Corporate Social Responsibility
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Sharing our passion, and giving back to the world
One of the key things that helps to drive our teams forward is our passion to help and serve the communities local to us. We pride ourselves on open communication, breaking down barriers in both community and industry, treating everyone with the same values of quality of service and respect.
We feel it is vital to put back into the communities where we operate, this takes many forms from larger formal organisations such as The Princes Trust, through to low key direct action such as shipping clothing to children in Grenada, a life boat to Tortola, play equipment to Bequia, and much needed aid in the aftermath of disasters.
Hurricane Beryl Relief
We have all been touched by the shocking devastation of Hurricane Beryl throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines , especially Union Island , Palm Island , Mayreau and parts of Canouan , as well as parts of Grenada but in particular Carriacou which along with Union Island has suffered mass destruction on an island wide scale. Other islands in the region suffered flood damage and sea surge such as Barbados , and parts of Jamaica are also in a very bad way.
As always we stepped forward to help in as many capacities as possible. Our first attention is always to our team and their families living and working in St Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados.
Marlon Gibson was interviewed by Sky News immediately after the hurricane passed St Vincent and you can see the shock and trauma on his face.
Once we knew our people were ok we set to work air freighting generators to help with the lack of power. No electricity also means no communication because of course you can’t charge your phone. Imagine the horror of being far away or even just on the same island and you cannot check if your loved ones are ok ? Or how their home is ? It’s a truly tragic situation.
Next up was the purchase of Starlink to get WiFi capacity back.
Meanwhile many Aid companies and private benefactors contacted us for both procurement and shipping or airfreight , all of which has been carried out either free , at cost or minimal charge.
We also worked with Europe Caribbean Line who partnered with us to get an Aid ship to call in the UK load to the brim with all types of aid , but also including essential grounds works machinery to start the clean up. As well as anything from friends and family barrels , medical equipment , baby care , food, vehicles , even a stone crusher. Of course stone buildings collapse a huge pile of rubble is left where once was someone’s home.
This cargo all then travels direct to St Vincent from where aid groups such as NEMO and the government manage the process to get the cargo out by ferry to the small islands who cannot accommodate a large ship. It’ s a big logistical programme and also a very long term programme which we will continue to support.
We can only imagine the loss of your home , no schools , or shops or church. Just waiting to possibly be relocated short term to a hurricane shelter on another island.
However the positive shining light is the sheer resilience of the Caribbean people. They will rebuild and they will Rise Up again.
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust, founded in 1976, is one of the United Kingdom's most successful funding organisations. We at Kestrel never fail to be inspired by their ongoing efforts to uplift the younger generations.
In January 2017, we partnered with the Prince's Trust International, a new International arm launched in 2015, to deliver their 'Get into Logistics' programme. The 'Get into' is an employability scheme in Barbados with the aim of helping disadvantaged young people on the island gain vital sector-specific skills. Our first wave of students on the 'Get into Logistics' programme all graduated with flying colours.
Mark Davidian from Kestrel had the pleasure of giving the participants of 'Get into Logistics' their graduation certificates. He heard first-hand the benefits of the programme to the young people involved.
I was very honoured to attend the Prince's Trust International Event and to meet this first wave of students – an inspiring group of enthusiastic, energetic young people looking to find a start and hopefully building a career in logistics. As the future of their industry they need to be given a chance. The benefits from this programme are already being realised in Barbados and we look forward to seeing the programme expand across the Caribbean region.
Mark Davidian
One of the biggest success stories of the 'Get into Logistics' programme was our trainee Orian. We were so impressed with her commitment and enthusiasm, we offered her a job in our offices in Barbados. We're pleased to report that she accepted, saying:
Six weeks ago I knew nothing about shipping! In five weeks I have learnt so much. I am looking forward to finding out so much more about the shipping and logistics industry. I am particularly looking forward to seeing a product on the shelves in Barbados knowing that I played a part in importing it.
We have also had the pleasure of working with the Prince's Trust International to sponsor their very successful 'Get into Hospitality' programme. This is an intensive 12-week programme which supports 15 young people who are not yet ready to enter employment and works with them to develop not only their confidence but also other key skills they will require through a residential week, community project and work placements. This programme also boasts a high degree of success with helping young people to find opportunities within the hospitality industry.
Here at Kestrel, we owe our success to the many different communities around the globe, so we are proud to support those who support us. We remain aware of the many different issues that these communities face, and are eager to help them however we can as it is part of the Mission Statement that Kestrel is built upon.