Scotiabank Continues Support for The Babb’s Reading Clinic in 2024 with Educational and Financial Literacy Sessions

For the third consecutive year, Scotiabank has contributed to The Babb’s Reading Clinic, which caters to male students who are about to enter secondary school and require additional support to enhance their learning and reading skills. The 2024 Clinic began on July 15 and ends on August 16.

Dr Astra Babb – Founder and her team have been conducting the reading clinic for seven years now. Specialist Tutors provide the students with free instruction in basic word recognition strategies, such as activating phonemic awareness and understanding structural analysis. Reading Comprehension techniques such as, analyzing text structure, identifying the main idea in a passage, and monitoring of comprehension are taught. The participants are also engaged in activities such as problem-solving scenarios, and educational field trips.

Dr Babb expressed gratitude to Scotiabank for its continued support. “Scotiabank Barbados has been a major sponsor of The Babb’s Reading Clinic for the past three years. The Bank has exhibited 21st century skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking skills in their outreach and support of The Babb’s Reading Clinic” commented Dr. Babb.

In addition to the reading clinic’s timetable, Scotiabank facilitated a financial literacy session as well as a segment on career guidance for the 80 boys in this year’s Clinic.

Natalie Wood, Senior Manager, Business Support provided insight on budgeting and savings basics in an interactive session while Rico Layne, Branch Manager, of the Bridgetown Branch shared details about jobs/careers.

“Scotiabank not only provides crucial financial support that enables the Clinic to provide free tuition in its multimedia remedial reading programme to the boys, but also exposes the boys to money management concepts and life skills through face-to-face discussions” continued Dr. Babb.

“Scotiabank is a very strong pillar of support for the Clinic, and we look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to heal the nation by combating illiteracy, and by keeping the boys off the block” she concluded.

Scotiabank’s Natalie Wood shared her feedback and experience. “During our recent financial planning session with The Babb’s Reading Clinic, I had the pleasure of engaging with a group of enthusiastic young men. Their interest in learning about saving and investing was palpable, and their active participation made the session truly rewarding. As we discussed strategies for financial growth, they absorbed information eagerly, asking insightful questions and sharing their own experiences. It’s heartening to see this level of curiosity and commitment to securing their financial futures” she commented.