FirstCaribbean launches Unsung Hero programme

Another unsung hero will be acknowledge by the First Caribbean Bank for playing an invaluable role in improving their communities.

Speaking at the launching of the Unsung Hero Programame on Monday, local coordinator of the bank, Aliethea Jackson stated that the programme represents one of the most unique and useful community support initiatives in the Caribbean today.{{more}}

“They (unsung heroes) exist in almost every community from small fishing villages to larger nation capital,” Jackson said.

“They come form all walks of life; they come in all shapes and sizes. They all share one elevated trait in common-they make positive things happen for others,” Jackson continued.

According to her, unsung heroes go about their charity and their good works without consideration for reward or self-acclaim. These people according to her are ordinary people looking for genuine ways to contribute their efforts towards improving the social surroundings for all of us.

“The key commonality is their shared determination to make the world a little more pleasant, a little better than it was before,” Jackson stated.

Also addressing the launching of the programme was the country manager of the First Caribbean Bank, Radcliffe Nurse.

According to him, 2006 has been the best year for the Unsung Hero Programme since its establishment in 2003.

In 2006, there were 250 submissions for persons from the 17 countries in which the bank operates, all the countries in which the bank operates were able to participate which according to him is the largest involvement ever.

“We at the First Caribbean Bank recognize that being the bank of choice for Caribbean people means that we must do out part in nurturing our Caribbean societies. We are aware that to nurture out societies we must recognize and encourage the good people around us to continue with their good works,” Nurse stated.

“Unsung Heroes are good Samaritans of our society, they are those who stop and assist rather than walking by on the other side of the road,” he continued.

Nurse was able to highlight the fact that the bank will be expanding its judging panel to with a delegate

from one of their Dutch territories to bring added diversity to the judging and selection.

This year which marks the fifth consecutive year for the programme, the judges will choose from a field of 25 finalists across 17 territories.

Last year, Mrs. Jestina Charles was the 2006 local and Regional Unsung Hero who can be described as a person who wear many

‘hats’ in her life time. During her life time she was a theologian, teacher, counselor, seamstress, homemaker, mentor, marriage counselor, caretaker, and foster mother.

She has been described as a person who has been able to save a number of lives, and souls. (SB)