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Barbados Awarded 2024 “Rising Star In Postal Development”

On World Post Day, October 9, Barbados received the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) “Rising Star In Postal Development” Award.

The award was presented during the UPU’s 150th anniversary event, in Berne, Switzerland.

The organisation, founded in 1874, is a United Nations specialised agency with its headquarters in Berne, Switzerland. It is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players and helps to ensure a universal network of modern postal products and services.

Barbados’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, World Trade Organization and other International Organizations in Geneva, Matthew Wilson, accepted the award.

“On behalf of the Government of Barbados and the Barbados Postal Service, I am incredibly honoured to receive the award of the 2024 ‘Rising Star in Postal Development Award’, and we are humbled to be a winner from among more than 100 countries across the globe,” Ambassador Wilson stated.

He noted that the role of postal services over the years had been pivotal in providing seamless communication to businesses and loved ones, locally, regionally, and internationally.

UPU’s Director General, Masahiko Metoki, also emphasised the critical role of postal services in today’s interconnected world.

He stated: “Postal services are more than delivery systems – they are channels for commerce, pillars of infrastructure, and catalysts for socio-economic development. To all award recipients and postal workers across the globe: your dedication connects communities, empowers businesses, and unites the world.”

Mr. Wilson credited the “dedicated and experienced” team in the BPS’ International Postal Affairs Unit for their work, especially over the last year.

He noted that the BPS purchased upgraded scanning equipment, which allowed for the successful renewal of a service agreement with American Airlines. As a result, the BPS was in a position to resume mail services to all Latin and South American countries.

“As one of the indices for this award is postal reach, this was a critical tactic for the organisation and undoubtedly proved fortuitous in contributing to gaining this award. The International Postal Affairs and Business Development teams are an outstanding example of postal pride in the work they were undertaking and the obvious results that may have translated into Barbados receiving this award,” the Ambassador indicated.

He also shared that the BPS expanded its European reach and with the additional service in the Caribbean with Caribbean Airlines and particularly Virgin Atlantic, the service to some Caribbean countries increased as well. At present, the organisation is also working with interCaribbean Airways to improve capacity to additional islands, and is also seeking to liaise with the newest iteration of LIAT.

Mr. Wilson said the award was also given based on the efficiency of BPS’ inbound Express Mail Service delivery and its ability to maintain its resilience, that is, the postal capacity to overcome economic, social, technological, and environmental shocks sustainably.

Barbados has 17 post offices and customers may visit them to conduct business, from posting mail items to paying their utility bills to changing their pension cheques and welfare grants.

The BPS also provides other third-party agency services, such as the collection of school fees, Barbados Association of Retired Persons’ membership fees, and Student Revolving Loan Fund payments, and it delivers passports and other documents, on behalf of the Immigration Department. Drivers’ licences are also delivered to residents.

Each year on October 9, designated postal operators around the world come together to commemorate the founding of the Universal Postal Union. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Barbados’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva, Matthew Wilson, accepting the award from the UPU Director General, Masshiko Metoki.

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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.