“Take an introspective look at yourself.” That was the advice given by Janis Marville, Human Resource Practitioner, while speaking at the Barbados Association of Office Professionals’ Day Seminar entitled ‘RE-Define, Re-Invent, Re-Move Mountains’.

Marville while speaking at Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre shared her nuggets of wisdom with an engaged audience of Administrative Professional’s yesterday to celebrate Administrative Professionals’ Day.

Marville added, “Before I can lead others, I have to lead myself, we don’t look in the mirror because we don’t like what we see because the public self is out of alignment with the private self. Before you can redefine, you really need to look and define yourself by asking, who are you? If we don’t know ourselves, you see faults in everyone... you may define yourself by job title, alma mater, but it is important to go deeper and really take that time to be self-aware.”

The Human Resource professional also identified life is challenging and you have to deal with your thoughts because they can be negative, and that we create by speaking and if you have a goal it is never too late, keep speaking it into your life.

She also indicated it is important to always be conscious of your thoughts, take every thought captive and bring it into alignment with your goal. Moving mountains is not always easy, you may be moving away from tradition etc., but she also indicated that to achieve your goals they are difficult things you may have to do for example not having certain friends because as you change you may have to change your circle, for example moving away from a person who just gossips. Marville also believes that leadership is key. (NB)

Keble College of the University of Oxford in England has unveiled a new oil portrait in its Dining Hall honouring alumnus Sir James Cameron Tudor, the first person of Caribbean descent to be elected President of the Oxford Union in 1942.

The portrait was unveiled by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, to coincide with St. Mark’s Day, John Keble’s birth in 1792, and the laying of the Keble Foundation Stone in 1868.

Senator McClean was accompanied by Barbados’ High Commissioner to London, Guy Hewitt; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cecile Humphrey; Minister Counsellor, Euclid Goodman; and Dr. Terry Tudor, a relative of Sir James.

In brief remarks, the Minister stated: “We are very proud of our former Deputy Prime Minister’s achievements during his time at Oxford. Sir James was a trailblazer who has left an important legacy. We are delighted that Keble College is recognising the contribution he made with this lasting memorial.”

Warden of Keble College, Sir Jonathan Phillips, stated: “The College is very pleased that the achievements of such a distinguished individual are being recognised in this way. It signals the College’s wish to celebrate the diversity of its alumni and student body.”

Sir James was one of the Caribbean’s most influential diplomats and politicians. He was a founding member of the Democratic Labour Party of Barbados, and served as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Education, High Commissioner to Britain, and Ambassador to the United Nations.

He attended Keble College in 1940 to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and served as President of the Oxford Union from 1942 to 1943.

In October 2016, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart visited Keble College as part of a series of events to celebrate Barbados’ 50th Anniversary of Independence. The Prime Minister was subsequently elected an Honorary Fellow of the College.

Sir James’ portrait by Anthony Oakshett joins that of the Right Excellent Norman Washington Manley, a student at Jesus College in 1914, whose portrait by the late Barrington Watson hangs in Milner Hall, Rhodes House, at Oxford University.

THE 2018 May Day celebrations will focus primarily on the tourism sector and the youth.

So says General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), Toni Moore, who was delivering remarks at the official launch of May Day celebrations and an expo held at Solidarity House yesterday morning.

Moore stated that the BWU is aware of the public outcry over the issue of violence among the under 30 demographic, particularly in our school population.

“The BWU is strongly of the opinion that ‘now’ is the time for us to take proactive action to put a halt to the negative behaviours, both at the level of our schools and our wider community, by our country’s programmes and support systems to nurture our young people.

“We have been making noises, but little action has been taken thus far to bring about improvements. With that in mind, we in the BWU are committed to working more closely in the future with the National Council of the Parent-Teacher Associations, the schools and other similar organisations with a view to the joint implementation of programmes that are aimed at assisting both parents and students,” she said.

Moore also explained that the tourism sector was chosen because of its significant contribution to the economy, both as a generator of employment and as the major foreign exchange earner for the country. The sector was represented by CEO of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Rudy Grant, who fully endorsed the planned activities, which will culminate with a street parade on Tuesday.

In addition, she stated that the spotlight will also be placed on the youth, the leaders of tomorrow and the future members of the workplace.

“We have therefore invited the key players in tourism, sports and education to join with us in the May Day Street Parade in promoting and highlighting tourism’s contribution, as well as the stellar achievements of our young demographic, especially in sports.

“We are excited this year to be joined by the Barbados Football Association and the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations as we celebrate the positive contributions of our youth in sports and in promoting our march against violence, our march for peace and harmony,” she said. (JH)

A laissez-faire approach to child rearing will have serious repercussions in the long run.

This is the view of Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resources Development, Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, who suggested that the values which seem to be lost in our young people may be as a result of parents failing to instil those values in their children in the first place.

She was speaking during the official launch of the Barbados Workers’ Union May Day celebrations and Expo at Solidarity House yesterday morning. This year’s celebrations will be observed under the theme “The Future We Want” and will place a strong focus on the youth and their development.

According to the Minister, “Our children need to be taught. They look up to their parents. Our children need their parents to tell the yes, no, right or wrong. There is this school of thought that says, ‘Leave the children and when they are old enough they will figure out for themselves what is right and what is wrong. Don’t send them to church when they are old enough, they will figure out if they want to go to church.’”

“But I think that kind of taking your hand off the steering wheel and letting see where the car goes is a very dangerous way to operate. We have to determine that we have to control the vehicle as long as we can. The day will come when they have to take the steering wheel, but until that time comes we cannot take our hands off the steering wheel,” she urged.

“The biblical truth, ‘Train up a child in the way he or she should go and when they are old they will not depart from it’. That speaks to an active process where we have to get involved and spend that time with our children.”

She stressed that parents have to spend time with their children, enlisting the support of the Church, family, school and service organisations to help to instil these values in our young people. “They are not going to get it by accident.”

The Labour Minister drew reference to the SALISES survey, carried out last year for the country’s 50th anniversary of Independence, from which it was concluded that some of the things that need to be reclaimed include being religious, obeying the law, being in a committed relationship, the extended family, the immediate family, respecting women and men, being obedient, being respectful to other people, being honest, loyal, integrity, modest, responsible for actions, loyal to family, hardworking and showing compassion.

She said the loss of these values is at the root of the social decay, which is lamented and is manifested in anger, violence in our young people, in our schools, bullying and murder. “All of these can be traced back to the fact that we let these values slip through our fingers.”

Teaching children to be good role models and helping them to manage conflicts, she said, would ultimately lead them to be good workers, good leaders and law-abiding citizens. (JH)

GENERAL Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), Toni Moore, says many people of today are not aware of the freedoms won and hardships suffered some seven decades ago, and as a result have become apathetic and/or comfortable in their current state.

She was speaking at Solidarity House yesterday during the launch of the 2018 May Day Season, which is being celebrated under the theme “The Future We Want”.

“But let me caution those of you among us that our experiences, particularly in recent times, reinforces the obligation of the trade union movement to defend your interests and stave off the subtle attacks on the many gains that were won by our early labour leaders,” Moore said.

“I must caution that every freedom that we have gained, whether it is the freedom to bargain collectively or the freedom to vote, has been won by the blood, sweat and tears, not only of our past labour leaders, but by the mass of workers who stood by their leaders and were always willing to risk it all so that we, today’s generations, could enjoy the fruit of their labour.”

Saying that the entire country must work together to see the Barbados is wanted, she lamented that some workers are contented to remain spectators.

“Regrettably, too many among the present workforce appear to have become cynical and overly fearful so that they resort to sitting drowsily on the side-lines and complain as they watch our freedoms ebb away. It is in this season that we ask you to recall that the political and other changes that followed the disturbances across the Caribbean in the 1930s occurred only because the workforce across the region all stood up and took action.

“I warn you, on the occasion of May Day 2018, you members of the BWU, that those who would wish to keep the workers in this country in a state of subjugation and poverty will only be able to do so, if we the workers fail and stand up and act for the justice we deserve.”

Moore stressed that the May Day season which will culminate with the parade on Tuesday is not just about “speechifying” and entertainment. With elections around the corner she said,” we must not miss this prime opportunity to remind those who aspire to lead us of the issues which are important to us- environment, education, economic opportunity and workforce skill s, employment. “We must remind all who seek political leadership of the requirement to be strong for workers, for our families, for building strong communities and not undermining our trust to the benefit of the strong armed few,” she said. (JH)

AGRICULTURAL specialist Osmond Harewood wants Barbadians to keep in mind that by growing what they eat they know exactly what they are putting into their bodies.

According to the Field Officer at the Rural Development Commission (RDC), while there are different grades of foods being grown and produced internationally, it is not always possible to know exactly what grade is coming to Barbados.

“We know chemicals have to be used to preserve something. So if it is preserving the fruit, imagine what it is doing to our bodies when it breaks down. If we grow our own foods here, we do not need to use chemicals to preserve it,” Harewood said, while delivering remarks during a recent RDC-sponsored “Grow What You Eat” seminar for members of the public.

Harewood explained to those gathered that while agriculture is more hands on than practical, they have opportunities to plant in a little pot, their backyards, or even an entire field.
“We have to get this thing right today,” he declared.

Harewood, a Dominican by birth, shared his personal experience of surviving hurricane David which flattened his country in 1979. He said if it had not been for banana, coconut and other trees, he would not have been living.

“I would have not been here standing with you, because after hurricane David, Dominica was wiped out. In 2017, Dominica was flattened again. Imagine when you don’t have anything to eat and a hurricane strikes your country, then what happens.

“So what Rural is trying to say to you is that it is not just about your food bill, but it is also about the ability and the capacity that we need, to not allow the slavery mentality to fool us that we have to come away from agriculture and take our children from it, when in fact we need to feed ourselves,” he said. (AH)

BARBADIANS will go the polls on Thursday, May 24, 2018, to elect a government to manage the affairs of this country for the next five years.

Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Freundel Stuart made the announcement in the same way which the 2013 election date was sent, through a release from the Government Information Service (GIS), with the revelation of Monday, May 7 as Nomination Day also. That release stated that the Prime Minister had officially notified Governor General, Dame Sandra Mason.

The eagerly anticipated election date comes even as political activity has continued to increase from the various political parties, with the incumbent Democratic Labour Party (DLP) facing off with the main Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP), with the inclusion of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Solutions Barbados, the Barbados Integrity Movement (BIM) and the New Kingdom Alliance, plus a slew of Independents, making for a congested slate of candidates who will descend on the Treasury from next week to start paying deposits which will enable them to register to be candidates in the upcoming poll.

With the DLP and BLP each naming a full slate of 30 candidates and the UPP expected to name close to a full slate, well over 100 candidates will be nominated to contest the poll.

The poll comes after the most recent session of Parliament expired in early March and will feature some interesting match-ups. Prime Minister Stuart will face first time challenger Kirk Humphrey in St. Michael South, while Opposition Leader Mia Mottley will face new DLP St. Michael North-East candidate Patrick Todd, who is the former City of Bridgetown M.P., but lost that seat to current BLP incumbent for the City, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, who will face DLP candidate Henderson Williams. Both Bostic and Williams will have to navigate a crowded field in the City, with UPP Leader Lynette Eastmond contesting the seat after not having success in the St. Phillip West constituency. Former sex worker Natalie Harewood, announced last month, that she would contest the seat as an Independent. “It is time for us to do something. It is me; God is sending me to do it. They are always crying me down, but I feel so good in my heart that I am doing something nice and positive and I’m helping young people that have so much things in their minds to talk, but they can’t talk because they’re scared. I want people to know that I’m coming to try to make a difference. We’re not dealing with any negatives. We are dealing with positive vibes. I’m not backing down. I am going all out for my people. My poor people need help and we don’t want no more talk, no more lies. We want somebody real like Natalie Nicole Harewood,” she said during her announcement.

With the recent Parliament, at start of the previous term in 2013 being split 16-14 between the two main parties (DLP and BLP), the fight for control of the Lower Chamber will be intense. The BLP will be defending a number of seats which it captured in 2013, but still face challenges from the DLP. In addition to the City of Bridgetown seat, St. Michael South East is shaping up to be a titanic battle between incumbent Santia Bradshaw, who won the seat narrowly in 2013, by just ten votes, facing off against former Pinelands Creative Workshop (PCW) head Rodney Grant, who is leading the DLP charge in the competitive seat. Of interest, is the fact that Bradshaw has been supported by former DLP candidate Patrick Tannis, who lost the DLP nomination to Grant. Grant, is being supported by former three-time representative Hamilton Lashley, who defeated Bradshaw’s father, Delisle for the seat. This seat will bear watching.
BLP incumbent Trevor Prescod is facing a tough battle from new DLP candidate Nicholas Alleyne. St. Michael East has been competitive in the last two election cycles. St. James Central is also competitive with BLP incumbent Kerrie Symmonds facing off with DLP challenger George Connolly, in a seat which has changed hands every election since its creation in 2003. Symmonds has the unique distinction of winning the seat, then losing and then narrowly regaining it. Add UPP’s Wendell Callendar to the mix, makes for an interesting dynamic.

St. George South features another huge clash. Considered a bell-weather seat, Incumbent BLP representative Dwight Sutherland will have his hands full fending off former M.P. Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo.

St. Michael North looks interesting with long-time BLP incumbent Ronald Toppin facing off against DLP first timer Kim Tudor, plus Maria Phillips of the UPP and Angela Gibbs of Solutions Barbados. St. Michael Central looks competitive as usual with DLP incumbent Steve Blackett tackling BLP’s Arthur Holder, while St. Michael West has DLP incumbent Michael Carrington tackling former M.P. Reverend Joseph Atherley and BIM head, Neil Holder among others.
St. Michael South Central has DLP incumbent Richard Sealy facing new BLP Candidate Marsha Caddle, plus former BLP M.P. now UPP candidate David Gill. Gill and Sealy had significant close battles for this seat, so this one bears watching as well.

Christ Church West will be interesting. Former BLP representatives Dr. Maria Agard (now UPP) will tackle new BLP candidate William Duguid, while DLP candidate Verla DePeiza will also be a force. Christ Church South sees DLP incumbent John Boyce facing off with Ralph Thorne of the BLP; in Christ Church East, DLP incumbent Dr. Denis Lowe will tackle BLP’s Wilfred Abrahams. BLP Economic Adviser Ryan Straughn will tackle Ronald Jones in Christ Church East Central.

This will be the first election in over 30 years which will not feature a Thompson on the ballot in St. John. With Mara Thompson opting not to run, DLP General Secretary now candidate George Pilgrim will seek to keep the DLP stronghold safe from the challenge of BLP’s Charles Griffith.
The fun has officially started.

DESPITE the Caribbean being shaken by two major hurricanes last September, too many businesses in Barbados still have no disaster response or continuity plan.

In fact, it is being reported that only 11 per cent of businesses are buying interruption insurance.

