INSURANCE company, Assuria, has donated 60 trophies to the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to be awarded to those teachers and students countrywide who would have performed exemplarily either at work or examinations.

Since Assuria signed up with the GTU to offer their services to its members, the insurance company has injected a total premium paid of over $23M and over $18M in total claims paid.

Assuria said that at the moment, there are 800 teachers signed on to the foregoing benefits in the almost four years the two organisations have been in partnership.

On Friday, a small handing over ceremony was hosted at the company’s main office on Church Street here in the city.

In accepting the donation, GTU President, Mark Lyte said that the Union’s relationship over the years with Assuria has resulted in several benefits for hardworking teachers.

“Our teachers who would have signed up with the insurance company would have been benefiting significantly from medical care, eye care, dental and other benefits like maternity, comprehensive coverages and they can pay instalments, fire insurance,” Lyte said, adding:

“The benefits have been prompt. When teachers make a claim at Assuria, they are promptly paid; claims are looked at immediately, and the service is second to none. And we would like to say that the Union is extremely pleased.”

When it comes to the donated trophies, Lyte said that they will be awarded to outstanding students completing examinations such as National Grade Six Assessment (NSGA); Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC); and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), as well as university students and dedicated teachers.

“We have, every year, schools having performed at the various national exams, and we are often asked for trophies for graduation. And so, the Union is pleased this morning that Assuria has agreed to put forward 60 trophies, which will be distributed to schools across Guyana,” he said.

Lyte was keen to note that, with the help of the Regional Vice-Presidents, there is a plan in place to distribute the trophies equitably among the three counties of Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice.

Meanwhile, the individual being hailed as responsible for bringing the Union and the insurance company together is Assuria’s sales representative, Eulalie Wilson.
Addressing the gathering, Assuria Head of Life Department and Agency Manager, Erwin Daniels thanked the GTU for helping the company to fulfil some of its corporate responsibilities of giving back to the community.

“Assuria wants to play its role in the development of Guyana,” Daniels said. “We understand that education is very, very important, and rewarding students for their hard work and dedication towards their exams is one of the ways that we can promote the concept of good learning, good study habits, and good attitude towards education.”

Daniels then took the opportunity to roll out the company’s multi-discount card for teachers, which will see them receiving five to 10 per cent discounts on purchases at some 50 participating stores.

Assuria’s Multi-Protection Discount Plan and more is available to all GTU members, and has recently been extended to one identified spouse of the client and children below the age of 18.