Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Solar-powered homes signal new beginning for Chantimelle fire victims

    Solar-powered homes signal new beginning for Chantimelle fire victims

    Five resilient concrete homes now stand in Chantimelle, St. Patrick, representing a remarkable community-led recovery nearly two years after a devastating fire rendered 17 residents homeless in March 2024. The newly constructed residences, equipped with rooftop solar systems designed to eliminate electricity costs, were officially handed over to families on Sunday, marking a transformative milestone in their journey from displacement to secure housing.

    The reconstruction effort was spearheaded by the Chantimelle Fire Victims Relief Fund Committee (CHANTIVIC), chaired by Faith Phillip, which orchestrated an unprecedented mobilization of national and diaspora support. The committee successfully raised over EC$1 million in cash donations and secured an additional EC$77,000 worth of building materials through contributions from the Grenadian government, local financial institutions, private businesses, community members, and overseas Grenadians.

    Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, presiding over the handover ceremony, emphasized the broader context of fire prevention in Grenada, where approximately 50 homes are lost to fires annually—many of which he noted are preventable. He urged recipients to maintain their new homes responsibly and challenged CHANTIVIC to evolve into a permanent community institution addressing future needs beyond the reconstruction project.

    The homes incorporate innovative sustainable technology through the government’s Solar for All initiative. Each property features a 3-kilowatt grid-tied solar system installed under the leadership of the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy. Leslie Smith, Director of the Renewable Energy Division, confirmed these systems are engineered to dramatically reduce or completely eliminate electricity expenses for homeowners.

    Joseph Andall, Parliamentary Representative for the area who initiated CHANTIVIC’s formation, characterized the project as the culmination of extraordinary collective commitment spanning local and international Grenadian communities. For the five families receiving keys to their new homes, the ceremony represented both closure to a prolonged period of uncertainty and the beginning of a more secure, sustainable future.

  • SLHTA commits to monthly community food drives

    SLHTA commits to monthly community food drives

    The Saint Lucia hospitality sector has launched a groundbreaking monthly food distribution program aimed at addressing food insecurity across the nation. Dubbed “One Can, One Love,” this philanthropic initiative represents a significant expansion of the industry’s community outreach efforts beyond traditional seasonal charity.

    Spearheaded by the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA), the program officially commenced on February 27th with a call to action for all member establishments to contribute non-perishable food items on either a bi-weekly or monthly schedule. These collected provisions will be systematically distributed to identified community groups experiencing the most pressing needs.

    Tamara Amos, SLHTA’s Technical Officer for Community Projects, revealed that the initiative organically developed from the association’s annual December Food Voucher Drive. “Our observations clearly indicated that community support shouldn’t be confined to holiday seasons alone,” Amos stated. “We recognized the potential for creating sustained impact through regular monthly contributions.”

    Sunswept Resorts’ StolenTime property emerged as the inaugural contributor, with Amos describing their donation as “exceptionally generous.” The resort’s corporate director of Human Resources, Genevieve Dixon, emphasized that participation aligns perfectly with their established corporate social responsibility framework, known as the Cares initiative.

    Notably, the collection effort generated remarkable engagement among resort staff members. Dixon reported: “Team members across all departments enthusiastically participated, even initiating friendly inter-departmental competitions to maximize contributions. We distributed promotional materials throughout our staff facilities and witnessed overwhelming support.”

    The SLHTA has announced plans to advance into the next implementation phase, which involves direct collaboration with community organizations for targeted distribution. The association expresses confidence that this sustained effort will generate meaningful long-term impact, with additional community outreach activities already in development for the coming month.

  • Child protection officers suspended for allegedly dragging schoolgirl on road, amidst calls for professionalised agency

    Child protection officers suspended for allegedly dragging schoolgirl on road, amidst calls for professionalised agency

    Two officers from Guyana’s Child Protection Agency (CPA) have been suspended following the emergence of a viral video showing them violently dragging a uniformed schoolgirl by her hands and hair along a public road near Stabroek Market square. The incident has triggered widespread condemnation and intensified calls for comprehensive reform within the child welfare system.

    Human Services and Social Security Minister Vindhya Persaud characterized the footage as ‘appalling’ and immediately suspended the officers pending a police investigation. ‘They will be held accountable for their conduct which runs counter to the values and operational procedures of the Child Protection Agency,’ Dr. Persaud stated, emphasizing her ministry’s commitment to child protection.

    The controversy emerges against a backdrop of systemic concerns within the CPA. Just two days prior to the video’s emergence, former CPA Director Ann Greene had publicly criticized the agency’s ‘apparent lack of training and leadership’ in a letter to Kaieteur News publication. Greene highlighted that individuals were being placed in high positions ‘with not an ounce of training and understanding of their roles, responsibilities and Child Protection laws.’

    Opposition party We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) seized on the incident to demand urgent independent review of the CPA and Probation and Social Services. The party called for transparent disclosure of child protection protocols, particularly regarding teenage mothers and high-risk minors, citing recent cases of 14- and 15-year-olds delivering babies in violation of consent laws.

    Greene’s letter had specifically addressed these cases, noting that medical officers were legally required to report such incidents to the CPA for intervention. She emphasized that proper protection involves placing children and babies in safe care environments while investigating potential statutory rape charges against adult perpetrators.

    The convergence of the violent incident and preexisting concerns about agency competence has created a crisis of confidence in Guyana’s child protection systems. WIN emphasized that ‘when experienced former leadership publicly signals distress about the condition of the agency, immediate and transparent action must be the response,’ demanding measurable corrective plans with clear timelines.

  • ‘It’s a miracle’: Vendor recounts stabbing ordeal

    ‘It’s a miracle’: Vendor recounts stabbing ordeal

    In what began as an ordinary Sunday in Grazettes, St. Michael, 70-year-old juice vendor Morgan Nelson found himself at the center of a violent attack that would test his survival instincts and reinforce his spiritual convictions. While conversing with his vehicle washer outside his residence, Nelson was suddenly approached by an assailant in his early twenties who stabbed him in the chest without provocation.

    The septuagenarian’s remarkable response demonstrated extraordinary presence of mind: as the blade penetrated his chest, Nelson grasped the knife with his bare hands, preventing further penetration before scaling two neighboring fences measuring approximately five to six feet in height. Despite significant blood loss and his advanced age, Nelson attributes his physical capabilities during the crisis to divine intervention rather than human strength.

    Following his escape, Nelson witnessed from concealment as his attacker turned on the vehicle washer, stabbing the second victim with such force that the weapon broke within the man’s body. The assailant subsequently beat the helpless man with a shovel until Nelson intervened with countermeasures despite his critical condition.

    The timely arrival of a nurse proved instrumental in securing Nelson’s survival. She administered emergency first aid by packing the chest wound with cotton wool before transporting him to police assistance and ultimately medical facilities. Her vehicular approach simultaneously disrupted the attacker’s continued assault, causing him to flee the scene.

    Medical professionals later informed Nelson that his survival constituted a medical mystery given his age and the proximity of the blade to vital organs. Subsequent revelations indicated the assailant had allegedly committed another fatal stabbing earlier that same day.

    Since the incident, Nelson has received overwhelming community support through visits and calls from well-wishers. While temporarily pausing his beverage business for recovery, his operations continue at Cheapside through employees, as the survivor reflects on what he believes is a divinely ordained purpose for his continued life.

  • Brother, sister drown at Melanie Damishana after wandering from parents – police

    Brother, sister drown at Melanie Damishana after wandering from parents – police

    A devastating incident unfolded in Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara on Tuesday morning, resulting in the tragic drowning of two young siblings. According to official statements from the Guyana Police Force, 10-year-old Jadon De Courte and his 8-year-old sister Tianna De Courte lost their lives in a trench along the Melanie Damishana/Enterprise access road.

    The sequence of events began between 8:00 AM and 11:05 AM when the children, who had accompanied their mother to the area, reportedly wandered away from direct supervision. Police investigators confirmed that emergency services received notification approximately at 11:05 hours regarding two motionless children discovered in the waterway.

    The mother was immediately alerted to the situation and subsequently identified both victims as her children. Emergency medical technicians dispatched to the location pronounced both siblings deceased at the scene. Law enforcement authorities noted that preliminary examinations revealed no visible marks of violence on either body, supporting the initial assessment of accidental drowning.

    This heartbreaking incident highlights ongoing concerns about water safety and child supervision in residential areas near water channels. The community of Melanie Damishana has been shaken by the tragedy, which serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers that waterways pose to young children, even during routine daily activities.

