Sandals Beaches is still on the cards for Barbados.

Exactly as to just when this will become a reality however, remains unknown.

With the expansion of the all-inclusive Sandals Barbados in St. Lawrence Gap turning into the creation of another resort – Sandals Royal, some concern was raised as to whether the family-oriented Beaches, would still be finding a place on these shores.

Just last month, Chairman of Sandals Resorts International Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart was reported in the media as saying that “if Sandals say they are going to do something they are going to do it”, insisting that the project slated for Heywoods in St. Peter was still on the table.

In an interview with The Barbados Advocate earlier this week, Sandals representatives highlighted that just last week yet another visit had been made to the site of the former Almond Resorts to discuss the future plant.

However, work will not start on this Sandals in the north, until the company’s newest addition is up and running.

“We have just spent US$170 million on the new Sandals Royal, and we want to make sure that this settles in and generates some business there before we move forward and discuss and explore the Beaches project,” stated Public Relations Director for Sandals Eastern Caribbean Sunil Ramdeen, who insisted that such investment indicated the company’s belief in the island.

“We have full confidence in Barbados and full confidence that the country will be able to weather this storm,” Ramdeen added.

Meanwhile, Sandals Barbados continues to run at almost full occupancy, with bookings remaining constant since its 2015 opening, even recording a slight increase this year over that of 2016.

“The reason why we are doing Sandals Royal is because how well Sandals Barbados is doing ... and people wanted more. It was the tremendous response to the first hotel that the Chairman decided ‘the people want more so let’s give them more’,” Sandals Barbados Public Relations Manager David Hinds stated.

The New Testament Church of God (NTCOG) Barbados has been instrumental in the social and physical development of Barbadians, throughout its hundred year existence.

NTCOG National Executive Council member, Rev. Winston Carter expressed the above recently, as he spoke about the church’s plans for its Centennial Celebrations, which will kick off this weekend with a March through Historic Bridgetown today, Saturday, starting at 4:30 p.m. from the car park at Browne’s Beach and a Centennial Opening Service at NTCOG Headquarters, M.E.R.C, Fairchild Street, Bridgetown on Sunday.

“Our church has contributed to Barbados’ development, without pomp or herald, in several acts of brotherly love,” Rev. Carter remarked.

“In the past five years, over $350,000 has been dedicated in the care of the elderly, social care to the financially distressed in both our church and physical communities, repairs to homes and a partnership with the Breakfast Club at the St. Ambrose Anglican church,” Carter revealed.

He went on to state that the financial care within those five years has been coupled with approximately 7,500 hours of community outreach, dispensed in homework programmes,free lessons for Common Entrance and CSEC candidates, partial grants for tertiary students, marriage and life counselling, as well as skills development classes such as floral arranging, baking and garment construction.

Rev. Carter also noted that the River Road assembly has served the city through the church’s provision of subsidised day care, for thirty two years. Operation Compassion, an outreach programme for inner city children has been in operation over the years, along with the Shoe Box gifts, as its flagship initiative.

“The Shoe Box programmes go beyond Christmas gifts and distribute back-to-school supplies as well,” he stated.

Carter also said that within CARICOM and the African community, the New Testament Church of God Barbados has responded swiftly and generously to the suffering of its brothers who faced natural disasters, with assistance having
been rendered to Haiti, Grenada, the Dominican Republic, Malawi and Kenya. (RSM)

IN recognition of World Health Day, the Lions Club held their 10th Zone Health Fair.

Speaking during the event that was held at Church Village Green in Bridgetown yesterday morning, Lion Shonda Forde, Zone Chairperson, expressed that it was a privilege to partner with key stakeholders as she believes that they all have a commitment to ensuring that Barbadians are constantly sensitised on emerging health concerns as well as increase awareness on the various issues that impact our productivity in the workplace or as ordinary citizens.

Forde explained that the Lions and Leos of Barbados have been associated with the activities of World Health Day since 2006 and fully intend to remain committed to reaching out to the many service providers who have a common interest in promoting healthy bodies and minds.

She revealed that this year’s World Health theme is “Depression: Let’s Talk” and noted that they have strategically targeted agencies such as the Psychiatric Hospital, Marina House and Verdun House as well as the Ministry of Health as they will help them to increase awareness in this area.

“We are eagerly reaching out to the Barbados community today to promote healthy lifestyles and to motivate our local authorities to create a healthy environment in our beautiful Barbados,” she said.

