The GARD Center is launching its Corporate Partner Program. What’s that you ask?
The GARD Center is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation which relies on donations to continue its work in training young people in various skill sets and to be successful entrepreneurs. Without the assistance of international and regional organisations, corporate citizens and ordinary citizens alike, the Center does not have the resources to do so.
With your help, the Center can continue to positively change the lives of scores of persons looking for a second chance, an opportunity to pursue dreams of entrepreneurship or of a new skill.
Here’s your chance to give back to the community in a positive way. Petition and encourage your company and the organisations with which you deal on a day to day basis to give to the GARD Center, an organisation dedicated to molding, shaping and changing lives.
Please give generously.
Contact the GARD Center at 268-463-4121 or email us at admin@gardc.org for more detailed information on how the program works.
Category Archives: Youth
Global Entrepreneurship Week – Breakfast Event
The launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Antigua and Barbuda, as celebrated around the world, was marked with an Early Morning Connector Event, held on 17 November 2014, from 8:30am – 10:30am, at the City View Hotel in St. John’s.
There were twenty-nine (29) persons who attended from the following organisations.
- GARD Center (3)
- Scotiabank Antigua (3)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) (1)
- Antigua and Barbuda Coalition of Services Industries (ABCSI) (2)
- L.C.P Industries (3)
- Astute Management & Consulting (1)
- Lighthouse Global Executive Services (LGES) (1)
- Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA) (1)
- Office of the National Authorizing Officer (NAO) (2)
- Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) (3)
- Department of Youth Affairs (1)
- Nyahbinghi Farms (2)
- Brenda Carrott (Media Consultant) (1)
- Observer Media Group (1)
- Amya’s Design (1)
- Jah Showers Smoothies (1)
- Bajez (natural soaps) (1)
- Keynote Speaker
The Keynote Speaker for this Breakfast event was Mr. Curtis Dennie M.B.A, Marketing Consultant.
Within his presentation, Mr. Dennie stated that the mindset of students are brainwashed into thinking that upon leaving high school, it is expected for them seek employment rather than to venture into creating employment for themselves and others and to be more entrepreneurial.
The Theme for this year’s GEW Breakfast was, “Venture Capital & Entrepreneurship in a Caribbean Context”
GARD Center Antigua and Barbuda Kicks Off Global Entrepreneurship Week
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) – Antigua and Barbuda hosted a Breakfast on 17 November 2014 to kick-start Global Entrepreneurship Week. This is a part of the Scotiabank funded Bridging the Gap project, and was held in collaboration with regional partner CoESL. The GARD Center launched GEW 2014, joining hundreds of countries globally who are taking part in the November 17-23 activities. The launch was held at the City View Hotel, Antigua. It was moderated by Mr. Johan Oliver, Business Development Officer at the GARD Center. Mrs. Roberta Williams, Executive Director of GARD Center, read remarks from Mrs. Marcia Brandon, of the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods (CoESL), which is based in Barbados.
The Bridging the Gap (BtG) project aims to celebrate entrepreneurs and promote entrepreneurship. It serves as a way to create ties between Private Sector and Civil Society, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship, as well as to connect regional entrepreneurial development entities in an economic sustainable development triangle. The BtG project has three (3) main activities. These are the regional launch; early morning regional connector events which will be held during GEW, on different days, under separate themes by each country participating in the project; as well as a series of regional business mentoring sessions. These business mentorship sessions are intended to facilitate a generational transfer of knowledge which will assist and guide young and mature entrepreneurs on how to prepare to launch a business and how to grow their businesses.
Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 17th – 23rd 2014
Global Entrepreneurship Week will take place this year from November 17th to 23rd, under the theme “Bridging the Gap.”
See more on the week of activities.
http://www.gew.co/blog/
http://www.gew.co/blog/global-entrepreneurship-week-caribbean-2014-launched
Eggplant Dessert Competition
The Basic Baking and Cake Decorating classes continue with the youth being challenged in various ways. Recently a competition was held to ‘test’ the students’ creativity.
