Republic Bank Invests $20 Million In NGO And CBO Causes

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad: January 19, 2015: In its drive to continue to “make a positive difference,” Republic Bank has renewed its commitment to some of this country’s groups and organizations, by pledging $20 million as part of the Bank’s Power to Make a Difference initiative. The programme which is in its 12th year was launched on Saturday January 17, at the Bank’s Head Office, on Park Street, Port-of-Spain.

Forty (40) Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) came out to receive their contributions representing the Bank’s commitment to their causes. The groups all work tirelessly to provide help to many of the disadvantaged persons in our society.
In this phrase of the programme (2014-2019) a greater emphasis will be placed on Literacy, as the Bank continues in its thrust, to enhance the lives of persons and groups in the communities in which we serve.

Speaking on the theme, “A Movement of Positive Change”, the Bank’s Managing Director, David Dulal-Whiteway, told the audience, “I stand here today, in the presence of heroes. I am addressing the strong, the brave, the determined members of our society, who will use every single “no” as a rung to build that ladder to “yes”.

Some of the new projects added to the Bank’s social investment programme include, School for Blind Children, The Cropper Foundation, The Trinidad Muslim League Inc and Young Men’s Christian Association of T&T (YMCA). The Bank also renewed its commitment to The Love Movement Youth Outreach Programme, Republic Bank/ NCBA Junior Parade of the Bands & Mas Academy Youth Outreach Programme, Republic Bank Exodus Steel Band and In Full Flight, along with 22 others.

In her opening remarks, Republic Bank’s General Manager, Group Marketing & Communications, Michelle Palmer-Keizer, took the audience down memory lane as she re-capped the programme’s achievements.

Stressing on the importance of literacy, Palmer-Keizer, encouraged the organisations responsible to continue to keep the focus on the youth of this nation, as they assist in their progress and development.

“Literacy begins at home and in recognizing that fact, we partnered with the Trinidad and Tobago National Commission for UNESCO to host the Parenting for Literacy Programme, aimed at improving the reading standards of the infant population in our schools, through instruction for their parents.”

The Bank welcomed the new organisations and pledged its commitment to the existing ones, toward improving the lives of the most vulnerable among us.