Grenada Today - July 31st, 2004

Grenadians have been called upon to give at least $1.00 towards the Grenada Community Development Agency (GRENCODA )"Dollar for Development Day" initiative planned for throughout the island (tomorrow) Friday.

The Agency is using this idea to raise funds following the decline over the years in financial assistance it used to receive from donor agencies in North America and Europe.

GRENCODA staged simultaneous launches of the programme on Monday at commercial outlets which included Food Fair and RBTT Bank Grand Anse in the south of the island as well as Cable & Wireless and Andall & Associates on the Carenage.

Collection tins have also been placed at other businesses throughout the island giving people easy access to so that they can make their contribution since according to the organisation in doing so they will be "helping GRENCODA to help Grenada".

Some of the monies raised will go towards the Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) Student Assistance Programme(SAP), Youth Development Programme, Legal Aid and Counseling Clinic, Small Business Development, Advocacy and Networking and Administration/Coordination.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of GRENCODA Terrence Smith launched the Cable & Wireless leg of the Dollar for Development Day initiative at the company's main store on the Carenage Monday.

He told GRENADA TODAY at the brief ceremony that the Agency is facing severe financial constraints due to a reduction in remittances from abroad that use to come from countries such as Europe and North America.

Smith disclosed that the money will go towards assisting rural individuals such as women, farmers, youth, fishermen, children and the elderly to better their standard of living.

Member of the Organising Committee for the event Richard Simon who spoke at the launch said besides donation boxes persons will be going around in the different communities soliciting financial assistance on that day.

He is urging Grenadians to come forward and give generously since the money raised will go towards a worthy cause.

Although the Dollar for Development will be held tomorrow donation boxes will remain in the various locations until August 14.

GRENCODA has been operating in the country since 1985 and one of its goal is to provide guidance and support to rural individuals, families and communities.

The aim is to improve the quality of life by encouraging people's participation in community based initiatives, which will build self-reliance particularly among small farmers, low-income workers, women and youth.

GRENCODA hopes that its work will continue to make low-income earners' aware of their rights and responsibilities such as access to legal services and counselling.

Another objective is to advocate and lobby for progressive public policy as well as consolidate and build the organisation's capacity to effectively fulfill its mission.