This was in the form of creating an Eggplant Dessert. Chefs from hotels were invited to judge the competition.
It was held on 20 October 2014.
Mentors and Tutors Trained in Gender Sensitization
GARD Center recruits and trains eleven Mentors and Tutors on Gender Sensitization
In an effort to continue providing young women and men between the ages of 16- 35 with professional training and nurturing, the GARD Center recently recruited and trained eleven mentors and tutors who will be working along with these young persons.
The training was conducted at the Directorate of Youth Affairs by the Director, Ms. Cleon Athill, see photo at right. The topics covered in the training prepared the mentors and tutors for the challenges and situations they would most likely be faced with when working along with these youths, such as, differentiating between gender and sex, and gender biases. It is expected that the mentors would be assigned to these youth and potential entrepreneurs for a period of 3 years, during which time they would be evaluated on a quarterly basis.
The GARD Center continues to attract young persons aspiring to become entrepreneurs to contact the Business Development Unit. We can be contacted at 463-4121 or 734-0084.
USAID Team Visits GARD Center
The Director for the Latin America and Caribbean Bureau, Mr. Jene Thomas visited Antigua and the GARD Center on Thursday, 10 April, to get an understanding of the local situation and to see some of the programs that USAID supports (or supported). Although the Caribbean Youth Empowerment Project (CYEP) has ended the team was very interested to hear about the work with vulnerable youth which was carried out by the Center He was accompanied by the Acting Mission Director Debra Banks and the General Development Officer Walter Doetsch.
(2nd from left: Roberta Williams, Executive Director, GARD Center; Debra Banks, Jene Thomas, USAID team members; surrounded by GARD Center staff.) Photo taken by Walter Doetsch, third member of the USAID team.
The team engaged in very fruitful discussions with the Executive Director and staff. They were also able to observe youth in training and viewed some of the facilities that support our training programs. Hopefully, this would allow the broader USAID team to get an understanding of the extremely important role the GARD Center plays working with vulnerable youth. The team also heard some of the issues faced by youth.
Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP)
Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP)
Launched in 2008 with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Caribbean Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP) equipped vulnerable youth with the technical, vocational, and life skills needed to develop sustainable livelihoods. This program targeted school leavers, ages 17 to 25, with particular attention given to young males, who are currently unemployed, under-employed, lack the skills to participate in an increasingly service-oriented economy, or are unable to successfully launch and sustain small business enterprises. Participants receive job training and placement services and are supported in serving as positive agents of change in their communities.
Outcomes
By the end of the project in 2013, across all of the participating Caribbean countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Jamaica and St. Lucia):
- 2,200 young people will have gained appropriate training that responds to the needs of selected high-growth industries such as tourism, music, entertainment, and arts and culture.
- At least 40% of youth will be placed in quality jobs or in their own business start-ups.
- 50% of participants who have not completed secondary school at baseline will be enrolled in an education training program or will have gained additional schooling credentials at the time of follow up.
- 90% of employers will report satisfaction with their entry-level employees.
- Partners will have strengthened their organizational capacity.
- A sustainable network of stakeholders from private and public sectors will be created.
Donor partners:
GARD Center Graduate Receives Top Honor from Employer
Mr. Ackeem Tonge successfully completed an Office Administration Course as part of the Caribbean Youth Empowerment Programme, held in collaboration with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and sponsored by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) in 2009. After this training, Mr. Tonge chose to continue his education in the field of plumbing and enrolled at Antigua and Barbuda Institute for Continuing Education (ABICE), 2010 – 2011. Pictured, L – R: Mr. Ackeem Tonge receiving Manager’s Award, from Mr. Pedro Corbin, General Manager, Goddard Catering Group.
Ackeem started working with Goddard Catering Group (Antigua) Ltd. in June 2011, on a 6 months contract. After his contract was completed, a position became available and since the company was extremely pleased with Mr. Tonge’s performance, he was offered full time employment. Ackeem has really demonstrated his desire to get ahead by always trying to learn something new.
