Georgetown, March 15, 2017: On Wednesday March 15, 2017, Scotiabank Guyana presented one thousand (1,000) booklets to the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) for distribution to grade six -students of Primary schools identified by the Bank.

Titled ‘What is Energy?’ the booklet was designed by GEA as a means of disseminating information about energy to Primary school students between the ages of 9-12. The overarching aim of the booklet is to foster discussions within classrooms on energy and energy related issues and to encourage further learning through an entertaining medium. Divided into the four core subject areas (Maths, English, Science and Social Studies) under which various activities have been prepared, the booklet was designed with the common theme of ‘Energy’ running through each subject.

Ms. Jennifer Cipriani, Marketing Manager of Scotiabank, in handing over the booklets to the Deputy CEO of GEA, Mrs. Gayle Primo-Best, indicated that the Bank was pleased to come on board in support of GEA’s effort to educate Guyana’s future leaders about the importance of energy, energy conservation and efficiency. She said that:

“Scotiabank is delighted to partner with the GEA on this excellent initiative aimed at informing our children about energy and how they can contribute to conservation of same. Through our Scotiabank Community Programme, we are committed to giving back to our communities in which we operate and our branches will be identifying one or two schools within their communities to receive copies of the booklets. We hope that by educating our young ones they will in turn teach other members of their household about energy conservation and over time, we all can create a positive impact on our environment.”

Mrs. Primo-Best indicated that GEA was happy to have Scotiabank answer the call to partner with the Agency to disseminate information on energy and energy related issues to primary school students. Information dissemination she noted is a key mandate of the Agency and is used to raise awareness and advance Guyana’s transition towards a green economy. Mrs. Best posited that,

“Educating Guyana’s young minds about energy use and its impacts on the environment will significantly help in ensuring that Guyana has a secure and sustainable energy future.” She said that a child in Poland when asked ‘What is sustainable development?’ responded by saying “it means everyone doing their part”. It is this thinking she said that “…GEA would like to develop in our children as we prepare them for their role in tomorrow’s green economy”.

She further commended Scotia for partnering with GEA by printing the booklets as the donation will aide in assisting GEA to achieve the vision of having the Booklets embraced in such a manner, that the children will come to the realization that they are Guyana’s future ‘Energy Champions’ and that they have a responsibility to protect the environment.

Primary schools in Regions 3, 4, 6 and 7 that are current beneficiaries of Scotiabank projects will benefit from the book distribution.