Charities Sing Praises of Republic Bank’s PMAD Initiative

Caption: Receiving contributions on behalf of their organisations were (from top left): CEO, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados Inc, Michelle Daniel; Programme Director of Crime Stoppers Barbados’ Cool Yuh Head Programme, Rene Seon; Haematologist/Oncologist, Barbados Representative, SickKidsCaribbean, Dr. Cheryl Alexis; Consultant Nephrologist, Transplant Links Community, Dr. Lisa Belle; Principal, St. Ambrose Primary School, Jean Trotman; (from bottom left) President, Diabetes & Hypertension Association of Barbados, Trudy Griffith; CEO, Barbados Diabetes Foundation, Cally Boyea; CEO, Pharma Wellness International Inc, Lennox Prescod; Race Director, Barbados Adventure Race, George Griffith; and Programme Manager, One Tree For Every Bajan, Elize Rostant.

Republic Bank’s Power to Make A Difference (PMAD) programme has received high praise from beneficiaries of the initiative.

The Bank donated a total of $307,000.00 to 10 non-profit organisations: The Diabetes & Hypertension Association of Barbados; SickKids Caribbean; Transplant Links Community; Pharma Wellness International Inc.; the Barbados Adventure Race; the St. Ambrose Primary School and Crime Stoppers Barbados. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados Inc., Barbados Diabetes Foundation, and One Tree For Every Bajan are the three new partners.

Some beneficiaries said the programme was invaluable to their causes.

Programme Director of Crime Stoppers Barbados’ Cool Yuh Head programme, Rene Seon, explained, “In 2019, due to lack of sponsorship, which led to financial constraints, we were forced to cut back, and in some instances, halt the programme in schools. Then in 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic made it seem impossible to have any business come on board to save such a vital programme. But, as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining and the Republic Bank Power to Make a Difference initiative was our silver lining. To date, more than 20, 000 students from 20 of the 21 secondary schools have been touched by our Cool Yuh Head programme and with the help of the Power to Make A Difference initiative we were able to continue this much needed programme in the island’s secondary schools.”

In her presentation, President of the Diabetes & Hypertension Association of Barbados, Trudy Griffith, said, “ ‘Thank you’ are the most powerful words I can utter to express my appreciation and gratitude for the truly valuable support granted by Republic Bank. Not only have you pledged financial support but I am overwhelmed by your vested interest by selecting Krystal Boyea and Patrick “Salt” Bellamy as brand ambassadors, who we welcome as new members of the Blue Circle, a symbol of unity in the fight against diabetes. Indeed this partnership will advance the possibility of a brighter future for all Barbadians.”

Meanwhile, Principal of the St. Ambrose Primary School, Jean Trotman, said words could not fully express what the partnership has meant to the school which has been adopted by the Bank in more recent years.

“The Bank gives priority to its corporate citizenship and as a result is ever seeking to improve the outcomes of the community it serves. This perspective has propelled its work at the St. Ambrose Primary School. The outcomes for our school have improved significantly since our association began,” she said.

The Bank’s projects with the school have included rehabilitation of its green spaces and the refurbishment of several classrooms, along with gifts to graduates.

In his address to the PMAD partners, Republic Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Anthony Clerk, said he was pleased with the work that the Bank was able to accomplish through their partnerships, particularly since many of the achievements are in keeping with the Principles of Responsible Banking of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative, which the Republic Bank Group signed onto back in 2020.

In mentioning the three new partners, he noted, “These additions will see us expanding our efforts in the area of health and maintaining a presence in the area of environmental preservation and protection. We look forward to the new initiatives and activities that will come from these new partnerships.”