Scotiabank gives $950,000 to projects in Old Harbour, Western Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica – June 11, 2021– Despite the challenges that limited the observation of Labour Day 2021, Scotiabank held fast to its corporate social responsibility by donating a total of $950,000 towards community beautification and enrichment projects being done in rural parishes by the United Way of Jamaica and the South St. Catherine Chamber of Commerce.

Under the Disaster Risk Management Act — enacted to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 — Labour Day 2021, which was observed on Monday, May 24 was subject to an all-day curfew and saw Jamaicans labouring at home instead of being involved in a plethora of community development activities as is the norm.

“At this time, health and safety are our top priority but there are still a significant number of projects in our communities that need attention. Consequently, our goal for Labour Day this year was to support our communities with donations to projects that could be conducted while observing all the current health protocols,” said Yanique Forbes-Patrick, VP Corporate Affairs & Communications — Scotiabank.

Of the amount donated by the Bank, $700,000 went to three Labour Day projects being spearheaded by the United Way of Jamaica and include a facelift to the Catadupa Health Clinic in St. James, the painting of the perimeter wall and front of the school building at the Green Island High School in Hanover and general repairs to the Lucea Infant School.

“The United Way of Jamaica is extremely delighted for the donated amounts, continuing our special partnership between ourselves and Scotiabank,” expressed Winsome Wilkins, CEO — United Way of Jamaica. The trio of projects highlight the United Way’s commitment to national development in the critical areas of health and education.

The final $250,000 was donated to the South St. Catherine Chamber of Commerce to refurbish the sanitary conveniences in the Old Harbour market.

“I was elated about the Scotiabank donation to our Labour Day project as it is something we feel is beneficial to the community at large,” said Treacha Reid, President — South St. Catherine Chamber of Commerce. The Labour Day project was a part of a larger aim to make Old Harbour a cleaner town by moving the vendors lining the streets to the market.

According to Reid, that couldn’t be done due to the previous poor state of the sanitary conveniences in the market. Once renovated, vendors and the public at large will have access to clean bathrooms while using the market. Reid said this would also improve traffic.

“While we may not have had the ability to gather around as a community and partake in such projects this year, we feel these donations are in keeping with the spirit of Labour Day and we look forward to the resumption of in-person Labour Day projects next year,” added Forbes-Patrick.