Local

Kerriesha Skeete Is Third Peace Ambassador

The selfless act of saving a man in distress on a bus in November, landed Kerriesha Kimberley Skeete with a Bravery Medal, presented to her by President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, during the Independence Day Parade on November 30.

The very next day, for her Act of Random Kindness, the 16-year old was presented with the Peace Ambassador title – the highest award from the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training (METVT) under its Schools’ Positive Behavioural Management Programme (SPBMP).

The presentation was made by Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, at the Frederick Smith Secondary School, Trents, St. James, where Kerriesha is a student.

Young Kerriesha, the third ambassador awarded for this year, and fifth since the SPBMP embarked on the award scheme, was a bit surprised but grateful to be awarded with the designation “Peace Ambassador 2022” title.

After receiving the Peace Ambassador sash and reciting the oath, Kerriesha told media representatives she planned to work towards putting a stop to bullying.

Pointing out that she had been a victim of bullying, herself, and because of being overweight, she stressed: “I’ll like to stop it; not only just at school but hopefully everywhere… and I really do not like it. I really don’t like it because it happens a lot.”

Kerriesha’s recognition came as a result of her act of rushing to the assistance of an elderly gentleman who was having a seizure on a public service vehicle and performing first aid.

Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, in commending Kerriesha, said there was still some good in the schools. “There is a lot of good in our schools and our young children, and our students need to see positive examples so that they can emulate the behaviours that can conduce to well-being,” she stated.

While challenging students at Frederick Smith Secondary School to look at the positive examples set by all peace ambassadors and ask themselves what good they too could do, she stressed it was all about doing good. She also praised Kerriesha for putting into practice the lessons taught by her cosmetology teacher, Tahirah Payne.

Dr. Archer-Bradshaw said: “Children, you never ever know when the things that you learn in school, and at home as well, can come together in a way that you can help someone or that you can help yourself. This tells us that all that you have gained from school or that you are gaining, you should cherish. Always listen to your teachers and your principals. They are not going to put you wrong. Your parents, your guardians, they are not going to put you wrong.”

While emphasizing that they were in school to learn values, attitudes and skills, the Chief Education Officer said: “I encourage you therefore to demonstrate positive attitudes, show that you have values because it is my belief and the belief of the Ministry of Education and the Minister that all of you can be Peace Ambassadors.”

The designation of the METVT’s Peace Ambassador is the highest award given to any student between the ages of 10 and 18 years old. To be assigned such, a student should have demonstrated a positive action of national significance.

On June 17, 12-year old Emmanuel Cherubin of St. Leonard’s Boys’ School was awarded the second Peace Ambassador title for 2022, for his act of bravery in saving an elderly man from drowning on Easter Monday, April 18.

He followed in the footsteps of 13-year-old, Najari Chase of Deighton Griffith Secondary School, who was awarded the title on Friday, April 8, for an act of honesty towards a British visitor. (Pic credit CBC)

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)

Local

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.