Antigua and Barbuda celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week with the rest of the world.
This is the world’s largest celebration of innovators and job creators who launch start ups which bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare.
For more information click on link. http://ag.unleashingideas.
EU Project – Monitoring Visit
Mr. Koen Rossel-Cambier, EU representative, visited the GARD Center on Wednesday, 13 November 2013. He brought with him a local representative from the office of the NAO – Mrs. Juray Roberts.
They were introduced to the members of staff and tutors and both were given a tour of the facilities. They also viewed first-hand a Weaving and Textile class which was in session.
– Fruitful discussions included:
o Project progress with emphasis on the results and their indicators as in the logical framework.
o Project visibility and the visibility plan.
o Preparation of the upcoming new disbursement request, with the accountant.
Mr. Rossel-Cambier was pleased to hear that the GARD Center is being considered to be an accredited CVQ Center.
The meeting ended with Mr. Rossel-Cambier taking some of GARD Center pamphlets and the promotional video and Mrs. Roberts stating their pleasure in meeting with the staff at the GARD Center.
Business Development Unit – Refreshed!
The Business Development Unit, very recently received a ‘face-lift’ with a colourful new wall and lovely artwork donated by a Friend of The Center. Pictured below is the Business Development Officer, Mr. Johan Oliver, center, with Ms. Brenda Carrott, Public Relations Consultant, left, and Mr. Whitfield Joshua Jr., Youth Entrepreneur, who is receiving business advisory services from the Unit.
Gender Sensitisation Workshop
The GARD Center recently trained four (4) persons on Gender Sensitisation. This training was held on 5th November 2013, at the Youth Affairs office.
Trained were two tutors from the evening Business Enterprise Course and two Mentors who will be mentoring the young entrepreneurs who graduated from the Business Enterprise training, a month ago.
Ms. Cleon Athill, who is the Director of Youth Affairs ably facilitated this training session.
Additional Recognition for the GARD Center
On Friday, 1 November 2013, during the 32nd Independence Ceremony of the Nation of Antigua and Barbuda, the Executive Director of the GARD Center, Mrs. Roberta Williams received the Grand Officer of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit (GOM). This national award was for her work over the last twenty-four (24) years with youth and community development through the GARD Center.
Mrs. Williams was very humbled and became emotional as the Governor General, Dame Louise Lake-Tack,
shook her hand in front of the hundreds of folks gathered at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds to view the proceedings.
Roberta, later emailed her staff to officially inform them of her award and wrote, “This award is for all of us, for all those who over the years have contributed to the growth of our Center and to all of you who are incredible. I cannot say thank you enough… Thank you all again for your passion and support. May God bless you all and to Him all honor and glory.”
The staff of the GARD Center wish to congratulate the Executive Director on receiving this prestigious award, of which she is truly deserving.
GARD Center – Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP) Graduation Ceremony
GARD Center – Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP) Graduation Ceremony was held on Thursday, 24 October, 2013, at the Ebenezer Methodist Church on St. Mary’s Street, St. John’s.
This celebrated the completion of phase 2 of this four (4) year training programme, which began in early 2009.
Seventy-two young men and women graduated after successfully completing training in Basic Cookery; Computer Repair; Food and Beverage Service; Garden Technician; Office Administration and Welding. These youth were also required to undergo a period of Internship after their classroom training. (See picture to left, with a part of the graduates and audience).
Congratulatory remarks were given to the graduates by, Ms. Karen-Mae Hill, Managing Director of Trium Bank & Trust Ltd., one of our Internship/Job Placement companies and Her Excellency, Deborah Mae Lovell, Ambassador, Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda and Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to OAS.
Mrs. Joanna Ramos-Romero, Program Manager of the International Youth Foundation, donor partner, (pictured left) gave remarks on behalf of her organisation. Sen. Shawn Nicholas, shared remarks from the Hon. Dr. Winston Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, who was unable to attend due to other commitments. The Feature Address was ably delivered by Rev. Belinda Daniel, Pastor of the Old Road & Urlings, Moravian Churches, and challenged the youth to use training received as the first positive step in their lives and to continue to improve their lives from this point.
Ms. Kiosha Joseph, Office Administration graduate delivered the Welcome remarks, (pictured left, giving her comments, with the Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Cleon Athill, looking on). Ms. Deuce Nanton, Basic Cookery graduate gave remarks on behalf of the graduates, while Ms. Merlisa Harris, Office Administration graduate entertained those present with a Poem.
Specially invited guest, Her Excellency, Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda presented the top students with their prizes.
This training phase saw three young ladies emerge into the top spots. Ms. Tiffany Fletchman from Tour Guiding; Ms. Kiosha Joseph from Office Administration and Ms. Deuce Nanton from Basic Cookery, who emerged as the overall top student. All 3 of these ladies each received in addition to a special certificate, a book and stylus from the GARD Center and a gift packet from the St. John’s Cooperative Credit Union (SJCCU), another partner of the Center.
Presentation of other Certificates was distributed by Mr. Craig Richards, General Manager, Caribbean Services, one of our Internship/Job Placement companies, and Ms. Anika Aska, District Officer, North East Zone, Agricultural Extension Division and GARD Center Instructor.