Acting Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados (CBB), Elson Gaskin, congratulated the Lions and Leos Club of Zone 3-A for their continued dedication and interest in the wider community as he believes the health of a person fully equates to their wealth.

He went on to reveal that the reason the CBB was concerned with the health of not only their staff, but citizens as well, was because effective health care is costly and it is an aspect of our lives that the Government has made a significant contribution to for over 60 years. He believed that a reduction in non-communicable diseases as well as other preventable diseases would result in more productive citizenry that would drive our economic sector as well as save the valuable foreign exchange that is spent on the importation of medical supplies. (CLF)

In October 2011, The New Testament Church of God (NTCOG) Barbados celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary of ministry and service in Barbados. However, as the church looked back at 75 years, a monumental discovery was made by the Barbadian church historian – Minister Margaret Forde.

National Historian, Minister Margaret Forde, has noted that this discovery is presently the catalyst for NTCOG’s jump from 75 years, to a celebration of one hundred years. As such, the New Testament Church of God (NTCOG) Barbados is currently celebrating 100 years of existence in grand style this year, having recovered these “lost years”.

Forde has meanwhile noted that “A significant feature of the Centennial Celebrations (1917 to 2017) is the publishing of the full historical paths of the New Testament Church of God Barbados”.

She meanwhile explained that “During the era of mail being transported by boats, crucial correspondence from and/to the Global Headquarters in Tennessee was misdirected, which resulted in the Barbados church community being seen as dormant”.
“This was quite far from the reality,” she however noted.

“By the Thirteenth (13th) General Assembly of the Church of God in November 1917, it was reported that four churches and eighty members from Barbados had joined the Church of God,” she explained.

As such, she noted that the New Testament Church of God (NTCOG) Barbados can trace its origins in this island to 1917 with a few rurally located church communities to its current state of forty five (45) churches. The New Testament Church of God was incorporated as a Parliamentary Act in 1940 and operates as registered charity number 28.

The NTCOG Barbados is a member of Church of God, Cleveland Tennessee which has seven million members in 178 nations. These 7 million members are served by resource ministries that cater to men, women, youth and promote Christian education.

With regard to Centennial Celebrations, the New Testament Church of God will kick off those celebrations this weekend with a march through Historic Bridgetown, starting at 4:30p.m. from the car park at Browne’s Beach following a public Water Baptism ceremony there and this will be followed by a Centennial Opening Service at NTCOG Headquarters, M.E.R.C, Fairchild Street, Bridgetown on Sunday, commencing at 4:00 p.m. (RSM)

THE Ministry of Health has allocated just about $30.5 million to psychiatric care in this current financial year.

This was revealed by Minister of Health, John Boyce, as he addressed the community at the beginning of the Zone Health Fair that was held in Church Village Green yesterday morning. The minister believes that it is their duty to structure and fund the mental health system, so as to deliver on their promise of effective interventions. He reported that their goal was to improve the infrastructure of the Psychiatric Hospital and offer a more therapeutic environment to its patients.

Another initiative that was established to aid persons in their mental health was the establishment of the National Mental Health Commission, which was given the task of planning and promoting mental health programmes dedicated to improving the status of the health of the population. In addition to advising the Ministry on critical issues relating to mental health, Boyce announced that the Commission also provides an avenue for stakeholders from various sectors to make their input on the way forward for mental health in the island.

The minister expressed that the Ministry of Health remained committed to the goal of excellence in patient care as they continue to heighten the awareness of mental health issues through a number of avenues, including the provision of public education and the delivery of quality health care.

He also noted that the complex nature of depression coupled with its interrelation with social, psychological and biological factors dictates that any approach to reducing its incidence and providing early diagnoses and prevention must be multi-disciplinary. He reported that the Ministry has a comprehensive strategy in place, which involves a holistic and co-ordinated approach to all programmes and services related to mental health at the primary, secondary and tertiary level.

He added that enhancing community-based mental health services has been a major focus of the Ministry as this will help to make it more convenient for those with mental health conditions to receive treatment and therapy near their homes. He also mentioned that they have also reinforced the mental health service in the polyclinic system as they now offer psychiatric out-patient sessions.

TicketPal Caribbean is more than just a ticketing company.

Founded in 2012, the company has not only been enabling event goers access to purchase tickets anywhere, anytime they want, but has been a state-of-the-art event management partner.

“Now, we have taken this a step forward, not only would we be serving the entertainment industry, we will be moving into the tourism sector,” revealed CEO, Orlando Newton.