  • Rape Case Against Elrington Dropped

    Rape Case Against Elrington Dropped

    In a significant legal development, the High Court has formally terminated the rape case against prominent attorney Orson ‘OJ’ Elrington after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) filed a nolle prosequi, effectively ending the two-year judicial proceedings. The decision came abruptly this morning when Crown prosecutors indicated they would not move forward with the trial.

    The case’s dismissal follows a recent directive from Justice Nigel Pilgrim, who had requested DPP Cheryl-Lyn Vidal to present the complainant’s stance on whether the trial should be conducted in private sessions. The required statement was never submitted to the court, contributing to the prosecution’s decision to discontinue the case.

    Elrington had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her mid-twenties in January 2024. Throughout the proceedings, his defense attorney, Alifah Elrington, vigorously advocated for maintaining public access to the hearings, emphasizing that her client was entitled to his constitutional rights. She noted the unusual media scrutiny surrounding the case, stating that such public attention is typically reserved for high-profile individuals rather than ordinary citizens facing similar allegations.

    The defense attorney further expressed that while they accept the court’s outcome, the extensive damage to her client’s reputation remains irreparable. Elrington himself described the prolonged legal battle as ‘the most difficult and darkest period’ of his life, maintaining that the matter never should have reached judicial proceedings. The attorney indicated that future actions would be determined based on subsequent legal consultation, with a comprehensive report scheduled for broadcast on News 5 Live at 6 p.m.

  • Noticiero 5 Semanal Marks One Year of Informing Belize — En Español

    Noticiero 5 Semanal Marks One Year of Informing Belize — En Español

    BELIZE CITY, BELIZE – March 3, 2026 – Noticiero 5 Semanal, Belize’s pioneering Spanish-language television newscast, is commemorating its first anniversary this week after revolutionizing media accessibility for Spanish-speaking communities nationwide. Launched in March 2025 by Greater Belize Media, the program has established itself as an essential information source for Spanish-dominant households across the multicultural nation.

    The weekly broadcast, airing Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., has developed a distinctive format that combines comprehensive national coverage with innovative audience engagement features. Each episode delivers meticulously produced segments covering political developments, community affairs, cultural events, and issues impacting daily life in Belize. The program’s success demonstrates the growing demand for linguistically diverse news content in the Central American nation.

    A signature innovation of Noticiero 5 Semanal is its interactive weekly poll, which invites viewer participation on pressing national issues. The production team collects responses throughout the week and incorporates them into the broadcast, creating an unprecedented platform for Spanish-speaking citizens to contribute to public discourse.

    The program further expands its perspective through ‘Pulso Internacional,’ a dedicated segment examining major regional and global developments that affect Belizean communities. This international coverage provides context and connections beyond national borders.

    Producer Hipolito Novelo expressed both gratitude and ambition regarding the program’s trajectory. ‘The overwhelming acceptance across Belize has been both humbling and motivating,’ Novelo stated. ‘We’ve cultivated viewership beyond our borders and demonstrated that this service addresses a genuine need within the population. Our evolution over these twelve months merely sets the foundation for greater innovation in coming years.’

    Noticiero 5 Semanal has significantly enhanced its digital footprint, expanding social media engagement and attracting younger, digitally-native audiences who primarily consume news through online platforms. This multi-platform approach ensures the program remains relevant amid changing media consumption patterns.

    The anniversary coincides with News Five’s Audience Survey 2026, which invites viewers to shape the future of Belizean media through direct feedback.

  • Health Workers Stage Protest at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Over Pay, Pension Concerns

    Health Workers Stage Protest at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Over Pay, Pension Concerns

    Healthcare professionals at Antigua’s Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre initiated industrial action on Tuesday, highlighting systemic grievances that have persisted for up to seventeen years. The demonstration, organized under the guidance of the People’s Union, centered on two primary issues: outstanding pandemic compensation and unresolved pension arrangements for long-serving staff.

    Ralph Potter, President of the People’s Union, confirmed during an on-site interview that employees have exhausted all conventional channels attempting to resolve these matters. According to Potter, hospital management has consistently failed to address concerns that predate the current medical facility’s 2007 opening. The protest culminated in a delegation meeting with administrative officials who committed to elevating these issues to the board of directors.