This is according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lynch Insurance Brokers, Gregory Rose. While speaking during the opening ceremony of a two-day, Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Disaster Risk Reduction Seminar at Sandals Royal, he said that as was seen with last year’s severe hurricane systems that devastated the region,
business will be down for extended periods, waiting for adjusters, waiting for contractors, trying to communicate, trying to pay staff, and trying to access capital to expedite
recovery.

“With no cohesive plan for action and no insurance protection for your income, you will not have a viable business by the time your property settlement comes around,” he warned.
However, Rose explained that the discussion is not limited to just hurricanes.

He said supply chains are increasingly complex, the reliance on technology paramount, and the pace of business demands that companies react quickly or be left behind.
The Chief Executive Officer stressed that there is a need to identify and analyse the risks that disrupt territories, and create a living plan with which people can mobilise, and adapt to any disasters they face.

“This is a subject of which we at Lynch are passionate about, and we are pleased to partner with the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and its members not to just heighten awareness, but deliver a call to action on this critical matter of national security.

“We are also pleased to join with other partners and sponsors here today who share this vision. This will be an interactive and educational two days. We have a great panel of speakers bringing experience from both the public and private sector perspectives,” he said.

In international risk surveys, Business Interruption has been named the number 1 risk faced by businesses; 45 per cent of businesses experiencing an extended interruption do not survive. And according to Rose, yet too few businesses, especially in Barbados, are deploying effective risk mitigation strategies to ensure their long term survival.

“Lynch Insurance Brokers with our Caribbean client base, and our associates Marsh & McLennan at a global level, have been, year-on- year, on the front lines of disaster and recovery in the region and beyond,” Rose informed.
(AH)

Though sporadic rain showers threatened to dampen the vibe at the Kontact Band Launch, the kaleidoscope of colours captured in their costumes and the stunning models who displayed them captivated the audience who braved the showers at the Barbados Museum.

The long-standing band has a mission to consistently replicate the ultimate Crop Over experience by providing revellers with an unmatched experience like no other band, and this is clearly a mandate that band leader Anthony Layne and his team of designers have worked hard to satisfy with this year’s production.

This year’s theme for the ten sections is “The Road Ahead” and with the varying style options available in each beautifully designed section along with superior service, which can include the provision of a personal assistant on the road, prospective revellers will not be disappointed.

When the gorgeous models finally hit the t-shaped catwalk they were mesmerising. The presentation of costumes was characterised by synchronised dance moves and choreographed steps which made their level of preparation evident. Where some models often get caught up in the excitement and forget that their job is to showcase the designs, that was not the case with these bevy of beauties. They paused for the appropriate amount of time so that their audience could appreciate the intricate designs from every angle. However, when you thought it could not get any better, they took the display to another level with the presentation of three spectacular individual costumes, one of which was modelled by international model Krystyna-Lee Solange Alexander. Another creation was donned by local model and doctor Jamilah Forde.

Since the launch, the costumes have been getting rave reviews on social media. One fan stated, “Kontact up de ting. Krave got serious competition.” Another stated, “This year got me thinking about making 2018 my first year.”

Band leader Layne shared, “This process was not started last week or two months ago. After Crop Over last year we rested for two weeks, then we started planning for this year. He noted, “This is a career for me and you have to take it serious.”

Patrons at the launch were also afforded the opportunity to peruse the diverse array of boots offered by D’s Mega Styles and other accessories to complement Kontact Kadooment and Foreday morning costumes.

Kontact has been growing from strength to strength and on April 28 they will be launching their “NYC” section. (ST)

The ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has outrightly dismissed assertions that the exams conducted by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) on May 24, Election Day in this country, will be disrupted or negatively affected in any fashion by the general election.

In a press conference called yesterday morning at the DLP’s George Street headquarters, the party’s spokesperson for the election campaign, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport and candidate for Christ Church West Central, Stephen Lashley, gave the students taking those exams, their parents and those seeking to cast their votes, the assurance that there will be smooth running of both the scheduled exams and polling on Election Day.

He made the comments in response to concerns raised by Leader of the Opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Mia Mottley, that the setting of the general election date as May 24, was a “royal fumble”.

Lashley dismissed that idea, maintaining that the Electoral and Boundary Commission, the CXC and the Ministry of Education were consulted regarding the election date.
“The setting of the date of the General Election has not been set out of Mars, and the notion by the Leader of the Opposition that somehow the Ministry of Education and the various officials in Barbados apparently don’t know what they are doing, is really something that I have to rebut head on,” he said.

The DLP spokesperson indicated that the Ministry has done everything to ensure that students writing exams on May 24 will not be impeded, and maintained that the exams will be staged in keeping with the manner in which they have always been done.

“There is no concern absolutely, and certainly I have gotten and received the assurance that the Ministry of Education has got everything that is required to be in place to have those examinations conducted.

“Certainly in relation to the examination centres, there was early consultation with the Electoral and Boundary Commission to ensure that the examination centres – and there are some that will be doubling up in relation to the polling stations – that everything will be in place to ensure that there will be a smooth running of examinations as there will be a smooth running of the polling on election day,” he contended.

