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Prime Minister: Continue To Look Out For Our Children

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has called on the extended family to continue the Barbadian tradition of looking out for and assisting in the rearing of children.

Ms. Mottley made the call this evening as she delivered the feature address at the Unveiling Ceremony for the Monument to the Barbadian Family, at National Heroes Square, The City.

The Prime Minister told her audience, including the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; members of Cabinet, members of Parliament, and the public, that family support was vital. She expressed the view that over time the family institution had not received the needed healing.

“I ask us today to continue that tradition because it is only through solidarity, community and family that we can rise to be the best that we can…. As a small nation, we need everyone moving in the same direction if we are going to make difficult things seem achievable, easy and possible….

“More often than not, it is the extended family that makes the difference as to whether the journey of that particular child can be smooth or whether it becomes disruptive,” she stated.

Ms. Mottley stressed the importance of the family throughout her address, and said any suggestion that Government would do anything to denigrate the family in this country “is so offensive”.

“The notion that we are here to impose on our children capacity and obligation, … to determine their identity and their gender is as preposterous as giving them the right to determine that they can consent to sex as minors, and therefore it must be put to rest where it belongs – in the garbage heaps of this country….

“When our Father of Independence said that we were friends of all and satellites of none, he wasn’t only talking about relationships with countries, he was talking about the arrogance of the people of this nation or the confidence, depending through whose prism you are looking at it, to determine that we can chart our own ways and we can be firm craftsmen of our fate.

“We do not take tutelage from anyone as to who is and is not the family. We do not take tutelage from anyone as to what matters in terms of our mission. If that which we have settled, we agree with others, then that is solidarity. But the notion that others shall determine our future by reason simply of relationships outside of the bounds of this geography is preposterous equally, and must equally be put one side,” the Prime Minister said.

The monument to the Barbadian Family – We Loyal Sons and Daughters All – follows their journey and recognises them as the heroic beacons of our nation, from which all national heroes came. The design of the monument focuses on the history of slavery and oppression; the endurance and resilience of the Barbadian family; and the family’s role in producing our National Heroes.

The monument, which was designed by Vincent Jones and Hugh Holder, reflects the struggle and commitment of the ancestral family, and the rise and life it gave to the modern kinfolk. (PR/GIS)

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EBC Officers Conducting Verification Of Addresses Exercise

The public is advised that Registering Officers from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) are in the field conducting a verification exercise to confirm the address of each registrant. This activity is in accordance with the Representation of the People Act Cap 12, Section 12.

EBC Registering Officers will be wearing the department’s branded T-shirts with the official ID prominently displayed as they visit residents in districts across the island.

Householders are encouraged to cooperate with the Registering Officers and secure their pets or animals during the visit. (PR/GIS)

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Police Service Tips For A Safe Bank Holiday Weekend

As persons prepare to attend various events over this extended weekend, Crime Prevention Officer with The Barbados Police Service, Inspector Roger Babb, is encouraging them to “stay in control” as they enjoy themselves.

Inspector Babb reminds members of the public that drinking alcohol impairs their ability to make good decisions, and drinking and driving may result in accidents that can be fatal.

The Crime Prevention Officer shared these useful tips:

Do not feel pressured to drink alcohol; it is okay to say no.
Do not drink and drive, always have a sober designated driver.
If you drink, do so in moderation and never leave your drink unattended.
Do not let anyone bring a drink for you.
To avoid having your drinks spiked, buy your own drinks, and watch the bartender make or open them.
If you think your drink was tampered with, let someone know and seek medical attention.
Be cautious with strangers and do not accept drinks from them.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Never mix alcohol with other drugs.
PR/GIS

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SANDALS BARBADOS RECEIVES (CARPHA) AWARD

Sandals Barbados is the proud recipient of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award.

The presentation was made recently at the Ministry of Health and Wellness office located in the Frank Walcott Building, St. Michael, Barbados.

Accepting the award for the Luxury Included Resort was General Manager Bruno Couesnon.

In his brief remarks Couesnon thanked every one of the team members who contributed to the resort’s recent accolade.

“It’s always nice to win awards; but it takes a team effort to achieve the results for which we are being recognized, today. The health and safety of our guests and team members are important to us and it is great to be selected and celebrated by CARPHA for doing our part and succeeding,” said Couesnon.

Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Lisa Indar commended the hotel for achieving this internationally recognized award and praised its commitment to health and safety procedures.

“The 2019 Covid pandemic led to global shut down of tourism but it also demonstrated the resilience of the Caribbean by being able to bounce back. Part of that bouncing back was to be able to create a healthier and safer tourism experience and the reason you are here today is by being part of the tourism health programme and implementing proactive measures,” said Dr. Indar.

Some of the benefits of this award include being regionally and internationally recognized for healthier safer tourism endorsed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The award is the only traveler’s health award where compliance is assessed – it is measurable and verifiable, ensuring the safety of the tourist facility, staff and guests. It also gives a comparative, marketing advantage and gives value to the quality of service.(PR)

CAPTION: Sandals Barbados General Manager General Manager Bruno Couesnon (L) accepting the CARPHA award from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George