….via Scotiabank, Habitat partnership
As Scotiabank continues with its benevolent initiatives, a single mother of four now holds the promise of turning the keys of a new home as the bank recently launched into the second phase of its ‘Build a Home’ partnership with Habitat for Humanity Guyana Inc.

For eight years, Althea Boucher lived with her four daughters in a section of a factory in Beterverwagting, in poor conditions, where they were victims of theft on various occasions.

Scotiabank’s Jennifer Cipriani (left), Habitat Guyana’s Rawle Small, Althea Boucher and her four daughters.

Having moved from the factory, the family currently resides in an apartment that is described as too small to cater to their needs.
With their focus on a June deadline, the ‘Build a Home’ project hopes to provide Boucher with a two-bedroom house for the woman and her children whose ages range between six 6 and 14.

The project, which will be executed by Habitat volunteers, will see funding provided to Scotiabank in Guyana through the Scotiabank Global Bright Future Programme.

This is according to Ms. Jennifer Cipriani, a Marketing Manager within the entity, who addressed a small gathering during the launching ceremony hosted at the bank’s Robb Street, Georgetown branch on Wednesday.

Cipriani indicated that unlike the project’s first phase, where funding came from public support via the acquisition of Scotiabank loans, this second phase will see funding through the global programme.

She stated that this is the second home that they will be funding and indicated that the partnership is expected to go on for the next two years with two more families to be identified as beneficiaries.

The Marketing Manager asserted that the bank is targeting children and chose to focus on creating homes since that is where all fundamental development begins.

Cipriani affirmed “It is not an investment in the home but rather an investment in their (children’s) future.”
Meanwhile, the National Director for Habitat Guyana, Rawle Small, told reporters that aside from Scotiabank, the First Assembly of God (the family’s church) has also pledged to support the initiative.

Small expressed hope for a three-month completion, stating that they are currently focusing on a two-bedroom home for the family, but they would welcome any public contribution to expand.

He said that Habitat is hoping to mobilize enough to raise funds for a larger structure, considering the home for their all needs.
At the ceremony, the bank presented Habitat Guyana with a cheque for $2M. Boucher and her daughters expressed gratitude for the aid they will be receiving.
The ‘Build a Home’ partnership commenced in March last year to raise funds to construct a home for the first beneficiary – a widowed mother of two who was born with a disability.

Habitat for Humanity Guyana is a service organization with a mission to alleviate poverty through increased accessibility to decent housing, especially for marginalized groups, and programs aimed at enhancing community development.

Beginning its work since 1994 following an invitation from then President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Habitat for Humanity Guyana was officially registered in Guyana in 1995.

Since then the organization has supported over 3,000 families within the country’s ten administrative regions, through partnership with affiliates, home partners, volunteers, and sponsors to build simple, decent and affordable housing for low income earners.

Also, the organization has undertaken home repairs, rehabilitation works, and assisted in accessing secure tenure.
Support of Habitat’s programmes allows Scotiabank to give back to society as part of its corporate social responsibility.