First Caribbean donates to BFLA

It was revealed last October that the Belize Family Life Association was in a financial bind and on the verge of closing down. But the healthcare facility has managed to keep its doors open with fundraising and the help of donors. Today, the BFLA received a boost from CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, which handed over the proceeds of a Christmas campaign. It’s an initiative held in all fifteen countries where the bank operates and the idea was to donate one percent of its credit card sales to charity organizations. Gina Castillo, the Customer Service Manager for the Belize branch of FirstCaribbean, spoke to News Five about the program and why they chose to support BFLA.

Gina Castillo, Customer Service Manager, CIBC FirstCaribbean Intl. Bank

Gina Castillo

“What we did, over the months of November and December, we reached out to our card members and we asked them to assist us in getting funds for the BFLA. And the way it was done, whatever they spent, a percentage of that was taken and given back to the BFLA. So this morning we handed over a cheque for over seventeen thousand dollars.”

Delahnie Bain

“What made you all decide to do this to assist them?”

Gina Castillo

“Well, I guess everybody had seen that the BFLA was having some financial difficulties and as the community-minded bank that we are, we decided we needed to do something to assist. So that is why we decided and with the services that they offer, it’s very essential services to Belizeans at very low cost so it was a worthwhile cause for us.”

Delahnie Bain

“Surely they will still be in financial trouble; do you plan to continue assisting them or was this a one-time thing?”

Gina Castillo

“At the moment it’s a one-time thing, however, we do several types of community outreach and it could be something that we could look into for it to be more than just once.”

Delahnie Bain

“And the donation; is it for any specific area of work just whatever they need it for?”

Gina Castillo

“It’s for whatever they need it for but we were advised that it will be used to help with the pap smears and for dealing with cervical cancer for the detection, prevention and treatment of people with cervical cancer because, as we understand that’s something that they really do a lot of and because the cost is normally high, the BFLA has tried to subsidize and keep the cost at a minimum for Belizeans.”

The funds will also assist with purchasing of medical and clinical supplies.