f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013

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