The philanthropic couple, Karl and Dorothy Menzies, have extended a generous helping hand to the children of three women – Ana Marie Magdaleno Basto, Karel Ogaldez Gabourel and Keisha Sutherland – whose lives were senselessly stolen by their violent abusers.
Karl Menzies, a self-made businessman and chairman of the Holy Redeemer Credit Union (HRCU), said that he and his wife decided to help the children with their education, and they will set aside money regularly for them.
“We opened a credit union account at HRCU with 100 dollars each – $900 in all – and we pledged that we would put $100 in each every quarter: the end of March, June, September and December,” he explained to Amandala.
Their kind gesture also inspired the leaders of St. Mary’s Church, of which his wife is a member, to use the $2,000 they had collected from Mass to put into the accounts of the 9 children, said Menzies.
“We want to use it as an incentive to keep them [the children] out of trouble. We told them we are willing, so long as God’s willing – to carry them up to UB,” Mr. Menzies added.
At the same time, their expectations of these children are high, but noble.
“If they stray or get thrown out of school, we will cancel their account and distribute the money to the other 8 children,” he warned.
On Monday, February 12, the warning was sounded to the children as they were formally presented with their gifts at the HRCU.
The accounts will he handled by Karl or Dorothy, and in their absence, their daughter Kay Menzies.
“We will not allow them to draw before they are 18. If they walk the chalk line and do good for themselves, when they reach 18 we will pass the accounts over to them. If they are going to continue to higher studies we will find the money to help them,” he also pledged.
According to Mr. Menzies, he and his wife have also agreed to give the children an education grant to purchase their uniforms and shoes, and if they don’t get scholarships the Menzies intend to cover all their tuition and books.
Mr. Menzies said that he wants to encourage other people with financial means to similarly look out for children in need, and he hopes that this story will serve as an inspiration to others to also be benevolent.
Also there at the HRCU to witness the presentation on Monday, February 12, were the chairperson of the National Women’s Commission/Ambassador for Women and Children, Dolores Balderamos Garcia, and Dr. Carol Fonseca, Director of the Women’s Department.
Others who have contributed to the children include the Belize Police Department and Saint Catherine Academy.