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Thanksgiving Service for Independence this Sunday

By Grace Through Faith: Perseverance, Resilience, Strength is the theme for this year’s National Independence Thanksgiving Service, to be held on Sunday, November 27, at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, from 10:00 a.m.

As Barbados prepares to celebrate its 56th year of Independence and mark its first anniversary as a Parliamentary Republic, the theme chosen by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector sums up the true spirit of Barbadians, as they continue to surmount the various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

The multi-faith service, which is expected to last for 90 minutes, will be attended by President of Barbados Her Excellency The Most Honourable, Dame Sandra Mason. Barbadians here and in the diaspora will be able to follow the service on the online platform.

Addressing last week’s press conference, Archdeacon, The Venerable Eric Lynch, explained that the service was a collaborative arrangement between the faith community and its partners in Government. He said it seeks “to bring before Barbadians an opportunity of praise and thanksgiving for God’s riches blessings to us in our nation”.

Encouraging all Barbadians to come out to the event, Archdeacon Lynch said: “I hope that all of you would want to be present for [it]. Now that we have gotten a relaxation in the protocols with respect to COVID-19, we want you to be present with us at the Gymnasium in that wonderful complex and let us give thanks and praise to Almighty God.”

Meanwhile, Chair of the Communications Committee, Senator Pat Parris, noting the service also aims to cater to persons in the international world, said: “We know we have a Barbadian everywhere and I am sure they will want to be a part of the service, so we will share the link so persons can join.

“When we held the service [last year] we had limited numbers; on this occasion we want to pack the Gymnasium, so Barbadians come out! It is as though you are worshipping on a Sunday…. So, please come on out and be part of this service. It’s our 56th Anniversary of Independence; so, having gone through so much within the last two/three years, …we have lots to celebrate.”

Additionally, patrons can expect a musical medley by the Band of The Barbados Police Service, and the recital of the National Pledge by a student of Irving Wilson School.

Press conference on the National Independence Thanksgiving Service. (PMO)

While Archdeacon Lynch will be the officiant, Chairman of the Barbados Christian Council, Reverend Dr. Cicely Athill-Horsford, will undertake the duties of preacher at the service.

Participation by others in the faith community will include the Invocation by the Orisha Faith; the Barbados Muslim Association’s reading from the Holy Qur’an, and a pray from the Baha’i Faith. However, other faith leaders have been assured that their participation may come via virtual greetings to the National Independence Thanksgiving Service.

The event will also see the presentation of the National Flag of Barbados by the Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinders; a liturgical presentation by the Barbados Dance Theatre Company’s Junior Corps, as well as prayers by the Girl Guides Association of Barbados; the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association and the Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps.

Barbadians desiring bus transportation to the national event, at the Wildey Gymnasium, will be accommodated by the Transport Board. A bus service will be provided from the Princess Alice Terminal at 9:00 a.m.; it will then travel on to The Granville Williams Bus Terminal (formerly the Fairchild Street Bus Terminal) where patrons can also board. Additionally, there will be a service from the Oistins’ sub-terminal, beginning at 8:30 a.m., and another from the Speightstown terminal, at 8:15 a.m.

All services will leave on demand and there will be no change in the fee structure. The Transport Board will also be returning churchgoers to their respective terminals at the end of the service.

The National Independence Thanksgiving Service is among the main events held to celebrate Barbados’ Independence. Other activities include the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA), which is a month-long event, and the Independence Parade at Kensington Oval on November 30.

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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.