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Youth Awardees Engaged With President Dame Sandra Mason

Thirteen National Youth Awardees got the opportunity to interact with President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, during an event held in their honour at State House on Tuesday.

Dame Sandra, who congratulated the 2022 Awardees on the successful completion of their individual projects, said: “You’re doing the sort of things that I would never have even contemplated in my own youth because you have so many more opportunities than we did in those days.

“Your possibilities today are endless because the world has opened up, and opened up sometimes negatively. But I know that you can and have circumvent those things and the world, as you say, is your oyster.”

The National Youth Awardees were encouraged by Her Excellency to form a group or alliance to help move their ideas forward and also to seek an audience with the Prime Minister and other key stakeholders within their specific industries to let their ideas and voices be heard.

Dame Sandra added: “I don’t think a lot of people know what Barbados has to offer; we’re not aware of the ability of our young people; and we always wait too late to introduce our young people to everything.”

National Coordinator of Year of the Youth and Senior Youth Commissioner Elizabeth Bowen, agreed with the President’s point and indicated that a youth conference was scheduled for later this year, and would be an ideal forum to implement the suggestion.

“I’m thinking that the awardees can form part of that body of persons where they would have a platform with the necessary persons of interest to actually pitch on some of their areas of interest,” she said.

The list of awardees and their awards is as follows:

Taahir Bulbulia, the Conrad Hunte Award for his contribution to sports development.

Don Leacock, founder of Build Up Barbados, the Ficus Award for his impactful community outreach programme.

Dario Nightengale, the Challenge Award for his activism among the deaf community.

Harrison College Sixth Form, represented by students Chae Talma and Daniella Clarke, copped the Hope Award for its secondary school-based work to improve school, peers and wider communities.

Ronelle King, the Phoenix Award. She created a safe space for Caribbean women to break the silence of sexual abuse.

Jovani Gittens, the Colin Hudson Award, for innovative work in science and technology.

Kwame Dowridge, the Bambusa Award. He founded the Maths A+ Academy to help struggling children get good grades in the subject area.

Akeem Rudder, the Banyan Award, for his contributions to sports development and being the only person in the Caribbean to own a sports academy heavily dedicated to people with disabilities.

Zachary Bostic, the Baobab Award for his prolific talent as a drummer with the Israel Lovell Foundation.

Aaliyah Joseph, the Calabash Award, recognised for her love of videography and ability to create compelling short films and documentaries.

Joshua Forte, the Canewood Award for his innovative agricultural business – Red Diamond Compost Inc.

Ashonelle Taitt, the Sandbox Tree Award for using social media to engage and inform the public about pressing issues.

Ashley Lashey, the Silk Cotton Award, for her outstanding work and advocacy on environmental health. (PR/GIS)

Caption: National Awardees Dario Nightengale, Jovani Gittens and Ashley Lashley look on as Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason speaks

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EBC Officers Conducting Verification Of Addresses Exercise

The public is advised that Registering Officers from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) are in the field conducting a verification exercise to confirm the address of each registrant. This activity is in accordance with the Representation of the People Act Cap 12, Section 12.

EBC Registering Officers will be wearing the department’s branded T-shirts with the official ID prominently displayed as they visit residents in districts across the island.

Householders are encouraged to cooperate with the Registering Officers and secure their pets or animals during the visit. (PR/GIS)

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Police Service Tips For A Safe Bank Holiday Weekend

As persons prepare to attend various events over this extended weekend, Crime Prevention Officer with The Barbados Police Service, Inspector Roger Babb, is encouraging them to “stay in control” as they enjoy themselves.

Inspector Babb reminds members of the public that drinking alcohol impairs their ability to make good decisions, and drinking and driving may result in accidents that can be fatal.

The Crime Prevention Officer shared these useful tips:

Do not feel pressured to drink alcohol; it is okay to say no.
Do not drink and drive, always have a sober designated driver.
If you drink, do so in moderation and never leave your drink unattended.
Do not let anyone bring a drink for you.
To avoid having your drinks spiked, buy your own drinks, and watch the bartender make or open them.
If you think your drink was tampered with, let someone know and seek medical attention.
Be cautious with strangers and do not accept drinks from them.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Never mix alcohol with other drugs.
PR/GIS

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SANDALS BARBADOS RECEIVES (CARPHA) AWARD

Sandals Barbados is the proud recipient of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award.

The presentation was made recently at the Ministry of Health and Wellness office located in the Frank Walcott Building, St. Michael, Barbados.

Accepting the award for the Luxury Included Resort was General Manager Bruno Couesnon.

In his brief remarks Couesnon thanked every one of the team members who contributed to the resort’s recent accolade.

“It’s always nice to win awards; but it takes a team effort to achieve the results for which we are being recognized, today. The health and safety of our guests and team members are important to us and it is great to be selected and celebrated by CARPHA for doing our part and succeeding,” said Couesnon.

Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Lisa Indar commended the hotel for achieving this internationally recognized award and praised its commitment to health and safety procedures.

“The 2019 Covid pandemic led to global shut down of tourism but it also demonstrated the resilience of the Caribbean by being able to bounce back. Part of that bouncing back was to be able to create a healthier and safer tourism experience and the reason you are here today is by being part of the tourism health programme and implementing proactive measures,” said Dr. Indar.

Some of the benefits of this award include being regionally and internationally recognized for healthier safer tourism endorsed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The award is the only traveler’s health award where compliance is assessed – it is measurable and verifiable, ensuring the safety of the tourist facility, staff and guests. It also gives a comparative, marketing advantage and gives value to the quality of service.(PR)

CAPTION: Sandals Barbados General Manager General Manager Bruno Couesnon (L) accepting the CARPHA award from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George