Republic Bank’s Managing Director John Alves yesterday announced that a total of $170M is being invested in social programmes that focus on youth development, community enhancement and the differently able as it launched its second five year phase for “Power to Make a Difference.”
“We recognise that building communities goes well beyond random donations. It is about social intervention, social investment and a genuine long term commitment to partner with like-minded organisations to change mindsets and provide opportunities for persons to learn, achieve and prosper,” Alves said at the bank’s head office in New Market Street, where recipients were announced. He added that is the driving force of the “Power to Make a Difference.”
Next year, Alves stated that the bank has committed to providing a 15-seater minibus to the Community Based Rehabilitation Programme “to enable them to transport more persons with disabilities in Region Four.” According to him, “it is our firm belief that there is a clear and present need for renewed focus on differently-abled persons to give them the fair and much deserved chance to live fruitful and productive lives and make contributions to society.”
Another new partnership Alves pointed out is the donation of $5M towards the rehabilitation of the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, which lost a wing of the facility to fire earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Alves announced that $7.3M will go towards the maintenance of the Promenade Gardens over the coming year. This is in partnership with the Mayor and City Council and with Design Team Neher.
In the education sector, Alves said that the bank will continue to award the Best Graduating Student at the Tain Campus, best graduation student with a diploma in banking and finance at the Turkeyen Campus, best graduating student with a degree from the Faculty of Social Sciences. “We will also maintain our University of Guyana Scholarship award and the annual subscription to Business Journals for the University Library,” Alves said.
Other beneficiaries of the “Power to Make a Difference” include the Republic RightStart Pan Minors Literacy Programme, the Republic Bank Mashramani Panorama Steel Pan Competition, the National Drawing Competition coordinated by the Castellani House and the Theatre Guild.
Meanwhile, in his feature address Dr Kiari Liman-Tinguiri, resident representative and coordinator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-Guyana) called the efforts by the bank “noble,” stating that he was encouraged by the bank’s steps to demonstrate by example.
Liman-Tinguiri called on other corporate companies in the private sector to emulate development is the UNDP’s business and it is working with the private sector to achieve the same results that the bank is currently working towards.
“Power to Make a Difference” is Republic Bank’s brand for social investment and community outreach initiatives in Guyana and across the regions. The first five year programme extended from 2004/2005 and continued until 2008/2009 with a pledge of $81M towards youth development, care for the needy and care for the communities. The new five year programme commenced in 2009/2010 and will continue until 2013/2014.
