BEP SCHOLARSHIP TEAM
(If you wish to contact us please send an
EMAIL .)
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Rebecca Knight
I have lived most of my life in Colorado and love the mountains around my home.
I am a general surgeon and have 4 children. I have been inspired to become involved in
the schooling of children in Belize because I passionately believe that education is
the key to breaking the cycle of poverty that most of the world lives in. Where there
is poverty, there cannot be peace. How can someone not be touched by these beautiful,
eager souls thirsting for literacy and learning? When I am not performing surgery or
working on behalf of BEP I enjoy soccer, cooking, reading and traveling.
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Donna Duffy
I am a retired child health and education professional with a long work career dedicated
to improving the lives of youth. I ve taught preschoolers in Head Start programs;
helped develop pediatrician education programs; and developed training and resources for
classroom teachers to promote healthy lifestyles for students. My mission work has taken
me to small villages in Mexico, Cuba and Nicaragua on work teams that helped rebuilding
efforts following a disaster. I m so excited to be part of the Belize Education Project
and support high school education and lifelong opportunities for the inspiring students
at Eden High School!
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Bob Anderson
Originally from the Chicago area, I've been living and working in Denver since 1985 as
a tax accountant and also involved with various philanthropic organizations. In my spare time,
I enjoy attending various figure skating competitions around the world. Belize Education Project provides
a meaningful opportunity to invest time and resources in young people's education - which can be
the best investment one can make! BEP focuses on student achievement while providing a chance for
select students with a true passion for "thirst for knowledge" for the most economically disadvantaged
students in the Cayo District. I am grateful to be part of a group creating
future teachers, medical professionals, and community leaders for the exciting growth of the country of Belize.
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Pat Kimmel
As a Colorado native growing up on a farm north of Boulder, I learned about hard work, where real food comes
from and how to ride bare-back. My feisty teen years gave me the hutzpah to become a high school counselor
for 28 years. I have 2 daughters and 2 granddaughters, enjoy exploring the jungles of Borneo, trekking in
the Himalayas or being a Peregrino in Spain. The philosophy of BEP reminds me of what my 100 year old
grandmother said, "Empty your pocketbook in your head and no one can ever take it away from you",
hence my excitement and enthusiasm to join the team.
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Peter Ruzicka
With a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics and Engineering, my first career was operating nuclear reactors and power plants.
I used to work for Westinghouse Electric in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. About 25 years ago I moved to Denver, Colorado
and changed my profession to Software Engineering and Data Architecture. In my spare time I play ice hockey,
ride big motorcycles, and also play electric guitar in a rock band. My first trip to Belize was in 2010.
I was excited to bring books and supplies to the children of Belize, and have been involved in BEP ever since.
This mission provides an opportunity for children and adults to grow academically and also build meaningful relationships.
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Jeri Pulkinen
Originally from Thailand, I moved to California with my family and was grateful for the educational opportunities to pursue my career as a professional civil engineer registered in California, Arizona and Colorado. I raised two children, stressing the importance of higher level education. My children completed their studies in science and business fields, while also competing as nationally ranked figure skaters. I value education as a cornerstone of life's philosophy to maintain both physical and mental fitness while always pushing to strive to improve myself while serving the community through both my work and philanthropic efforts.
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In Memory of Buddy W. Baker (1935 - 2019)
== BEP's first donor ==
Buddy Baker was a philanthropist at heart, a believer in the value of education, and a world traveler.
So it s not surprising that the Belize Education Project caught his interest during a hospital chat with his surgeon,
Dr. Rebecca Knight. From that day forward, Buddy and his wife, Donna Duffy, have been sponsors and supporters of BEP.
Buddy was in love with life in every way imaginable. He traveled the world solo, led and joined mission trips to
Appalachia, Mexico, Cuba and Nicaragua and funded countless other humanitarian and relief projects. His motorcycle
exploits are legendary; he had 600+ skydives; he sailed singlehandedly from San Diego to the Sea of Cortez. There is a fossil,
the Bakeroceras, named after him in the Smithsonian Institute.
Saying he was generous is too big an understatement. He gave with his heart open, touching the lives of thousands
of people who would never know him. He did it quietly, without any desire for recognition the real definition of giving.
The Buddy Baker Memorial Fund has raised over $4,000 to support the Belize Education Project.
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