The National Bank of Anguilla, now celebrating its 25th Anniversary, and the Organisation of Early Childhood Education, observing a month of activities, were largely represented by their banking staff and teachers respectively, at the worship service at the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, March 6.

Management and Staff of the National Bank of Anguilla

NBA’s Chief Executive Officer, E. Valentine Banks, thanked the Seventh-day Adventist Church for offering the opportunity to the bank’s personnel to worship there. “The bank is really blessed by God, and we are extremely happy for the support we have received from the Anguillian community over the 25 years of our service,” he stated. “Certainly, our bank has contributed tremendously to this community and we are proud of our contributions and to see the growth of our nation, some of it as a result of the bank’s activities.”

Early Childhood Teachers with children

Mr. Banks extended NBA's services to all members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, noting that the bank was proud to have done business with the Church and to have received its support over the years.

NBA's Management and Staff in song

President of the Early Childhood Education Organisation, Juliet Simon, was also grateful to the Church for accommodating the teachers.

Preschool Teachers in song

She explained that the Organisation was geared towards providing appropriate education for children between the ages of three and five years in a happy and safe environment. She said the objectives of the Organisation were to raise the awareness of parents, guardians and the general public to the physical, social, emotional, moral and educational needs of young children; to assist with the professional development of teachers; to help teachers to develop as good role models for the children; and to raise funds for the training of pre-school teachers.

Mr. E. Valentine Banks

“Early Childhood Month is celebrated in March of each year,” Mrs. Simon continued. “The objective is to create public awareness of early childhood education. It is also to foster a closer relationship among teachers, parents and the community. During the month we have learning and fun activities and we emphasise the importance of children having a solid foundation before going on to formal learning.”

Mrs. Juliet Simon

The National Bank of Anguilla staff and the teachers were officially welcomed to the SDA Church by visiting Minister, Pastor Charles Heskey, Family Life and Ministerial Director with the North Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. “I am happy to be here today and more so at a time when the National Bank of Anguilla is celebrating 25 years and the Early Childhood Organisation is also celebrating,” he said. “It is good to know that the NBA is an Anguilla bank and always serving the people you know and, for me, that is critical.”

Pastor Heskey

Pastor Heskey also pointed to the critical stage of early childhood education and urged the teachers to be diligent in their responsibilities to teach and guide the young. “Those who are involved in early childhood education must carry on the same values that the children are getting at home,” he recommended. “If that doesn’t happen, it creates confusion in the minds of the children: one person saying one thing and the next person another thing.” He emphasised the importance of parental involvement and responsibility along with school support in the bringing up and educating of children.

He spoke extensively on spiritual heritage and fallen morals, and appealed to families and schools to provide good leadership for those in their care.

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