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AGHS health mural brings awareness to childhood obesity

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The historic walls of the nation’s oldest all girls’ academic institution, the Antigua Girls’ High School (AGHS), now feature a poignant, colourful and creative health mural, which brings attention to the issue of childhood obesity.

The project dubbed “#ArtStudentsAgainstObesity”, was made possible through a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, The Rotary Club of Antigua, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), The Antigua Girls High School and Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, High Commissioner.

The unveiling ceremony took place on Friday in the presence of the student body, teachers, parents, members of the Rotary Club of Antigua, officials from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, Ministry of Education and the media.

In her remarks, Chief Nutrition Officer at the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, Samantha Moitt, explained that the Ministry is very pleased that the concept has come to fruition after almost two years of discussions. She noted that the Ministry continues to work tirelessly to tackle the risk factors associated with childhood obesity, by making the school environment better.

“This mural is a great step in addressing childhood obesity in Antigua and Barbuda. We want our young people to become aware of the types of food that they are eating and the impact it can have on all children and youth in our country. We must have a nutrition policy that spells out what schools should do, such as regulating the sale of unhealthy foods”, she stated. She also congratulated the art students and their teachers for bringing creative art to a topic of major importance.

AGHS’s Visual Arts Teacher and Project Coordinator, Sharon Joseph, in giving the overview of the project, explained that it was indeed a learning experience which also created an atmosphere for the students to bond.

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She expressed the hope that the gesture will assist officials in raising awareness about the importance of practicing a healthy lifestyle. She extended gratitude to the Rotary Club of Antigua for coming on board to support the initiative and to Valarie Williams, NCD Coordinator in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, who initiated this project.

Art student, Justice Hughes, said that the students were excited to bring the concept to life and thanked all the parties involved for their support and encouragement. She added that it is a creation that will stand the test of time and will remind persons that obesity and diabetes are dire consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle.

President of the Club of Antigua, Kevin Silston, explained that the concept was a project which was initially supported by the Club’s Immediate Past President, Dr. Vanetta Rodgers; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the project had to be postponed. He added that as part of this Rotary Year, emphasis has been placed on the issue of Childhood Obesity and the health mural is an ideal mechanism to raise public awareness.

“The Rotary Club of Antigua’s theme for this Rotary Year is opening opportunities through Youth Development and Healthy Lifestyle Choices. With this as a backdrop, I am happy to see the completion of this mural which brings awareness to childhood obesity.

One of our major projects for this year, is to raise awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease. All of this fit in with our focus for Rotary and what has happened here is meaningful in so many years. This is more than merely just a painting, it is a message to our entire society impressing upon them to make heathy lifestyle choices”, President Silston emphasized.

He too joined in offering congratulatory words to the art students and teachers who were involved in the project.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the students and teachers who participated in bringing the mural to reality.

There was an evident sense of fulfillment and pride as the covering dropped unveiling the artwork, a creation that will surely act as a reminder for the nation to make healthy choices.

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REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

 

OECS MSME Guarantee Facility Project

Loan No.: IDA-62670, IDA-62660, IDA-62640, IBRD-88830, IDA-62650

Assignment Title: Senior Operating Officer (SOO)

Reference No. KN-ECPCGC-207852-CS-INDV

 

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received financing in the amount of US$10 million equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of establishing a partial credit guarantee scheme, and they intend to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

The consultant will serve as the “Senior Operating Officer (SOO)” for the ECPCGC and should possess extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, knowledge of the internal control processes necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk mitigation procedures. The ideal candidate should possess an Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Accounting, Banking or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in lending, inclusive of MSME lending. The initial employment period will be for two years on a contractual basis. Renewal of the contract will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of the contractual period. The assignment is expected to begin on September 30th, 2021.  The consultant will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ECPCGC.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be viewed by following the attached link below. 

 

https://bit.ly/3iVannm

 

The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC) now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have:

  • An Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Finance, Banking or related field; and
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in MSME lending. Applicants should also have:
  • The ability to design and implement risk management procedures 
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to small and medium-sized businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME banking operations
  • Knowledge of the internal controls necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk management procedures
  • Experience developing and presenting information in public, including responding to questions in real-time
  • Experience lending to MSMEs located in the ECCU
  • Knowledge of marketing and communicating with the MSME sector
  • Ability to draft procedures to be used in a lending operation
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a loan guarantee program
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016, [revised November 2017] (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Approved Selection Method for Individual Consultants set out in the clause 7.34 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. 

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours:

Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation

Brid Rock, Basseterre,

St. Kitts.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by August 11th, 2021, to [email protected]

 

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Gomez-Trigg                                                            Bernard Thomas

Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 868-620-8144                                                                  Tel: 869-765-2385

Email: [email protected]                                          [email protected]