A member of the GARD Center’s ‘extended family’ was involved in an accident on 3 June 2016, and has been hospitalised in an induced coma.
Mr. Stephen Samuel, is one of the Center’s main Yacht Maintenance training course Facilitators. Please pray for the full recovery and overall health of Mr. Samuel. Pray also for the strength of his family during this very difficult time.
Thank you for your continued support and best wishes.
GARD Center Recognised Regionally
GARD Center Recognised Regionally
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) has been recognised once again for its work, with the presentation of a regional award to its Executive Director, Mrs. Roberta Williams.
The Female Social Entrepreneur Award 2016 by the Global Innovation Partnership (GIP) and the Caribbean Center of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods (CoESL) was given to Mrs. Williams along with 19 other Caribbean women in the Region, who were awarded as a result of their creativity and expertise in mobilizing financial and other resources to help people build sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship and / or entrepreneurial acumen and support to develop people for progress in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Social-Entrepreneurs-Award-2016-Mrs.-Roberta-Williams
The GARD Center, which falls under the auspices of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas, continues to empower vulnerable youth with providing opportunities for entrepreneurial and technical vocational skills training and provision of services. Mrs. Williams is humbled by this recognition and shares this award with her staff, as they have a passion and continue to empower at risk young men and women with skills in competitive disciplines, that will help them compete in this global environment.
GARD Center 2nd annual fundraiser Farm-to-Table luncheon
The 2nd annual GARD Center fundraiser Farm-to-Table luncheon was held on site at the Gilbert Agro-heritage site on Saturday, 16 April 2016. The Official Sponsor of this year’s event is the James & Maginley Charity and Care Foundation. This Foundation willingly came on board and supported this venture of the Center.
This year’s event was held under the patronage of Their Excellencies, Sir Rodney & Lady Sandra Williams.
Of the many patrons who came to support our worthy cause, we wish to sincerely thank you for your support. This event has truly been dubbed as Antigua’s most exquisite and unique outdoor dining experience!
A delicious meal, buffet style was available with mainly FRESH, LOCAL produce. A true Farm-to-Table setting was provided while seated under white tents, with the fresh air gently blowing through the Casuarina trees. Patrons were able to enjoy live entertainment, which was provided by Pannist, Bernard Duplesis; complimentary food samples, which
included locally caught seafood, and locally made confectioneries.
There was a Chinese auction, officiated by Mrs. Chris Richards and the patrons had an exciting time, bidding for
the donated prizes, which included a weekend for two (2) at Tamarind Hills; dinner for two (2) at the Galley Bay Resort and Spa; lunch for two (2) at Curtain Bluff; an Azumi Smartphone from Digicel; gift certificates from Gloria’s Beauty Salon and Midway Service Station.
Additionally, a beautiful artiste impression of the St. John’s Market scenery was donated by a local upcoming artiste, Ms. Sabiena Winston.
Patrons so enjoyed the ambiance that they cannot wait for the next Farm-to-Table. See you all on the Saturday, 15 April, 2017.
The GARD Center sincerely thanks everyone for their support and encouragement for the work carried out at the Center, as it carries out it’s programmes to reach at risk youth, with a second chance in life. THANK YOU!!!
More About our Sponsors
The James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation, is a non-profit charity, established in January, 2016.
Its founders are Ambassador Casroy James and Mr. Kirthley Maginley, co-principals of James and Maginley Ltd.
The primary mission of the James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation is to improve the lives and well-being of the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, particularly, those most vulnerable.
UPDATE – JAY PETERS MATTER
The GARD Center wishes to thank the many persons – Board members, family members, volunteers, tutors, graduates, Friends of GARD Center, who have rallied around our staff member, Mr. Jay Peters, our Operational Foreman. Thank you for your prayers and overwhelming support, during this difficult time.
We know that we have an awesome and powerful God, who will ensure that justice prevails.
The GARD Center continues its important work with providing vulnerable youth with a second chance and stands by its staff, who continue to show passion, commitment and love for this important work.
Farm-to-Table 2016
The GARD Center presents its 2nd annual Farm-to-Table Luncheon, under the patronage of His Excellency, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams.
This year the Center wishes to announce our Official Sponsor, the James & Maginley Charity and Care Foundation
This fundraiser event will be held on Saturday, 16 April 2016. It will be held at the Gilbert Agro Heritage Center, Mercers Creek.
Luncheon will be served from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. It is a sit-down affair.
Antigua’s most exquisite and unique outdoor dining experience!
Come and Enjoy a delicious meal!!! Only FRESH produce used – from Farm to Table
Live entertainment, complimentary food samples, Chinese auction and more.
