News &
Community Service
2010
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. 2008
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LETHEM
BRANCH CONTRIBUTES TO ST IGNATIUS SCHOOL TOUR
Our Lethem Branch presented a cheque to the St Ignatius Secondary School
towards an educational tour by the school of Georgetown. The tour is
primarily for fourth form students of the school.
The cheque was presented to a student of the school, by Mr Carl Sookram,
Supervisor of the Branch, who stated that the Branch is pleased to support
the venture which will afford many students the opportunity to visit
the capital city for the first time.

The tour was conducted during the period May 21st -25th, 2010 and included
visits to various manufacturing businesses and historical sites.
PARIKA
BRANCH HOSTS CAREER GUIDANCE SESSION AT LEGUAN SECONDARY SCHOOL
Our Parika Branch conducted a Career Guidance Session
at the Leguan Secondary School, on May 19, 2010. The session was attended
by eighty 4th Form students of the school.
The session covered a range of topics relevant to their
entry into the job market, including:
• Careers in Banking
• How to complete a Job Application
• Preparing for the Interview
• Conduct in the Office
The session lasted over two (2) hours and the students
were very attentive and interactive. The facilitators of the session
were Mrs Nandanee Persaud, Branch Manager, Ms Marilyn Li - Senior Supervisor
and Mr Safwaaz Hanif – Junior Supervisor.
The students and teachers expressed their thanks to
the Bank for conducting the session and noted the relevance of the material
presented in preparing the students for their entrance into the work
environment.
Tokens and relevant brochures were distributed by the
Branch to all in attendance.
RICHARD ISHMAEL
SECONDARY WINS REGENT STREET BRANCH’S 4th ANNUAL IMPROMPTU SPEECH
COMPETITION
Richard Ishmael Secondary defeated President’s College to emerge
the overall winner of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI)
Regent Street Branch sponsored 4th Annual Impromptu Speaking Competition
for Secondary Schools at the finals held on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at
the GBTI Recreational Centre.
Richard Ishmael scored 664 points to President’s College’s
658 and chose the following topics: Some television advertisements are
ludicrous; Cruelty to animals; Littering.
The topics chosen by the President’s College team were: The beauty
of Guyana lies in…; Courage is…; What does learning by doing
mean to you?
The victorious Richard Ishmael students were Lewins Langelliers, Suella
Forde, and Loreal Bumbury, who received the winner’s trophy from
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony. The Minister
congratulated the Bank for organizing the competition and noted that
the skills harnessed through the competition will remain with the students
for life.
Loreal Bumbury of Richard Ishmael Secondary emerged the Best Speaker
of the Competition and was presented with her trophy by Ms Bebi Wharton,
Manager, GBTI Regent Street Branch.
This year an Excellent Speaker Competition was introduced to reward
good speakers through the competition, from schools that have been knocked
out of the competition. The four speakers were: Nyamekeye Griffith (Bishop’s
High), Nadine Louis (School of the Nations), Esther Osborne (St Joseph’s
High) and Ashmini Singh (Mae’s Secondary). Nadine Louis who selected
the topic, “Children learn what they live with,” emerged
the winner.
The main objective of the Bank for the competition was to train young
people for future social situations in which they may be asked their
opinions on all sorts of issues and be expected to reply immediately
and intelligently.
The other schools that participated in the Competition were: Annandale
Secondary, Bishops’ High, Central High, Christ Church Secondary,
Cummings Lodge Secondary, Institute of Business Education, Mae’s
Secondary, Marian Academy, Queen’s College, School of the Nations,
St John’s College, St Joseph’s High, St Rose’s High
and St Stanislaus College.
MEGA-T UNVEILED
AT NATIONAL MUSEUM
The Giant Unearthed
GBTI has shared in the display of one of the most significant
archeological and anthropological finds in Guyana and the Caribbean,
a giant sloth (Megatherium).
Megatherium bones were discovered in Mazaruni by gold
miners in 1999 and unveiled to the public at the National Museum on
April 9th, 2010. It is believed that the species of the mega fauna became
extinct about 10,000 years ago.

