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Prime Minister’s Christmas Message 2023

Hello, everyone. Yes. Yes. The holiday season is here, with its celebration of Christmas that is so special to all of us. We all know that there’s really no other time of the year that is quite like this one. Even the atmosphere feels different and we love it when we wake up in these December mornings and feel the difference in the breeze.

Barbadians and people all over the world, including me, are pausing from the stresses and challenges of daily life to be able to participate in this special festival that celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We’re pausing to make time for family and friends and loved ones and to reflect on the Christ child whose birth is at the center of this season of peace, love and goodwill.

Indeed, today, Christmas Day, as we look back on the past year, we are again reminded of what is truly important – the building of relationships and friendship, the love of friends and family, the value of the human person, extending kindness even to strangers. Joy My friends, and the simple things of life, the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and indeed the hope for the future which we find in our faith and our religious traditions. These enduring and anchoring values assume much greater importance this year as we come to grips with the multitude of conflicts and challenges that have tested our resilience.

The ravages of the climate crisis require high capital costs, but the resources immediately available are inadequate. The difficulties with the supply chains and our economy still trying to recover from the blows of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to global fears and indeed uncertainty. In the Caribbean our zone of peace appeared to be under threat. Whether local, regional or international, violence and disputes of any kind are unwelcomed and force our attention away from our development objectives, as well as the safety, security and prosperity that our people deserve.

Despite the difficulties of 2023, I genuinely believe that the future remains bright. The incidence of serious crimes has been lowered. Several major capital projects are coming on stream, new opportunities are opening up and the country remains united. The sacrifices we have made and the work we have been doing as government and citizens are beginning to yield fruit. Our work at International Advocacy is creating benefits for all here at home.

The Government of Barbados will continue, always, to put Barbadians first. Working with every sector, every organization, every political party to reach this bright future together. We will continue to share both the burden and the benefits. Living with hope and living in unity.

Whether one thinks of the family of humanity, the family of Christians, the family of Barbadians, or the family of Caribbean people, we are all one family and we should act with a sense of responsibility to family members.

My friends, let us embrace the Christmas spirit, recognizing that it is by our actions toward each other that we either add to or diminish the peace in the world. Let us also remember that the gift of a savior is the reason for this season. We may not be able to give expensive store-bought gifts, but the gift of our time, our talents and our empathy all have great value to those who are the recipients.

I often remind you that the greatest gift to me is the generosity of spirit that can be found in our bosom. I ask you, therefore, my friends, that as we navigate the uncertainties of our times to let us try to live with greater meaning, to make people our priority, to consciously work, to make our nation better, by doing our best wherever, whenever and however we can, and by living with the Christmas spirit as an integral part of our daily lives and the way in which we treat to others.

That Christmas spirit ought to be there each and every day. It is with this message of hope, my friends, this wish for peace, this exhortation to love and to manifest goodwill that on behalf of the Government of Barbados, on behalf of the Barbados Labour Party, on behalf of my family and indeed myself, I wish all Barbadians at home and abroad and all friends of Barbados who are here with us or abroad, a Christmas filled with joy.

May God continue to bless you each and every one of you. And may God continue to bless our beloved nation this Christmas. And always. Have a wonderful day. Don’t drink too much. Don’t eat too much and keep in focus. 2024 will be bigger and better if we live the Christmas spirit each and every day.

Thank you.

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SPECIAL POLLING DAY NOTICE

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FundAccess To Host Legal Clinic Workshop from May 13th

Entrepreneurs will soon get another opportunity to learn about critical legal matters that are key to the operation of their businesses.

FundAccess will be hosting The Legal Clinic Workshop, which will commence on Tuesday, May 13, and continue each Tuesday, until May 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The workshop will be facilitated by Attorney-at-law Ondene Kirton and participants will discuss Understanding Business Legal Structures; Contracts & Agreements; Employment Law & Compliance; and Examination of the Various Laws Relating to Small Business.