Adult tickets cost EC$100.00, and children under 12 years pay EC$40.00.
SEE YOU THERE!!!
The GARD Center can be contacted at 463-4121 / 562-0084 for more details. Watch the video below.
https://youtu.be/vBgHH35JUFg
Sponsorship for Farm-to-Table Fundraiser
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) has been blessed with sponsorship from the James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation, for its 2nd Annual, and major fundraiser event.
This year’s event will be held under the patronage of His Excellency, Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams.
The Handover Ceremony was held in the recently constructed training facility which was donated by the People of Japan, at the GARD Center, Agro-heritage Center, on Thursday, 3 March 2016, 3:30pm.
The brief Ceremony was opened in Prayer by Rev. Patmore Henry, Secretary to the Methodist Conference. The Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Colin C. James CEO, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.
Remarks were offered by Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director, GARD Center, as well as by Ambassador Casroy James and Mr. Kirthley Maginley, Directors of the James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation.
Remarks were also offered by Ms. Shirlene Nibbs, Consultant to the Ministry of Tourism, in the absence of Hon. Asot Michael, Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy.
Unveiling of the Poster, which signaled the launch of the 2nd Annual Farm-to-Table Event was Mrs. Ann Jonas, Private Secretary to His Excellency, Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams.
The James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation is a non-profit charity, established in January, 2016. Its founders are Ambassador Casroy James and Mr. Kirthley Maginley, co-principals of James and Maginley Ltd.
The primary mission of the James and Maginley Charity and Care Foundation is to improve the lives and well-being of the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, particularly, those most vulnerable.
GARD Center Graduation Ceremony
The GARD Center recently held its Class of 2015, Graduation Ceremony, on Thursday, 25 February, 2016. This event was held at the Ebenezer Methodist Church Hall.
Seventy seven (77) persons graduated from Business Management; Customer Service; Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Yacht Maintenance training courses.
The Feature Address was given by Hon. E. Paul ‘Chet’ Greene, Minister of Trade, Industry and Commerce and the parliamentary representative for the St. Paul constituency. The technical/ practical training was conducted at the Precision Yacht Painting Workshop in Liberta. A very passionate Miss Kareem Francis gave the Project Overview, which focused on the Yacht Maintenance course, where 35 young men and 2 young women graduated.
In the last seven years the GARD Center has been providing full-time training courses for vulnerable youth. These courses help young people to acquire necessary skills and provide them with job experience that will later enable them with a second chance, to get a job or become successfully self-employed.
Japanese Completion Ceremony
On the afternoon of Wednesday, 17 February 2016, it was official. The Embassy of Japan handed over the Skills Training facility to the GARD Center. This project was graciously funded through the Grass-roots Human Security Project (GGP), entitled “The Project for Extension of a Skill Training Center for Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center”
The Completion Ceremony was held on site at the Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center (GARD Center), Nature Park, Mercers Creek, Antigua and Barbuda.
The grant from the Government of Japan for the extension of their Skills Development Center which seeks to enhance the existing training and development activities offered, while also providing increased opportunities for vulnerable youth in Antigua and Barbuda. The amount donated was US$100,525.00.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Takafumi Ura, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director, Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center, and His Excellency Anthony Liverpool, Director General of Foreign Affairs who offered remarks. Ambassador to the UAE, Mr. Casroy James, also attended the ceremony along with other invited guests and media representatives.
In his speech, Mr. Ura highlighted that as “the Government of Japan continues to assist small island states in overcoming vulnerabilities, I believe the Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center’s contribution to youth and female empowerment, along with their support for improved food security in rural communities, can boost the entrepreneurial capabilities throughout the twin island, therefore impacting on the reduction rate of unemployment and producing more self-reliant and productive individuals.”
He continued, the “Government of Japan is very pleased that we can assist the Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center in this endeavour.”
GARD Center Car Boot Sale
GARD Center wishes to thank
all of those who sold and
bought items at our recently held
Pre-Christmas Car Boot Sale
You supported the Center’s efforts to aid in Youth Development.
We look forward to your support at our 2nd Car Boot Sale on Saturday, 6 February 2016
Items for Sale, include:
* Halo Magic Charger
* Selfie-stick
* Waterproof Bluetooth
* DELL Venue 10 Pro Atom Tablets
Call NOW to Register at 463.4121 or 562.0084
Email: youth@gardc.org
New Course Registration
In January of 2016 the Center will be offering courses in Office Administration, Business Management, Tour Guiding and ICT.
Please contact the Center to register now. Tel: 268.463.4121 or 268.562.0084.
Registration is ongoing.
