Annual Report 2015
63
hundreds of teenagers received the encouragement to succeed
academically through our partnership with “In Full Flight!” and
its well-received motivational programme for secondary school
students, “Making the Switch”.
Literacy and education continue to be the two most effective tools
in breaking the cycle of poverty in our country. In 2014/2015, strong
bonds were formed with the Young Men’s Christian Association
of Trinidad and Tobago (YMCA) when we signed on as the main
sponsor of the International Children’s Book Day to help instill a
love of literature in the minds of young achievers.
Full support of the much-needed Trinidad and Tobago National
Commission for UNESCO literacy programme, Leading for Literacy
Now! helped develop reading skills in children from an early age,
and helped foster stronger relationships between parents and their
children.
During the period, perennial mainstays and signature beloved
youth empowerment initiatives, Republic Cup National Youth
Football League, RightStart Republic Bank Laventille Netball League,
Republic Bank Love Movement Youth Outreach Programme, and
Republic Bank National Primary Schools Agri-Science competition
all continued to encourage young achievers to take more active
roles in their personal and national development.
We also maintained our ongoing partnership with the National
Junior Golf team through our sponsorship of their successful
campaign in the US Virgin Islands in July, 2015.
Empowering theDifferentlyAble; Providing for the Ill
In 2014/2015, we successfully built upon long-standing alliances
with The Persons Associated with Visual Impairment (PAVI), the
Autistic Society of Trinidad and Tobago, the School for Blind
Children, and the Dyslexia Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
Additionally, we maintained our roles as the main supporter and
sponsor of such innovative and far reaching healthcare programmes
like the Helen Bhagwansingh Diabetes Education Research and
Prevention Institute (DERPI), the Hope of a Miracle Foundation, the
Sick Kids Foundation, Transplant Links Community/National Organ
Transplant Unit, and our longtime partners in the fight to raise
cancer awareness, the Trinidad & Tobago Cancer Society.
Staff Volunteerism
Our first priority is in doing our jobs as bankers well; however,
we are always cognizant that banks have a significant impact on
people, communities and countries, and as a result, we believe that
more can be done to improve the quality of life for the people
we serve. Through the Bank’s Staff Volunteerism programme, we
have had the opportunity to live our mantra of “building successful
societies”. Dedicated staff members, their friends and loved ones,
have joined with the NGO and CBO communities to create a
powerful movement to help, to care for, to teach, and to inspire
others as they travel the path to success.
Partnering with the Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago and
the United Way Trinidad and Tobago, our staff were challenged to
get involved in worthwhile causes, joining fellow volunteers from
across the breadth and length of our beautiful country to assist in
the repair and construction of homes for those in need. Along the
way, they formed strong bonds of learning and teamwork, helping
pave the way for future projects in the new fiscal year.
CulturePreservation
Continued sponsorship of comprehensive signature programmes
like the Republic Bank/NCBA Junior Parade of the Bands and the
Mas Academy Youth Outreach Programme has been instrumental
in preserving the Mas making traditions. The RightStart Republic
Bank Pan Minors Literacy Programme has, over the course of 25
years, evolved to become one of the most groundbreaking and
well-received programmes through which we awaken and develop
a love and appreciation for steelpan in the hearts of our nation’s
young achievers.
Going a step further, we maintained our sponsorship of the
Republic Bank Exodus Steel Band – one of the greatest cultural
staples, not only in the Steel Band community, but within the
national community as well.
Cultural diversity is equally as vital as preservation, and once
again held a key focus in 2014/2015. Continued sponsorship of
the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha’s Baal Vikaas Vihaar Festival,
helped provide fertile ground upon which Hindu culture can thrive
in the natures and minds of our nation’s youth. Partnership with
the Emancipation Support Committee helped bring to life to its
National African History Quiz and Spoken Word competition; a
novel initiative that promotes a greater appreciation within our
