FirstCaribbean honours unsung heroes

Victor Mouttet, executive director of FirstCaribbean Bank, expressed his expectations for the programme, stating that 2005 was a landmark year for “Unsung Heroes” and this year the programme seeks to highlight more people in society who play an invaluable role in improving their communities.

“Without them our society would be immeasurably poorer and the work and example of these Unsung Heroes give us pride in the present, hope in the future and most importantly, they are living examples of the best we can be,” Mouttet said in a press conference at FirstCaribbean’s Port-of-Spain offices on Monday.

The bank, in existence since January 2003, is already becoming a major stakeholder in the regional community. Twelve out of 15 countries participated in the programme in 2004 with 211 entries and almost quadrupling in 2005. The focus of the “Unsung Heroes” programme is to highlight those persons who work to improve their communities. Participants are judged and awarded prizes for the community work they do.

Mouttet said the programme’s success can be measured from the results of projects undertaken by previous winners.

One of these “unsung heroes” was Eloy Burge, last year’s winner. Burge said the programme helped his community, Laventille, through his back to school project for young people who either never went to school or dropped out.

Burge spoke of a 14-year-school girl, who never went to school until last year when she was registered for the first time at the Russel Latapy High School.

Burge said the girl was now enjoying her time at school and this was only possible because of his winning US$5000 in the bank’s competition. Burge said his organisation was now able to pursue follow up programmes, including building a learning resource centre. Burge said the centre would provide after school programmes for young people, which, in the long run would help them to become productive citizens.

FirstCaribbean Bank added extra incentives to the heroes programme last year, making the competition more appealing to applicants. A first prize of US$7,500 is awarded to the winner of a regional competition for previous winners from whom one is judged as the “best hero.”

Five thousand US dollars are awarded to each runner up.

Sheelagh Besson, managing director of the bank, called on the Government and members of the private sector to participate in the programme and help to recognise those in society who play fundamental roles in their community’s growth.

Nomination forms are available at FirstCaribbean’s 12 Victoria Avenue, Port-of-Spain and at their online web site www.firstcaribbeanbank.com.