This year the First Caribbean International Bank received 22 recommendations for Belize’s best unsung heroes. And this year the bank picked two people, a husband and wife team whose work has been recognized. So why are they heroes? Because what they do at the Tubal Institute is more than just work, it is humanism and as we found out it is very heroic.
Lyndon Bailey, Unung Hero
“My life has been touched many years ago. I was in these same kids’ position where my mother had to leave us and go to the United States to make a life and I nearly dropped through the cracks and because of Belize Vocational Training Center I was able to learn a trade and so when I grew up, I said I wanted to do something for my country, give back to society.”
Lyndon and Lavern Bailey have made the Tubal Institute their life’s work – making every sacrifice to pursue that goal of giving back.
Irene Hernandez, First Caribbean Bank
“Lyndon put his career on hold in 2000, not sure how he would support his family of six. He sold his pickup truck, they dug deep into their savings, reclaimed an area of land in Ladyville, and secured a loan of $250,000 to erect a couple of buildings which are today called the Tubal Trade and Vocational Institute.”
And not only financial sacrifices, they have made their students’ struggles their own.
Lavern Bailey, Unsung Hero
“In every area possible I am in it working. I realized that the students came to school without food and I would make sure that they have food to eat and when I realized that some of them don’t have proper clothing, I make sure I go and ask assistance around and get them what they need. Many times the students come to school with a lot of baggage, a lot of problems and whenever they leave, I still feel the burden of those problems that they are facing and many times I can’t sleep at night because I would stay up late praying and asking the Lord to show me a way in which I could help these young people.”
Lyndon Bailey,
“It’s a lot of problems because I am diagnosed with diabetes and she has pressure now. Imagine the licking we’re taking but God will reward us in the end.”
Jules Vasquez,
Explain to me what has enabled you to stick to it even through what I would imagine is extreme adversity?
Lyndon Bailey,
“We are extremely happy the way we have gone with this school because when graduation time, that’s when we get our payback from these kids. They come and they hug us and they tell us how much they love us and thanks for what we have done for them and we really touch lives and that’s what gives us the strength, the courage, and the determination to go forward with this school.”
Now they’ve been rewarded for that by becoming First Caribbean’s Unsung Heroes. The bank contributed $10,000 to their cause.
Irene Hernandez,
“The Baileys have certainly made a positive impact in the lives of so many young people and the entire society in which we live. They are true heroes who have most certainly gone above and beyond the call of duty. Were it not for the Baileys, these young people would have nowhere to go and could possibly have ended up in the penal system.”
And while they’re not in it for earthly rewards – it is gratifying.,
Lyndon Bailey,
“I tell you, I feel extremely good today because really and truly we are all human. We know that the Bible says that God will bless us and God will give us our reward when we reach heaven but to get an earthly reward, that makes me extremely happy because there are people out there that recognize the good work we are doing.”
Lavern Bailey,
“Its really important because sometimes I want to give up but when I see that people care and they are awarding us today in such a way, it gives me a boost to go on.”
The Bailey’s will now enter the regional finals along with 25 other Unsung Heroes from other countries.