“As we travel throughout the region, we have come to realise that there is a need in that sector… We have been able to work from Cayman Islands right down to Guyana – making us the leader in box office management in the Caribbean region. But, we now have expanded that also to Canada where we have an opportunity to work with the largest Caribbean Food Festival, and events in New York, Miami and Texas – which serves the Caribbean diaspora.”

Newton was at the time addressing yesterday’s launch of TicketPal 3.0, the company’s mobile and tablet-friendly website.

“What we have done with TicketPal 3.0 is create a mobile website, making it desktop friendly,” explained Cezar Brumeanu, Director of International Business Development at TicketPal.

“Over the next few months, we will be releasing different features such as assigned seating for venues; super-tour module; data mining giving promoters automatic access to the data of all their purchasers; iPhone scanning App; waistbands with barcodes; and SMS Text Delivery of tickets,” he noted. He also highlighted that the website will have a section for Kadooment and Carnival bands, allowing persons to select their costumes and use a payment plan if they desire.

TicketPal service user, Michelle Smith-Mayers, added that the move to open services to the tourism industry is significant.

“What TicketPal has enabled a lot of tourism practitioners to do is have more control over their sales and inventory and more direct interaction with the people that consume their product,” the consultant pointed out.

“In addition, the assigned seating at venues is key, especially for events that allow people from overseas to buy their tickets. This not only helps the host of the event as they know which areas are sold out and can control the flow of tickets, but it also helps the purchaser who is not familiar with the venue to see where the stage is located, to see where they want to sit.

“Also, the tourism-pal platform has really aided Kadooment bands, Carnival bands and promoters because not only can they increase their sales, but before persons from overseas had to wait to get to the destination to book a costume or had to send money to a friend.”

Professor David Corbin, Consultant Neurologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), pointed out that the aim of the Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Project is to start a movement that will empower Barbadians with information about Parkinson’s disease (PD).

While speaking at the Rotary Club of Barbados West meeting at Bagatelle Great House recently, he indicated, “The Parkinson’s Disease Project is important because there is a need for understanding and also it is critical for caregivers to also get that information and assistance to help those with the condition.

“April 2017 is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. After Alzheimer’s disease, PD is the second most common degenerative disease of the brain. African Americans and Asians are less likely than Caucasians to develop Parkinson’s.”

Professor Corbin indicated that PD normally affects older persons, but there are cases in Barbados where younger people have the disease. They’re approximately 800 persons who have the disorder in Barbados.

He also stated that the causes are unknown. There are well-known persons that have been afflicted with this disease, such as the late Muhammad Ali, professional boxer; and Michael J. Fox, actor.

The Rotary Club of Barbados West stands by its call to help persons in Barbados and representatives indicated that this initiative is important because this condition impacts many and it is important that the public is aware of the disease, warning signs and treatment.

The Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Project ‘Shake It Up Barbados’ seminar on the degenerative disorder will be held at Limegrove Cinemas on Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register, the public can call 261-7054. (NB)

Reducing Energy Consumption still big on the agenda, highlighted Senator Darcy Boyce, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Energy, Telecommunications, Immigration and Invest Barbados.

He was speaking last week on the occasion of the “Flip the Switch” Competition and Prize-Giving ceremony at the Solar House, Queen’s Park.

Boyce told the audience, “It should be noted that the development and promotion of alternative energy sources as well as the utilisation of energy efficient technologies in an attempt to reduce energy consumption has been the focal point of the Barbados government’s sustainable energy policies in the last decade. Historically, there exists a direct correlation between the economic development of a country, its increase in energy use, and unfortunately its greenhouse gas emissions. However, renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives can decouple that correlation and contribute to sustainable development.”

According to him, “Barbados like many small island developing states continues to be concerned about energy security and environmental sustainability, as well as the global price of oil as the costs directly impacts on our foreign
exchange earnings.”

“As a result, the Government of Barbados continuously revamps its energy policies to meet the current realities of our time. However, we must not only seek to eliminate the linked challenges in tackling climate change, promoting clean energy and achieving sustainable development, but we must endeavour to concentrate on forging sustainable synergies as well.

“This is borne out with the ‘DREAM’ project which is a multi-sectoral initiative necessitating coordination and cooperation amongst the Division of Energy and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Health, the Department
of Emergency Management, the Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development and the National Sports Council.