The DLP spokesman went further, contending that the rules governing polling stations are that persons cannot congregate in and round those areas, and as such, he said they are in essence quiet zone. That fact, he said would make such an area an “ideal situation” within which to have examinations conducted.

Lashley made the point while contending that the upcoming election is not the first to be held during an exam period, as he cited the elections of May 28, 1986 and May 23, 2003, which he noted were both called by the BLP. With that in mind, he labelled the criticism of the date as merely a scare tactic, and urged the public to be wary. He made the call as he charged that the Opposition was seeking to create false alarms and drama.

As to Mottley’s concerns that students who are likely to be first time voters would also be disadvantaged, Lashley said a look at the exam candidates showed there are “hardly any first time voters among them”.

“This campaign in my view needs to be fought on the facts and the strategies that are required to continue to build Barbados; and that is how the Democratic Labour Party will be conducting the election,” he affirmed. (JRT)

THE Barbados Labour Party (BLP) intends to run a campaign addressing the issues that matter to Barbadians.

According to the BLP General Secretary and Campaign Manager, Dr Jerome Walcott, topping the list of issues to be addressed is the crippling economy.

Speaking during a press conference at the BLP’s Roebuck Street headquarters yesterday, Dr Walcott accused the ruling Democratic Labour Party of seeking to run away from serious discussion of the economy.

“After ten years in office, they have not made a difference and have nothing to show in this regard,” he charged.

With elections being announced for May 24, with May 7 being the date for nominations, the BLP General Secretary stated that his party expects the DLP to run a trivial
campaign.

“A campaign of distractions to divert public attention from their mismanagement and incompetence. In fact, they have already started… They want to pull wool over the people’s eyes but we will hold their hands to their fire. We will demand accountability from the Dems.

“Commenting on the sad state of the economy some time ago, former Prime Minister, Sir Lloyd Sandiford, asked: “How did we get back here?” The Dems are yet to provide an answer. They have ignored their former leader. We will press them over the coming four weeks. Until they tell us ‘how did we get back here?”, nothing else they have to say is of significance,” he said.

Dr. Walcott said the BLP is embarking on the historic mission to rescue Barbados, full of faith and with a determination to make a difference for the people of the country. He said the BLP is currently celebrating its 80th anniversary and 80, it seems, has special Biblical significance.

“As we were told at the church service to launch our anniversary celebrations, Moses was 80 years old when he was called by God to deliver the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage,” he said.

The celebrations will reach a high point today, National Heroes’ Day, when the 120th birthday of the BLP’s distinguished founder leader, the Right Excellent Sir Grantley Adams, will
be marked. Dr. Walcott invited all Barbadians to join the BLP for their 11th annual picnic and rally on the East Coast.

“Both celebrations have provided us with an opportunity to draw inspiration as we reflect on our Party’s rich history and proud legacy. Indeed, the lessons serve to fortify us as we look ahead to charting a brighter future, fully seizing opportunities along the way and also confronting the challenges,” he said.

Walcott noted that as Campaign 2018 unfolds, the BLP is committed to keeping the lines of communication open at all times with the media.

He assured that the media will be kept abreast of events and activities, as the Party will provide regular opportunities for media personnel to interact with the BLP’s leadership, candidates and officials “so that you acquire a clear understanding of our policy platform and agenda for government”.

“We believe the media have a critical role to play in the political process through fair and balanced reporting. We are committed to supporting you in carrying out this important democratic function,” Dr. Walcott added.

The General Secretary reiterated that the BLP is the best party, with the best team, the best leader, the best social and economic policies, holding the best track record and is certainly the best for Barbados in 2018. (AH)

A loving husband, supportive father, consummate broadcaster and dedicated church-goer.

These descriptions were just part of the picture painted of the late Vic “Buddy Boy” Brewster yesterday during a thanksgiving service at the St. Matthias Anglican Church where scores of persons gathered to say farewell to the former media giant.

Delivering the address, Reverend Hugh Sandiford said that through the broadcast medium and as a deejay on the hotel circuit, the former Deputy Programme Manager at the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) was able to “transform the lives of many through his voice, through his wit and through his personality, bringing a smile to many faces as a respite from the stresses of life”.

“But the skills he possessed, he did not only limit to the CBC or to the hotel circuit. He also made it available and utilised it within the church and within the diocese. I can recall after completing Codrington College, we were required to sit at his feet and learn the craft of public speaking as we prepared for parish ministry,” he said.

He also told those gathered of the dedication the well-known radio personality paid to the church even after retirement, including hosting a weekly broadcasting class for youth at St. Matthias church.

“He was truly a colossal. He knew and trusted God… The same God who afforded Vic the opportunity to use the broadcast medium to share the good news of his love, thus transforming the lives of many,” Sandiford continued.

The Reverend therefore urged the congregation not to grieve, but to thank God for Brewster’s life and his service.

“Like Vic, let us be mindful of the many opportunities that God affords us to proclaim the good news to others. It is needed now more than ever in our nation,” he noted.

