分类： society

The Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness (BAEH) has called on authorities to shift focus from awareness campaigns to implementing early, community-based mental health interventions, citing untreated mental health conditions as a key driver of the island’s homelessness crisis. Speaking on World Mental Health Day, BAEH President Kemar Saffrey emphasized the need for early identification and support for mental health challenges in schools, workplaces, and families to address the intertwined issues of homelessness and mental illness. He stressed that education and awareness are crucial to reducing stigma and fostering societal understanding. Since its establishment in 2009, the BAEH has worked with hundreds of homeless individuals, revealing that approximately 80% of its clients, both male and female, have faced mental health issues. Saffrey highlighted the necessity of a holistic national approach, combining clinical care with community outreach and robust policy support. He also advocated for policy changes to empower frontline organizations, such as community groups and shelters, to assess, document, and refer individuals in crisis to mental health services. This, he argued, would bridge the gap between community and clinical care, ensuring dignified and timely intervention. Recent data from Barbados’ 24-hour mental health hotline, which has received over 6,500 calls since its launch, underscores the urgency of the issue, with 40% of calls coming from children and teens. Saffrey urged Barbados to move beyond awareness and take meaningful action, emphasizing compassion and coordinated reform as essential for lasting progress. On World Mental Health Day, the BAEH called for a national recommitment to mental wellness, ensuring access to support for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.

The Paralympic Movement in Barbados marked a significant milestone on Wednesday as stakeholders convened at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex to reveal the outcomes of a transformative pilot project. This initiative, titled the Institutional Strengthening of National Paralympic Committees’ Caribbean Islands Project, was spearheaded by the Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC) and funded by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF). Focusing on Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, the project aims to foster social inclusion through sports.

Central to the project is the goal of enhancing institutional capacity to ensure the growth of parasport at both elite and grassroots levels. Ryan Brathwaite, the newly appointed President of the Paralympic Association of Barbados (PAB), emphasized the profound personal and symbolic significance of this moment. ‘Sport is about access, dignity, and belonging,’ Brathwaite stated. ‘Yesterday’s inaugural Parasport Festival wasn’t just a showcase — it was a statement. A space for students, para-athletes, and the public to see, feel, and understand the power of inclusive sport.’

Brathwaite further highlighted that the initiative transcends a mere project, representing a shared belief in the transformative power of sports. ‘This collaboration represents more than a project,’ he said. ‘It’s a shared belief that sport can transform lives — and now, we have a roadmap to make that belief real.’

Michelle Formonte, Executive Director of AmPC, detailed the project’s achievements over the past 16 months, which included examining national sports policies, auditing infrastructure accessibility, and training a new generation of coaches, classifiers, and officials—71% of whom are women. ‘This isn’t the end,’ Formonte remarked. ‘Today we celebrate results, but we also plant a seed.’

Juan Pablo Salazar, CAF’s Director of Inclusion, stressed the necessity of regulatory reform and long-term structural support. While Barbados led in accessibility among the pilot nations, Salazar underscored that true inclusion requires more than goodwill. ‘Right now, we have great people like Ryan, Martin, and the rest of the team,’ he said. ‘But this can’t depend solely on individuals. We need laws and institutions that ensure access to sport is a guaranteed right, not a fortunate exception.’

Salazar also pointed out the broader societal impact of inclusive systems in sports. ‘When we create inclusive systems in sport, we’re not just building athletes — we’re changing how society sees and includes persons with disabilities across the board,’ he explained. ‘That’s why this project matters. It’s a template for how inclusion can be embedded into public life.’

The project resonated deeply with the local government. Ryan Straughan, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, shared a personal story about his autistic son benefiting from the late Michael Young’s Adaptive Aquatics programme. Straughan announced a $100,000 commitment to continue this legacy through training at Camp Aquarius.

Charles Griffith, Minister of Youth, Sport, and Community Empowerment, echoed this sentiment, vowing to increase Barbados’ representation in future Paralympics. ‘We had only one athlete at the last Paralympics,’ he said. ‘Never again.’ Plans include a coaching exchange with Nippon Sports and Science University in Japan and upgrading facilities for accessibility.

The event underscored Barbados’ readiness to lead by example in the region. With robust partnerships, dedicated leadership, and growing public awareness, parasport in the Caribbean is gaining the structure and visibility needed to thrive.

