New York, January 11, 2010 – THE PETNA FOUNDATION started by Grenadian-born Nicholas Earle Brathwaite and his wife, Janice, has been quietly supporting a number of charitable initiatives in the Caribbean and the United states. 

The Brathwaites, who plan to expand their philanthropic activities in Grenada, are providing significant financial support for the upcoming New York University School of Dentistry national assessment, screening and treatment project that will begin the second week of January 2010.

The comprehensive national dental program is also funded by Henry Schein Cares, the social development and philanthropic division of the global pharmaceutical firm, Henry Schein.

Over the past several years PETNA has provided full and partial scholarships to a number of Grenadian students, enabling them to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees in the United States.

Mr. Brathwaite, who is a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur and technology executive, is a son of former Grenada Prime Minister Sir Nicholas A. Brathwaite. PETNA, whose name includes the initials of Mr. Brathwaite’s parents, is “committed to impacting lives and improving communities.’’

Although PETNA’s focus is currently directed primarily towards Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the Brathwaites’ vision is to expand the foundation’s services to “other developing countries and regions, as well as to underprivileged areas in the United States, Canada and Britain.’’

The key focus of PETNA’s expansion is on student education. The Brathwaites believe that “quality education’’ can help eradicate poverty; reduce gender inequality; increase self-confidence and help eliminate many of the social and economic challenges preventing a large percentage of the population from reaching their full potential to lead productive and creative lives.

“Our objective is to help develop sustainable, self-reliant communities,’’ said Mr. Brathwaite, who is modest about his personal success and the achievements of The PETNA Foundation. His attitude is grounded in his faith in God.

Mr. Brathwaite was reluctant to speak about the specifics of the contributions made by PETNA, saying “I believe our giving is primarily something between God and us, and so we try to stay low key.’’

However, when pressed, he disclosed that PETNA, in addition to providing financial and other support for students, was also involved in providing direct financial assistance to poor families, as well as financial support in the area of housing for the poor.

In 2009, the PETNA Foundation launched a housing initiative in Coast Guard, St. Mark. They have completed major repairs on one home and are now building another for a senior citizen in the same village.

“We are providing the finances but in both cases the villagers – led by Pastor Hosten and members of the Praise and Worship Sanctuary in Coast Guard – are volunteering their time and expertise,” said Mr. Brathwaite.

He added: “The people need our help but they are not asking for handouts. These are very talented and hardworking people who only need a helping hand to lift themselves out of their economic situations.’’

PETNA is now extending its resources to support the organizers of a comprehensive dental program in Grenada and the Sister Isles. The program, led by a team from New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry, is coordinated principally through officials at the Ministries of Health and Education.

The comprehensive two-week assessment and treatment program, scheduled from January 16 – 30, will provide a complete menu of dental services. They include screenings for diabetics, fillings, extractions and other dental services to all public school students throughout the Tri-islands.

The project scope also includes training and certification of local dental assistants and hygienists, and a lecture at T.A. Marryshow Community College on careers available to Grenadian students in the dental field.

The NYU program is being piloted through a New York based non-profit organization, Concerned Grenadians of New York (CGNY). “I learnt of this initiative through my friend, Jerry Edwin, who along with the other members of CGNY, have done an incredible job putting this together,” said Nicholas Brathwaite.

Mr. Brathwaite also said it was an “honor’’ to be associated with the Grenada dental project. “Although this is not the type of project we typically support, I am honored that my friend, Jerry, asked us to participate,’’ he said enthusiastically. “We are happy to support this tremendous undertaking.’’

In addition to the financial support of the PETNA Foundation, the CGNY has collected US$10,000 worth of supplemental dental and medical supplies from Henry Schein, the largest medical supply corporation in North America.

The initiative is also well-supported by other members of the Grenadian Diaspora. For example, the owner of a Brooklyn-based freight transport company, Grenadian-born “Whiskey”, is providing free shipment of all skids to Grenada.

Henry Schein’s CEO, Stanley Bergman, says the multi-billion dollar corporation has also had a long history of contributing to international development projects. Mr. Bergman, a South African native who actively supported the anti-apartheid movement, noted that the corporation has helped African students to become medical doctors, and is supporting NYU in several other dental assistance programs throughout the world.

Mr. Bergman was encouraged to support NYU’s Grenada dental project by Grenadian attorney Jerry Edwin, who is a member of Concerned Grenadians of New York.

Mr. Edwin said he sought out support from Brathwaite and Bergman because he knew that the national scope of the NYU project could attract non-traditional donors.

“This project opens the door for a new kind of involvement between Grenadian organizations in the Diaspora and corporate philanthropy,’’ Mr. Edwin stressed. “In this case, we saw a problem, we knew that we had the contacts here in New York, and we also had the organizational will to reach out to our friends outside the available hometown association network.’’

NYU will operate the dental program over a four-year period, which is something Mr. Edwin underscored.

“This project is not a one-shot deal,’’ he said. “Every year for the next four years, NYU will be returning to Grenada and we are helping the university to shape the vision so that the benefits to the citizens of Grenada will be sustainable over the very long term.’’

Mr. Edwin applauded the Brathwaites and The PETNA Foundation for embracing the NYU dental project and for the financial assistance they contributed to CGNY. “Once Nicholas was briefed on the enormous scope of the NYU dental project, I had little more convincing to do,’’ he said. “Nicholas instantly made a commitment in the same reliable way that he has quietly supported housing and education projects that benefit Grenadians who live in our rural parishes.”

Mr. Edwin said Grenada is “blessed with more than a sprinkling of outstanding nationals who have risen to the top of their careers in their professions and in business – none more so than Nicholas Earle Brathwaite.’’ He called Mr. Brathwaite a patriot who “represents the best of Grenada’s Diaspora.’’
Mr. Brathwaite described Mr. Edwin as “a very committed son of Grenada who has demonstrated great vision, commitment and drive. This project deserves the support of every Grenadian and friend of Grenada.”

A graduate of the Presentation Brothers’ College in St. George’s, Mr. Brathwaite spent his school years growing up in The Villa – a community that is broadly depicted in Lincoln Depradine’s book, “White Frock & Coals Dust,’’ as part of what is known as “The Wharf’’ or Carenage.

“In popular local convention, The Wharf is more than a place,’’ Mr. Depradine writes on page two of the book. “It also epitomizes the ethos and attitude of a people.’’

Mr. Brathwaite also gives back to The Wharf, recently providing funds for the purchase of uniforms for a group of Carenage football players.

“I have been blessed and I believe these blessings are not intended only for me but that God expects me to be a conduit of His blessings to others,’’ he posits. “I am simply one of the vehicles God has chosen to bring His blessings to others.’’