Brewster, who was a household name in the 1960s to 1990s for several programmes including the then popular Under the Sandbox Tree, Studio Party and Buss Ya Brain, passed away on April 12 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after a lengthy illness.

He was laid to rest at Westbury Cemetery. (JMB)

THE students of St. Leonard’s Boys’ School will benefit from the Power of Choice programme, which was launched at their institution yesterday.

Managing Director of the Freemind Institute, and President of the Power of Choice Inc., Errol Griffith, told the young males attending the institution that they have the power to make the right choices in life, starting from a young age.

During a pep talk, Griffith told the students that the choices they make now will determine their destiny.

“Your happiness and your joy in life are all related to the choices you make. Every choice has a consequence. The only way that you can get good consequences is if you always make the effort to make good choices. The only person in this world that you can control, is you,” Griffith said.

Former student, Samuel Boston, who benefited significantly from the programme which teaches students key principles including the power of choice, making wise choices, and overcoming mistakes and working with others, also encouraged the boys at St. Leonard’s to walk along the right path.

“You have to make positive choices. I have come from being more or less shy in public, because I chose to work on those things and improve myself. I got better to the point where I could have represented Barbados at the Global Young Leaders Conference in 2016,” Boston said. (AH)

BARBADIANS rejoicing across the land, in reaction to Thursday’s announcement that May 24 is the date for the 2018 General Election, is an indication that Barbadians are “dun with Dem” and are looking to make a fresh start under new leadership.

This is the view of General Secretary and Campaign Manager of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Dr. Jerome Walcott, who also stated yesterday during a press conference, held at the Party’s Roebuck Street headquarters, that many Barbadians see Election Day as one of deliverance. Nomination Day is May 7.

Dr. Walcott said the past ten years under the Dems have been tough for the vast majority of citizens. He stressed that Barbados’ once-thriving economy plummeted into decline, largely due to mismanagement, incompetence and a striking failure of leadership.

“The high standard of public services fell, despite the imposition of the most punitive tax measures in our nation’s history. The Barbadian taxpayer is no longer getting value for money. Potholes have become the order of the day on our roads.

“For ten months now, raw sewage has flowed intermittently on the most travelled streets of the south coast. Instead of fixing the problem, the Prime Minister makes excuses. This ‘leader’ tells us sewage is flowing on the streets of foreign cities too,” he said.

The Campaign Manager went on to say that the hopes of countless young Barbadians have been shattered, and the inability to pay tuition fees has deprived them of the opportunity to get a university education. He said this great act of betrayal by the Dems came after the Prime Minister said making Barbadians pay to attend the University of the West Indies (UWI) would be a retrograde step.

“A BLP administration will reintroduce free university education for our students at UWI,” he said.

“Additionally, our hardworking public servants have not had a pay increase in ten years. In the meantime, the cost of living just kept soaring and soaring. You will recall that bringing down prices was job number 1, 2 and 3 when the Dems assumed office. By their many about-turns over the last ten years, the Dems have shown quite clearly that their word is not their bond,” Dr. Walcott said.

The General Secretary stressed that after ten years of stagnation, the Barbados economy needs breathing space to grow again, a space which he noted the BLP is ready to create. He said beginning with the removal of the crippling National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL), the policies of the BLP will facilitate economic growth, alluding to the fact that sustained economic growth means more opportunities.

“Opportunities for more jobs and a better life overall for citizens. This is the mission of the Barbados Labour Party. We have delivered for Barbados before; we will deliver for Barbados again. The BLP is best for Barbados,” he said.

Dr. Walcott pointed out that everyone, “except the most die-hard Dems”, agree that Barbados stands today at a crossroad, and stated that it is time for serious discussion. (AH)

Tourism and Hospitality Instructor at The Hospitality Institute, Makeda Hart believed that the 2016-2017/2017-2018 two year Associate Degree in Tourism and Travel students had the right mix of skills, talent and determination to enter the First Citizens sponsored Dare to Dream Business Idea Competition and she was proved right with all three groups placing in the top five. One group got first place while another group took home third place.

Speaking with The Barbados Advocate yesterday about the ‘Dare to Dream’ Competition, which is geared towards encouraging persons under the age of 21 to develop an interest in and love for entrepreneurship, she said that the competition is approximately three years old, but they entered for the first time this year because she felt that this year’s crop of students were ready to take up the mantle.

“To be extremely honest last year I did not get the response that I needed from the group and then I felt that the interest was not there – and then for me – I also saw that they were not ready. Now coming into this year – this would be considered the tourism and travel group – the students I felt were a lot more stronger, a lot more committed, a lot more dedicated.”

She said that the students entered concepts that they had discussed in their Entrepreneurship class.

“I felt that they were a lot more ready to enter the competition because when we looked at the fact that the competition was right on the cusp of us running our entrepreneurship programme at the institute – which is done in the final semester, just before they graduate – we felt that it would tie in nicely to just take concepts coming out of the classroom and take it into competition. So that was one of the reasons why I knew that they were very competent in the area.”