    The financial grievances include non-payment of a promised $1,000 monthly COVID-19 risk allowance for certain frontline workers, with some staff never receiving these pandemic compensation payments. More critically, pension uncertainties affect employees who transferred from the former Holberton Hospital and other government departments during the medical center’s establishment. With several staff approaching retirement age, the absence of clarity regarding their pension status has created significant anxiety.

    Additionally, workers expressed dissatisfaction with their designated bargaining agent, the Antigua Trades and Labour Union, which they elected over two years ago. Feeling inadequately represented, staff sought intervention from the People’s Union to accelerate resolution of their complaints. Allegations of workplace victimization and preferential treatment within the institution further complicated the dispute.

    Hospital management has not issued any public statement regarding the allegations or the protest action at this time.

  • City to Take Over Key Highway Sections After Major Upgrades

    City to Take Over Key Highway Sections After Major Upgrades

    The Belize City Council has formally approved a landmark agreement that will transfer jurisdiction of critical highway segments from national to municipal control. This strategic move follows the passage of a motion introduced by Mayor Bernard Wagner during the Council’s October 2024 session, establishing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH).

    The transfer encompasses significant portions of the city’s transportation network: the George Price Highway stretching from Faber’s Road roundabout to its convergence with Central American Boulevard; the complete span of Central American Boulevard from that junction to the Princess Margaret Drive ‘flag’ roundabout; and the Philip Goldson Highway section between the flag roundabout and Chetumal Street roundabout.

    Mayor Wagner articulated that this decision resolves longstanding administrative ambiguities regarding maintenance responsibilities for these vital corridors. ‘For years, a jurisdictional grey area has persisted concerning upkeep of medians and adjacent infrastructure,’ Wagner stated. ‘This formalization eliminates uncertainty and establishes clear municipal accountability.’ Deputy Mayor Pollard drew parallels to previous jurisdictional challenges with Cemetery Road, noting the arrangement would place Central American Boulevard entirely under city purview.

    Chief Engineer Evondale Moody provided crucial clarification regarding the implementation timeline, noting that under the Public Roads Act, MIDH currently maintains authority over all highway systems, including urban segments. Moody detailed the existing highway alignment, explaining how the official corridor forms a loop connecting the Save U roundabout with the George Price Highway junction.

    The transfer process will unfold gradually over a three-year period coinciding with comprehensive infrastructure enhancements. Moody confirmed: ‘The Council has agreed to adopt these sections exclusively after MIDH completes necessary upgrading works. The Memorandum will likely be executed upon project conclusion, facilitating the official jurisdiction handover.’

    The motion received unanimous support from council members following thorough deliberation, marking a significant step toward decentralized infrastructure management in Belize’s urban center.

  • Most schools now fully compliant with nutrition policy – education chief

    Most schools now fully compliant with nutrition policy – education chief

    Barbados has achieved remarkable success in implementing its National School Nutrition Policy, with 85% of the island’s 105 public schools now fully compliant with the removal of added-sugar beverages. Chief Education Officer Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw revealed these findings during Monday’s House Estimates hearings, highlighting what she described as a profound cultural transformation in student eating and drinking habits.

    The comprehensive policy, launched in February 2023 to address childhood obesity, applies to both public and private educational institutions and establishes rigorous nutritional standards that prohibit sugary drinks while restricting high-fat and high-salt snacks. The Ministry of Educational Transformation has supported this initiative through specialized training programs for canteen concessionaires and vendors, overcoming initial resistance through collaborative efforts with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados.

    Dr. Archer-Bradshaw emphasized the significant behavioral changes observed, noting that students have consumed over 4.2 million bottles of water through school hydration initiatives. “This represents for us a behavioral change, and we are happy to see this,” she stated, adding that children are now drinking substantially more water.

    Beyond nutritional improvements, the ministry has prioritized physical activity through programs like the Healthy Youth Through Physical Education initiative, which designates specific days for structured movement activities including skipping, jumping jacks, and aerobics. Fourteen major initiatives are planned for the current academic year, including a partnership with the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletic Championships that will reward the most active participants.

    The ministry will also enhance vendor training and accelerate the review process for approved alternative snacks, with an updated list scheduled for publication by April’s end to ensure adequate preparation time for the upcoming academic year.