Republic Bank launches second phase of community development project

Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited on Thursday, December 09th, launched the second five-year phase of its “Power To Make A Difference” programme, and announced its more-than-$31 million commitment towards community development for the coming years. 

“The Power To Make a Difference” (PMAD) is the bank’s social investment and community outreach programme in Guyana and across the region. General Manager (Credit) Patricia Plummer, in giving details of the PMAD initiative, said that it is structured on four pillars: power to care, power to help, power to learn, and power to succeed. The programme seeks to foster happiness, hope and excellence, and enhance skills for people throughout the Caribbean region. 

“At Republic Bank, while we continue to experience success, we also recognise the importance of investing in Guyana’s social development; and in so doing, meet critical needs, touch lives, and foster change. This consciousness has been a hallmark of our bank…,” she said. 

She said that the bank remains committed to providing support for individual dreams and community potential, and meeting the needs of the young, elderly and differently able in Guyana. 

“We chose to be very public with our efforts, 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. At Republic Bank, we believe that everyone has the power to build tomorrow today,” she stated. 

Meanwhile, Managing Director John Alves, who outlined the commitments for next year, said the bank recognises that building communities goes beyond random donations. “It’s about social intervention, social investment and genuine long-term commitment to partner with likeminded organisations to change mindsets and provide opportunities for persons to learn, achieve, and prosper,” he noted. 

Alves highlighted that the bank is especially committed to supporting efforts of communities in improving the quality of life of groups and individuals who have too little.  He pointed out that Republic Bank has made a positive difference in the lives of many people in the first five years of the PMAD programme, and he expressed confidence that even more success will be achieved in this new phase. 

He added that, although there have been significant achievements, there is still much more to be done. 

He noted that while many necessary projects were undertaken, the bank’s attention never shifted from its focus on youth development, community enhancement, and special attention to the differently able.

He also noted that for the period October 2009 to September 2014, the bank will invest a total of $137 million in social programmes in Guyana. One of the bank’s 2011 projects is supporting the Community Based Rehabilitation Programme that provides opportunities to Guyana’s differently able citizens through remedial and skills training.  Many differently able persons from this programme have gone on to become more independent, earn a living, and become successful, Alves said. 

The bank has committed to providing a 15-seater minibus to enable the rehabilitation programme to transport more persons with disabilities in Region Four free of charge.

The bank has also pledged $5 million to the rehabilitation of a wing of the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, which was destroyed by fire earlier this year. 

Alves also pledged the bank’s continued commitment to the maintenance of the Promenade Gardens, in partnership with the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown. Further, the bank pledged to continue awarding top performers of the Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme at the Turkeyen and Tain campuses of the University of Guyana. The bank also pledged to continue providing career coaching for final-year UG students, and to continue cultural preservations, such as the Republic Right Start Minors’ Music Literacy Programme and Republic Bank Mashramani Panorama Steel Pan Competition. The bank also recommitted to the biennial National Drawing Competition coordinated by the Castellani House, and pledged its 2010 annual Platinum Sponsorship of Theatre Guild Incorporated.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir, and Mayor Hamilton Green were among the recipients of Republic Bank’s pledges.