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MESSAGE Message For Launch Of Vaccination Week In The Americas 2023MESSAGE

Thank you for this opportunity to address our people, across the Americas during the launch of the 21st Vaccination Week in the Americas. Each year, this event reminds us of the importance of vaccines as a way to protect ourselves and each other.

As we emerge from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking stock of the state of our essential health services and vaccination programs. Because of the decline of our vaccination coverage rates over the last 10 years, the risk of outbreaks from vaccine-preventable diseases is high. This is cause for serious alarm.

In our own region of the Caribbean, more than 11,000 children younger than 1 year (almost one in ten) did not receive all their vaccine doses in 2021, leaving them susceptible to diseases such as polio, tetanus, measles and diphtheria – diseases we had already eliminated from our shores.

But there are laudable achievements which must be recognised. In the non-Latin Caribbean, more than 3 million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 over the last two years. In my own country of Barbados, more than 55% of the population has received at least two doses of vaccine. When we come together, even during difficult times, we can achieve great things.

My administration is committed to investments in all components of the national immunization programme. By so doing we will ensure that persons of all ages have access to this essential service. Persons at high risk of severe disease – such as older adults or pregnant women – will remain among our highest priority groups for vaccination. We will continue to provide vaccines to all vulnerable persons residing in Barbados.

In addition, we are doing much to address vaccine hesitancy, especially among our health workers. Along with our fellow CARICOM members, we continue to collaborate with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), PAHO, regional nursing, medical and allied health professional bodies and institutions to develop and implement trainings and educational campaigns for all our health workers. As they dedicated their lives to providing indefatigable support during the worse days of the pandemic, we will continue to collaborate with them to address their questions and design vaccination services that fit their needs.

In conclusion, let us remind ourselves that our national immunization programs are our first line of defense against outbreaks. The road to recovery is long, but each one of us must play our part to protect ourselves and our loved ones. And the way to do this is by getting all our shots during Vaccination Week in the Americas. Get up-to-date. Each Vaccine Counts. (PR/GIS)

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Eleven St. John Recipients Receive Pride Of Barbados Awards

Eleven persons from St. John who have contributed substantially to the development of the parish and its residents over the years have received Pride of Barbados Awards.

The St. John honourees were presented with their insignias by President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason yesterday morning at State House. President Mason thanked the awardees for their dedication and acts towards the development of her ‘home’ parish and encouraged them to continue their efforts.

The fifth batch of honourees receiving insignias, as part of the We Gatherin’ 2025 initiative, were: Richard Arthur, Pearson Bellamy, J.P., Neville Bridgeman, Sonia Burgess-Haynes, Dr. Keisha Gustave, Samantha Haynes, J.P., De Andra Howard, Myrtle Husbands, Roland Waithe, Dale Lashley and Diaspora Awardee Lennox Llewellyn Padmore.

Areas for which the awardees were recognised included humanitarianism and philanthropy; lifelong dedicated service to the Codrington Estate; leadership; excellence in public health; community empowerment; educating and mentoring young people; promoting sporting excellence; and agriculture.

Following the ceremony, three awardees shared with the media their reaction to being recipients of the Pride of Barbados Award.

Pearson Bellamy, J.P., age 83, is a former teacher, meteorologist and government printer. He was recognised for being a steward of culture, a guardian of truth, and a living archive for his dedicated service as a community griot and cultural icon.

“I’m happy to be honoured today. Thank God that He’s given me the privilege to…receive this honour this morning,” Mr. Bellamy stated.

He added: “For the past 63 years, I’ve been working with the youth, with the old, and with everybody else with respect to drama, folk singing, music, and I was president of a number of organisations in St. John. And I’m happy to share that as long as I have strength and the energy, I will continue to do so.”

Eighty-year-old Shopkeeper Myrtle Husbands said: “I am very humble and grateful to the Government and people of St. John.”

