One of Anguilla’s leading banking institutions, the Caribbean Commercial Bank (CCB) has contributed heavily to the Environmental Health Unit’s Vector Awareness Programme which is now in its tenth year. On Wednesday August 26, CCB handed over a check for EC$29,000 to the Programme during a ceremony held at the local bank.

Jaine Rogers receives cheque from Cherecia Lewis-Rogers

CCB's Personal Banker Cherecia Lewis-Rogers congratulated the Environmental Health Unit for undertaking the annual initiative. She remarked that the Programme created island-wide awareness of the possible threats associated with vectors. She added that it presents viable methods to “control and combat these threats.”

Mrs. Lewis-Rogers pointed out that the Programme’s activities, such as walkathons and a number of competitions, were “vehicles for infiltrating vector threats” and developing “control methods” in the past. She opined that the involvement of schools in the Programme was an excellent way to “engrain important vector control methods into the minds of the youth.” She explained that it would make them outstanding ambassadors for Vector Awareness and allow for sustained growth of Vector Awareness on Anguilla.

Mrs. Lewis-Rogers wished the Programme future success and anticipated supporting it in years to come.

Principal Environmental Health Officer, Ambrell Richardson, commented that the Vector Awareness drive faced many difficulties when the Programme started in 1999. He said that back then there was not much support for the initiative. He added that the Programme had come a long way. “Each year we have grown. We have added new activities to the Programme over the 10 years,” he went on.

Richardson indicated that, as the Programme grew, there was an eventual need for sponsorship. He said, “This was where CCB came in. We had outgrown our capability to meet the public in terms of all the activities we wanted to do. CCB saw the need and assisted us and continue to assist us.” He commended CCB for its “continued support and commitment to educating the public about vectors and how persons can live in a healthy environment.”

According to Richardson, the Vector Awareness Programme target-groups have been Pre and Primary School children and both Campuses A and B of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.

Ambrell Richardson

Mr. Richardson acknowledged the efforts of three persons, within his Unit, who started the Programme in 1999 under the theme “Mosquito the Vector, You Are the ‘Preventer.’” The three were Vincent Carty, Oliver Hodge and Leroy Richardson.
Director of Health Protection, Jaine Rogers, thanked the bank for what she described as a “significant donation.” She expressed appreciation to CCB for collaborating with the Environmental Health Unit on the Vector Awareness Programme. She said the Programme was important for the Department of Health Protection as well as the Ministry of Health.

Ms. Rogers extended a special thanks to the staff of the Department of Health Protection, particularly the Environmental Health Unit and its Vector Awareness Staff, for the work that has gone into preparations for the Programme.

Ten years ago, the Vector Awareness Programme culminated in a single day called Vector Awareness Day. More recently, the Programme begins with activities leading up to Vector Awareness Month starting on October 1. Activities during the Programme usually involve the island's schools whose students engage in Spelling B Competitions, Poster and Theme Competitions and Essay Competitions. Other public activities during the Month include walkathons, radio presentations, a Best Kept Cemetery Competition and public displays including an Open House Day.

The Caribbean Commercial Bank has been the lone sponsor of the Vector Awareness Programme for four years.

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