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Centenarian Hailed As Industrious & Independent Woman

One of Barbados’ newest centenarians, Enid Violet Niles, celebrated her birthday on Thursday, February 22, with family, friends, and members of the New Testament Church of God, Rock Hall, St. Andrew, at the St. Michael District Hospital, Beckles Road, St. Michael.

President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, paid a visit via Zoom.

One of Mrs. Niles’ cousins, David Briggs, in his tribute, remarked: “She was always a feisty lady, a hard worker, an industrious woman…. As a labourer, she also kept stock. She loved cows…. She loved her animals…. When it came to even selling or killing the cows that money went to the upkeep of the house.”

Mr. Briggs added: “She had land she worked; she used the fork and worked. She planted canes; she planted bananas, and she was a hawker…. That kept her busy, that kept her independent. She…always was independent, hardworking, and born to never allow her situations to keep her down.”

Raised in Rock Hall, St. Andrew, Mrs. Niles attended the Indian Ground Primary School (now All Saints Primary School), after which she embraced her love of the land and made a career out it.

She worked as a labourer at Rock Hall Plantation, St. Peter, and at Springhead Plantation, St. James. This was in addition to having her own farm and selling those products in Bridgetown and in Eagle Hall, St. Michael.

The centenarian, now a widow, married Stephen Niles in 1958. She had two daughters, both of whom passed away at an early age. Mrs. Niles raised her niece, Joycelyn Scantlebury (now deceased) and David Briggs.

She loved to cook and did so while in a wheelchair, until she became a resident of the St. Michael District Hospital in her 90s, due to health concerns. She enjoys eating ground provisions, corn meal cou cou with any meat, pigtail, and rice with gravy.

The centenarian sings Pentecostal hymns from memory throughout the day, often leading others in song. She sang ‘Revive us again (Thine be the Glory)’ during the celebration.

One congregant, Angie Bayley, noted that as a young person she would spend many hours with Mrs. Niles, who would always give her some “good advice”. She continued: “And, one thing I would remember and take with me throughout my life, she would always say ‘delay isn’t laziness; your time will come’….”

On behalf of Her Excellency, Mrs. Niles was presented with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of non-alcoholic wine, and a personalised card, to which she said, “Praise God!”

In her closing remarks, Her Excellency commented: “I want to say thank you to all of you who have had the care and attention of Mrs. Niles over the years, whether it is Rock Hall in St. Andrew or here at the District Hospital…. I never get tired of saying we are eternally grateful to persons like her who have brought us along on their shoulders. I just want you to continue to care for her because you will be justly rewarded, and thanks to everybody for allowing me to be a part of this historic occasion.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: Barbados’ newest centenarian, Enid Violet Niles, celebrating her birthday with a sip of champagne, assisted by cousin David Briggs

Local

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.

Local

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.