By Vishani Ragobeer

NESTLÉ Caribbean International yesterday launched two of its ‘Shared Values’ initiatives in Guyana at the Marriott Hotel to help combat youth unemployment and to promote calorie consciousness.Corporate Communications Manager of Nestlé, Ms. Denise d’Abadie, noted that creating shared values is “the way we do business at Nestlé” is due to the company’s cognizance of its corporate social responsibility.

As a result, the company will be starting two initiatives in Guyana: The first, ‘Alliance for YOUth’ targets combatting youth employment and the second ‘Orchard: Calorie Conscious’, is a reformed juice targeting diabetics and health conscious persons.

Sales Manager, Nestlé Caribbean International, Mr. Sudesh Mahase, noted that this company “takes corporate social responsibility very seriously.” He reflected upon previous undertakings by the company in Guyana to promote youth development and healthy nutrition.

‘JOB EXPERIENCE’
Speaking directly about the ‘Alliance for YOUth’ initiative was Nestlé Human Resources Manager, Ms. Kristin Ramlogan. She noted that this initiative is a part of the ‘Nestlé needs YOUth’ programme which will seek to combat youth employment in Guyana by enabling youths to receive ‘job experience’ through partnerships with the company’s distributors, the University of Guyana and other stakeholders. She also noted that as the programme unfolds, more institutions will be brought onboard to be a part of this initiative.

THREE DISTRIBUTORS
In Guyana, three Nestlé distributors – Beepats, Massy Distributions and Distribution Services Limited (DSL) have already pledged their support towards the ‘Alliance for YOUth’ Initiative. Each of these three distributors, however, already have some initiatives of their own, which are geared towards assisting youths aged from 16-29 with gaining ‘job experience’, including summer attachments, apprenticeship and mentorship programmes and ‘On the Job’ training.

Meanwhile, in promoting calorie consciousness they have created a juice suitable for consumption by diabetics and health conscious persons. This juice which contains 14 grammes of sugar and less than 75 calories per 286ml bottle has received full endorsement from the Guyana Diabetics Association.

And according to its president, Ms. Glynis Beaton, a diabetic herself, the juice has proved to be substantial after an independent lab test. She said also that when consumed by a young man with Type 1 diabetes there was no ‘glycemic spike’.

Senior Consumer Marketing Manager, Nestlé, Ms. Karina Hyland, said that this juice “specifically catered for diabetics” but it is also for “anyone looking at their calories.” She noted that non-communicable diseases are prevalent in the Caribbean, with diabetes being a major disease.

The company sought to tailor a product that would assist in some way and as a result the Orchard Juice was transformed, now with 35-55% less calories. This product, she noted, was launched last November in Trinidad and Tobago and has now been brought to Guyana where studies show that 8% of Guyanese are affected by diabetes. This product will be distributed by Beepats.