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History And Archiving Processes Discussed With IRCICA

Religious history and archival processes were the key talking points when Director General of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Professor Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, paid a courtesy call on two Government officials, recently.

The meeting with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, and Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, Colin Jordan, was held at the Civil Aviation Building, Charnocks, Christ Church.

Minister Munro-Knight highlighted that Barbados possessed one of the oldest archives which houses parish documents such as births, baptisms, marriages, deeds and wills, with some of those documents dating back to the early settlement days of the 1600s. She shared that the documents are housed in an environmentally-controlled building and the Archives Department is in the process of digitising them.

She noted that the IRCICA is known for its Ottoman Archives and said any assistance offered in the area of digitising would be welcomed, as it aligned with the Government’s plans regarding the Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny (ROAD) Project, which has as one of its goals to share the history and culture of Barbados on a global scale through published works and film.

Minister Jordan posited that our culture and religion are tied to our historical background and that his Ministry has been working towards an understanding between the different religions practised in Barbados, where they meet and discuss matters, particularly as they pertain to country development and not inter-faith dialogue.

Noting that the dialogues intend to create an atmosphere of understanding, he said it would allow the different religions “to learn about each other, even though we believe what we believe, because we are living in the same space”.

Minister Jordan on the topic of Barbados’ Atlantic Slave Trade and its connection to Islam, noted there was little to no data on the subject and any assistance in researching this area would be appreciated.

Professor Kılıç expressed his willingness to cooperate and exchange ideas on areas discussed with the Ministers and alluded to the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

Other areas discussed included Atlantic slave trade records, Ottoman Archives, inter-faith dialogue sessions, climate change, Arabic script translation and information exchange/knowledge sharing.

Also present at the courtesy call were: the Deputy Permanent Secretary (ag), Prime Minister’s Office – Culture, Carolyn Estwick-Best; Project Manager, The ROAD Project, Chereda Grannum; and Consultant on Muslim Affairs, Suleiman Bulbulia. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, and Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, Colin Jordan, recently met with Director General of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Professor Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, and discussed religious history and archival processes. Also present were Project Manager, The ROAD Project, Chereda Grannum; and Consultant on Muslim Affairs, Suleiman Bulbulia.

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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.