During those sessions, the participants will be exposed to sole proprietorship, partnerships, corporations – pro and cons; how to choose the right legal structure for a business; the importance of contracts in business operations; avoiding common contract pitfalls; and employee rights & employer responsibilities, among others. Some of the pieces of legislation to be examined include the Employment Rights Act and National Insurance and Social Security Act.

Interested persons may attend the workshop in person at FundAccess’ Pinfold Street, Bridgetown location, or online via the Zoom Platform. To register, click on the following link: https://bit.ly/3Fu09Jv.

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Centenarian Built On Firm Foundation Set By Grandmother

“Trust God first” is the mantra of one of Barbados’ newest centenarians, Athelstan Browne, who celebrated his 100th birthday on April 29, 2025, at his home in Montrose, Christ Church, surrounded by family and friends.

One of his specially invited guests was President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.

Mr. Browne shared that he grew up “not knowing a mummy” as his mother passed away at age 23, when he was two years old, and his brother was only one year old.

Crediting his grandmother for his upbringing, Mr. Brown remarked: “I had a real good, good grandmother that raised two of us, and everything we learn before we went to school, she taught us.”

Pointing to a humble yet deeply religious upbringing, Mr. Browne said: “I and my brother slept on the floor. Our grandmother spread things down there, and she just put the pillow under our head.”

He recalled that they had to sing the hymn “Under the Blood” before going to bed, and first thing in the morning before they had breakfast, which usually consisted of “a cup of tea and two biscuits”. Adding that the hymn was “our song”, Mr. Browne sang the hymn from memory.

Stressing that his grandmother was a great provider, he noted: “My grandmother had land, and she would work the land…. We would eat raw potato, raw okras, (green) peas, cucumbers…. The only thing we did not eat was raw yams and eddoes.”

Mr. Browne continues to enjoy his ground provisions “with a little rice”, as he likes his rice with green peas, and if available, chicken boiled with the rice. “I am a fish man,” he remarked, eating it either fried or with a “stew sauce”.

Continuing to nurture his Christian beliefs, he joined the Mount Ararat United Holy Church (currently in Dayrell’s Road, Christ Church) in 1967, at age 33, and has continued there ever since.

Once the Superintendent of the Sunday School at the church, Mr. Browne is still instrumental in providing leadership to the youth there. “I have a crowd of young people at church that love me…especially when I have to talk to them…. It is what they should hear and what they should have,” he said.

The centenarian was raised in Montrose, Christ Church, and attended the Christ Church Boys’ School (now Milton Lynch Primary School). After leaving school, Mr. Browne initially took to agriculture but then worked cutting soft stone in two quarries in Christ Church.

In 1947, at the age of 22, he decided to join the US Farm Labour Programme and took the first Pan American Airlines flight out of Barbados. Over 10 years later, Mr. Browne returned to Barbados and married Monica Browne (deceased). Together, they built the house where he currently resides.

Returning to his roots in agriculture, the centenarian worked at the Ridge Plantation, Christ Church, until retirement. He also planted and reaped ground produce at home, as well as planted and cut canes.

Mr. Browne, who is generally in good health and has a sharp memory, still works around the home and enjoys reading, which he does without glasses. He also keeps in touch with his family in New York and North Carolina, and will do some travelling, but he is always ready to return home.

After toasting the centenarian, Her Excellency remarked: “You are in the midst of a lot of love, and I am sure you are going to enjoy the rest of your birthday. I am really happy to have met you. I am grateful for the work that you still continue to do with our young people because a lot of them lack direction, and we, nowadays, don’t take enough time to sit down and speak with them…. We don’t remind them that they are important, that they are somebody.”

Mr. Browne responded: “You got to make them understand what … the Lord expects of them… We have to acknowledge the Lord.”

Mr. Browne has two children, 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. (PR/GIS)

Caption: President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, and Barbados’ newest centenarian Athelstan Browne take a walk outside during his birthday celebrations in Montrose, Christ Church