USD$125K gift for Barbados Family Planning Association

One of the final activities retiring CIBC FirstCaribbean CEO Colette Delaney did before leaving the bank was to present the Barbados Family Planning Association (BFPA) with a donation to help them achieve their goal of moving from the now cramped headquarters at Bay Street to more spacious accommodations so they can better serve the persons that come to them for help.

During the presentation, Executive Director Anderson Langdon explained that the new offices will help them expand and create additional programmes and services for the most vulnerable groups in society, including developing more mental health support for the men, women and girls who need it.

The group is hoping to move to the very modern ‘Harmony General Building’ in Harmony Hall by the end of the year following the presentation of the gift
from the FirstCaribbean ComTrust Foundation, which will be paid in tranches that will total USD $125, 000 over a five-year period.

On a query from Mark St. Hill, the then CEO Designate, Langdon explained that through other technical assistance from the bank, the BPFA had also been able to refine the compilation and presentation of its proposals, especially when working with the private sector.

He further explained that the BFPA is not just about looking at birth rates but also teaches about sexual and reproductive health, knowing the needs of the population and how to achieve what is required in terms of immigration and incentives for a natural birth rate. The BPFA examines and advises on areas such as population growth strategy, population development policy and even immigration policy. Other areas such as reproductive health, genetic diseases, non-communicable diseases and any combination of these areas that could affect population growth also form part of the BFPA’s remit now.

St. Hill suggested that the story of the changing role of the BFPA, which has evolved from concentrating on birth rates and reduced pregnancies in the 1950s, when it was established, to examining population growth now, needs to be told.

The Executive Director thanked the bank for its donation and wished Colette Delaney well. (PR)