Megatherium was a massive sloth, covered in long dark
hair. It had huge claws and could walk on its hind legs quite like a
bear.
Weighing almost as much as an elephant, Mega-T, said
to have been one of the most impressive animals to walk the earth, was
as long as six metres and weighed around 3.8 tones.
With just the few bones found in Guyana, a replica
of the giant sloth, ‘Mega-T” was put together through an
initiative supported by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Guyana
Bank for Trade & Industry Limited and the Eerepami Regenwaldstiftung
Guyana (a German Conservation Foundation). GBTI has sponsored the creation
of the habitat that surrounds the Mega-T display.
Mr. John Tracey, CEO of GBTI, in his remarks, said
the bones of the giant sloth have brought Guyana under the radar of
paleontologists and other prehistoric research bodies, and this augurs
well for the country’s goal of expanding the ecotourism environment.
“As the largest Guyanese owned banking institution, GBTI sees
itself as having an important role in supporting activities that seek
to build individuals and communities throughout our country,”
Mr. Tracey said. He added: “It is within this context that, when
we were approached by the Minister and Dr. Rose to make a contribution
for the construction of this replica of the habitat in which the giant
sloth would have existed, we readily agreed.”
The exhibit is presently opened for public viewing
at the National Museum.
LETHEM BRANCH PRESENTS
FURNITURE TO ARAPAIMA PRIMARY SCHOOL
Our Lethem Branch on April 23, 2010 presented to the
Arapaima Primary School four desks to be used in the classrooms.

The items were presented to the Head teacher, by Mr
Mohan Tularam, Manager of the Branch, who thanked the Bank for the donation.
Mr Tularam noted that his Branch is pleased to play a part in the development
of education in the region.
GBTI
REGENT STREET BRANCH COMMENCES 4th ANNUAL IMPROMPTU SPEECH COMPETITION
On Tuesday, April 20, 2010 the GBTI Regent Street Branch commenced
its 4th Annual Inter Secondary School Impromptu Speech Competition at
the GBTI Recreational Centre, Kaieteur Road, Bel Air. The competition
involves Fourth Formers from sixteen secondary schools, and runs for
one month.
Ms Bebi Wharton, Manager of the Regent Street Branch, in her opening
remarks stated that “the aim of the competition is to enhance
and nurture the ability of young minds to convert the reservoir of knowledge
they possess into spoken form. “
Mrs Melcita Bovell, Deputy Chief Education Officer for Secondary Schools
(ag), who offered remarks on behalf of her Ministry, commended the Branch
on its initiative as the competition is appropriately positioned to
support the rekindling of this lost art form in students.
The competition was declared open by Chief Executive Officer of GBTI,
Mr John Tracey, who made reference to the movie “The Great Debaters”
in encouraging the students to display preparation, courage and passion
in their presentations. He also urged the students to deepen their love
for reading which helps to increase their base of knowledge. Mr Tracey
further stated that, “This competition, with its salient objective
of training young people, undoubtedly satisfies an essential component
of the Ministry’s programme for ensuring that the learning needs
of all young people are met through equitable access to appropriate
learning and life-skills programmes and we are therefore pleased to
be partners in this respect.”
The first match in the First Round of competition was held after the
Opening Ceremony, with St Stanislaus College competing against Central
High School. St Stanislaus College was adjudged the winner with a total
of 531 points while Central High scored 468 points.
The topics selected by the students in this match were:
• Men and Women are finally equal.
• People should get more exercise
• The changing climate
• A Bank account is essential
• Volunteering is essential for secondary school students
• The generation gap.
The panel of judges for the match comprised Ms Abiola Inniss and Mr
Kenneth Bentick of the Toastmasters Club and Ms Lurine Meertins –
Lecturer at the Teachers Training College.
LETHEM BRANCH SPONSORS PRIZE AT
ANNUAL RUPUNUNI RODEO
The Annual Rupununi Rodeo was held during Easter weekend (April 3rd
– 4th 2010) at the Triple ‘R’ Rodeo Ground just outside
of Central Lethem.
Our Lethem Branch sponsored the prize for the Saddle Bronco competition
which was won by Mr. Richard Peters of the Dadanawa Ranch. The prize
of $50,000 plus a trophy was presented to Mr. Peters by Mr. Mohan Tularam,
Manager of the Branch. Since the Branch’s establishment in 2006,
the Branch has sponsored the first prize in various activities at the
Annual Rodeo.

