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Children To Benefit From Trauma-Informed Care Workshop

It is estimated that as a result of the attendance of school guidance counsellors and counsellors at Wednesday’s Trauma-Informed Care Workshop, over 5,000 school children will be impacted.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Mark Franklin, highlighted this as he delivered remarks at the start of the jointly sponsored workshop by the Child Care Board (CCB) and the Barbados Public Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union Limited (BPWCCUL). It was held at the 3Ws Oval, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

Adding that the Ministry understands “children are our future and it takes a village to rear a child”, he stressed: “It is why we support such training, because it allows us to partner with other ministries as well as corporate Barbados. We understand that we have to adopt the village rearing paradigm if we are to ensure the well-being and future of our nation’s children.

“We understand the need to build capacity to help build hope and resilience in our children and that is why we have partnered with the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, as well as the Barbados Public Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union Limited. We hope that more partnerships like this will develop and continue.”

While he expressed the hope that other ministries would engage in similar training to aid children to become healthy, responsible, and productive citizens, he called on participants to conduct their own research, expand and enhance their knowledge base on the area of trauma.

Director of the Child Care Board, RoseAnn Richards, in welcoming participants, described the Trauma-Informed Care Workshop as timely, since it brought together sponsors and partners – the BPWCCUL, the Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Defining trauma, Ms. Richards stressed: “Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have a profound physical and emotional impact on a person. It can be caused by a single event, such as a car accident or a natural disaster, or by repeated exposure to stressful or traumatic situations, such as child abuse or domestic violence.

Meanwhile, Chief Human Resource Officer with BPWCCUL, Jacqueline Caesar, praising the partnership, said: “The decision to support this workshop aligns perfectly with our values of compassion, community, and personal development. Initiatives like these are essential for Barbados, as they promote not only individual healing but also collective growth. We are proud to be a part of a movement that recognises the profound effects of trauma and strives to address them with empathy and expertise.”

Acknowledging it was also an investment in the future generation, she added: “The return on investment stands to be substantive when we invest in the next generation. The management of trauma augurs well to the sustainability of a mentally strong workforce who seem to manage more issues compared to the previous generation….

“We see our support as the investment in our entire society and the economy as we build relations and partner with the Child Care Board…. We look forward to the youth being the main benefactors of such training that is sure to catapult their overall socialisation on a critical path to success.”

The workshop formed part of the CCB’s activities for Child Month, being held under the theme: Our Children: Building Hope and Resilience for Tomorrow. (PR/GIS)

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Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

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Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph