Children’s Home gets a boost as RBL opens newest Branch

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, January 25, 2017: The Amica House Children’s Home were the recipients of a $10,000 boost to assist in the care and provision of the children at the St. Augustine based- home. This was the announcement made by Republic Bank’s Managing Director, Nigel Baptiste, at the official opening of the UWI Campus Branch, St. Augustine on Saturday. ( January 21).

The home, which is run by Sister Jude Marie Aird, houses children between the ages of two to 18 years. This partnership between the UWI Campus Branch forms part of the Bank’s Power to Make a Difference Programme, aimed at providing to the less fortunate within the communities in which the Bank serves.

“It has become a tradition for us that, every time we open a new branch, we take the opportunity to have that branch partner with an entity less fortunate than we have been. I am pleased to say that our UWI branch will be their partners in the cause to provide a better life for the less fortunate children in our society,” Baptiste said.

Speaking on the opening of the Bank’s newest branch, Baptiste said the opening of the UWI Campus Branch, served as a reflection of the continued confidence in the long-term future of the University of the West Indies, its legacy of academic excellence and success in the economy of the country.

“Our new facility not only affords us additional space within which to serve the expanding University community, but it also affords us the opportunity to reposition and refocus the channels through which we serve the community,” he said.

Over the years, Republic Bank has partnered with the UWI to host youth empowerment initiatives such as Career Fest, World of Work Programme and the UWI Development and Endowment Fund. More recently, the construction of the Department of Creative and Festival Arts was also another one of the projects undertaken by the Bank.

Delivering remarks at the event was Professor Brian Copeland, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Campus Principal, UWI, who applauded the Bank for its support to the academic facility for the past 50 years.

“Republic Bank, formerly Barclays Bank, has been part of the St. Augustine Campus community for some 50 years. From a little building next to Daaga Hall to its last incarnation on the Western side of the Campus, Republic has been with the UWI through thick and thin- growing with us and even – as we did, outgrowing the original boundaries of the Campus,” Copeland. He added that the Bank has supported initiatives such as the World of Work programme for final year students which has for the past seven years, assisted to equip graduates with the necessary tools for success in today’s work environment.

Also in attendance were, staff, customers, Member of Parliament for St. Augustine, Prakash Ramadhar, representatives from acla:Works (Architects), BBFL Philips Ltd (Structural Engineers), Skinner & Joseph QS Practice, UNICOM, Peake Technologies Ltd, ENCO and Russell Ramsammy Electrical Contractors Ltd; and other specially invited guests. The 12,000 square feet two- story state-of-the art facility is outfitted with two 24 hour ABMs, an elevator and access facilities for the differently able. The Branch will be managed by Latisha de Gannes, who replaced Maria Fraser who retired after 40 years of service.

Republic Bank is pleased to have partnered with the University of the West Indies in the construction of this branch and looks forward to serving the needs of the people in the community of St. Augustine and environs.