“The objectives of the project include the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in public buildings, such as community centres and polyclinics, for clean energy access, increased climate resilience and disaster risk management. These facilities which are community-based will provide energy security in the event of power outages as a result of a disaster thus mitigating the risks associated with disasters…”

Boyce indicated, “I am heartened to see that through the Disaster Risk and Energy Access Management project, which is also known as the DREAM project, the competition was conceptualised and successfully executed, even with a small budget.

“Programme successes such as these are possible when the Government of Barbados partners with developmental and funding agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environmental Facility, as well as the private sector.”

Reducing Energy Consumption still big on the agenda, highlighted Senator Darcy Boyce, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Energy, Telecommunications, Immigration and Invest Barbados.

He was speaking last week on the occasion of the “Flip the Switch” Competition and Prize-Giving ceremony at the Solar House, Queen’s Park.

Boyce told the audience, “It should be noted that the development and promotion of alternative energy sources as well as the utilisation of energy efficient technologies in an attempt to reduce energy consumption has been the focal point of the Barbados government’s sustainable energy policies in the last decade. Historically, there exists a direct correlation between the economic development of a country, its increase in energy use, and unfortunately its greenhouse gas emissions. However, renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives can decouple that correlation and contribute to sustainable development.”

According to him, “Barbados like many small island developing states continues to be concerned about energy security and environmental sustainability, as well as the global price of oil as the costs directly impacts on our foreign
exchange earnings.”

“As a result, the Government of Barbados continuously revamps its energy policies to meet the current realities of our time. However, we must not only seek to eliminate the linked challenges in tackling climate change, promoting clean energy and achieving sustainable development, but we must endeavour to concentrate on forging sustainable synergies as well.

“This is borne out with the ‘DREAM’ project which is a multi-sectoral initiative necessitating coordination and cooperation amongst the Division of Energy and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Health, the Department
of Emergency Management, the Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development and the National Sports Council.

“The objectives of the project include the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in public buildings, such as community centres and polyclinics, for clean energy access, increased climate resilience and disaster risk management. These facilities which are community-based will provide energy security in the event of power outages as a result of a disaster thus mitigating the risks associated with disasters…”

Boyce indicated, “I am heartened to see that through the Disaster Risk and Energy Access Management project, which is also known as the DREAM project, the competition was conceptualised and successfully executed, even with a small budget.

“Programme successes such as these are possible when the Government of Barbados partners with developmental and funding agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environmental Facility, as well as the private sector.”

PROVIDED that everything goes according to plan, Barbados should be producing 100 per cent of their onion consumption within the next three to five years.

CEO of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), James Paul, made mention of this as he addressed the media during a press conference at his office recently.

“One of the things that we have been doing since last year is that we have been engaging in a project for developing onions, where we are targeting that within the next three to five years we can actually be 100 per cent self-sufficient in the production of onions and some other products. But onions is the one that we have as the target at the moment,” he explained.

Furthermore, he believes that it is possible thanks in part to partnerships developed with large supermarket chains who have given their commitment to carrying local onions on their shelves.

“We will accomplish this through... a partnership between the various actors around the supply chain. So for instance, we have the larger retailers such as Supercentre (Massy Supermarkets) involved in that. We also have import suppliers involved. We also have Government involved in terms of the extension services of Government. BADMC has been a critical partner here because they are actually assisting farmers out there who are actually producing onions.”

Paul also believes that other sectors and organisations would come on board to assist with this goal.

“So we have a number of state enterprises. We have also the private sector involved in this partnership, the objective of course is to obtain 100 per cent self sufficiency in the production of onion and we feel that this is completely obtainable. We feel that we can also duplicate this in proportion to other commodity chains and that is one of the things that we are attempting to do.”

He stated that this would not be possible otherwise. “Again we make the point that this can only happen if we have the co-operation of all sectors. To that extent therefore , that as part of the strategy of increasing food production in the medium term right now, that we have right now the maintenance of a policy environment okay? That facilitates that. At the same time, government also has a responsibility to do so. But also more important is that we need the co-operation of other sectors of the private sector that would permit us to be able to do this.”

A common misconception about Parkinson’s disease is that it only affects older people.

According to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joy St. John, most of us have been led to believe that the symptoms of Parkinson’s are associated with ageing and that the disease usually affects persons over the age of 50.

However, she pointed out that there have been more cases of “early onset” of the disease and emerging data has shown that during the past several years, it has been estimated that five to ten per cent of persons suffering from the disease are under the age of 40 years.

Dr. St. John, who was at the time addressing yesterday’s opening of the Barbados Parkinson’s Trust 1st annual Parkinson’s Disease Seminar sponsored by The Rotary Club of Barbados West at Limegrove Cinema, explained that Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system.

