(CMR) A resident of Bodden Town is seeking financial assistance to accomplish his dream of attending the University of British Columbia in Canada, where he has been accepted to study Biochemistry.
Kevin Ramirez (22) has set up a GoGetFunding page to raise $20,000 towards his tuition. On the page which was yet to raise any money Wednesday evening, Ramirez stated:
“It has been my lifelong dream to pursue a career in the sciences and become an outstanding research scientist.”
Ramirez said even the minimum donation of $10 would be appreciated as it would bring him closer to accomplishing his dreams.
He explained that he was born to a single mother in the rural areas of Belize and migrated to Honduras, his mother's home country when he was 12 years old. He migrated to the Cayman Islands after finishing high school.
Ramirez said that although access to financial assistance over the last three years living in the Cayman Islands was not readily available, he pursued his education at the UCCI with great sacrifices. He graduated with an associate degree with honors.
He said, “Despite my underprivileged background, I never once decided to give up. I never once stopped seeking opportunities in and outside of college.”
The young man, who described his journey as “bumpy and treacherous,” was able to finish his studies with a 4.0 GPA, earning him the Dart Award of Excellence in STEM and Highest Achiever award in STEM. Ramirez was the only non-Caymanian selected of the 11 research fellows in this year's SURF program at Health City through his hard work and determination.
In April 2020, he was accepted to the University of British Columbia.
Ramirez said not having Caymanian status has limited his access to scholarship opportunities. He said any assistance he receives would be appreciated as it would bring him closer to his goal.
The young man, who said he wants to make significant research contributions to develop cures and treatment for diseases such as HIV and cancer, said his only obstacle to achieving his dreams was his finances.
Ramirez said if he cannot take up this opportunity to study at the British Columbia University, he will be forced to return to Honduras when his residency in the Cayman Islands expires. However, he said he would not allow his situation to prevent him from contributing to others' lives.
“I may not be fortunate enough to afford the best education I can obtain, but I must never allow my underprivileged background to obstruct my goal of contributing my knowledge to the benefit and advancement of humanity,” he said.
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