A former school administrator who has spent 35 years helping struggling youngsters with everything from meals to graduation gowns has been honoured for her dedication by bank CIBC.
Yvonne Boldeau, who retired as executive officer of John Gray High School about three years ago, was named as the Cayman recipient of the CIBC Caribbean Unsung Heroes award.
Boldeau said at the award ceremony, “This moment … is an unexpected blessing and I am truly grateful.”
She added that, despite her decades of giving from her own pocket to less fortunate schoolchildren, she had gained the most.
Boldeau said, “Over the years, I’ve given my heart to this work, but I have received far more in return, especially from all the children.
“I can say it’s been my personal privilege to have seen the children timidly enter the hallways of high school to striding confidently into the walkways of their adult life.”
Thousands of students helped
She was speaking as she received the award from CIBC country head for Cayman Gemel Sobers at a special ceremony held at the Luca restaurant on Thursday, 9 Oct.
Boldeau said afterwards she had lost count of the number of students she had assisted, but it ran into “the thousands” and that some of them were at the awards ceremony.
She told the gathering earlier, “I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to CIBC First Caribbean for their recognition and award and, importantly, for the bank’s enduring commitment to uplifting the spirits of our communities.”
Sobers said Boldeau’s kindness had spanned as many as four generations.
He added, “She has been described as a woman of compassion, humility and persistence and a lifeline for countless children.
“Over the years, she has paid student exams, lunches, school uniforms and supplies, ensuring that financial hardship never hindered education.
“She repaired and purchased clothing, covered the cost of graduation gowns and rings and gave children the dignity of celebrating their milestones.
“She was always present to pray with them, encourage them and provide a listening ear. For many, she became a second mother.”
Inspiration to all
Sobers added that Boldeau’s life and work reflected CIBC’s values of “strengthening communities, empowering the next generation and creating brighter futures.”
He said afterwards that the Caribbean-wide awards scheme was discontinued in 2013 because CIBC wanted to concentrate on its cancer research fundraiser “Walk for the Cure”, which will be held in 10 Caribbean countries the bank operates in next month and which has so far raised US$4 million.
Sobers added, “Now is the time, we felt, to come back to the Unsung Heroes award.
“We want to give some visibility to the work people are doing because we believe, in doing so, we can inspire others to do the same thing.”
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