“It has been documented that the disease is the second most common neuro-degenerative disease after Alzheimer’s. This chronic disease impairs motor skills, cognitive processes, as well as other functions. The most obvious motor-related symptoms include tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement and postural instability… Among non-motor symptoms are autonomic dysfunction and sensory and sleep difficulties. Cognitive and neuro behavioural problems, including dementia are common in the advanced stages of the disease,” she explained.

The CMO expressed that the Ministry of Health is very pleased that organisations such as the Barbados Parkinson’s Trust and Support Group, The Rotary Club of Barbados West and the organising committee, are endeavouring to make lives better for persons suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Dr. St. John said she is also aware that in Barbados, there are a number of affected persons who would benefit from the appropriate support and education with respect to this disease.

“It is these types of fora, which provide the awareness and opportunities for persons to deliberate, as well as to set new goals as they work closely together in order to seek new strategies to enhance the lives of persons suffering from Parkinson’s disease. We have already noted that the disease is degenerative. Therefore, it presents a situation which challenges this society to adapt, in order to maximise the health and functional capacity of persons who are affected,” she observed.

Vice-President of The Rotary Club of Barbados West, Joseph Steinbok assured the large gathering which comprised of persons with Parkinson’s, their families and caretakers, of his Club’s commitment to the event which saw presentations from local and overseas healthcare professionals who specialise in this debilitating ailment. It was also pointed out that Rotary West has focused most of its efforts on Health and the Youth, through education.

“In addition, this area of Parkinson’s touched the Club directly, as one of our past presidents Andrew St. John, is a sufferer of Parkinson’s ... We were influenced by him and his wife, that is how we got involved in this event and we will continue to support the Parkinson’s Trust as it moves forward,” he stated. (TL)

Many persons are keen on pursuing higher education and making themselves more valuable to their organisations.

However, research conducted by the Barbados Institute of Management & Productivity (BIMAP) has shown that financing is not always readily available to everyone who wants to study.

Executive Director of BIMAP, Dr. Sonia Greenidge-Franklyn, made this disclosure on Friday during the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cave Shepherd & Co. Limited Card Services Unit. The agreement offers educational financing to the Institute’s students using the Cave Shepherd Visa Credit Card.
She also indicated that employers have shown their support by continuing to send their staff members to the Institute for their training and development needs and by inviting BIMAP to conduct specialised programmes for their staff members.

“Employers report that once persons have been trained by BIMAP, they see immediate results and improved work habits and application of skills,” she pointed out.

“Customers have also noticed significant improvement in the level of service and knowledge on the completion of training programmes at BIMAP,” it was also revealed.
According to Dr. Greenidge-Franklyn, BIMAP’s students now have a full range of courses to choose from to assist in attaining their development goals.

Students now benefit from more than 50 programmes in management, marketing, accounting, production and operations management, human resource management and development, and information and communication technology.

“Many persons, as a result of being displaced from their jobs have found it necessary to re-tool themselves for new careers,” she observed.

“These persons complete the one-year certificate in management studies programme which was specifically designed to meet this re-skilling need. For those persons who need a longer, more detailed course of study the BIMAP diploma in management studies is ideal. This structured, practical, two-year programme provides the depth of knowledge and practical application that give the confidence to function effectively in the workplace.” (TL)

A number of staff rooms and staff points at Ellerslie Secondary School now bear the names of past educators of that institution.

These plaques were unveiled this week during the “School Positive Behaviour Management” Programme’s renaming of staffrooms and retirement function at the school.

Acting Deputy Principal, Ronald Leacock, expressed his delight at the initiative which paid respect to those who played as role in shaping students and building the school over the years.

He said the move gives the school “another opportunity to recognise the contribution made by several of our staff whose work here at Ellerslie formed the cornerstones on which we built for the last fifty years.”

He continued, “this is our first publically launched initiative. Over the coming year, we will be rolling out several other initiatives. Some will attract public attention while others will be quietly done within the school environment. Our overall goal therefore is to create a culture that will allow the new vision for Ellerslie to be fulfilled and for Ellerslie to become the school of choice over the next 50 years of our existence.”

Also speaking at the launch, Acting Education Officer with responsibility for the School Positive Behaviour Management Programme (SPBMP), Andrea Baptiste, congratulated the school. She said, “I want to applaud your efforts because this is the first time that we have seen you actually giving credence and acknowledgement to those who have definitely been cornerstones of this school.”

At the school, the upper staffroom is now called the “Jordan Phillips” staff room, named after former French and Spanish teacher, Stanton Jordan and English teacher, Marcelle Phillips. The lower staff room is now called the “Codrington Porte” staff room, named after former Mathematics teacher, Owen Codrington and former Deputy Principal of the school, Celeste Porte. There is also the “Webster Williams” staff room, named after teachers, the late Muriel Webster and Nikita Williams who passed away whilst in office.

There are additionally the staff points. These areas are the “Sylvia Walcott” point, named after the former Home Economic Head; the “Yvonne Vaughan” point situated in the area of the art room; and the “Hartley Forde” point located in the Industrial Arts room.

THE alliance that has been forged between the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP), the JIPA Network – a global network of health-care providers and the City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited (COB) has the potential to transform the lives of our relatives, friends and neighbours alike through education and modified habits.

This was the word coming from Steve Belle, Chief Executive Officer of the COB. While speaking last week at the announcement of the partnership, he highlighted, “In the life of any organisation there is that one moment when an opportunity arises to make a difference, a fundamental change to the lives of everyone with whom you may come into contact. As CEO of the City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited, it is my deepest conviction that this is our time to do so. This is an historic occasion as we herald an alliance that will impact on every citizen of Barbados. Together, we stand at the threshold of a new beginning.”

Belle contended, “Ours is a world plagued with illness and disease and oftentimes one wonders if this island of some 280 000 persons can withstand the ravages wrought by chronic illnesses. Our credit union has always been passionate about the health and wellness of our members. We can remember the days when the COB Fitness Centre was instrumental in highlighting the importance of good health and was a beacon in the fitness community. On an annual basis, our credit union was the leading corporate body participating in the Nation Fun Walk. The point that I am trying to make is simple – health security has always been a priority for us and always will be. The City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union Limited understands that as a responsible corporate citizen, our role has to expand to embrace issues that matter to our growing and diverse membership.

“We are fully cognisant that societal challenges invariably affect private sector institutions and therefore understand that we must share the burden of improving the quality of life of our members and Barbadians in general. It should come as no surprise then, that my Board and the management team of this organisation saw a partnership with BARP and JIPA as a key element in achieving our mandate to our members, to offer quality value-added services.”

He urged persons to consider just what it means to be a leader. “Our choices in life, whether as an individual, community practitioner, or business executive, matters to others. We must choose to join the ranks of those who want to make a positive difference in the lives of others, even those we have never met. The COB Credit Union chooses to continue its relentless pursuit of excellence and moral rectitude and fully endorses this alliance,” said Belle. (NB)

Leslie Schultz is the 20 000th customer of Digicel Play in Barbados.

The Black Rock resident received the news when the CEO of Digicel Play, Charlie Clementson and several members of Digicel and Digicel Play team visited his home recently. Schultz expressed his appreciation to Digicel, which presented him with a 32” HD TV and his prize of one year free Digicel Play service.

The CEO told The Barbados Advocate that the milestone was an “incredible feat” and he was proud of their accomplishment. Digicel Play, which has been in the market for just over a year, provides thousands of Barbadians with Internet, landline and TV services. Clementson said that with Digicel Play, customers experience faster broadband and more television channels, all at an affordable price. In addition, his company has introduced a new way to make phone calls with their “Pay As You Go” service. He revealed that with their 20 000th installation, their Digicel Play service trucks and sales teams have traveled 7 842 times around the island.

“Hugh amount of work has gone on and our customers love it and we are very proud and it is going to continue in the next year and the year after,” said Clementson.

After the presentation, Clementson spoke to the media about introducing Digicel Play to the competitive market. He highlighted the fact that for Digicel, it has been about offering better customer service and showing their customers they care. In six months, Digicel was able to place 1 000 kilometres of fibre optics; a task which, according to the top executive, was a complicated one.

Clementson acknowledged there were some problems with the network in the early stages. However, they were dealt with quickly, giving their customers early notice of the disruption and compensating them for any loss of service. Another challenge Digicel is actively working on is the dominant position which their competition holds as it relates to the ownership of phone numbers.

“The sooner we can get phone numbers portability to happen, the sooner the people of Barbados can own their phone numbers,” Clementson stated.

The Digicel Play CEO said if this occurs, landline customers can take their phone number with them regardless of which provider they choose. The mobile phone network provider will be seeking to resolve this issue by 2018. Despite their challenges, Clementson said that Digicel Play customers are satisfied with their offering and commended Digicel for its fast Internet, large variety in content and picture quality of their television service.

