f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
“A society that does not appreciate, celebrate <strong>and</strong><br />
actively encourage the furtherance <strong>of</strong> its cultural<br />
heritage is a society that is destined to lose its identity<br />
<strong>and</strong> its sense <strong>of</strong> self worth. It is a society that will<br />
remain forever unfulfilled—searching for its elusive<br />
past <strong>and</strong> unsure <strong>of</strong> its future.”<br />
Anna-Maria Garcia-Brooks<br />
General Manager<br />
Group Marketing <strong>and</strong> Communications<br />
Republic Bank<br />
Observing Our History…<br />
With Our Future<br />
Republic Bank collaborates with individuals <strong>and</strong><br />
groups in diverse communities around the nation<br />
<strong>and</strong> the region, maintaining a keen focus on youth<br />
development, poverty alleviation, senior-citizen care<br />
<strong>and</strong> empowerment <strong>of</strong> the differently able through the<br />
breakthrough social-investment initiative, the Power to<br />
Make A Difference.<br />
As Phase I (2004–2008) <strong>of</strong> the programme<br />
redefined the face <strong>of</strong> local <strong>and</strong> regional corporate social<br />
investment by creating solid working relationships with<br />
the NGO <strong>and</strong> CBO sectors, Phase II (2009–<strong>2013</strong>), with<br />
its $100-million outlay, shall raise the bar even higher<br />
by strengthening existing relationships <strong>and</strong> creating<br />
new ones.<br />
Republic Bank’s drive to promote self-sufficiency,<br />
development <strong>and</strong> hope for the future, stems in great<br />
part from our nation’s cultural <strong>and</strong> religious diversity—<br />
the source <strong>of</strong> a unique combination <strong>of</strong> ideas, values,<br />
skills, beliefs <strong>and</strong> approaches to life, <strong>and</strong> a source<br />
worth preserving.<br />
In addition to celebrating this diversity, which has<br />
allowed us to live in a place where there is a healthy<br />
tolerance <strong>and</strong> respect for each other’s religious values,<br />
social traditions <strong>and</strong> cultural beliefs, Republic has<br />
gone a step further, doing what it can to ensure that<br />
our culture is not only safeguarded, but promoted as<br />
well.<br />
The key to achieving success in this regard, rests in<br />
the hearts <strong>of</strong> our nation’s children <strong>and</strong> Republic has<br />
taken up the challenge to preserve cultural activities<br />
by actively ensuring that our young people underst<strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> remember these important aspects <strong>of</strong> our nation’s<br />
history.<br />
Using the Power to Make a Difference, Republic<br />
Bank has honed its focus on the development <strong>of</strong> young<br />
people <strong>and</strong> children in <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>, taking an<br />
active first-time role in various youth-related cultural<br />
festivals.<br />
As its own youth-development programmes seek to<br />
enhance the quality <strong>of</strong> life <strong>of</strong> young people <strong>and</strong> teach<br />
them positive, wholesome values, while exposing<br />
them to new skills <strong>and</strong> activities, Republic Bank is<br />
proud to have pledged its support <strong>of</strong> those festivals<br />
that contribute to the overall cultural development <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>.<br />
The Republic Bank Junior Parade Of The B<strong>and</strong>s 2009<br />
In February <strong>of</strong> 2009, Republic, in collaboration with the National Carnival<br />
B<strong>and</strong>s Association, sponsored the Junior Parade <strong>of</strong> the B<strong>and</strong>s for the first<br />
time. The event, which was previously sponsored by Sunshine Snacks, gave<br />
children the opportunity to take part in a longst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> much-loved local<br />
cultural celebration that has become known worldwide. Republic’s sponsorship<br />
marked another historic move in its history <strong>of</strong> involvement in culture <strong>and</strong> youth<br />
empowerment. The event was a spectacle <strong>of</strong> beauty <strong>and</strong> ingenuity <strong>and</strong> was<br />
enjoyed by all.<br />
The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Baal Vikaas Vihaar<br />
Festival 2009<br />
The annual Baal Vikaas Vihaar, which spans the period May to June, is a<br />
children’s festival that was introduced by the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha<br />
(SDMS), the main Hindu organisation in <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>. It is compulsory<br />
for all forty-three primary schools under the SDMS <strong>and</strong> is a key learning<br />
experience for these students. The Festival showcases talent in the fields <strong>of</strong><br />
singing, dancing <strong>and</strong> music. Republic Bank sponsored this festival for the first<br />
time in 2009 <strong>and</strong> is proud to have done so.