Trade Watch V8 No 3 July 2014

CORPORATE citiZenship

Caribbean Export Drives Literacy in Local Schools

Caribbean Export launched its inaugural children’s book drive in April 2014. To date, the drive has amassed 315 books from employee donations, and two schools have benefitted from these donations. Presentations were made during May to the students of the West Terrace Primary School and St. Stephen’s Primary School, which are both located in the vicinity of Caribbean Export’s headquarters in St. Michael, Barbados. Ms. JoEllen Laryea, Public Relations and Communications Advisor and Mrs. Stephanie Bishop, Monitoring and Evaluations Advisor coordinated the initiative and represented the Agency at the presentations. Ms. Laryea, in addressing the students, expressed her concern about the effect that this decrease in literary interest will have on the ability of the future leaders to express themselves and to communicate effectively. She further stressed the importance of reading for the cultivation of creative and critical thought, which are the paramount to success in any endeavour. According to Ms, Laryea, ““through reading, you open up your minds; you encounter new words, which expand your vocabulary. A strong vocabulary is very important to be able to express yourselves well…some of you may want to start your own businesses some day and effective and eloquent communication will be very important for success in entrepreneurship, as well as in any career that you go into.” A well-read child becomes an articulate and confident thinker and communicator. The Agency has chosen to the book drive as a vehicle for the ignition of primary-level students’ interest in literature. It is hoped that, through the re-introduction of literature that has been tried and tested by other children, that the students will be encouraged to explore the offerings and become engaged with the material. The primary educational level has been deemed to be the optimal time to spark children’s interest in reading as it is at this developmental stage that patterns of thinking, reasoning and speech develop. Creating an environment in which students are constantly engaged with resources, which stimulate their intellect and imagination, is key to laying the foundation for future excellence in all spheres. The Agency continues to accept donations to its book drive as it prepares to donate to other schools. The next presentation of books is scheduled to take place in September at schools in the St. Michael, St. James and St. Thomas areas. (TW)

St. Stephen’s Primary Head Girl, receives a sample of the books donated from Caribbean Export’s PR and Communications Advisor JoEllen Laryea

A section of the students from the West Terrace Primary School listen during the presentation at morning assembly

14 Tradewatch • The Official E-Newsletter of the Caribbean Export Development Agency • Vol. 8 No. 3 July 2014