His work ethic is admired by the Management of the organization.
In addition to the Manager’s Award, Mr. Tonge also received the award for perfect attendance for the period 2013.
The selection criteria for the Manager’s Award, includes:
(1) Attitude: willing to work with others, team player, willing to assist.
(2) Punctuality and attendance.
(3) Teachable: listen when being corrected, and follow the correct procedures.
(4) Sociable: takes part in extracurricular activities organised by the Company
(5) Functions: knowledgeable of their function and do it with pride.
The GARD Center sincerely congratulates Mr. Ackeem Tonge and encourages him to continue to strive for excellence.
GARD Center – EU Graduation
The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) and the European Union, under the project, Empowerment of Young Women of Antigua in their income generation (YWEP), held its first graduation ceremony on Thursday, 13 February, 2014, at the Ebenezer Methodist Church, St. Mary’s Street, St. John’s.
One hundred and three (103) graduates who successfully completed their course of study were celebrated during this ceremony. These young ladies between the ages of 16 – 35 years, graduated from Agriculture; Business Enterprise (day and evening) courses; Information Communication Technology (ICT), – day and evening classes; Basic Cookery; Food & Beverage Service and Office Administration.
The Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, Her Excellency, Dame Louise Lake-Tack, attended and assisted with the presentation of certificates to the Top Students. (R: Ms. Nazeer Colbourne, Overall Top Student)
Mrs. Judith Chastanet, Manager, Customer Relations Department of the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board and Mr. Ashton Fearon, Technical Research Officer & Project Administrator, GATE, also distributed certificates to the students. (Pictured Left: Jermyra Williams receiving certificate from Mrs. Chastanet)
Special Recognition was given by the GARD Center to CIBC/First Caribbean International Bank and Townhouse Mega Store for their continued support towards the Center’s Entrepreneurship programme.
The Ceremony was ably guided by the Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Lenora Murphy, and the Invocation given by Rev. Otto Wade, President of the Methodist Conference.
The Welcome was delivered by two of the Agriculture graduates, Ms. Princess Waszutu Mack and Ms. Waszara Mack.
Congratulatory Remarks were given to the graduates by Mrs. Karen Massiah, Customer Services Coordinator/Executive Assistant, Antigua Computer Technology Co. Ltd. and Mr. Jedidiah Maxime, Director of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture. The Hon. Harold Lovell, Minister of Finance also offered congratulatory remarks and words of encouragement to the graduates.
The Feature Address was delivered by youthful, Ms. Damara Phillips, Entrepreneur, (Graphic Artist and Disc-Jockey), who shared her passion, experiences, hard work and commitment, ups and downs with the graduates and others in the packed sanctuary. This young lady spoke of her successful infiltration into traditionally male-dominated fields and how she continues to strive for excellence. (L-R: Her Excellency, Governor General, Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Ms. Damara Phillips, Entrepreneur and Hon. Harold Lovell).
Ms. Kareem Francis, Project Manager of the Young Women Empowerment Programme gave a full, passionate, and emotional project review. The majority of the young ladies / now graduates whom she always referred to as her children/girls had done exceptionally well, which made her tremendously proud. Her ‘girls’ responded to her presentation in the most fitting of ways, with spontaneous applause.
There was also a segment for entertainment, and Business Enterprise graduate, Mrs. Tovia Carey-Dowe and guest artiste, Ms. Lauralie Nathan, each performed breath-taking solos. Remarks were also delivered on behalf of the graduating classes by two of the ICT graduates, Ms. Germaine Dublin and Ms. Patricia Francis.
Portion of the Audience in Attendance at the Graduation Ceremony
Mrs. Roberta Williams delivered the Vote of Thanks. She acknowledged those who assisted with all aspects of the project, and highlighted those business places which offered GARD Center’s students’ internships and employment.
The evening ceremony was closed in prayer by Rev. Janetta James, of the Antigua Methodist Circuit, and light refreshment was shared.
Photos courtesy New Media One.
