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Youth Awardees Engaged With President Dame Sandra Mason

Thirteen National Youth Awardees got the opportunity to interact with President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, during an event held in their honour at State House on Tuesday.

Dame Sandra, who congratulated the 2022 Awardees on the successful completion of their individual projects, said: “You’re doing the sort of things that I would never have even contemplated in my own youth because you have so many more opportunities than we did in those days.

“Your possibilities today are endless because the world has opened up, and opened up sometimes negatively. But I know that you can and have circumvent those things and the world, as you say, is your oyster.”

The National Youth Awardees were encouraged by Her Excellency to form a group or alliance to help move their ideas forward and also to seek an audience with the Prime Minister and other key stakeholders within their specific industries to let their ideas and voices be heard.

Dame Sandra added: “I don’t think a lot of people know what Barbados has to offer; we’re not aware of the ability of our young people; and we always wait too late to introduce our young people to everything.”

National Coordinator of Year of the Youth and Senior Youth Commissioner Elizabeth Bowen, agreed with the President’s point and indicated that a youth conference was scheduled for later this year, and would be an ideal forum to implement the suggestion.

“I’m thinking that the awardees can form part of that body of persons where they would have a platform with the necessary persons of interest to actually pitch on some of their areas of interest,” she said.

The list of awardees and their awards is as follows:

Taahir Bulbulia, the Conrad Hunte Award for his contribution to sports development.

Don Leacock, founder of Build Up Barbados, the Ficus Award for his impactful community outreach programme.

Dario Nightengale, the Challenge Award for his activism among the deaf community.

Harrison College Sixth Form, represented by students Chae Talma and Daniella Clarke, copped the Hope Award for its secondary school-based work to improve school, peers and wider communities.

Ronelle King, the Phoenix Award. She created a safe space for Caribbean women to break the silence of sexual abuse.

Jovani Gittens, the Colin Hudson Award, for innovative work in science and technology.

Kwame Dowridge, the Bambusa Award. He founded the Maths A+ Academy to help struggling children get good grades in the subject area.

Akeem Rudder, the Banyan Award, for his contributions to sports development and being the only person in the Caribbean to own a sports academy heavily dedicated to people with disabilities.

Zachary Bostic, the Baobab Award for his prolific talent as a drummer with the Israel Lovell Foundation.

Aaliyah Joseph, the Calabash Award, recognised for her love of videography and ability to create compelling short films and documentaries.

Joshua Forte, the Canewood Award for his innovative agricultural business – Red Diamond Compost Inc.

Ashonelle Taitt, the Sandbox Tree Award for using social media to engage and inform the public about pressing issues.

Ashley Lashey, the Silk Cotton Award, for her outstanding work and advocacy on environmental health. (PR/GIS)

Caption: National Awardees Dario Nightengale, Jovani Gittens and Ashley Lashley look on as Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason speaks

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Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

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Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph