Second Form Student Sponsored Patient’s Eye Surgery
It is perhaps one of the most uncommon pieces of news we’ve heard about in Belize – a student emptying his savings account to sponsor someone’s surgery. Well this was exactly what happened this week after a second form student at Belize High School saw a news story about a musical artist who needs eye surgery in order to regain his vision. Fourteen-year-old Dmitri Arguelles told News Five that when he saw the plight of musical artist, Horace Bryce, he just had to sponsor the cost of his surgery, even if it meant making the sacrifice to do without the latest gadgets for the new school year. And on the receiving end, forty-year-old Horace Bryce could not be more thankful to the youth who has paid the full cost of his eye surgery. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Dmitri Arguelles
Dmitri Arguelles, Good Samaritan
“It was about a week ago where I saw Mr. Bryce’s story about how he had diabetes, he lost his leg, and now he was going blind. He asked or he was saying how he needed like $5,000 for his procedure and any expenses on the trip. And then, I knew I had savings in my – I had savings for stuff like gadgets.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
Fourteen-year-old Dmitri Arguelles made an unselfish decision when he saw a news story about the plight of forty-one-year-old Horace Bryce, whose health has been ravaged by diabetes. Bryce has lost a leg and, temporarily, his vision in one year. With surgery, it can be restored. The second-form student of Belize High School told his parents that he wanted to help Bryce, a man he had never met, by paying the full cost of his eye surgery. That decision meant giving up a little bit of comfort.
Dmitri Arguelles
“I told my dad about it and how I wanted to use my money for good. Rather than improving my life, I can help or save somebody, and pretty much my money could be used for more, but I’d rather use my money to help somebody who really needs it than to slightly improve my life. I hope Mr. Bryce does well. I hope that his procedure goes good. Hopefully, he comes back with his vision.”
Dmitri is part of an extra-curricular program that Belize High School conducts that helps with their growth and development. Academic Counselor, Jennylee Francisco told us she believes this program has already played a part in the young man’s life.
Jennylee Francisco
Jennylee Francisco, Director, Student Services Department, B.H.S
“We try to do service learning more than just community-oriented service. So with the service learning, it’s what they learn in the classroom and their engagement with others outside of the classroom. So I’m happy that Dimitri has taken this great step to make a difference in someone else’s life at this tender age. He’s already influencing his other peers in thinking how else can they make a big impact.”
But no one is happier about this charitable deed than Horace Bryce, who shared his plight publicly only a week ago.
Horace “Khrisco Boy” Bryce
Horace “Khrisco Boy” Bryce, Diabetes Patient
“I thought it would’ve been, you know, somebody in high power or, you know, a big person with money and whatever would’ve helped me and reach out to me. But when a young tender age like that reached out, I was blown away by it.”
Equipped with the money he needs, Bryce will head to Guatemala for his eye surgery in a few weeks.
Horace Bryce
“We’re just waiting from the call from the doctor to set the date. He will call us and give us the date when he is available in this month. So we will be looking at that and we are waiting and making preparations to do that.”
After surgery and bed rest, Bryce told us that he intends to return to the studio to work and become financially independent again.
Horace Bryce
“I work with Mr. Elsworth Castillo as a technician. As well, we own a music company – music song system, Excalibur Sound and Equipment, you know, and we do rentals and stuff like that. So that’s my job. And I also, you know, I’m a musician, I sing and do stuff like that and also record albums and stuff.”
Marion Ali
“All right, so you’ll return to that? That’s what you plan to do?”
Horace Bryce
“Yes, definitely.”
As for Dmitri who shared his money, he encouraged others that no matter their social status, they too can make a difference in someone else’s life.
Dmitri Arguelles
“Even if you don’t have a lot to donate, your little amount can like, help.”
Marion Ali for News Five.
