The Ministry of Education’s efforts to keep Steelpan music alive in Guyana has been further boosted with a timely, tangible financial injection from Corporate Citizen, Republic Bank.
On Friday, Republic Bank Guyana Information Technology Manager, Ms Yonette Greaves handed over a cheque valued at $1.066M to Hon. Minister Nicolette Henry in the boardroom of the Ministry of Education Department of Culture Youth and Sport.
The monies represent sponsorship for the Ministry’s ‘Republic Bank Right Start Pan-minors music literacy programme,’ conducted by the National School of Music from July 10- 28. Another in the series of training is scheduled for region seven (7) Bartica from September 4-15.
Greaves in making the donation said, “It is our corporate social responsibility to contribute to positive programmes and this donation is part of our ‘power to make a difference’ programme at the bank.”
The programme was started in 2010 as an initiative to develop the steel pan art form in Guyana while ensuring that the art form was given life in a period when it had become dormant.
“Now we are continuing because we have seen the successes and improvements particularly in the ‘Republic Bank Mashramani Panorama competition’ and the fruits have rippled to the benefit of other national events.” Andrew Tyndall, Director of the National School of Music at the handing over ceremony noted that more than Nine hundred (900) students have graduated from the programme nationally todate.
Minister Henry in expressing her Government’s gratitude hailed the donation as a much needed and welcome support.
“It is great that our children get opportunities because corporate citizens like Republic Bank offer tangible support such as finances which would help our children to move forward positively.” Minister Henry also expressed the hope that the partnership will be continuous. Republic Bank’s events Coordinator Ms Rae Jagoo was also present for the handing over.