An initiative by the Ministry of People Empowerment aims to have persons adopt/ sponsor a family, offer financial support or become a mentor.

Campers and staff from the National Summer Camps displayed their Arts and Craft at a showcase held recently at Skymall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael.

The showcase highlighted the achievements of the youth who attended.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, in his remarks, thanked the staff of the Ministry for their dedication and for a job well done.

He said: “First, let me start by saying a big ‘thank you’, to those persons from within the Ministry, the part of my team who are responsible every year for putting together the summer camp programme.”

The Youth Minister then addressed claims by some, that the Government Summer Camps were mere organised babysitting events while underscoring the true essence of them. “From the displays of several camps, you will realize that it is not a babysitting activity, but what we are looking to do is to unearth, even at this stage, young talent within the camp system,” he stated

He also disclosed that there were over 600 campers at 40 locations, over the five-week period that the children attended camp.

Minister Griffith assured the campers and their parents that Government was committed to fostering cultural enrichment as a significant focus for the Ministry. He noted the specialised cultural programmes within the camps encompassed areas such as drama, dance, and singing.

“The Ministry aims to expand the cultural camps and increase the number of camps across the island, this is one of the ways that we can honor new talent within our youth population,” he stated.

Noting that the year 2023 is dedicated to the youth, Mr. Griffith stressed the importance of the summer camps in nurturing talent. “I’m sure, like I said, today as you take a look at what is on display that you will understand and recognise that there’s a whole set of talent on this island and the Ministry of Youth Sports and Community Empowerment continues to unearth that talent,” the Minister stated. (PR/GIS)

he Barbados National Oil Company Limited (BNOCL) successfully concluded its FunFest Sporting Activities on Thursday, April 27, 2023, with the Red Brigade team emerging as champions.

The event, which spanned over two weeks, saw BNOCL staff engage in a series of sporting activities, including bike riding, walking, endurance exercises such as skipping, planking, and a 4×1 speed walk. The FunFest was organized with the aim to encourage staff to be more physically active, while interacting with their colleagues and engaging in camaraderie. 

The Health, Safety, Security & Environment Manager, Mr. Damien Catlyn, applauded the organizing team’s work and stated that the event was a resounding success. “The FunFest was an excellent way to promote fitness and healthy living amongst our staff.  We are very proud of the Red Brigade team for their victory and commend all the teams for their efforts.”

As prize winners over the other five teams, the Red Brigade was presented with the FunFest Challenge Plaque and Day passes to Infinity on the Beach.

The event was a testament to BNOCL’s commitment to the well-being of its staff and the promotion of healthy living within the company. (PR)