Hart added that she then came to the students and told them that they were going to enter the competition and they had “no choice” in the matter. The initial plan was to enter five groups, but they were limited by the age requirements which “basically took out a lot of the contenders”

Therefore, even though there were many good business ideas that came out of the class, at the end of the day, it was limited to those who met the age requirement along with those whose business ideas she felt had a fighting chance to succeed in the competition.

Class four students in the St. Michael North West Constituency sitting the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE) on May 8, were yesterday encouraged to do their best as they are all well-prepared.

“The work will be nothing new,” Minister of Finance and the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate for the area, Christopher Sinckler, told the students of St. Stephen’s Primary, Eagle Hall Primary and Deacons Primary schools, as he delivered his customary pep talk.

“So, don’t let it intimidate you…you have excellent teachers who prepared you very well.”

He explained that it doesn’t matter which school they pass for; but it is what they do when they get there. Moreover, he pointed out that Barbados’ education system and its achievements are the envy of the world.
“We know that regardless of whichever school you go to, you are going to have great teachers, principals and you are going to have good facilities,” he stressed.

“You can do well if you apply yourself. So, remember it is not where you go, it is what you do when you get there. But, strive for the school you want to attend; work towards that. But, if your first choice doesn’t happen, and you then have to settle on your second or third choice – make sure you make the best of it because unfortunately many children around the world, some even in the Caribbean, don’t have that opportunity to go to secondary school.” (TL)

The Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies is set to begin the first phase of constructing an Agri-business Development Park later this year.

Making this announcement, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of UWI Professor Eudine Barriteau outlined that a multimillion-dollar agricultural and agro-processing facility would be constructed at Dukes Plantation, St. Thomas on 28.5 acres of agricultural land donated by Fred and Vanessa Edghill.

“While a large portion of the land will be allocated for farming, there will be facilities for agro-processing, chocolate manufacturing, training, and cotton processing. The park will also feature a conference room with seating for more than 350, retail shops and restaurants, and will complement Barbados’ tourism product by providing sources of attraction, recreation, leisure and education for visitors who can spend an entire day there. They can try their hands at chocolate making, spinning cotton, and preparing meals among other activities,” said Barriteau.

The UWI’s Centre for Food Security and Entrepreneurship (CFSE) will oversee the project.

Addressing the launch of the Exquisite Local and Caribbean Products Exhibition at the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre yesterday morning, she also pointed to the high commendation the CFSE has received for its Blackbelly Sheep Leather Project, describing it as a high-value, joint enterprise utilising world-class Italian designers and manufacturers.

“Under CFSE’s Blackbelly Sheep Leather Project, the skin is transformed into leather used to make shoes, bags, belts and leather goods, some of which you see here today. This project will positively impact the viability of agriculture in Barbados and the region as it leverages research and development, with the goal of moving agribusiness further along the value chain,” she continued.

Barriteau therefore insisted that the Cave Hill campus was about to make its economic presence felt in an even greater manner.

“The UWI-Dukes Agri-Business Park will not only offer a diverse range of employment opportunities, but will position Barbados to become a regional hub for entrepreneurial development, educational training and cutting-edge agribusiness research. The Cave Hill Campus will be developing relevant curriculum. For example, through the financial support of the Caribbean Development Bank, we will be developing curriculum for a Master’s Degree in Chocolatiering,” she detailed. (JMB)

The Barbados Cultural Ambassador Recording Centre is officially open for business.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, while speaking recently at the official opening of the recording centre at its home at #16 Pelican Craft Centre, indicated that this achievement is a testament to government’s commitment to the music industry.

According to him, “Barbados has been able to produce some of the best [music] in the world. Indeed this development comes in the form of a dedicated space called the Cultural Ambassadors Recording Centre, where creativity and training combined will enhance the ever increasing and amazing talent that springs from Barbados. This recording studio is yet another manifestation of the Government’s commitment to position the cultural industries as a firm economic platform, not only through the assistance that will be given to emerging artists, but also developing a cadre of seldom highlighted skills and talents – that of live studio musicians, producers and sound recording engineers. This initiative represents some of the industry-related deliverables that will help prepare our young people and other stakeholders to seize economic opportunities available by the cultural and creative sectors, as we have stated in our sustainable recovery plan of 2018, which has been approved by all of the social partners.”

He affirmed, “Our commitment to promote music production does not end here at this recording centre. A complementary space has been provided at #27 Pelican Village and it will provide a space for any creative or cultural ambassadors for rehearsal, or otherwise use that space for their creative endeavors. These two spaces are a very important part of the work being done by the Barbados Cultural Industries Development Authority (BCIA).

“Of course, without the contribution of the BIDC, the studio and space would have remained a mere idea, therefore I want to thank Minister Donville Inniss, Barbados Investment Development Corporation (BIDC) Chairman and staff for being part of this great vision and this initiative can only redound to the benefit of cultural practitioners in particular and Barbados in general,” he added, while also acknowledging the great work of the Barbados Community College Music Department.

Minister Lashley also expressed concern “that too often we have heard the complaint that far too many of our recordings are not well recorded or produced, but with the establishment of this Centre there should be a greatly reduced number of such complaints”.

