Belize- In Memory Of Becky Downard
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It is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to the most beautiful, funny, generous, loyal friend, fighter for the underdog, full of faith girl this world has seen.
My my name is Joel Tippitt and I am Beckys Brother In Law (BIL). I live here in Anderson, SC where becky lived for the past year and a half.
As you read this story, know that our desire is to continue the legacy of Becky by building preschools in Belize to further children's education. 100% of the money will be use through Starfish Outreach Ministries to accomplish this dream! Here is a website that you can visit to see more about that ministry.
StarfishOutreach.org
On Wednesday, July 5th Becky Downard went home to be with Jesus as a result of unexpected complications after a common surgery at the age of 38.
If you knew Becky, there were many things that you will remember, but if you spent any given amount of time with her, you'll know that she had a love for the forgotten "tough" kids. She was always caring and loving on kids in some way wherever she went. In Santa Rosa, California she was always known for having students who were going through the hardest things in life to be right by her side. Becky was a steady support to the church youth group consistently going after the kids who were the furthest from Jesus. In her work life, she didn't just teach at any public high school, but instead chose to teach at Juvenile Hall or alternative schools with the kids that needed the most love. To everyone else, they were the impossible kids, but to Becky, they were the motivation to get up each day and change their outlook and opportunity. Her "You need to hear this talks" were undoubtedly the gold treasured in her soul. What others didn't have the courage to say, flowed wittingly from her mouth. She opened her home to people that needed housing; whether short term or long term. She opened her home like she did her heart.
Her love for children started way back when she and her sister Beth went on a cruise to Belize where they walked through a village with children running around without shoes. They witnessed such an extreme poverty. This ignited a dream! The dream to make a difference in children's lives started in a small village, but grew into a nation. Becky was never intimidated by the big dreams or goals. Where most would hold back, she would dive head first into and figure it out along the way; passion before plan. Soon after, Becky and her family started making plans to take teams to this village in Cottontree, Belize to build opportunities for these children that were destined for the same she taught everyday. Kids in Belize that get to attend preschool have an 80% higher chance of attending college. Thus, the dream began to make a difference through building one preschool in each village, one at a time.
Since that first trip (July 2007)
-Over 600 people have volunteered to build/ construct 2 preschools in 2 villages
-$250,000 raised
-These are the only preschools in the villages and graduates 18-20 students per year
-The Belize government has partnered with this project because they see the impact
There are 70 villages in Belize - 68 more to go! Becky's dream was to see this whole nation changed by the love through these preschools. This next project will be in memory of Becky's calling to make a difference in Belize.
Becky had a lasting impact on so many people's lives and we believe that her legacy is to change a nation of hurting and abandoned kids. By providing education to a nation, the greatest opportunity is given to change a nation.
You can partner with this dream! In lieu of flowers at her memorial, the family is asking that you donate to the next Belize Project. Our goal is to raise $750,000 to build a building in Dangriga, Belize. This location will be:
-A preschool
- A location for teams to stay as a hub for building other preschools throughout Belize
-A safe harbor for young ladies that have suffered abuse
As it was written in ink on her arm for all to see:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—”
1 Corinthians 2:9
Becky was always in the background of everyone else's dreams; making them happen. We never imagined it would take loosing Becky to help complete her vision, but what began in her heart over a decade ago this month is an opportunity for those who were touched by her life to make her vision come to life.
My my name is Joel Tippitt and I am Beckys Brother In Law (BIL). I live here in Anderson, SC where becky lived for the past year and a half.
As you read this story, know that our desire is to continue the legacy of Becky by building preschools in Belize to further children's education. 100% of the money will be use through Starfish Outreach Ministries to accomplish this dream! Here is a website that you can visit to see more about that ministry.
StarfishOutreach.org
On Wednesday, July 5th Becky Downard went home to be with Jesus as a result of unexpected complications after a common surgery at the age of 38.
If you knew Becky, there were many things that you will remember, but if you spent any given amount of time with her, you'll know that she had a love for the forgotten "tough" kids. She was always caring and loving on kids in some way wherever she went. In Santa Rosa, California she was always known for having students who were going through the hardest things in life to be right by her side. Becky was a steady support to the church youth group consistently going after the kids who were the furthest from Jesus. In her work life, she didn't just teach at any public high school, but instead chose to teach at Juvenile Hall or alternative schools with the kids that needed the most love. To everyone else, they were the impossible kids, but to Becky, they were the motivation to get up each day and change their outlook and opportunity. Her "You need to hear this talks" were undoubtedly the gold treasured in her soul. What others didn't have the courage to say, flowed wittingly from her mouth. She opened her home to people that needed housing; whether short term or long term. She opened her home like she did her heart.
Her love for children started way back when she and her sister Beth went on a cruise to Belize where they walked through a village with children running around without shoes. They witnessed such an extreme poverty. This ignited a dream! The dream to make a difference in children's lives started in a small village, but grew into a nation. Becky was never intimidated by the big dreams or goals. Where most would hold back, she would dive head first into and figure it out along the way; passion before plan. Soon after, Becky and her family started making plans to take teams to this village in Cottontree, Belize to build opportunities for these children that were destined for the same she taught everyday. Kids in Belize that get to attend preschool have an 80% higher chance of attending college. Thus, the dream began to make a difference through building one preschool in each village, one at a time.
Since that first trip (July 2007)
-Over 600 people have volunteered to build/ construct 2 preschools in 2 villages
-$250,000 raised
-These are the only preschools in the villages and graduates 18-20 students per year
-The Belize government has partnered with this project because they see the impact
There are 70 villages in Belize - 68 more to go! Becky's dream was to see this whole nation changed by the love through these preschools. This next project will be in memory of Becky's calling to make a difference in Belize.
Becky had a lasting impact on so many people's lives and we believe that her legacy is to change a nation of hurting and abandoned kids. By providing education to a nation, the greatest opportunity is given to change a nation.
You can partner with this dream! In lieu of flowers at her memorial, the family is asking that you donate to the next Belize Project. Our goal is to raise $750,000 to build a building in Dangriga, Belize. This location will be:
-A preschool
- A location for teams to stay as a hub for building other preschools throughout Belize
-A safe harbor for young ladies that have suffered abuse
As it was written in ink on her arm for all to see:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—”
1 Corinthians 2:9
Becky was always in the background of everyone else's dreams; making them happen. We never imagined it would take loosing Becky to help complete her vision, but what began in her heart over a decade ago this month is an opportunity for those who were touched by her life to make her vision come to life.
Organizer
Joel Tippitt
Organizer
Anderson, SC
