Soamy: The Girl Who Dared to Dream

Soamy: The Girl Who Dared to Dream

Soamy Portillo is an eighth-grade student at Unity Presbyterian School, located in one of the poorest neighborhoods on the south side of Belize City. Life for Soamy has never been easy. She lost her mother at a young age, and her father was never in the picture. Her grandmother (her only family) has raised her with fierce love and devotion. But that love comes with fear: fear of letting Soamy step into a world beyond their small home, fear of losing her to the unknown. 

For Soamy’s grandmother, sending her to high school felt impossible. In Belize, primary education is free and compulsory, but secondary school is not. Families must pay tuition, uniforms, and fees - costs that many cannot afford. Poverty often closes doors before children even get the chance to walk through them.  

Soamy’s teachers at Unity Presbyterian School saw her potential. They saw her bright mind, her gentle spirit, and her determination to learn. They prayed. They spoke to her grandmother. They pleaded: “Please give Soamy the opportunity to go to secondary school. Help her break the cycle of poverty.” 

After days of conversations and tears, her grandmother said yes. 

What happened next was extraordinary. 

The entire staff at Unity Presbyterian School rallied around Soamy. One teacher paid for her registration. Another bought her uniform. Others pooled resources for tuition, a school bag, and supplies. They celebrated together because this was more than an enrollment - it was an opportunity for Christ’s light to shine. 

Soamy’s story is not just about education. It’s about transformation. It’s about a Christ-centered community that refused to let poverty define a child’s future. At Unity Presbyterian, teachers live out their faith daily, creating a safe, nurturing environment where students learn not only academics but also the truth that they are loved, valued, and capable of greatness. 

Why This Matters 

Belize faces significant educational challenges. According to UNICEF while 91.7% of children attend primary school, attendance drops sharply at the secondary level - only 49.6% attend upper secondary school, and completion rates are even lower. Financial barriers are a major reason. In fact, 49% of Belizean children live in multidimensional poverty, lacking basic needs like nutrition, housing, and access to education notes the Borgen Project.  

Without intervention, many bright students like Soamy never make it past primary school. They become trapped in cycles of poverty, unaware of the gospel, and unable to access opportunities that could change their lives. 

You Can Be Part of the Story 

Our Student Bursary Program exists to make sure teachers are able to have funds so that students like Soamy are able to access a Christ-centred education. Your support helps provide: 

• Tuition and fees  

• Uniforms and school supplies 

• Mentorship and spiritual guidance through Christ-centered teachers 

When you give, you’re not just funding education. You’re giving hope. You’re helping a child discover that they matter, that they are loved by God, and that they have a future worth fighting for. 

Soamy dared to dream - and because of a community that believed in her, that dream is coming true. Will you help the next child dare to dream?