Republic Bank on Monday donated $500,000 for a steel pan construction workshop.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, Yonnette Greaves, Manager of Information Technology and E-support of Republic Bank, handed over the cheque to Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton in the boardroom of the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport.
The report explained that the donation is for the four-day workshop, which began on Monday, to train eight persons in the basics of steel pan construction.
Communications and Public Relations Officer of Republic Bank Jonelle Dummett said that organisation is pleased to show its support in tangible ways and is pleased with the development that has occurred over the past 11 years. “Today’s presentation shows our continued commitment to the steel pan culture… we are providing the opportunity for a new group of persons in the fraternity to learn Steel Pan building,” she was quoted as saying.
Dummett emphasised that this will not only benefit participants but the bands across the country.
Meanwhile, Norton noted that the workshop series is a continuation of Republic Bank’s assistance over the years. “What is important is that it will empower young Guyanese to get involved in the creative industries. Not only would that provide a change in [probably] their economic fortune, but would be a contribution to national development,” he added
The workshop comprises the Republic Bank Pan-Minors Music Literacy Camp and a Rangers Workshop.
The lead facilitator, Mario Joseph, said “it [the workshop] would take persons from knowing nothing about steel pan construction to being able to do the basics.”
Adrian Benjamin, a participant of the workshop, added that the exercise “will help to keep the art form alive.”
