First-generation students at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine campus, have received a significant boost in their academic and social development, thanks to a $50,000 donation from the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC). The contribution is specifically aimed at supporting first-generation students and participants in the Successful Transition and Academic Readiness (STAR) mentorship programme, which assists first-year students in adapting to university life and laying the groundwork for long-term success. UWI deputy principal Professor Derek Chadee and manager of financial advisory services Kristy Mannette-Smith accepted the donation on behalf of the campus. Chadee emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating that UTC’s support is an investment in student success and empowerment. He expressed gratitude for UTC’s generosity and praised their shared vision of fostering student growth. The donation includes $45,000 in renewable scholarships over the next three years and a $5,000 one-time bursary. UTC’s chief financial officer, Kerri Maharaj, highlighted that the STAR programme aligns with the corporation’s core values of providing individuals with the tools and guidance needed to build their own legacies. By supporting first-generation students, UTC aims to equip them with the confidence and knowledge to excel in university and become future leaders. Maharaj described the contribution as an investment in the nation’s future, emphasizing its role in cultivating the next generation of thought leaders, innovators, and professionals who will drive Trinidad and Tobago’s economic growth. Mannette-Smith added that the donation will provide life-changing resources for financially challenged students, enabling them to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles. She noted that such contributions not only fund tuition but also transform lives and open doors to brighter futures, expressing deep gratitude for the partnership with UTC.
分类： society
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#MelissaAftermath: Chef José Andrés joins World Central Kitchen relief efforts in Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Esteemed Spanish-American chef and humanitarian José Andrés touched down in Jamaica on Thursday to bolster World Central Kitchen’s (WCK) disaster relief initiatives in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. Andrés, the founder of the global non-profit organization renowned for delivering meals in crisis-stricken areas, announced his arrival via a post on X.
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1 dead, 1 wounded in La Horquetta shooting
A tragic incident unfolded in La Horquetta on the evening of October 30, resulting in one fatality and another individual sustaining injuries. The shooting took place at approximately 10 pm on Bernard Primus Crescent, where the two victims were reportedly engaged in casual socializing, commonly referred to as ‘liming.’ An unidentified assailant approached the men and opened fire, striking both. Emergency services transported the injured to a nearby hospital, where 38-year-old Jamal Austin was pronounced dead. The second victim remains hospitalized but is reported to be in stable condition. Authorities from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region Two, have taken charge of the case, with ongoing efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify the perpetrator. The community has been left in shock as investigations continue.
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Vaz gets tough on JPS as 66 per cent of customers remain in the dark
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica on October 28, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has expressed growing frustration with the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) over its handling of the crisis. The storm caused catastrophic damage, particularly in the southwestern parishes of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Trelawny, St James, Hanover, and Manchester, severely disrupting JPS infrastructure. However, even parishes less affected by the hurricane are experiencing significant power outages, leaving 462,000 of JPS’s approximately 700,000 customers without electricity as of Friday morning.
During a media briefing on Friday, Vaz emphasized the need for better communication from JPS, urging CEO Hugh Grant to adopt the approach used during Hurricane Beryl last year. Vaz criticized the lack of detailed updates, stating, ‘The communication that is coming out is not enough. Not enough to me and it’s not enough to those who’re affected. It’s not only about the amount of people who’ve been restored, it’s how many more are to be restored and what is the projection for them to be restored.’
Vaz highlighted the plight of residents in Kingston and St Andrew (KSA), where many remain without power. He stressed the importance of providing clear timelines for restoration, saying, ‘All they want to know, so that they can plan their business, is ‘what is the issue and when is it expected [to be resolved].’’
Grant assured Vaz that KSA would be fully restored by Sunday, but Vaz deemed this insufficient, demanding daily updates on restoration progress for all affected communities. He shared that KSA would be 90% restored by Sunday, St Thomas by midnight Sunday, and St Catherine by 75%. However, he called for more information on other parishes, including St Mary and Portland, where the majority of customers remain without electricity.
A detailed breakdown of outages shows alarming figures, with some parishes like Hanover, Manchester, St Ann, St Elizabeth, St James, St Mary, Trelawny, and Westmoreland experiencing 99% power loss. Vaz pledged to ensure JPS provides more detailed information and committed to overseeing full restoration in unaffected areas while developing a comprehensive plan for severely affected regions.
-Lynford Simpson
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Guns kill 4 in 24 hours as MPs prepare to debate SoE extension
In the wake of a surge in gun-related violence, including a fatal shooting in the upscale Valsayn area, Trinidad and Tobago grapples with heightened security concerns. The incident, which claimed the life of 36-year-old Miguel Lawrence in the Valpark Shopping Plaza carpark, occurred just hours before the government’s planned extension of the state of emergency (SoE). This tragic event is part of a broader wave of violence that has left four dead in recent days.
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Trelawny man dead, another hospitalised; toxic fumes suspected
In a heartbreaking incident in Trelawny, Jamaica, one man has lost his life, and another is fighting for survival after inhaling toxic fumes from a standby generator. The deceased, identified as 40-year-old Gayon Dunbar, resided in Carey Park, Trelawny. The tragic event unfolded on Wednesday night when Dunbar and his companion were sleeping inside a furniture shop on 85 Market Street, Falmouth. Unbeknownst to them, the generator was operating within the confined space, leading to the fatal exposure. Early Thursday morning, a concerned friend discovered the two men in distress and rushed them to the Falmouth Public General Hospital. Dunbar was pronounced dead upon arrival, while his friend remains in critical condition. The community is in shock, mourning the loss of Dunbar, described as a quiet and hardworking individual who was a baker by profession and a devoted father of five. His sister, Cordia Moulton, expressed her grief, stating she is unable to break the news to their mother, who is currently a patient at the same hospital. Residents of 85 Market Street, also known as ‘Ghetto,’ are devastated, remembering Dunbar as a kind and helpful neighbor. The incident has left the community grappling with the sudden loss and the dangers of improper generator usage.