“They love the fact there is a competitor in the market who really wants them as customers and I think those are the things that have made the real difference. I think it means more to us; our customers mean more to us,” said Clementson.

Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) students were given a chance to learn more about entrepreneurship and pursuing this career path on Friday, during the US Embassy of Bridgetown’s session at that school.

It was attended by over 60 students drawn from a cross section of departments. They were shown a 90-minute documentary film, titled “Generation Start-up”, which featured six recent college graduates who moved to Detroit to start their new small businesses. This was followed by an interactive talk with Dextina Booker, one of the young entrepreneurs seen in the film.

James Rodriguez, Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy of Bridgetown, told The Barbados Advocate that similar sessions were also held in Antigua and Grenada with students there. He further said the initiative is part of a series being conducted by the Embassy.

“One of our goals as an Embassy is to promote entrepreneurship and economic development in the region, and we see the potential that is here. These are bright kids, they just need to be given an opportunity or motivation.

“So I think by watching a film like this, or meeting an entrepreneur from the US, they get the idea that, yeah, it is a big risk that we could take, but at the same time the rewards would be wonderful, and hopefully they would be able to create jobs for other people from their country.”

Booker, who is a mechanical engineer and a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), shared with the media her experience so far as an entrepreneur. She also offered the advice to budding entrepreneurs that “it is okay to be afraid, but don’t let that guide your hand”. She additionally urged them to build their network.

“It doesn’t have to be formula. It can definitely just be a network of friends who are also entrepreneurs – that has helped me. There have been days when I am completely overwhelmed, but I have my little group chat I can text, I can reach out and they are like, ‘yeah, we know that feeling. Just the other day we were talking to an investor’.

“So having people who understand your predicament, it always makes it a little bit easier too, because you don’t have to get over the hump of explaining what you are going through to be understood and then to get advice,” she explained. (MG)

Praises to God rang out through The City as over 300 members of the New Testament Church of God (NTCOG) Barbados took to the streets on Saturday.

Individuals on this occasion participated in a march which was in celebration of NTCOG’s 100th anniversary of existence. Persons involved represented each of the NTCOG’s 45 churches across the island.

Holding banners which identified their church’s location, members journeyed from Browne’s Beach through The City before ending at the New Testament Church of God on River Road.

Alison Holder, Head of Corporate Communications, told The Barbados Advocate that the day’s celebration commenced with a water baptism for 27 individuals. She said she was pleased with the attendance to the event.

“We have about 350 to 400 persons marching here of all ages and we are celebrating our 100th anniversary in Barbados from 1917 to 2017…”

She continued, “The attendance today is really good and what is great about it is that we have not only our elderly members but we have all our young members, our toddlers, so it is a family celebration. It is not just celebrating the new members of our church family but it’s every person celebrating the entrance of new converts into our church community.

Holder added that following the march there was going to be a concert at the River Road church. Meanwhile, today there was to be a grand launch. During this service, the pastors who led the church during its first 25 years would be celebrated, there is also going to be storytelling and the launch of the choir’s centennial song.

Holder further spoke about other upcoming activities.

“Monday to Wednesday we are going to be having services as well. The first service is celebrating our Bible school, Bethel Bible School of the Caribbean, the second night, we are going to celebrate our evangelical work throughout Barbados and the Caribbean and then on the Wednesday, we are having an open air service in the area of Fairchild Street van stand.”

As you go out and celebrate at the various events for the Oistins Fish Festival this week, make sure that you take extra steps to keep yourselves and your families safe.

In delivering brief remarks towards the end of a church service held at the Christ Church Parish Church to launch the week of activities for event, the Minister of Health and Constituency Representative for the area of Christ Church South, John Boyce thanked the committee who organized the festival every year - and this year being no exception – for all of their hard work in making sure that the festival is one that “Barbadians can look forward to.

He also told them that he hoped that they would have a safe and enjoyable event as sometimes when persons are busy celebrating, they may not always take into consideration safety precautions.

“I wish them of course a very safe celebration because we are noted nowadays in our communities for not being able only to celebrate, but our lifestyles are negated. When we celebrate, we seem not always to exercise control and I pray that God will exercise in action through us the kind of control that would give this festival the continued reputation that it deserves and I am sure that the fisherman and fisher folk of Oistins look forward to your participation, but also look forward to this participation in a very professional way.”

Boyce also reminded persons of the significance of this festival and stated that it bears particular importance to the men and women who make their living daily from the sea and added that they also take precautions as they go about their duties.