Other competitions included the Bare Back Bull riding and roping, Barrel
races and wild cow milking. The event which is a major attraction during
the Easter weekend was attended by approximately 2000 persons.
LETHEM BRANCH JOINS
THE WORLD IN THE QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH BATON RELAY
For the first time in our country’s rich history, the Queen’s
Baton passed through Guyana on one of the legs of the world tour of
seventy (70) Commonwealth Nations. The Baton’s journey symbolizes
the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations, and enables
communities beyond the Host City to share the Games celebrations. It
also serves a functional purpose of carrying Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
11’s ‘message to the athletes’ from Buckingham Palace
in London to the opening ceremony of the Games.

The Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi commenced from Buckingham Palace,
London, on the 29 October 2009. The baton will travel through all other
70 Commonwealth nations – a historic journey that will cover a
distance 190,000 kilometres in 340 days, making the Queen’s Baton
Relay 2010 Delhi one of the longest relays in the history of the Commonwealth
Games.
The baton will also have passed through thousands of hands, and travelled
by different modes of transport across land, air and sea. The relay
will conclude after the final Baton bearer enters the Jawaharlal Nehru
Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games on
3 October 2010 where Her Majesty’s message will be removed from
the baton and read aloud, officially opening the Games.
The Baton arrived in Guyana on Thursday, February 25, 2010 and the relay
commenced on Friday, 26th, with the Baton being taken through the city
by a number of persons including President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Honorable
Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony and Mr. Juman-Yassin.
Lethem was identified as one of the stages that the Baton would be passing
through on its journey of Guyana, and GBTI Lethem Branch was selected
as one of the participants of this historic event.
On March 21, 2010, Mr. Mohan Tularam, Manager of GBTI Lethem Branch
carried the Queen’s Baton from in front of the Branch to Second
Street, Lethem in the vicinity of the GDF Base. Staff along with residents
of the community were in full support of Mr. Tularam during his historic
run.
LETHEM
BRANCH CONDUCTS CAREER GUIDANCE SESSION AT ST IGNATIUS SECONDARY SCHOOL
Our Lethem Branch conducted a Career Guidance Session at the St Ignatius
Secondary School, on March 19th, 2010. The session was attended by 4th
Form students of the school.
This activity is conducted annually by the Branch and covered a range
of topics relevant to their entry into the job market, including:
- Careers in Banking
- How to complete a Job Application
- Preparing for the Interview
- Conduct in the Office
- Importance of Non-Verbal Communication

The session lasted for approximately two (2) hours and the students
were very attentive and interactive. The facilitators of the session
were Mr Mohan Tularam - Manager of the Branch and Mr Karl Sookram –
Supervisor.
Headmistress of the school, Ms. Yvette Archer, expressed their thanks
to the Bank for conducting the session and noted the relevance of the
material presented in preparing the students for their entrance into
the work environment.
GBTI
PRESENTS COMPUTER TO ADULT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI) presented the Adult
Education Association of Guyana Inc with a computer system Lab on March
17, 2010 at the Bank’s Water Street Office.
The system was presented to Mrs Patricia David, Executive Director of
the Association by Mrs Roma Narayan-Singh, Customer Care and Business
Development Officer, following a request by the Association for a donation
of the equipment for use in the Information Technology Department at
the school, which is currently being refurbished.

Mrs Narayan-Singh in her remarks stated that the Bank is pleased to
present the Association with the computer and wished them a successful
project.
Mrs Patricia David expressed thanks to the Bank, on behalf of the Association
and stated that the presentation by GBTI will greatly assist the school
in execution of the Information Technology programme.
Also present at the ceremony were other members of staff of the Bank
and Directors of the Adult Education Association
LETHEM
BRANCH SUPPORT MASHRAMANI CELEBRATIONS
Our Lethem Branch continued its support of Mashramani celebrations in
the region, for the fourth consecutive year, as they presented a trophy
for the Best Float on Republic Day, February 23, 2010.
The celebrations commenced with a float parade with entries from the
Regional Democratic Council, Ministry of Education / Teachers –
Lethem, Ministry of Health / Lethem Public Hospital and New Vision Youth
Group. The spectacular parade concluded at the Tabatinga Sports Ground
for the prize giving ceremony.

