THE Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Limited Wednesday made monetary donations to nine Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and presented cheques to six secondary school students whose works of art were used for the bank’s 2017 almanac.Held under the theme, “Ensuring Environmental Sustainability,” the launch of the 2017 Almanac came immediately following the presentation of donations to the NGOs – both taking place at the Bank’s Young Street, Kingston, headquarters.

The organisations receiving donations were: Uncle Eddie’s Home; The Salvation Army; Help and Shelter Crisis Service; Dharm Shala Home for the Poor of all Races; the Guyana Red Cross Society; the Guyana Society for the Blind; Artistes in Direct Support; the Guyana Relief Council and the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA).

Meanwhile, the nine winners awarded for outstanding art work used to design the almanacs were: Aaron Gangadeen, 12, of Line Path Skeldon, Corentyne; Mya Hall, 13, of Bishop’s High School; Haymesha Persaud, 14, of Marian’s Academy; Poonraj Lall, 14, of Anna Regina Secondary School; Somita Paul, 16, of School of the Nations and Renatta Nickram, 13, of Bishop’s High School.

Manager (Administration) Mr. Seon Noel said that the donations are done every year as GBTI believes that Christmas is a season of sharing and caring, noting that “that’s what we are doing here, and starting off our season in the right way.”

Other speakers at the ceremony were GBTI’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John Tracey; Guest Speaker, Ms. Shevon Wood, Head of the Energy Statistics Division of the Guyana Energy Agency and Ms. Pamela Binda, who gave an overview of the calendar competition and launch.

Ms. Lynette Carter of the Guyana Relief Council, on behalf of the other NGOs, expressed gratitude to the GBTI for its humanitarian gesture.

Meanwhile, the GBTI officials said that the bank recognises the work of the recipient donor organisations and extends best wishes to them in the upcoming year.