36 Scholarships from Restore Belize
Thirty-six students won’t have to worry about the cost of education for this school year. Thanks to the annual “I am Belize” scholarship award, the high schoolers’ tuition, uniform and books will be covered. The scholarship program has been running for seven years with the support of the Belize Natural Energy Trust and several corporate sponsors. Every year Restore Belize awards the scholarships to deserving students who apply or are recommended. As a part of the selection process, Restore Belize does home visits and interviews to select students who would be best able to benefit from all the offerings of this scholarship. Andrea Polanco was at today’s award ceremony and has more.
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
Thirty-six students received scholarships today through Restore Belize’s “I am Belize” annual scholarship program. Fifteen of the students are first time recipients, while twenty one were awarded the scholarship for another school year. This scholarship program started in 2010 and so far some fifty students have graduated from school who were a part of the program. The “I am Belize” scholarship is considered unique because it provides more than financial assistance to the students.
Mary Vasquez
Mary Vasquez, Director, Restore Belize
“This scholarship has a social focus not just an academic focus. It is based on our belief that education is a right that all our children should enjoy and unfortunately not all our children are getting through secondary school right now. So the focus of this is to target those children that have the most challenges and specifically looking at urban areas that are heavily impacted by crime. So, we do a lot of support services, it is not just financial. We do a lot of support services to assist families and children to navigate all the many obstacles that they have because of where they live and because of all different social and economic challenges they face.”
The students receive full scholarship to high school for the entire year. The scholarship covers tuition, books, and uniforms and may also include other school related expenses. Two first time recipients of say the scholarship is a blessing.
Dienisha Goodger
Dienisha Goodger, Scholarship Recipient
“My teachers at school recommended me and so that is how I got onboard this scholarship.”
Andrea Polanco
“Now that you have gotten it, how do you think this will make a difference in your life?”
Dienisha Goodger
“Well, this will really make a difference in my life because, like all other students, I really want to finish school and most of my other siblings they didn’t get the chance to do it because of finance and stuff like that. So, this will really make a difference in my life for me to finish school and just to make my family proud. I am in third form – two more years.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, you are committed to do well and perhaps get the scholarship for another year?”
Dienisha Goodger
“Yes, ma’am. Hopefully. I am a strong headed young person and I am determined to do what I set my mind to do and so my mind is set on school right now and I really want to finish school so I am dedicated to this program.”
Valentine Sanchez, Scholarship Recipient
“This is the first time I am getting this scholarship.”
Valentine Sanchez
Andrea Polanco
“Talk to me about what it means for you and your family?”
Valentine Sanchez
“It means a lot to me because it means I will be able to go through school and have a better education.”
Andrea Polanco
“Did you apply for the scholarship or you were recommended?”
Valentine Sanchez
“I applied for it.”
Andrea Polanco
“Did you expect you would get it today; because a lot of students these days are applying for scholarships?”
Valentine Sanchez
“I realize that, miss. That is why I wah do my best and try my best to pass through schoolwith the scholarship that I have.”
Several organizations and corporate bodies partner with Restore Belize every year to provide maximum support to the students of the “I am Belize” scholarship programme.
Mary Vasquez
“B.N.E. Trust, we also have donations from B.E.L., B.W.S.L.; other corporations have also given through our “adopt a student” program where they would maybe focus on one or two students. So, we have Atlantic Insurance Company, Atlantic Bank, we’ve had DFC, we’ve had SSB. And through the ‘adopt a student’ program we have had many private individuals who just give of their own.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Andrea Polanco.