The entry by the Ministry of Education / Teachers was adjudged the Best
Float which was witnessed by large number of persons. The trophy was
presented to a representative of the RDC's contingent by Mr. Mohan Tularam
Manager of our Lethem Branch.
PARIKA
BRANCH OBSERVES 11TH ANNIVERSARY
On February 5, 2010 our Parika Branch celebrated its 11th Anniversary
with activities to thank their customers for their patronage through
the years.
The Branch was decorated and cake and tokens were given to all customers
who conducted business on the day. Also displayed in the Banking Hall
was a collage of photographs of Community Service Activities for the
previous year.
In the afternoon a cocktail reception was held for customers. Mrs Nandanee
Persaud, Manager of the Branch, in her remarks to the attendees, thanked
them for their support through the years and expressed the Bank’s
commitment to serving them in the coming years.
Through the years the Branch has given back to the community and customers
through activities such as, tours for secondary school students, Career
Guidance Sessions, sponsorship of prizes at Graduations, repainting
of pedestrian crossings, the hosting of an Annual Christmas Luncheon
for underprivileged
GBTI VREED-EN-HOOP
BRANCH CONDUCTS CAREER GUIDANCE SESSION AT WEST DEMERARA SECONDARY SCHOOL
A Career Guidance Session was conducted
at the West Demerara Secondary School on January 28, 2010 by the Vreed-en-Hoop
Branch of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI). The
session was attended by approximately one hundred and twenty (120) Fifth
Form students and two (2) teachers, of the school.
The session covered a range of topics relevant to their entry into the
job market, including:
- Careers in Banking
- How to complete a Job Application
- Preparing for the Interview
- Dressing for Success
- Conduct in the Office / Telephone Etiquette
The session lasted over two (2) hours and the students were very attentive
and interactive. The facilitators of the session were Mrs Rambha Persaud
– Chandebal, Manager of the Branch and Mrs Dahana Ramjist, Public
Relations Officer of the Bank.
Mr. Harry Narine Fifth Form teacher of the school expressed their thanks
to the Bank for conducting the session and noted the relevance of the
material presented in preparing the students for their entrance into
the work environment.
Tokens and brochures were distributed to all in attendance.
CORRIVERTON
BRANCH CELEBRATES 13TH ANNIVERSARY
The Corriverton Branch of the Guyana Bank for Trade
and Industry Limited (GBTI) celebrated its 13th Anniversary with activities
to thank their customers for their patronage over the years, during
the week of January 18 – January 22, 2010.
The Branch was decorated and cake and tokens were given
to all customers who conducted business on January 20, 2010. Also displayed
in the Banking Hall was a collage of photographs of Community Service
Activities for the previous year.
In the afternoon a cocktail reception was held for
customers. Mr Naresh Balkaran, Manager of the Branch, in his remarks
to the attendees, thanked them for their support through the years and
expressed the Bank’s commitment to serving them in the coming
years.
The Branch also held a promotion for new accounts opened
during the week. The promotion was well received and the prize of a
microwave was presented to the winner Mr Sheik B Mohamed. The presentation
was done on January 29th, 2010 at the Branch, by Mr Balkaran.
Mr Balkaran congratulated Mr Mohamed on being successful
and urged him to continue using the products and services offered by
GBTI which would enable him in enjoying many benefits.
Through the years the Branch has given back to the
community and its customers through activities such as, Career Guidance
Sessions, sponsorship of prizes at Graduations, repainting of pedestrian
crossings, the hosting of an Annual Cycling Event and other charitable
work.
CANDLELIGHT
VIGIL AND SOLIDARITY MARCH FOR HAITI
The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry in collaboration
with the Guyana Red Cross hosted a candle light vigil and solidarity
march on January 26, 2010 for victims of the 7.0 earthquake that struck
Haiti on January 12, 2010.
The vigil began at the corner of Avenue of the Republic
and Robb Street where Mr Sean Noel, Manager, Research and Planning,
addressed the gathering of approximately one hundred (100) persons,
including staff of the Bank, volunteers from the Red Cross and children.

In his remarks, Mr Noel noted that at this time of
great loss for Haiti, the vigil serves as a show of support for those
who have lost loved ones, their homes as well as their livelihood.
He indicated the full cost of the destruction may never
be known, but it is already reported that over 200,000 people have lost
their lives; 1 million people are now homeless; 2 million people are
in desperate need of food and 194,000 people are injured and in need
of medical attention. He pointed to the hope brought to the people by
the response of governments and individuals across the world - $1B in
aid has been pledged by governments; $600M in donations have been committed
by charities and non-governmental organisations; and an estimated 140
flights are landing per day in the country, carrying food and medical
personnel and humanitarian workers.
The march started East on Robb Street, then South into
Camp Street, West onto Regent Street and then North into Avenue of the
Republic ending at the point of commencement.