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MONUMENT IN BRIDGETOWN PORT

Minister in the Prime Minister ‘s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight said the decision to erect a monument in National Heroes Square in honour of the Barbadian family was part of government’s wider plans for urban renewal.

She expressed this view today during a press conference to announce the winners of Ministry’s Monument Design Competition in the Courtyard of Parliament.

The team of Vincent Jones and Hugh Holder emerged victorious from 11 competitors with their design We Loyal Sons and Daughters All. They received a cash prize of $15 000.

Brian Talma’s The Monument to the Barbadian Family earned him the second prize of $ 7,000. Reunionby Sheena Weekes, Israel Mapp and Jamal Weekes, received $ 3, 000 for their design.

The Minister underscored the importance of renewing city spaces and pointed out: “If we think about all of the things that are happening within the context of this City space, that will in the future transform it in fundamental ways, [and] we look across to the Fairchild Street Market upgrade, where the government is ensuring that what we would call the hucksters and the vendors now have proper accommodation, that is safe, and is well lighted and is secure…It is the ordinary people and the social transformation that this process is about,” Senator Dr. Munro-Knight underlined.

She further stated: “When we look at the renaming of the bus stand. Again, who does that reflects? Us. The Jackie Amphitheatre, who does that reflect? Us. So that when we talk about monuments and when we talk about urban renewal in this context, it is about imbuing national consciousness for us. It is not just about the statue itself, it’s about the message that this sends to our society. That is the journey….”

Minister Munro-Knight also encouraged Barbadians to continue the journey for generations to come, so that they would have a better understanding of the legacy left by previous generations and prevent past mistakes.

Caption: Minister in the Prime Minister ‘s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, presents Hugh Holder (centre) and Vincent Jones with their prize for winning the Monument Design Competition, today. Their design is entitled We Loyal Sons and Daughters All

She added that a monument depicting the struggles and successes of the Barbadian family, whom she described as the “greatest national hero, should be erected in the heart of the family since there were other monuments and places of significance in recognition of the island’s national heroes.

Senator Dr. Munro-Knight told her audience: “That the family, the men and the women and the children who are here, are critical in forging the Barbados that my grandchildren, your grandchildren, great grandchildren will come to know…..it is the family and the stories of the Bussas and the Nanny Grigg’s and their struggle that defined this country.

“And why should they not be celebrated right in the heart of Bridgetown and our City. All throughout this country we have other monuments and places of significance for our national heroes. What better national hero than a family?

The Minister further stated: “What better national hero than the family. What better national hero than the men and women…the average men and women who by their hands and their toil and their struggle, continue day-to-day life [with] their love and pride for this country are the ones who have helped us and I’m exceedingly proud of all of us as a country that we have come to this particular moment.”

Dr. Munro-Knight reflected on the process from the launch of the Competition on May 15, during the Season of Emancipation, on the day recognised as the United Nations International Day of the Family, and reiterated that the decision to erect a monument to the family in National Heroes Square was one that was transparent and involved the input from society. (PR/GIS)

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One Family hamper drive gets $75,000 boost from Sandy Lane Charitable Trust

Christmas 2024 just got a lot brighter for the 1000 families of the One Family programme under the Ministry of People Empowerment & Elder Affairs (MPEA), thanks to a donation of BBD. 75,000.00 worth of grocery hampers from the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust (SLCT).

Representatives of SLCT, including Derrick Smith, Grand Patron and founding Trustee, Trustee Pippa Challis, and Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, were recently at One Family’s Warrens office to present the donation to the One Family Project Team. Present to receive the donation were Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel and Project Officer Lisa Holder.

Minister Humphrey commended SLCT and thanked its Board of Trustees for their ongoing work in Barbados, and specifically with his Ministry, noting that such partnerships could help break cycles of generational poverty in Barbados.

“The government of Barbados is passionate about the objectives of this One Family project, and we believe in what we are doing. We see One Family as the first initiative with the potential to break the inter-generational cycles of poverty, a purpose and objective that traditional government agencies were not designed for. Traditional approaches have not been holistic enough, and One Family gives the first real opportunity to break that poverty exchange between generations,” Minister Humphrey said.

