Republic Bank launches new phase for “Power To Make A Difference”

Dec 10, 2010 News

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As more emphasis is placed on the “less fortunate and needy” in society, especially around the festive season, a number of institutions will continue to host community outreach programmes as Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited launched a new five-year phase for its “Power To Make A Difference” (PMAD) initiative yesterday at its Head Office located at Promenade Court, New Market Street.
PMAD is the Republic Bank brand for social investments and community outreach initiatives in Guyana and across the region, with its first five-year programme extending from 2004/2005 and continued until 2008/2009 with a pledge of $81M towards youth development, as well as care for the needy and communities.
This second phase, to the tune of $170M, commenced in 2009/2010 and is scheduled to continue until 2013/2014.
According to the bank’s General Manager (Credit), Patricia Plummer, PMAD is the “Republic Group’s investment programme that seeks to foster happiness, hope and excellence as well as enhance skills for people across the Caribbean Region”.
Plummer stated that PMAD is structured on the four pillars – the power to care, the power to help, the power to learn and the power to succeed – and that while the bank continues to experience success, it also recognizes the importance of investing in Guyana’s social development; meeting critical needs, touching lives and fostering changes.
She explained that the focus of Republic Bank has remained the same – providing support for individual dreams and community potential and meeting the needs of the young, elderly and differently-able in Guyana.
Plummer added that while Republic Bank chooses to publicise its efforts, it is “not to blow our own trumpet” but to “draw attention to the efforts in a bid to influence others and usher in a new age of corporate consciousness for Guyana”.
Managing Director, Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, John Alves, told the gathering that the bank recognizes 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” organizations to change mindsets and provide opportunities for persons to learn, achieve and prosper, which is in fact the driving focus of PMAD.
Alves noted that much has been achieved with Non-Governmental and Charity Based Organizations in the past five years, as a result of the first five-year PMAD initiative, and “inroads” were made as the bank made positive differences in the lives of many people.
He emphasized the need to strive to raise the bar in corporate social investment and said that over the period of October 2009 to September 2014, Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited will invest a total of $170M in social programmes that focus on youth development, community enhancement, and the differently-able in Guyana.
Alves stated that the bank has already expended in excess of $20M of this sum and at yesterday’s event announced commitments of over $130M for the coming year. He said that one of the new projects for the coming year, is a pledge towards the Community Based Rehabilitation Programme (CBRP) that provides vast opportunities to Guyana’s differently-able through remedial and skills training, from which many of them have gone on to become more independent; earning a living and becoming successful citizens.
The bank has committed to providing a 15-seater minibus to enable the CBRP to transport more persons with disabilities in Region Four, free of charge, to their teaching locations, in order that they might benefit from the services of the organization.
According to Alves, another new partnership was necessitated by a tragedy earlier this year when fire destroyed an entire wing of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, and the bank has pledged $5M towards the rehabilitation of this wing, as it strives to play a part in the collective effort required to bring about restoration of this “much-needed” facility.
He explained that with one of their goals being transformation, the bank has also pledged its continued commitment to the maintenance of the Promenade Gardens, including any required remedial infrastructural works, to the tune of $7.3M, over the coming year. This is being done in partnership with the Mayor and Councillors of Georgetown and with landscapes design team Neher.
The Managing Director continued by stating the renewal of his company’s commitment to the Ministry of Education; of its annual awards to the top performers at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA); Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC); and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
Kaieteur News understands that the University of Guyana (UG), as another partner entity, is also assured of the bank’s awards to the Best Graduating Student at the Tain Campus, Berbice, and the Best Graduating Student with a Diploma in Banking and Finance & Best Graduating Student with a Degree from the Faculty of Social Sciences, both at the Turkeyen Campus.
The bank will also maintain its UG Scholarship award and the annual subscription to Business Journals for the University Library.
Alves restated Republic Bank’s stance as it extended its pledge of the Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme for persons leaving high school and readying themselves for the world of work. This programme lasts seven months during which the individuals are exposed to all aspects of professionalism; Banking Business and most importantly, Customer Service.
This newspaper understands that the focus will continue to be placed on final year students of UG through “Career Coach” as the students will be exposed, over a two-day period, to ways to make themselves marketable in the “increasingly competitive local job market”. The bank will continue to provide interactive training on a number of related topics including resume preparation; professionalism; labour laws; work etiquette; interviewee skills etc.
He explained that cultural preservation remains a major part of PMAD and with the bank’s pledge to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the corporate entity hopes that it will keep “well-loved and treasured traditions”, alive and vibrant for generations to come.
Among these, the Republic RightStart Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme exposes youths across Guyana to the history, theory and practical application of the Steel Pan art form – instilling pride, unearthing creativity, and fostering skills and discipline.
Alves added that the Republic Bank Mashramani Panorama Steel Pan Competition has “been a source of joy over the past two years and we have seen a display of talent and enthusiasm across Guyana as interest in Steel Pan has been reawakened”.
The bank will also recommit to the biennial National Drawing competition, co-ordinated by Castellani House, which continues to grow and develop, recently showcasing astounding talent and creativity, particularly among the young and unknown artists.
This newspaper understands that the bank has also pledged this year’s annual Platinum Sponsorship of Theatre Guild Incorporated, a heritage institution that has been given new life and has attracted much talent in the recent past.
Resident Representative and Co-ordinator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Dr. Kiari Liman-Tinguiri, stated that Republic Bank must be lauded for its noble effort in making a difference in youth development and achieving the millennium goals would require not only the bank’s efforts but the efforts of all stakeholders and businessmen across the country.
He said that development is the UNDP’s business and the organization is currently working with the private sector to do the same as Republic Bank, in paving opportunities for as many people as possible in a variety of areas.
Liman-Tinguiri closed by saying that the bank should continue its initiative and that the entity must be recognized for its developmental role in society.
Presentations of Pledges yesterday by Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited were made to the University of Guyana, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, Ministry of Labour, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Promenade Gardens Rehabilitation Project, Theatre Guild of Guyana and the Community Based Rehabilitation Programme.
The programme was chaired by Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, Legal Services Manager, Christine Mc Gowan, and guests and recipients were entertained by Republic RightStart Pan Minors Music Literacy Graduate, Vijay Sharma while the vote of thanks was conducted by the Marketing & Communications Manager of the Bank, Michelle Johnson.

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