“The rational for this Centre encompasses the identification of new music talent, removal of the obstacle of the cost factors that hinder the development of high quality music products by emerging artists, the creation of a space in which music producers, sound engineers and other personnel can be trained to international standards …The Centre will be a space to archive Barbadians musical heritage, it will also serve as a teaching Centre for generations to come,” he noted. (NB)

THE Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society (BVHS) has once again voiced its concern about the increasing levels of violence meted out to some homeless persons on the island.

The issue came to the fore again recently, as several persons called into the Down To Brass Tacks radio programme, to complain about a group of youth who have been constantly attacking homeless persons in the City of Bridgetown.

Founder and President of the Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society (BVHS), Kemar Saffrey, was made aware of the situation and after paying a visit to the area of an alleged incident which reportedly took place on Tuesday night and which saw the group of youth beating a homeless man with a piece of wood, Saffrey noted that his team, along with a nurse attached to the organisation would be visiting the homeless man to treat to his injuries and render any additional assistance needed.

“We are having this (issue) of abuse of the homeless back on the rise again and we really need to do something about it seriously. It is not something that we condone at all,” Saffrey pointed out.

“This is why we are moving as an organisation to have a shelter to be able to secure these guys, especially at night. So we need to be able to address this and get these people off the streets. And we would have talked to government seriously about this and predicted that there would have been an increase in violence, just like how there would have been an increase in homelessness, because we actually have twenty-seven new cases of homelessness already for the year and we don’t have anywhere to put these persons to be able to protect them from the elements and also now to protect them from these crazy people out there, doing these acts on persons affected by homelessness and vagrancy,” he stressed.

“So this is something that needs to be addressed seriously. We have been advocating this for ten years and it sad to see that we are in the position and not being taken seriously by our Government, where we should be taken seriously, to get these people off the streets. They want to come off the streets,” Saffrey maintained.

Earlier this year, Saffrey had indicated that his office had been getting a number of complaints from battered and bruised persons in the homeless community, indicating that they had been victims of violent acts meted out to them mainly by youth in groups in the City. Saffrey was just as adamant then as he is now, that the matter needs to be addressed and he indicated that the Royal Barbados Police Force had been contacted about the matter.

A number of callers yesterday also indicated that they had contacted the Force and the Force’s PR personnel noted that they will be looking into the matter. (RSM)

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) through the National NGO Network (NNN) have been re-examining and re-evaluating their work, redefining their role, who they serve and are accountable to, and endeavour to function more effectively and efficiently but require partnership with government to move forward.

This is according to President of the Barbados Vagrants and Homeless Society (BVHS), Kemar Saffrey.

He was at the time addressing the NNN’s panel discussion aimed at encouraging partnership between NGOs and the government, to support important projects in line with the NGOs mandate, and to assist in alleviating the societal issues affecting Barbadian communities.

“The laws governing the registration and operation of NGOs is a course of confusion and inadequate. It is therefore clear that the internal coordination and self regulation within the NGOs themselves needs to be improved,” Saffrey stressed.

“The consultation recognizes the need for a new policy and legislation framework which will help to address many of the problems that are currently experienced by NGOs.”

According to the BVHS President, there are approximately 1 200 registered local NGOs currently in Barbados which focus on gender issues, human rights, disability, environment, health, domestic violence towards women, advocacy, homelessness, children rights, etc – all of which have been assisting in strengthening the civil society through advocacy programmes and educating the public on various issues.

“NGOs have played a critical role in Barbados’ social development, prior to the island’s independence in 1966. In the new millennium, the resources provided by these various organizations have become even more necessary taking into account the negative change in the economic challenges.”

“The panel discussion is therefore aimed at engaging political parties on various things that are affecting the NGO community and if their Party was to be elected, what would be the plans they have in place for NGOs,” he said.

Lynette Eastmond shared that the United Progressive Party (UPP) has as part of its governance manifesto a structure by which they plan to engage with civil society organizations.

“One of the strongest elements of our platform is strengthening Barbadian communities,” the UPP Leader pointed out.

“We consider civil society critical to the governance of the country and that is why it is on our governance manifesto.”

“The structure for us would be to repeal the Constituency Councils Legislation. If you read the legislation you would see that it is not focused on strengthening communities. Constituency Councils attract politics in a very negative way. So, we think we should go back to parish development committees – that is what we recommend and then you would focus on the communities, to strengthen and encourage the creation of even more civil society organisations arising from within the community,” Eastmond said.

Rodney Grant, Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate for St Michael South East highlighted that one of the ways to effectively engage civil society organisations is on Boards, in various aspects of governance within the government system.

“One of the easiest and straight forward ways that you can build capacity in civil society organistions is by letting them in on the inside of the machinery of government,” he stressed.

“There is no reason why civil society organisations can’t represent certain arms of government at meetings... It will also remove some of the “tension” that exists and some of the perceptions that exist as well. So, one of the most immediate things that you can do is to engage civil society more – put them on Boards, committees within government; be far more engaging in how they work with them.”