Commenting in response, Trustee Pippa Challis said SLCT was pleased with the ongoing amazing partnership with MPEA. She said One Family had positively impacted SLCT’s work regarding due diligence and background investigations necessary to make the outreach work more effective.

“Our partnership with the One Family Programme Team is truly beneficial to both organisations, as we work towards one common goal of achieving social change. Our ability to rely on the One Family team to provide accurate, timely and reliable information means that our assistance can reach the most deserving families. Whether it is providing beds, back-to-school supplies or food vouchers, we know that we are reaching the right families. That’s why this collaboration works for us, as much as it works for you.” Mrs Challis, further commends the team on their success with the programme thus far and the amazing job they are doing.

One Family Project Manager, Nicole Daniel, said the SLCT donation would significantly boost this year’s hamper donation drive, bringing much-needed supplies and tangible Christmas cheer to the 1,000 families and hundreds of children currently served by the Programme.

“One Family is not a hand-out programme but concentrates on holistic transformation to help every family reach a stage where they can give back to their communities and Barbados.” (PR)

Caption: Pictured from left are SLCT Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, One Family Project Officer Lisa Holder, SLCT Trustee Pippa Challis, Derrick Smith, SLCT Grand Patron and founding Trustee, People Empowerment Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, and Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel.

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Men’s programmes lighting the way with support from Light & Power

Barbadian men are stepping up to mentor and inspire a new generation of male leaders to reach their full potential and light the path to a brighter future.

On International Men’s Day recently, two such organisations were recognised and supported with financial donations from the Barbados Light & Power Company (Light & Power). The Rites of Passage: Boys to Men program, led by Anthony Seale and Reverend Derick Richards of the James Street, Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church, and the Purpose 180 Foundation, founded by Nigel Jules, were both lauded for their contributions during a presentation held at Light & Power’s Garrison, St. Michael Headquarters. Both organisations spoke about the impactful initiatives they have established to support young men in Barbados.

Light & Power said it was pleased to support programs focused on mentoring and uplifting at-risk young men.

“These programs are crucial in empowering young men to reach their full potential, and Light & Power is pleased to support and partner with initiatives like Rites of Passage and Purpose 180 that actively work to create brighter futures for the next generation of young male leaders.”

Both programs focus on mentorship, character building, and equipping young men with tools to overcome challenges and achieve personal and professional growth. (PR)

Caption: Light & Power employees, including at left, Communications Advisor Adriel Richard, and to the right, Chano Belle, Manager, Finance (Supply Chain) and Curtis Brewster, Supervisor, Dispatch and Quality Control, with visiting organisation representatives Nigel Jules of the Purpose 180 Foundation (second from left), and Reverend Derick Richards and Anthony Seale of the “Rites of Passage: Boys to Men (BTM) programme” of the James Street/Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church in Barbados (at centre)

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Yearwood wins first 5k Run/Walk

Kristian Yearwood won the inaugural 5k Run/Walk to Help 5k held on Sunday. He clocked 21:36 in the running race, 2nd place went to Ralf Luther in a time of 22:05, followed by Fr. Andy Nyga in 3^rd with a time of 23:40. The top three runners in the female segment were Adeline Lamorell,27:17, Phillipa Sylvester, 30:46 and Sumaya Desai, 47:22.

The event was organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown and is a fund raiser for church’s ministry to the poor in our community as well as to assist the Child Card Board. What started last year as a fun walk now features competitive 5k races in running and walking. The blend of race running and walking along with fun walking should see the event attacking a cross section of participants.

Anderson Maughan was the winner in the walk race in the male segment with a time of 30:59, he was followed by Anthony Phillips in 34:50 and Akil Bryan in 37:40. Angela Jackson crossed the line in 36:31 to win the female walk race she was followed by Fay Waithe in 40:42 and third place was taken by Mary Moseley in 41:57.