Carly, Surinder and Zara return to school

BC Housing distributed 98 education awards and bursaries to people across the province enrolled in post-secondary educational and training programs in fall 2011. Every year, the Education Awards Program helps people living in accommodation subsidized by BC Housing fulfill their dreams to pursue post-secondary academic studies or vocational training.

Carly from Campbell River is using her bursary to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing. “I was raised in a single-parent home. While I admire my mom and am blessed to have been raised by her, it was not easy to only have one parent providing for the family. By learning and getting an education, I will one day be able to support myself and my family. This award allows me to fund my dreams.”

Surinder is using her $1,000 Kinloch Award to study sciences at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey. Since leaving an abusive marriage, Surinder has relied on assistance to help make ends meet. But she hopes for more for herself and her children. “I left my husband to show my children there is a better life. I decided to go back to school so that I can get a good job that will help me raise my children and educate them. I hope that they will be able to support themselves, have value for themselves and respect for others.”

White Rock resident Zara’s BC Housing Bursary Award is helping her achieve her goal of working in graphic design and illustration. “Coming from a single-parent home, I need to take out student loans in order to afford school. But ever since I was young I’ve had a passion for art and have always found myself drawing. Graphic design and illustration will be the perfect field for me to work in. I can’t wait to complete my program and become economically self-sufficient.”