By Linda Straker
The Grenada Electricity Services (Grenlec), last week Thursday donated EC$83,000 to institutions and community organisations, to assist in the development and care of people.
“This is helping us to give to those who are benefiting from these institutions’ opportunities, which changes a life,” said Lisa Charles of the Bel Air Home for Children and Adolescents, when she spoke on behalf of all the recipients. Her institution which received EC$1 million from Grenlec for the building stage of the home received EC$18,000.
Receiving EC$15,000 was the Grand Anse Gardens Home for the Aged, while Hilarion Home, Hillview Home, Cardrona Home, Charles Memorial Home, Missionaries of Charity, Queen Elizabeth Home, Top Hill Home, St Martin’s Home, and the Programme for Adolescent Mothers, each received EC$5,000.
The cheque donations, witnessed by Jeffrey Neptune and Ashton Frame from GRENLEC’s Community Partnership Initiative (GCPI) Committee, are expected to be used for the general operations and daily functioning of the institutions.
The GCPI can best be the described as the social corporate responsibility side of the electricity company. Donations are done annually, and administered by GRENLEC to contribute to community development through partnerships with community and stakeholder development initiatives.
Besides the presentations to the institutions, Grenlec is also involved in other community initiatives that involve the use of renewable energy in schools and other institutions. Over the last 20 years, a broad range of communities and people have been impacted through the programmes presently valued at EC$14 million.
These initiatives are funded through 5% pre-tax profits and are aimed at: Improving the quality of life of vulnerable groups and communities; Positively impacting the holistic development of the human resource capital of country; Creating opportunities for youth development and fostering the preservation of culture, heritage and safe, clean environment as well as supporting sports. Priority areas are: Social Services/Community Development; Education; Environment; Science and Technology/Energy; Sport and Arts, Heritage and Culture.
