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.”
Author Archives: cslacey
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.
Parks and Recreation Ground Maintenance Technician Training Course
YOUTH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 'CAR-19'
The CAR-19 pre-technology programme is part of a broader group of programmes that are being developed in collaboration with the CARICOM Education for Employment Programme (C-EFE) funded by the Canadian federal government, and the Youth Skills Development Programme (YSD) funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID). Through this collaboration (C-EFE/YSD, 2014)
This exciting Yacht Maintenance Course began on 1 September 2015, and will continue for 10 weeks, after which there will be a two week internship period, for the participants to receive hands-on training. Of the forty eight youth (between the ages of 15 and 25 years) who registered, forty two (40 males and 2 females) started the training.
Mentoring Workshop
On Wednesday, 12 August, the Scotiabank/CoESL’s Bridging the Gap Project & Regional Conference culminated with the hosting of a Business Mentoring Workshop, hosted by GARD Center- the affiliate and representative for CoESL in Antigua.
This event was held in the conference room of the Environmental Division on Parliament Drive, with 15 participants mostly under the age of 35, who operate businesses in e-commerce, agro-processing, agriculture, craft, natural hair products, and graphic designing. Six of these already have established small businesses, while the other nine attendees were ‘potential’ entrepreneurs.
CoESL which abbreviates for Caribbean Centre of Excellence and Sustainable Livelihoods is a Caribbean partnership of islands that focus and advocate strongly on providing sustainable development through entrepreneurship in the Caribbean. CoESL’s initiative includes other participating territories such as St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Belize, Bahamas, Jamaica, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, and St. Kitts & Nevis.
The topic of this Mentoring workshop was, ‘Bookkeeping: Leveraging and Separating Your Personal and Business Finances’ which was presented by Lorraine Perry, the Regional Sales Manager of the Eastern Caribbean for Scotiabank.
Each participating island was responsible for identifying a suitable topic for the workshop. The GARD Center’s Business Development Officer- Johan Oliver, selected this topic based on needs from previous training exercises.
August 12 was recognized as International Youth Day. It was welcoming to acknowledge the young entrepreneurs who were present for the workshop, including past students of the GARD Center who are currently operating small businesses in sustainable ventures such as farming, agro-processing, and craft. The discussions and interaction were very well received by all participants as Scotiabank and their representatives maintained a high energy level and informative environment. Scotiabank also provided paraphernalia and prizes during the workshop in gratitude of the enthused participants.
The GARD Center and its Business Development Unit continues to provide business support services to all youth and young entrepreneurs. Commencing September 2015, the Center will be hosting Business Management Courses for a period of twelve (12) weeks, which will include marketing and sales, cost and pricing, finance and budgeting, customer service, and computer literacy.
Registration is ongoing until the end of August. Please call 734-0084 or 463-4121 for more information.
The Lighter Side of GARD Center
Farm-to-Table Luncheon
The GARD Center held its inaugural Farm-to-Table Luncheon at the Gilbert Agro-Heritage Center, Mercers Creek, on Saturday, 18 April 2015. This exquisite, unique, outdoor dining experience was enjoyed by over 140 visitors.
This fundraiser planned as part of the Center’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, was aimed at raising money for the continuation of the Center’s operation and to implement subsidized training courses for vulnerable youth.
Delicious local meals were prepared by our local volunteer chefs, Caleb; Jarvis; Simon; Simpson; with local produce grown and supplied by our farmers. Even the centerpieces on the tables were ‘tastefully’ done, and created with locally grown vegetables.
Excellent music was provided by the Cool and Smooth Ebonites Steel Orchestra and DJ Riddim Master.
The Fisheries Division provided tastings of Squid chowder and Conch chowder; Squid patties and Smoked Doctor Fish, much to the delight of everyone who was curious enough to try the various delicacies.
The GARD Center looks forward to hosting its second Farm-to-Table Luncheon, early in 2016, and we look forward to having you join us.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers, advisors, farmers and chefs, who gave so generously of their produce, time and talent. The Center also wishes to thank Corporate Antigua and Barbuda, the Friends of GARD Center, and those who sold and/or purchased tickets, or contributed to this fundraiser in any way.
GARD Center – Japanese Human Security Project
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center celebrates the Japanese Government Funds Project for Extension of a Skill Training Center in Antigua and Barbuda. This is the second project awarded by the People of Japan to the GARD Center.
The signing ceremony for the Grant Assistance for the Grass-roots Human Security Project (GGP) entitled “The Project for Extension of a Skill Training Center for Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center” took place at 10:00 a.m. on March 6, 2015, at Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center (GARD Center), Nature Park, Mercers Creek, Antigua and Barbuda.
Ms. Jacqueline Yearwood, a GARD Center Board Member, was the Master of Ceremonies and extended a warm welcome to those present. The Ceremony was opened with a word of prayer by Rev. Patmore Henry, Secretary, to the Methodist Church. Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director of the Center, spoke about the Background of the Project and remarks were offered by, Rev. Otto Wade, President, Methodist Conference; His Excellency, Anthony Liverpool, Non-Resident Ambassador of Antigua & Barbuda to Japan and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Hon. Melford Nicholas, and the Minister of Information, Telecommunications, Science and Technology; along with Mr. Takafumi Ura, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan.
After these speeches, there was a Ground Breaking Ceremony, during which Mr. Ura, Rev. Wade and Mr. Nicholas turned the sod where the new building would be erected.
The Gilbert Agricultural & Rural Development Center received a grant of up to US$100,525 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.
In his speech, Mr. Ura highlighted that “through the compliance and execution of the project initiatives, the programme will have a wider effect through the community and by extension the society. This expansion will allow for overall improvement of the current facilities which can yield better output services provided to these vulnerable students.”
Mr. Ura also stated that the Government of Japan welcomes further opportunities to work with the Government and the people of Antigua and Barbuda, all with a view to strengthening the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding which exist between the two countries.
GARD Center – CXC Mathematics and English Results
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) introduced classes in Mathematics and English at the CXC General level in September 2014. These day courses were available to anyone who was interested in improving themselves.
There were initially nine (9) persons enrolled and registered for Mathematics, and ten (10) for the English course. Four participants actually paid for and sat the Math exam and three were successful. Six participants paid and sat the English exam. Five passed, one attained a Grade 1, two attained a Grade 2, and two attained a Grade 3.
The GARD Center wishes to congratulate all of those who remained dedicated to their studies and were successful in passing their examinations.
The Center also sincerely wishes to extend best wishes to our committed tutor, Mr. Lorne Matthew, who believed that everyone could have passed these exams, had they stayed focus.