[dropcap]S[/dropcap]tudents of the Des Barrass Combined School are enjoying their refurbished school, parts of which have benefited from work carried out by the employees of CIBC FirstCaribbean. Employees at the financial services company rallied together to refurbish the exterior and library of the school as part of its Adopt a Cause Programme.
The Adopt a Cause Programme is the bank’s annual initiative where employees identify groups, organisations, schools or projects within their communities that they are passionate about, and are in need of assistance. The employees then get together and work towards making a difference in their community, and as a result, become more intimately in tuned with the needs of their communities, and enriching the lives of those in need.
Over the years the programme has contributed towards a number of organisations and schools including Augier Combined School, Babanneau Secondary School, Bexon Infant School, Bocage Combined School, Camp Lajwa Project, Canaries Infant School, Fond St, Jacques Primary School, Grand Riviere Infant and Primary Schools, Gros Islet Soup Kitchen, La Croix Maingot Combined School, Marian Home, Mongouge Adult Day Care, National Community Foundation, National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities, Roseau Combined School, Salvation Army Preschool and Day Care Centre, Soufriere Hospital Paediatric Ward, Soufriere Infant and Primary Schools, and the Vide Boutielle Primary School.
For 2016, the Adopt a Cause Programme saw the refurbishment of the Des Barrass Combined School which included brightening up the school’s exterior with a fresh coat of paint, as well as adding new carpet in the school’s library room. A book drive was also held among employees and books were added to the upgraded library. In addition to the refurbishment, CIBC FirstCaribbean recently made a donation of XCD$ 5,067.64 to the school, which Principal, Mr. Ezra Joseph noted will be used to install a drinking fountain for the students and perform some needed repairs to the school’s roof. He added that since the refurbishments, there has been an improvement in the reading experience for the students. “We are extremely grateful to CIBC FirstCaribbean; due to the improvements they have made, the students spend more time reading in the library as they are now more comfortable and engaged there”, he noted.
Country Manager, Ladesa James-Williams, noted that, “Adopt a Cause is an initiative that is very near and dear to our hearts at CIBC FirstCaribbean. Our employees are very invested and hands-on when it comes to making a difference and we look forward to continuing the relationship we have fostered with the Des Barrass School. In the coming weeks we plan to engage in another Adopt a Cause activity, this time in Vieux Fort. Our goal is to be impactful in as many communities throughout the island and in this vein we welcome suggestions and ideas for future Adopt a Cause projects in various communities.”
