S.S.B. Scholarships for High School, Sixth Form and University-Bound Students
It’s been happening every year since 2001 – the Social Security Board granting scholarships to some of the nation’s brightest hopefuls. Although COVID altered a lot of academic experiences, the pandemic did not stop the organization from living up to its commitment again this year. Today at a brief ceremony in Belize City, ten young people signed contracts with S.S.B. for scholarships to the educational institution of their choice. News Five’s Marion Ali was there.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The handing over of the small backpacks to 10 youths today marked the beginning of big hopes for their future. The ten recipients are a just a fraction of this year’s Social Security Board’s fully- sponsored aspirants heading into high school, sixth form and university. Altogether, there are 56 students whose achievement was years in the making and, though they earned their benefits, by their own testimony, none of it came easy.
Jamir Clother
Dennis Gladden, Sixth Form Prospect-UB
“The challenges were very tough because beginning with the death of my parents when I was just one year-old; I didn’t have that experience. It was very tough but I had my grandparents who motivated me.”
Jamir Clother, EP Yorke Prospect
“I mi have to study hard cause I mi want this soh I could goh da high school and get a good education. I want mek mi ma and this organization proud.”
Jaheam Gillett
Jaheam Gillett, UB Prospect
“We’re already used to being in the classroom with friends, teachers and all of that and when it was time to transition it was really challenging but I managed.”
The ambition and drive that S.S.B.’s scholarships recipients have displayed over the years are what propels the organization to keep helping the community, as the organization’s Board Member, Ruth Shoman shared.
Ruth Shoman
Ruth Shoman, Board Member, S.S.B.
“It could have been that the people driving Social Security could have sat and just focused on what it should be doing, collecting and giving benefits to those who work. But Social Security and the soul of Social Security which is the people behind it, those dressed in yellow, who have the heart to say who we want to be. We want to be an organization who wants to invest, who brings life to this country, and you are the life.”
While excellent grades did play a part of the selection process, SSB also looked at the students’ economic background. The scholarships are financed from a special fund.
Chandra Cansino
Chandra Cansino, Gen. Mgr., Corporate Customer Relations Services, SSB
“The legislation mandates that certain percentage, I think it’s point zero one percent of the contributions that we collect that are attributed to the employment injury branch go towards what we call a Social Development Account, and from that account is where we finance our social programs, such as the scholarship program.”
For Dennis Gladden, who has already become a role model for students his age for excelling against all odds at Wesley College, the challenges continues as this Belize City youth pursues his sixth form studies in Natural Resource Management – a course that will require him to commute to the UB Belmopan campus, while juggling employment in Belize City.
Dennis Gladden
Dennis Gladden
“All science and technology is required in Belmopan. That’s speaking for the science courses. So, maybe I will have some math and English that would be online. I’m working as well at Radisson, so depending on my flexibility at work and school, that will help me along the way.”
For their part, the scholars are expected to maintain good grades, good attendance and good conduct. Reporting for News Five, I am Marion Ali.
So far, S.S.B. has invested four million dollars in scholarships.
