Belize Scholarship

Grace Evelyn Education Assistance Fund
Corozal Methodist School, Corozal, Belize

Miss Beth, Miss Beth", a voice called after me. I turned to see a short Mayan woman scurrying to catch me before I drove away.
"Miss Beth. I want to thank you for helping my daughter. She wanted to go to school so badly; I didn't know what to do. I took a little money I had to pay her entrance fee, but my husband beat me. I couldn't do anything more." The tears were beginning to stream down her cheeks. " I didn't know what to do", she repeated.

I put my arm around her shoulder and assured her she did the right thing in 'doing what she could', and also praised her daughter for having worked so hard in her final year of primary school to earn her teacher's respect leading to their selecting her as the first recipient of the Grace Evelyn Education Assistance Fund.

The name of the scholarship fund, Grace Evelyn, is in honour of Grace Evelyn Black, (mother, grandmother and name-sake of the Project Lead members). A brilliant student, 'mom/grandma' skipped 2 grades in primary school and at the age of 91 continues to exemplify a learning spirit.

The idea for the fund began a year earlier when i visited the Corozal Methodist School to explore options for starting a Devxchange project in Belize. The education system is based on British education and is broken into three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary. Belizean children begin their eight years of primary education with two years of "infant" classes, followed by six "standards." Primary education is compulsory for children between the ages of 6-14 and is "free", but related expenses, such as uniforms, and books are a financial strain on poor families. The chances of children from low-income families

The Grace Evelyn Education Assistance Fund is designed to enable one student (more if funds are available) from the Methodist School, Standard Six (Grade 6) graduating class to attend Secondary School. A committee comprised of representation from teachers, students and parents select the recipient(s) of the assistance each year. The school administers the fund, ensuring fees and school supplies are paid, and monitors the student's progress. Along with a commitment to attend classes regularly and achieve passing grades, recipients of the funds are also expected to 'give back' by volunteering their time at the Methodist school in tutoring students or...

The cost for a student to complete Secondary School (Grade 7-10) is around $2700 U.S. or approximately $665/year ($55/month). We are hoping to raise at least $5,000 per year to help children from low income families continue their education through Secondary School.

advancing beyond sixth grade are remote since school fees are far beyond the reach of most household. Only half of Belizean children go beyond primary school, contributing to high rate of adolescent pregnancies and related social and health problems.