Since January 2014, five children in San Pedro Town have been granted tuition scholarships as they pursue their primary school education. This opportunity comes through the funding of the Sunshine Scholarship Foundation, which provides quality education opportunities for children at the primary school level. The registered non-profit foundation was established by chairlady Eve Dirnback. With the season of giving upon us, Sunshine is seeking partners in education who wish to make a difference in a child’s life through education.
Currently the foundation is working within La Isla Bonita Elementary School, as reported in the February 6th, Issue #7 of The San Pedro Sun. The Board of Directors have been working directly with Principal Addy Martinez in identifying deserving scholars in need of financial aid. Once granted the scholarship, students are not only monitored, but obligated to attend classes regularly and must maintain a grade no lower than a “B” average. According to Joy Flowers, member of the Board of Directors, no student has yet been disqualified from their scholarship opportunity. In fact, Flowers mentions that not only are the students grateful for the help they have received, but they continue to improve and have also become more active in volunteer activities held by the school.
With much fundraising efforts and the support of generous donors throughout the year, the 2014 school year has seen five additional students granted scholarships. This brings the foundation to a total of eleven recipients. While the Sunshine Scholarship Foundation only works within Isla Bonita Elementary, Dirnback is hopeful that with time and continued support by both individuals and corporate establishments, children from various schools across the island will be able to receive from the Sunshine Foundation as well.
Individuals and businesses are encouraged to assist Belizean children as they strive for hopeful futures through education. The foundation advises that since they operate as a registered NGO, persons or businesses that donate receive a receipt that is valid for tax deductions. Interested persons or entities can find out more about the foundation by contacting Joy Flowers at 226-3725 or via email: [email protected] or Eve Dirnback at 623-9962 (email [email protected] ).
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