Belize Scholarship Students Update

Our Belize Student Scholarship Updates
Martina Goday and Kevin Zetina
ROTARY CLUB OF RED DEER INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
UPDATE ON SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS IN BELIZE
March 2022
 
Prepared by:
Lynne Paradis
Rotary Club of Red Deer, International Program
 
SUMMARY REPORT
 
The Rotary Club of Red Deer paid 4000.00 (USD) nearly four years ago to support two students in Belize to attend high school.  Tuition fees for high school are 500.00  per year.  These students would have not attended high school without our club support.  The two students were selected by our partner club in San Ignacio, Belize.  Pia Durham, a Rotarian from the San Ignacio Club leads the local scholarship program.  Many applications come to the club from needy families requesting scholarship support.  The selection process includes rigorous criteria including:  demonstrated financial need by the family, b) dedicated efforts by the student, c) anticipated success for completion of high school and, d) committed support from the family.  Pia and her team provide regular mentorship to the scholarship students.  Three times a year our club receives updates on the success of our students.  Attached are the recent report cards and personal responses from the students.
 
Given the pandemic some serious education challenges have been faced by our scholarship students.  I am requesting that our club provide these students some ongoing support and that funds are allocated to support another two students.
 
ISSUES IN EDUCATION DURING COVID
 
Schools have been closed for over two years.  Teachers have provided support for home programs and some on line learning.  Many issues arose:
  • Most Belize homes do not have computers so children, where possible, shared use of a cell phone to receive to school support
  • Reliable internet is not accessible to most Belize students
  • Belize teachers have little, if any, training in on line education.
  • School resumed in Feb. 2022 for half time attendance only (reducing the large number of students in classes from attending school at the same time and attempting to manage some element of social distancing.)
  • Teacher salaries (very low) were decreased 10% at the start of covid due to national economic issues.  In reaction the teacher union negotiated a four day school week considerably reducing support for students.
 
 
 
 
IMPLICATIONS FOR LEARNING
 
Children and youth fall significantly behind in basic literacy and numeracy when education is interrupted.  Belize children have suffered serious losses of educational support and much effort is needed to bridge the learning gaps caused by the pandemic.
 
 
PROPOSAL FOR ROTARY CLUB OF RED DEER
That our club:
 
  • provide the two existing students with a cash supplement to purchase a low level computer such as a Chrome book such that they can commit  to on line learning support and access to the many quality Alberta educational programs.  (cost estimate 600.00)
 
  • commit 4000.00 (USD) to support two new scholarship students (four years of high school tuition and direct the Rotary Club of San Ignacio to receive and manage the selection of students and annual funding to the appropriate school where the scholarship students attend.
 
  • Identify a club member to be the liaison with the San Ignacio Club for our new scholarship students (presently done by Lynne Paradis)
 
 
In the 2022-2023 club budget for international services commit equivalent CDN 5600.00 ( equivalent to 4000.00 USD)   to support two additional scholarship students for 2022- 2026 and an additional 600.00 (CDN) to for technical support for our two  graduating students.
 

Update from Kevin Zetina

Dear sponsors
      
               My name is Kevin Zetina, a student of Saint Ignatius Highschool and a scholar of the Rotary program. This past year was quite a challenge for me, with new assignments and new faces of teachers and students. It was a little bit rough on the way, I was stuck in depression for quite some time but not depression as in a lost relationship or any of those things but depression of loneliness and no one to support me. My mom was always busy with working and getting money to provide food for us and my dad he is no longer with us, He is still alive but h e has another family to provide for. Nevertheless, I've gotten over it and I am fully dedicated to my studies and I shall boost my grades. It is the final semester of my 4 year studies and it's all thanks to you sponsors of the Rotary club for giving me this opportunity to succeed in life and be a proud graduate. Once again I am grateful for this scholarship and I shall make all you Rotarians proud. Thank you so much, God bless you all.
               
 From:
                                                                                                                  
Kevin Zetina
 
 

Update from Martina Goday