CIBC Caribbean’s ComTrust Committee has launched a significant literacy initiative by providing substantial support to three non-governmental organizations in Trinidad. The program aims to strengthen foundational reading skills among both children and adults, recognizing literacy as a fundamental life skill essential for educational and professional development.
At a ceremony held at CIBC’s Maraval office on December 12, Mahadeo Sebarath, Head of Country for Trinidad, presented donations to three recipient organizations: Moms for Literacy, Rotary Club of Maraval, and ALTA (Adult Literacy Tutors Association). These groups represent decades of collective experience in addressing literacy challenges throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
Moms for Literacy, established in 1992, has developed customized programs focusing on reading, writing, critical thinking, and comprehension skills. Over the past twenty years, the organization has assisted more than 10,000 students while creating specialized programs for schools nationwide. Their community outreach initiatives have demonstrated measurable impact in reducing criminal activity by providing educational alternatives.
The Rotary Club of Maraval will utilize the funding to provide specialized SEA (Secondary Entrance Assessment) preparation lessons for Standard 5 students across four primary schools: Boissierre RC, La Seiva RC, Paramin RC, and Rampanalgas RC. The six-month program, running from October 2025 through March 2026, builds on previous successful interventions that resulted in La Seiva RC School’s removal from the Ministry of Education’s watch list.
ALTA, celebrating thirty years of service, will direct resources toward its online literacy program designed specifically for Caribbean life skills. The funding will provide essential books for 27 at-risk students at San Juan Boys’ Primary and Barataria RC School who risk scoring below 50% in their SEA examinations. Without intervention, these students face significant challenges in secondary education due to inadequate literacy foundations.
Sebarath emphasized CIBC’s institutional commitment to social development, noting that the bank contributes one percent of its net income to community enhancement projects. The ComTrust Foundation, CIBC’s charitable arm established as a registered charity in Barbados, supports initiatives across ten countries where the bank operates, distributing no less than US$1 million annually to educational and social development programs.