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MSU student uses her business to start scholarship for international students

April 20, 2016
Interdiscplinary junior Kady Cox, right, and arts and humanities freshman Ciara Hamilton wash their hands before preparing food on Feb. 26, 2015 at 3850 East Coleman road in East Lansing.
Interdiscplinary junior Kady Cox, right, and arts and humanities freshman Ciara Hamilton wash their hands before preparing food on Feb. 26, 2015 at 3850 East Coleman road in East Lansing. —
Photo by Sundeep Dhanjal | and Sundeep Dhanjal The State News

With the funds raised through her online store, sociology junior Kady Cox established her own scholarship for students in Belize.

Cox, who started up her own sweets business called VK Sweets this year after growing popularity for her baked goods, said she is offering the scholarship for students at three different schools. 

“I had the opportunity to study abroad over spring break,” Cox said. “I worked with underprivileged students and the students were kind of unaware of their situation. They thought it was normal to be living in the condition they were living in.”

Established for three schools in San Ignacio, Belize, Cox said the Belize 3-Way Scholarship Fund is designed to enrich the education community in Belize, directly affecting St. Andrew's Anglican School, Faith Nazarene Primary School and Sacred Heart Primary School and Junior College. 

While Cox was in Belize for her study abroad, she said she distributed supplies to the youth, which inspired her to do more than just what she did during her short trip. 

“The kids were jumping for them (pencils) and then I pulled out wipes and they were super excited to get wipes,” Cox said. “That’s when I realized I needed to do something other than just being there for a week.”

Cox said one of her goals is to help each of the schools and the students who attend as much as she can.

“I didn’t want to pick, because they all need the help,” Cox said.

She said two of the schools are based on academic and financial level and require tuition in order to attend.

“The other one is free,” Cox said. “That school is reserved for students who didn’t get into the other two schools. It is free but it is government funded.”

Cox said the students who attend the schools that require tuition cannot afford books, lunch or a way to school because cabs and buses are their main mode of transportation. 

“My plan is to enrich the education community in Belize,” Cox said. 

Cox started the fund with the success of VK Sweets, which she said does not have a specific goal at the moment, but she said plans to be continuous.

“It started off as start-up money for myself,” Cox said. “That’s when I remembered that I could use this donation section for good.”

Cox said in the future, she hopes to donate 10 percent of what VK Sweets makes to the scholarship fund.

She said customers who donate $25 or more to the cause will receive free chocolate-covered strawberries courtesy of VK Sweets.

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