From left: President of Coral Reef Restoration Alliance Barbados (CORALL), Susan Mahon; Her Excellency, High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados, Marie Legault; and President of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Barbados, Nicole Alleyne-Phillips-Ayikpa, cutting a Canadian flag-themed cake after the two organisations received the proceeds of the High Commission’s silent auction held last year.
BPW President, Nicole Alleyne-Phillips-Ayikpa (L) and President of CORALL, Susan Mahon (R) pose with Her Excellency, High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados, Marie Legault, who donated BBD $7 670 each to their organisations from the HC’s silent
auction, held last year during the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation.
One shelter for abused women and an environmental organisation were gifted the proceeds of the High Commission of Canada’s silent auction on Thursday.
At the High Commission’s Bishop Court Hill location, Her Excellency, High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados, Marie Legault presented a cheque each to the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Barbados (BPW) and the Coral Reef Restoration Alliance Barbados (CORALL).
In 2017, during the 150th anniversary celebrations of Canada’s Confederation, the High Commission of Canada in Barbados hosted a silent auction to raise funds for local charities. High Commissioner Legault revealed that this event raised BBD$15 340 which was divided in half between the two special organisations.
During her opening remarks, Legault said that the Government of Canada has identified priorities to ensure that their work has a constructive role on the world stage. She noted that Canada is particularly focused on gender equality and climate change.
Elimination of violence against womenOn gender equality, she commented that Canada has been at the forefront of advocating for the elimination of violence against women for over twenty years. On the Commission’s reason for choosing BPW, she highlighted their work with NGOs and partnership with the Bureau of Gender Affairs and Government of Barbados.
“In 1998, the shelter for Battered Women opened with the assistance of the Barbados Government. This year marks 20 years that the shelter has been opened. I wish to thank the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Barbados for the essential and dedicated work that you do,” said Legault.
President of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Barbados, Nicole Alleyne-Phillips-Ayikpa accepted the cheque on her charity’s behalf. In her speech, she revealed that the BPW shelter has assisted over 16 000 women and children over the years. With the contribution, the President noted that it will make it possible to transform the lives of the women and their children in the shelter.
Protecting the coastlineEarlier in her remarks, High Commissioner of Canada highlighted that natural ecosystems are one of the best ways to protect the coastline.
“As we know the reefs, mangroves and sea grass beds that use to provide this protection in Barbados have been removed, damaged or are struggling to survive.” said Legault.
Noting the importance of coral reefs, she spoke about the significance of selecting CORALL which is focus on conservation and restoration of coral reef ecosystems in Barbados. Also, Legault highlighted some of their work which includes plans to undertake coral reef cultivation in laboratory conditions as well as education and outreach and reef monitoring.
After receiving her donation, President of CORALL, Susan Mahon took the moment to express her appreciation to High Commission of Canada for their generous gift. During her brief comments, Mahon gave background about the life and death of coral reefs and the negative impact of warm sea temperatures and harmful sunscreens with the ingredient, oxybenzone.