She is known for her invaluable contributions to improving the lives of the disadvantaged, uplifting the vulnerable, protecting and providing refuge to battered women and hope to underprivileged children, as well as fostering a more caring and cohesive community in Colleton, St. John.

When asked what drives her to assist others, she responded: “I think it’s just me … it comes natural. When I see people in need, I help them. If I see people, you know, like disadvantaged, I try to give them any assistance that I can.”

She advised younger persons in the community to put God first in their lives and to help any person in need.

Meanwhile, De Andra Howard, a 42-year-old teacher at the Mount Tabor Primary, expressed her surprise and delight at being awarded. “It feels amazing,” she remarked.

She has been awarded for her leadership, creativity and unswerving commitment to community development, promoting the Rights of the Child and fostering Health and Family Life Education, as well as national anti-violence initiatives. Ms. Howard emphasised the importance of hard work and perseverance.

“You know, sometimes you work hard behind the scenes and you say you’re never going to be recognised. But as I always say to my students and to the young people that I inspire, work hard and someday it will pay off, somebody will recognise you.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason (centre) poses with ten of the Pride of Barbados Awardees from St. John at State House

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Road Rehabilitation Of Eagle Hall Road

The Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) will carry out road rehabilitation on Eagle Hall Road in St. Michael from the Eagle Hall traffic lights to the Lower Bank Hall traffic lights, under its Focused Roads Programme.

Starting Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Infra Construction Inc. will dig test pits along this road between 8:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. During this time, the road will be reduced to one lane. Test pits are a crucial preparatory step in road rehabilitation as they provide critical information about the road’s subbase.

Infra Construction Inc. will begin road rehabilitation on Monday, June 9, 2025, and will continue for approximately eight weeks from 8:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The scope of work includes excavation, deep milling, sidewalk as well as slipper and kerb repairs, and paving. During this time, the road will be closed. More details will be provided closer to the start date.

MTW and Infra Construction Inc. apologise for the inconvenience and thank businesses, residents, and motorists for their understanding and cooperation. (PR/GIS)

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Young Authors Honoured At ‘Make a Book Project’ Award Ceremony

Seventeen of Barbados’ most promising young storytellers were celebrated in a recent ceremony hosted at the National Library, Independence Square, as part of the 2025 Trinity Term Edition of the Make a Book Project.

The event marked a major milestone for the student authors, ages 8 to 11, whose winning compositions were selected from nearly 100 submissions, from 21 primary schools and homeschooled students, across the island.

These works are currently being transformed into illustrated children’s storybooks, which will soon be released via the National Library Service’s digital platform.

The event, attended by families, teachers, and sponsoring partners, featured remarks from Manager of the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme, Ryan Moseley.

Mr. Moseley commended the project’s impact on youth development and its success in engaging boys in creative writing, with 62 per cent of submissions from male students.

Among the male standouts was Ahren Ward, a two-time winner. Notably, Breanna Drakes was the most decorated author with three winning entries, while Ameliyah Gustave earned two.

St. Gabriel’s Primary School led the awards tally with seven winning entries, followed by Blackman & Gollop and Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary, each securing two prizes.

Each of the 23 Class 4 students who entered received detailed composition feedback to support their final preparations for the 2025 Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE).

During the ceremony, students were treated to a sneak peek of their storybook illustrations, which are now in the final stages of production.

The Make a Book Project is an initiative of All Global Group Barbados Ltd., a local artificial intelligence firm, in collaboration with the Barbados National Library Service, and supported by the Ministry of Educational Transformation and the Division of Culture.

The project is dedicated to fostering youth literacy and creative expression by guiding students through the journey of becoming published authors.

Following the success of this Trinity Term Edition, preparations are already underway for a Summer Camp Edition, which will once again empower a new wave of young Barbadian voices to share their stories with the nation. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Deputy Director of the National Library Service, Beverley Archer (left) and Team leader of the Make a Book Project, Curtis Padmore (right), pose with the winning authors of the 2025 Trinity Term Edition of the Make a Book Project, following a recent awards ceremony