CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Carmicheal Branch donated $1,000 worth of books to their adopted school Sybil Strachan Primary assist with next year’s literacy programme. Pictured – Back row (L-R): Ericka Rolle, District Manager, CIBC FirstCaribbean; Crystal Burrows, Customer Care Officer, CIBC FirstCaribbean; Sandrine Cumberbatch, Teacher, Sybil Strachan Primary; Wendy Sands-Brown, Literacy Programme Coordinator, Sybil Strachan Primary; Lorna Lightbourn, Teacher, Sybil Strachan Primary; Johnette Lockhart, Teacher, Sybil Strachan Primary; Reshenda Forde, Sales Specialist CIBC FirstCaribbean Carmichael Branch; Linda Rolle, Manager, Carmicheal Branch, CIBC FirstCaribbean.
Addressing a growing issue in Bahamian society, the faculty and administration of Sybil Strachan Primary School have been fighting for improved literacy rates l literacy amongst their students through their book club. Aided by the CIBC FirstCaribbean Carmichael Road Branch, which has adopted the school and its book club, the programme aims to improve reading comprehension skills in children at all levels of the school.
At a closing celebration for the students of the book club, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Carmichael Road Branch donated books to the school to assist with the program’s curriculum in the coming year. At the event, members of the branch, including branch manager Linda Rolle, also read to the children, making the programme the focus of their annual “Adopt-a-Cause.”
“Adopt-a-Cause is an important part of the culture here at CIBC FirstCaribbean. This is the community that we operate in; we are members of this community as an entity and, as individuals. This is an opportunity for us to say we not only want to be your bank of choice, we are here to be you partners,” said Mrs. Rolle.
“Children and education is a passion of the team members here and we have partnered with Sybil Strachan Primary since the branch opened four years ago. In choosing our Adopt-a-Cause we decided to focus on literacy because we realized that this was a concern that the schools had. Literacy affects the future of our children and ultimately our nation.”
Students of CIBC FirstCaribbean Carmicheal Branch’s adopted school Sybil Strachan enjoying the literacy programme.
The Sybil Strachan Primary Book Club is designed to empower children from ages 6 - 12 to read diverse genres in order to encourage them to expand their minds and to be productive members of civil society.
According to program director and grade two teacher, Mrs. Wendy Sands-Brown, the program aims to encourage the children to “discover the world through reading” and expanding their knowledge through stories, poems and essays. She hopes that at the end of the program participants would have a greater love of books and reading and would be better equipped to comprehend the reading materials and make connections within their everyday life.
Mrs. Sands-Brown thanked the bank for their support in achieving these goals. “We extend sincere gratitude to CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank that has partnered with us now and in the past, with great success. The bank continues to make a big difference in pledging financial assistance and volunteer time toward the success of our students through this Book Club.”
In the past, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Carmichael Branch has partnered with its adopted schools Sybil Strachan Primary and S.C. McPherson in a number of other initiatives, most notably in an outreach to the elderly. The bank has provided baskets of care items and accompanied the students in bringing cheer to elderly home residents and in the process attempted to show to the students the importance of volunteerism and caring for members of the community.
Adopt-a-Cause is a program implemented across the CIBC FirstCaribbean network to encourage staff involvement in community activities. Through the Adopt-A-Cause program, employees get the opportunity to identify projects in their immediate surroundings to become involved in. Through the efforts of employees the bank supports just under 100 causes throughout the Caribbean every year including projects with schools, nongovernmental organizations, charities and other interest groups.
CIBC FirstCaribbean Carmichael Branch Sales Specialist Reshenda Forde reads “Amy Namey Ace Reporter” a member of the Judy Moody series, to the students of Sybil Strachan Primary
About CIBC FirstCaribbean
CIBC FirstCaribbean is the largest, regionally-listed bank in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean serving over 400 000 customers in 17 markets, through approximately 2,700 staff, across 100 branches and offices. The bank, which has almost 250 years of combined experience in the region, offers a full range of market-leading financial services in: Corporate and Investment Banking, Treasury Sales and Trading, Retail Banking, Wealth Management, Small Business and Credit Cards.
CIBC FirstCaribbean is a member of the CIBC Group. CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units – Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking – CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world.
For more information about CIBC FirstCaribbean, visit www.cibcfcib.com.
By Debra King
Source: Serena Williams Media & Public Relations
