GBTI today presented bursary awards to 15 students attending various secondary schools.

The students, members of the bank’s Early Savers Club, were randomly selected after submitting their results at the National Grade Six Assessment held earlier this year.

GBTI CEO James Foster charged the students to enjoy secondary school but stay focused on their goals.

“GBTI believes in investing in our bank and Guyana’s future, thereby providing opportunities for growth and development.

Our Early Savers Program is one way we support the growth and development of our young citizens. Saving habits are developed, but more than that, it allows for the development of discipline, which is the cornerstone of personal growth,” he said.

He also shared some advice, “Secondary school is the beginning of a new chapter, a chapter that influences many aspects of your life; personal and career goals are created and enhanced, key friendships and relationships are formed, and nurtured. These important learnings and developments will be key components of your chosen careers and for the achievement of your goals and aspirations. 

It is therefore important that you remain resolute to the values instilled by your parents; embrace the expectations of your parents, teachers and community but most importantly embody what you want to achieve for yourself.

High school comes with increased competition and of course distractions; you will be exposed to students with alternate or different lifestyles to yours; you’ll be challenged by increased natural and social pressures, but always remember you are not alone… you have support from your parents, grandparents, teachers, and community leaders,” he emphasized.

The CEO explained that GBTI understands the challenges of everyday life, the cost of education which can present significant challenges for families, and that a continuous program may help lessen this burden, making it more manageable for parents to finance their child’s education.

To this end, he said the bank is reviewing its bursary program to make improvements, including providing opportunities to build careers with GBTI.

He charged the students:

1. Don’t be afraid the world has gone through difficult times before (slavery, wars, disease famine) and each time we came out stronger because young people like you figured out how to make things better.

• Do what is right, not what feels good. A lot of grownups think feeling good is what matters, and we wonder why things are the way they are today.

• Ground yourself in values that last, like honesty, hard work, responsibility, fairness, generosity, and respect for others. You won’t get it right every time, you’ll make mistakes like we all do. But if you listen to the truth that’s inside yourself, even when it’s hard, people will notice. They’ll gravitate toward you. And you’ll be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

• And finally, but most importantly; in a world where you can be anything, be kind.

Mr. Marti De Souza, Deputy Chief Education Officer, Amerindian and Hinterland Development Education, Ministry of Education, congratulated the bank for upholding this corporate social responsibility by supporting the education of our nation’s children.

The GBTI Bursary Award was hosted after three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The awardees were:

1. Jada Pike, Queens College
2. Nekemiyah Cummings, St. Stanislaus College
3. Davidge Rock, St Joseph High school
4. Avron Doodnauth, Anna Regina Multilateral
5. Noel Campbell, Diamond Secondary
6. Addison Cain, The Bishops High School
7. Kaiden Bobb, Christ Church Secondary
8. Clint Phillip, St Joseph High School
9. Ariel Adams, St Joseph High
10. Nicholai Chong, Mae’s Secondary
11. Malia Morgan, North Georgetown Secondary
12. Zaundreah Benn, West Demerara Secondary
13. Troyden Success, Bygeval Secondary
14. Raiyad Shahabudeen, St Rose’s High
15. Ahyalla Deonarine, Anna Regina Secondary