Barbados is experiencing its most severe rental housing shortage in decades, driven by a surge in short-term holiday rentals and increasing demand from overseas tenants. Real estate agents report that affordable housing has become increasingly inaccessible for most locals, with prices skyrocketing due to the influence of initiatives like the Welcome Stamp program and the proliferation of Airbnb listings. Daryl Gill, owner of Timeless Properties, highlighted the dramatic shift in the rental market since 2021, noting that properties once available for $1,000 to $1,200 now rarely fall below $2,500. Gill explained that the conversion of long-term rentals into furnished short-term units has exacerbated the crisis, leaving low- to middle-income earners with few options. Regional migrants from countries like Dominica and Jamaica are also struggling to secure housing due to high prices and limited availability. Gill emphasized the need for policy intervention, warning that the situation is pushing housing further out of reach for locals. Real estate agent Kirt Trotman echoed these concerns, describing the shortage as ‘very difficult’ and noting the near absence of properties in the $900 to $1,600 range. Industry professionals attribute the crisis to the dominance of holiday rentals and the Welcome Stamp program, which has attracted digital nomads and short-term visitors. As Barbados continues to draw international interest, experts stress the urgent need to address the housing imbalance to prevent more locals from being left without homes.

In his seminal work, *Outliers: The Story of Success*, Malcolm Gladwell redefines the narrative around extraordinary achievement. He posits that success is not merely a product of innate talent but is deeply rooted in opportunity, cultural heritage, and the relentless pursuit of mastery—epitomized by the renowned “10,000-hour rule.” This perspective holds profound relevance for small island developing states (SIDS) like Barbados, where limited resources often overshadow immense potential.

Gladwell’s insights resonate personally with the author, who shares a unique connection to the Gladwell family. Malcolm’s father, Graham Gladwell, was a professor at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica during the 1960s, where the author pursued a degree in Mathematics. Malcolm’s Caribbean heritage underscores a vital truth: global thought leaders can emerge from even the most underestimated regions.

For SIDS, *Outliers* offers a roadmap to greatness. By fostering ecosystems that identify and nurture talent early, providing mentorship, and creating opportunities for growth, these nations can cultivate excellence across diverse fields—be it business, sports, or the arts. Gladwell’s emphasis on cultural legacies further highlights the importance of preserving and leveraging the resilience, creativity, and communal traditions of Caribbean ancestors.

By integrating these cultural strengths with strategic investments in education and mentorship, SIDS can empower a new generation of outliers. While these nations may be geographically small, their contributions to the global stage can be monumental. Embracing Gladwell’s lessons on opportunity, culture, and timing is key to unlocking the untapped potential of Caribbean citizens and positioning SIDS as giants in their own right.

Barbados is facing a growing issue with unregistered vehicle transfers, prompting urgent calls from the General Insurance Association of Barbados (GIAB) and the Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) for motorists to adhere to registration and transfer laws. Reports indicate a significant increase in vehicles still registered to previous owners, despite being sold or transferred to new parties. This oversight has led to complications, including potential liability for insurance lapses or illegal activities involving these vehicles. The GIAB highlighted that many individuals fail to notify the BLA when selling or purchasing vehicles, leaving ownership records outdated. Additionally, the association warned against selling vehicles with original registration plates, advising purchasers to apply for temporary plates until the registration process is complete. The BLA emphasized that vehicle owners must notify the Chief Licensing Officer in writing of any ownership changes, as mandated by the Road Traffic Act. To streamline the process, the BLA has made necessary forms available on its official website. Both authorities urged buyers of used vehicles to verify legal registration, rightful ownership, and any outstanding financial obligations before completing a purchase. Sellers were also advised to remove registration plates before finalizing a sale, with purchasers required to obtain temporary plates for legal transportation.

In response to health and safety concerns arising from nearby construction activities, the Ministry of Educational Transformation has temporarily relocated staff and students of Wesley Hall Infant School to Lawrence T Gay Memorial Primary School. The decision, announced by Deputy Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles, aims to ensure uninterrupted teaching and learning while repairs continue at the Wesley Hall Junior School site on King Street, St Michael. Initially, the ministry considered keeping the infant school on-site, but unforeseen risks associated with the construction necessitated the move. Parents were informed of the relocation during an online meeting a week prior, where they were also asked to indicate transportation needs. While the ministry planned to transport 113 students via the Transport Board, approximately 150 students showed up on the day of the move, causing delays due to limited resources. Despite initial logistical challenges, the 34 staff members and 234 students have now settled into their new location. The ministry expressed gratitude to the Transport Board for their assistance and reiterated its commitment to ensuring a smooth experience for all stakeholders. The relocation follows similar moves for the junior school, which was previously shifted to Westbury Primary School and St Leonard’s Anglican Church due to parental and teacher concerns. The ministry emphasized that safety and uninterrupted learning remain its top priorities during this transitional period.