Over the past 13 years Belize Telecommunications Limited says it has spent about a million dollars to put 275 students through high school. And today the company committed itself to spending another $70,000 over the next four years to put another 25 students through high school.
Sure that is just a drop in the bucket for the company which raked in more than a $120 million in just 2003 alone but for the students it will be the key to their future. This year's crop of scholarship recipients were hosted at a reception at the Radisson Hotel this afternoon and recipients Darren Serano from Belize City and Talia Manzanero from Cayo told us why they feel lucky to have been chosen.
Darren Serano, Scholarship Recipient
“I feel great because I have a chance to excel in my education at a low expense to my mother which makes her very happy that I got good grades and enough motivation for me to get this scholarship.”
Brenda Serano, Darren’s Mom
“It is a challenge for children to get into high school these days and it is also very expensive so this scholarship is not only for him but it is also for me.”
Talia Manzanero, Scholarship Recipient
“I just want to say thanks to BTL and let them trust me that I will make good use of this scholarship.”
John Vandross, Managing Director BTL
“As I stated in my remarks, we feel that every company that serves the community should give something back to the community. Education is one of the most important things we can do for our youths to ensure that our civilization progresses properly and we believe that the youths here deserve to have an education.”
Darren Serano plans to attend EP Yorke High School while Talia Manzanero will enroll in Sacred Heart College.