that you’ve won this scholarship?”
Aniq Perdomo, School Grant Recipient
“It feels great.”
Duane Moody
“Does this mean now that you have to do good in school?”
Aniq Perdomo
Aniq Perdomo
“Yes sir.”
Elroy Perdomo Sr.
“Since he had started primary school, he had always placed first. So he has been doing good from infant one up to standard three. And it is my hope and I know with the hard work that he does, he will continue on that climb.”
It’s an annual event as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
Maleek Singh
“It’s a part of our strategy actually; it’s part of what we do as a company. We don’t only want to sell to our customers; we want to also give back. It is part of the whole set up of Tropigas whereby we have to give back to our community.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
