Scotiabank Foundation and ARROW Foundation inspire young readers through Read Aloud Programme!

SCOTIABANK TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO LIMITED MEDIA RELEASE September 28, 2026

The Scotiabank Foundation and the ARROW Foundation are advancing literacy development through the Read Aloud Programme, which encourages primary school students across Trinidad and Tobago to discover the joy and value of reading.

Interactive sessions at Esperanza Presbyterian Primary and Aranguez Government Primary Schools brought Scotiabank senior leaders together with ARROW Foundation representatives to engage students through storytelling, discussion and shared reading.

The activities strengthened listening, comprehension and critical-thinking skills while making learning enjoyable and memorable. The programme reflects the Scotiabank Foundation’s broader investment in education and youth development and builds on its longstanding partnership with the ARROW Foundation to improve literacy outcomes and expand meaningful learning opportunities students.

Reflecting on his experience, Reshard Mohammed, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, Scotiabank Trinidad and Tobago, said: “Reading with the students reinforced for me that a shared story can do much more than build knowledge - it can spark curiosity, strengthen confidence and encourage children to express their ideas. It was rewarding to see their enthusiasm firsthand. Together with the ARROW Foundation, we are helping young readers see every book as a pathway to explore, dream and achieve. During the one-hour sessions, Mohammed and the other Scotiabank leaders - Kimi Rochard, General Manager, Legal; Stacy Dhanessar, Director, HR Strategic Enablement and Melissa -Jo Maharaj, Director, Business Service Centre read with students, invited them to contribute to the stories and led conversations about the selected books. This participatory approach created a supportive space for students to express ideas, ask questions and grow in confidence.

The reading selection featured the locally authored titles Trevor the Golden Tree Frog by Resha Ali and Lost at Carnival by Gail Morong, along with popular children’s story - Barnaby’s Big Lesson. Through engaging, age-appropriate stories, students explored important themes such as equality, kindness, helping others and the value of listening.