New sponsor on board for the Youth Volunteer Programme

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has made a commitment to develop the young people of the nation and promote the positive moral values needed to shape well rounded individuals. To this end the NCF has partnered with Guardian Group which has joined the Crop Over family of sponsors to assist in the Youth Volunteer Programme.

This volunteer programme is an initiative created by the Honourable Stephen Lashley, Minister of Culture, Sports & Youth, as a means of retaining the culture of Barbados by educating the youth about the island’s heritage but also to enhance their sense of social belonging and promote the positive values of self fulfillment.

This year, the programme boasts a total of eighty-four volunteers between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five. The volunteers consisted of secondary and tertiary level students as well as members of several national youth groups.

Volunteers assisted in areas such as house management by ushering and assisting the physically challenged and elderly. Additionally they aided in marketing by handing out branded materials from sponsors to patrons and onstage giveaways. The programme enables young people the chance to have an input in the growth of their country by means of the nation’s prestigious summer festival; as well as to give all participants a sense of pride and purpose, especially for the island’s 50^th year of Independence.

Gildan has been a sponsor of the programme since its inception in 2011, providing the volunteers with their brightly coloured T-shirts which allow them to be easily spotted. Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King and Nicholls Bakery give their support by providing refreshments to these young volunteers as they selflessly give their time and energy throughout the festival. This year, new sponsor – Guardian Group has pledged their support for this youth development programme.

“Guardian Group, through its life, health and pensions arm, Guardian Life of the Caribbean, is pleased to be a part of the 2016 Sweetest Summer Festival through the sponsorship of the Crop Over Youth Volunteer programme.  Indeed, we are buoyed by the fact that as Barbados celebrates its 50^th anniversary we too can join with the National Cultural Foundation in its goal of ‘Celebrating our Culture, Showcasing our Pride’!” stated Branch Manager, Guardian Life of the Caribbean, Amado Marcano. “Guardian Group views an investment in young Barbadians as auguring well for our future as such an investment becomes not only a goal but our passion as corporate citizens of Barbados and as a leader in the provision of financial services, Guardian Group views this sponsorship as the right fit for our brand as we seek to assist in the development of the next leaders in our societies,” he added.