Belizean Students Receive Scholarships Through Rotary Sunrise Programme

Several Belizean students have received financial assistance to continue their education through the Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise’s annual Scholarship Programme. The latest recipients were recognised this morning during a Scholarship Award Breakfast attended by students, parents, educators and corporate partners.  The programme, supported by Puma Belize, helps deserving students cover educational expenses while encouraging them to remain focused on their academic goals. President of the Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise, Maynor Larrieu, explained how the initiative is helping students and their families.

Maynor Larrieu, Rotary Club Belize, Sunrise Club President: “We’ve been doing this collaboration with Puma for seven years and every year it has grown. We progressively have been able to move the scholar recipients forward and every year we have a new breed of scholars receiving the scholarship. What we did this year is we did a report looking back at their progress and we presented that to Puma so they’re aware of where we’re at. And some of the shortcomings as well, you know, this scholarship is not just to pay, you know, the tuition or school fees but there’s also a tutoring component, you know, based on each student’s specific needs. So we check up on them often to see where they’re at, if they need further assistance, and then we collaborate with them, whether it’s with their mental wellness, whether they need math or English tutoring. So we’re pretty much setting them up for success. And like we said today in the meeting, you know, we’re trying to build community leaders and we need them to be engaged and, you know, just do their work. The things that we did was to review also because for the past seven years we’ve been assisting them with the same assistance, so to speak, or the same budget and we know cost of living has gone up. You know, just getting to and from school or, you know, getting their meals prepped to get them ready to go to school is something that we’re cognizant of. And we’re in discussion right now with Puma to see if that threshold can be increased for next year so that we can then complement, again, their scholarship opportunities. One of the things that’s different this year is that some of the ones that we started assisting in primary school have now reached a high school level, so a different sort of assistance has also been catered to them, you know, with their mental wellness or if they need any counseling, those areas are also looked at on specific needs.”

The programme also demonstrates how service organisations and private businesses can work together to create educational opportunities for young Belizeans. For the recipients’ families, the scholarships provide financial relief and recognition of the students’ dedication. One mother expressed her gratitude for the support her child received.

Kendra Lacayo, Parent: “On an honest note, it’s very exciting, very appreciated because it takes us a long way and high school is very, very expensive. So we really appreciate it, yes. And I’m proud, proud, proud, proud because he’s been getting it from standard five and now he’s in first form at ACC. On my behalf, well I can’t speak for him right, on my behalf I say yes because he’s got potential, ambitious, very intelligent for his age so yes.”

For the students, the award serves as both recognition of their achievements and motivation to continue pursuing their goals. One recipient from Anglican Cathedral College shared his excitement at being selected.  Organisers say the initiative forms part of Rotary’s continuing commitment to education and the development of Belize’s future leaders. They also thanked Puma Belize for its partnership in making educational opportunities more accessible to deserving students.