First recipient of the Chris Galvez Scholarship

It was both a joyful and a poignant occasion. There was one happy student who is the recipient of a high school scholarship while the benefactor relived the memories of the murder of her nephew. Dominque Norales was awarded the first Christopher Galvez scholarship by Yolanda Schakron, his fearless aunt who has galvanized the community for justice and against the crime wave.  News Five’s Marion Ali was on hand for the ceremony at the University of the West Indies this morning.

Therese Hauze, Mother of Dominique Norales

therese hauze

“I’m excited and I’m happy and I’m appreciative of everything.”

Therese Hauze did not win the lotto.  Her elation came after her daughter, thirteen year old Dominique Norales was awarded the first ever Christopher Galvez high school scholarship.

christopher galvez

The scholarship is the first of a permanent programme created in memory of Galvez, who was gunned down on December twenty third, 2009.  Today would have marked his twenty-fourth birthday.  While he did not live to see today, his family decided to take their grief and create an opportunity for someone with promise.

It is an opportunity that this freshman at Saint Catherine Academy hopes to use as a springboard to convert her dream of becoming an environmental specialist into reality.

Dominique Norales, Scholarship recipient

dominique norales

“A young man died and it’s hard on the family, but they chose the path of hope and they made this organization and they help people out and through that I got help so I’m happy about that.”

Dominque’s mother, Therese Hauze, admits that sometimes providing for her three children single-handedly has been a tremendous feat.

Therese Hauze

“It’s hard. Sometimes I cry because I put myself in some debts that’s hard to deal with but I try not to show my kids.”

Today was also painful for Yolanda Schakron, as she fought back her  tears for her nephew, but her effort proved that hope can spring from  death.

yolanda schakron

Yolanda Schakron, Founder, Belizeans for Justice Movement

“We’re here to work hand in hand with Annie’s group to ensure that our young people are given a fair chance in life; that they are educated. Today I am so privileged and I am so happy and I know that this is what Christopher Galvez would have wanted—someone who does not have the means to continue and further their education.”

The scholarship was facilitated through the Belize Kids First Organization, a non-profit group whose objective is to assist youths with the chance of getting an education.  Its President, Annie Cuvas, says the sheer number of applications represents how much the country needs.

annie cuvas

Annie Cuvas, President, Belize Kids First Organization

“We started out with eight children in August. We have now approximately thirty children from preschool all the way to S.J.C. Extension. We also take care of children. We try not to say no to anybody. C.X.C. was not a part of the organization’s objective, but people have come and said you know Miss Palacio; it’s only one or two C.X.C. I need can you please help us. It’s very difficult to say no to children especially if they want to attend high school, if they want to further their educational background. So even that the organization is looking into. We are willing to help however we can.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Today’s scholarship to Norales will run for the four years of her high school term and will cover books and tuition.