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Melissa death toll remains at 19, figure expected to change, says Gov’t
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The death toll from Hurricane Melissa has officially reached 19, but authorities warn that the number is likely to rise as recovery operations persist across the island. Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon shared the update during a press briefing on Friday, emphasizing the government’s ongoing efforts to locate and recover missing individuals. ‘When the number changes, I will inform you,’ Morris Dixon stated. ‘These are Jamaicans, and it is heartbreaking to know they have lost their lives. Every single life lost is a profound tragedy. While these numbers are distressing, we are doing everything possible to retrieve the bodies and support the affected families.’ According to the minister, eight bodies have been recovered in St. Elizabeth, nine in Westmoreland, and two in St. James. Reports suggest that five additional bodies may still be in Westmoreland, with search and rescue operations continuing in the region. Teams from the Jamaica Defence Force and other emergency responders are tirelessly working in flood-affected and landslide-prone areas across the western parishes. Morris Dixon extended her condolences to the bereaved families and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to aiding the impacted communities.
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Rapidfire Kidz Foundation auctions fossils at gala on November 1
The Rapidfire Kidz Foundation (RKF) is set to transport its guests back millions of years to the age of dinosaurs at its annual gala dinner on November 1. Held at the Achievors Banquet Hall in San Fernando, the event, aptly titled ‘Jurassic,’ will feature a unique Dutch auction of authentic dinosaur fossils, including a spinosaurus tooth and a megalodon tooth. These prehistoric treasures, sourced from reputable websites and accompanied by Certificates of Authenticity, have been artistically framed by Fine Art Ltd. The auction marks a creative departure from the foundation’s usual offerings of autographed sports memorabilia, aiming to raise both funds and eyebrows. RKF chairman Rissa Ramraj-Seepersad highlighted the novelty of the auction, while vice-president Rev Joy Abdul-Mohan emphasized the foundation’s commitment to innovative engagement. The evening will include entertainment by the Shiv Shakti Dancers, vocalists Joel John, Marvin Smith, and David Frank, and calypso and chutney soca artiste Daddy Chinee. A Latin dance competition and champagne giveaway will add to the festivities. RKF president Kevin Ratiram shared that the fossil auction idea was inspired by the TV show ‘Dino Hunters,’ sparking curiosity about the local response to such a unique fundraiser. Proceeds from the event will support the foundation’s charitable projects, including Christmas treats for underprivileged children, hospital donations, and playground maintenance. Ratiram underscored the foundation’s mission, stating, ‘Our main thrust is assisting underprivileged children.’ The Jurassic gala promises to be a groundbreaking event, blending fun, imagination, and philanthropy.
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‘There is no food, we sleep in fear’: Mothers worry in storm-hit Black River
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the town of Black River in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, has been left in a state of devastation. Mothers in the area are now grappling with dire conditions as they desperately seek food, water, and essential supplies for their children. When Observer Online visited the town on Thursday, the scene was one of utter destruction—buildings reduced to rubble, and thick mud blanketing the once-bustling main roads.
Residents, including Jheanile Richards and Sashoya Wynter, were seen sitting quietly amidst the ruins, clutching bags filled with whatever belongings they could salvage. Richards, cradling her one-month-old baby, recounted her five-hour search for diapers and food. ‘It’s rough, man, rough. Hunger is killing us. We’ll have to make do with the little we have,’ she said, her baby crying in the background.
Wynter, who lost her home during the hurricane, is now sheltering in an unfinished building with her two children. ‘There’s no food, nothing! What about those who have nothing at all and those who won’t share?’ she lamented. Both mothers emphasized that their most pressing need, aside from food, is water. ‘We don’t have any water at all. I don’t even know how I’m going to bathe,’ Wynter said, looking down at her dirt-stained clothes.
The unfinished building where Wynter and others are staying offers little comfort. ‘We’re sleeping on wet plywood. It’s hard, and we’re constantly worried about someone breaking in,’ she shared. Despite the hardships, the group of eight people staying there remains hopeful, relying on their faith for strength. ‘We sleep with fear, but we also sleep with God. Right now, God is all we have,’ Wynter said.
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NJC: National Junkanoo parades “remain on track”
The National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) has firmly dismissed concerns about the readiness of this year’s Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades, emphasizing that preparations are progressing smoothly and the events remain on track. In a statement released on Friday, the NJC highlighted that Junkanoo participants from various organizations are actively engaged in designing costumes, crafting music, and preparing to showcase their creativity on Bay Street during the festive season. This announcement came in response to earlier reports from the Junkanoo Corporation New Providence (JCNP), which revealed that several prominent A groups, such as the Saxons Superstars, Roots, One Family, and the Valley Boys, would not participate in the government-organized parades. Instead, these groups plan to host independent community Junkanoo events. The Tribune had initially reported on the groups’ withdrawal, sparking speculation about the future of the national celebrations. However, the NJC clarified that it has not received any formal communication from major groups indicating their withdrawal. The committee also reassured the public that sponsors remain fully committed to the government-run parades and continue to support the NJC’s management of the events. The NJC reiterated its dedication to delivering a safe, fair, and transparent parade experience that celebrates the rhythm, unity, and artistic heritage of Bahamian culture. ‘Junkanoo belongs to the people,’ the committee stated, ‘and the NJC is committed to ensuring that the sounds of drums, horns, and cowbells fill Bay Street this Christmas on New Providence, as they have for generations.’