RBC aims to make big change with ‘small change’

Can “small change” bring about big change?

Well, RBC Royal Bank is seeking to prove just that as it launched a new community initiative “change4Change”. The bank is capitalising on the decision of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago to discontinue the circulation of the one-cent piece.

“We saw an opportunity through change4Change to help communities by encouraging the public to donate their one cent pieces, and other coins, too. RBC will match whatever is collected and will give $250 to 250 RBC/WE Schools Young Leaders to finance community projects of their choice,” said RBC Royal Bank Managing Director, Darryl White at the launch of the initiative at St Joseph’s Convent (SJC), Port of Spain, recently.

In his remarks, White told the students that they could “do something impactful to change someone’s life” by being part of change4Change.

“You are in a position where you can do great things now by making a real difference in your community. Every year, our RBC Young Leaders have made a difference in their communities. Just think of what you can do in your community this year with the money you raise and the contribution from RBC. When you do this, you inspire others to do it, too. Money is only good for what you can do with it. change4Change demonstrates, in a creative and tangible way, how ‘small change’ can drive big change,” White said.

Annabelle Ammon, a fifth form student of SJC, said she was excited to participate in change4Change.

“What makes change4Change different from other projects is we are getting an opportunity to do something meaningful with something that we are about to discard,” she said. She also joked that she planned to keep some of her own one-cent pieces as souvenirs for her grandchildren.

St. Joseph’s Convent teacher, Nia Sampath, who oversees the RBC/WE Schools programme at the school, welcomed the initiative: “This is really a wonderful project. It is a stupendous idea to use a one cent piece to start off such a far-reaching initiative which is sure to bring positive change to the lives of people and to assist in building communities."

Kayla Eddy, a Form Five student, gave a heartwarming account of her experience as an RBC Young Leader, pointing out that the programme has made a positive impact on her life since she joined in 2016.

“The programme has opened my eyes to what I, as a young person, can do to help my community. I am able to focus more clearly on being someone entrusted to take charge of my future and to set an example to others,” Eddy stated.

Coin collection receptacles will be located in each RBC branch and members of the public are encouraged to drop in their coins using coin bags that will be available in the branches as well.