UNICEF, Scotiabank support HIV/AIDS projects

Oct 14, 2008 News

– $4M donated to NGOs

UNICEF Country Representative Johannes Wedenig (far left) and Scotia Bank’s Amanda St. Aubyn (far right) pose with the proud recipients at yesterday’s hading-over ceremony.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Bank of Nova Scotia have joined the fight against HIV/AIDS. Yesterday, these entities donated $1M each to four different non-governmental organizations engaged in the fight against the spread of the epidemic specifically among young people.
The presentation ceremony took place in the conference room of the Carmichael Street location of the bank. Those who received cheques were the Hope for All entity, Rotary Club of Stabroek, the Hope Foundation, and the First Assembly of God Church on D’Urban Street, Georgetown.
UNICEF Country Representative Johannes Wedenig joined Scotiabank’s Country Manager Amanda St. Aubyn in handing over the cheques to the four NGOs drawn from Regions Two, Four and Seven.
During the annual UNICEF/Scotia fund raising event in 2007, Scotiabank pledged $4 million towards HIV-related projects targeting young people. As partners, UNICEF has been working closely with Scotiabank to identify suitable projects for this support.
Ms. St. Aubyn said that her entity is truly grateful to be participating in such a project, since it would benefit youths affected by HIV/AIDS issues. She noted that the partnership with UNICEF has been splendid and will definitely benefit the recipients.
The Country Manager said that the fight against HIV/AIDS is important, and she indicated that they target youths and the communities in which they reside and elsewhere.
She added that yesterday’s forum served also as a new way of both entities ‘working together’ in the interest of those concerned.
UNICEF Country Representative Johannes Wedenig said that his organisation is pleased to be associated with the venture. Combined efforts can better the HIV/AIDS situation, he added.
UNICEF is on the ground in 155 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.
UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and Governments. (Alex Wayne)