Managing Director, Roberts Manufacturing, Jason Sambrano said that the company wanted to make a meaningful contribution to the community, because it understood the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Roberts Manufacturing, as part of its social responsibility during this COVID-19 period, has assisted some of the more vulnerable students in their community with a blessing of scholarships.
Yesterday morning, the company presented scholarships to 16 needy students from eight schools in its environs. The scholarships are in the form of vouchers with a value of $500 each, which will allow the students to purchase school uniforms, shoes and stationery for the upcoming school academic year.
Managing Director, Roberts Manufacturing, Jason Sambrano offered remarks during the presentation at Lower Estate, St. Michael. Sambrano acknowledged the challenges that are faced in the ‘new normal’ due to COVID-19 by companies with the decrease in demand for goods and services around the world. As a result companies have closed and jobs have been lost.
“While we (Roberts) may have been affected, we are still a part of a community family and we still need to make a vital contribution to the people of our community. It is not just about dollars and cents, we have to look at how we can help each other move forward in this challenging time. We felt that this was one way we could do something meaningful to the benefit of our children,” said Sambrano.
The director explained that the company reached out to partner with the eight schools to provide for the eight boys and eight girls, who were identified as the most deserving of assistance during this time. The schools partnered with were the Cuthbert Moore Primary School, Ellerton Primary, St. George Primary, St. George Secondary, St. Jude’s Primary, St. Luke’s-Brighton Primary, St. Matthew’s Primary and Workman’s Primary School.
“We are keenly aware that it is not easy getting children ready for school under normal times, hence we can appreciate the additional anxiety that this COVID-19 period has created. At the same time, we see this period as one of opportunity for all of us to be the best that we can be,” said Sambrano.
He encouraged those principals and teachers present to continue to strive for excellence as the company and schools work towards preparing the students to be the best they can be, while also teaching them to care for each other and the environment, despite the pandemic.
In his closing remarks, Senior Manager of Roberts Manufacturing, Adrian Yard reiterated that the initiative was about relieving some of anxiety of the most vulnerable in the Barbados society due to the current uncertain times faced. Yard also thanked God for the opportunity and means for the company to show love and care to others. (AS)