“It is also associated to some extent with the actual beginning of the fishing season in Barbados. That is the relationship. But of course this question of the fishing season isn’t easy at all. It is nowadays tempered by the realities of our environment – the changes in our environment – which we are now only too familiar with.” (PJT)

HOW can you expect to be paid if you don’t work?

That’s the question posed by Education Minister Ronald Jones while addressing the Democratic Labour Party’s Facts conference at the George Lamming Primary last night.

His comments come against the backdrop of a recent memo issued to the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) by the Permanent Secretary in his Ministry, stating that the salaries of wages of employees who go on strike will not be paid for any day or portion of the day on which they were on strike. However the BSTU contends that the March of Disrespect was not a strike.
Jones, while highlighting his background in the trade union movement, stressed his support for teachers, saying he wants them to do their best for the island’s children.

According to him, “If occasionally I have to speak about punctuality, absenteeism, please do the work for the money paid. There is nothing wrong with that. There can’t be anything wrong with that. If at the end of the day you withdraw your services. I can’t pay you,” he said, while stressing that it was not his remit to issue salaries.

“Do you think you should be paid? I don’t understand it. So why quarrel with me? I have never yet controlled one cent outside of my salary of the national purse.

“Teachers earn a special responsibility. We have in our schools children as early as three years old… who must be supervised on a daily basis. They must be fed spiritually, emotionally, cognitively, all of those things they must be given, and teachers are equipped to give them.

“If they don’t give that because of their absence, something happens. Some violence ensues, because there is no adult supervision. These are our children. Over 62 000 of our children in public and private schools.”

Jones recalled that in his days in the Union, meetings were called after 3 p.m., generally around four in the evening to allow persons from farther parishes to make their way to Merry Hill. He said if a decision was taken to “rumble”, it was done knowing that their salaries would be docked.

“I’ve had docked salaries as a teacher and a trade union leader. I don’t have a convenient mind.”

He said there is a standing rule that if the employer causes the action across the negotiating table then pay would not be docked. However if the other party is responsible, “you have to suffer the consequences”.

Saying he does not crumble to threats, he said someone has to stand up for the 62 000 of the island’s children. He assured that he also speaks harshly to the students recognising the resources spent on education.

As it relates to the teaching profession, he revealed that there is currently a folder with over 6 000 young people who want to teach in the island’s schools.

“We only have 3 200 teachers in Barbados. And teachers by or large spend 40-plus years in the teaching service. I say to those who are qualified and who want to venture further afield… we have the people well qualified to go and spread their wings. As young people there is nothing wrong with spreading your wings. The world can be a good teacher if you are willing to learn,” he said. (JH)

Harrison College managed to capture two of the three sections of the Massy United Insurance Inter-school Team Chess Championship and with this became the overall winners of this year’s edition of the competition.

In the Under-20 section Harrison College finished on 49 out of 60 from their six matches. A match involves five games with two points for a win, one for a draw and no points for a loss. The team of Yutien Poon, Nitin Mahtani, Gabriella Cumberbatch and Paul Mordesur and Anush Pais dominated with the two top boards; Poon and Mahtani winning all of their encounters. In the second spot was Queen’s College on 32 points, while St. Leonard’s Boys captured the last podium spot with 22 points.

Kolij also captured the Under-13 section in even more dominating style, with 47 points, way ahead of Queen’s College “A” on 33 and then followed by Queen’s College “B”. Led by National Under-12 Champion, Candidate Master Leigh Sandiford, 2016 Under- 12 CARIFTA girls champion Azaria Johnson; also ably supported by Yeshua Hill, Gaybrianna Moore and Dominic Jackman, the Kolij team pummelled all of their opposition into submission and won all six matches.

However, in one division Harrison College was not able to take home the bacon. This was the Under-15 section, where Queen’s College eked out a slight two point win, accumulating 40 points to HC’s 38. The Queen’s team of Aaron Haynes, Azari Gittens, Tyson Holder, Shane Skinner and Kiarra Eversley could feel justifiably proud in halting Harrison College from acquiring a clean sweep in all of the sections.

The 2017 edition of the Massy United Insurance Inter-School Secondary School Team Chess Championship has seen a high presence of girls on the teams of most of the schools participating. This has put paid to the notion that chess is a mainly a male dominated and oriented sport and has been the highlight of the tournament so far; for not only have they just been pushing their pieces, the girls have been competing tooth and nail with their male counterparts.