Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Sister of slain policewoman using foundation to help other gun violence victims

    Sister of slain policewoman using foundation to help other gun violence victims

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Transforming profound personal tragedy into a force for communal healing, Denise Johnston has established the Pamella Sunrise Foundation to support victims of gun violence and trauma. Her inspiration stems from devastating personal losses that began in 1987 when armed assailants shot her mother in their Fairfield Road home. The violence escalated nine months later when her sister, Constable Pamella Johnston, became the first female police officer in Jamaica killed in the line of duty after being raped and murdered by gunmen who boarded a public bus in Greendale. Another passenger, Fendel Pearson, was fatally shot during the same incident in front of his eight-year-old daughter.

    Johnston describes the enduring nature of such trauma: “It’s not something you just get over. Without knowing the extent of your pain, people keep asking in disbelief if you’ve not gotten over it yet, why haven’t you healed as yet…and why is it taking you so long.” She recalls her sister as “the glue of the family” whose death shattered their family unit, making it painfully difficult for them to even occupy the same room together.

    After carrying this pain for more than two decades, Johnston relocated to California following the parole granted to one of her sister’s murderers, whom she was unexpectedly asked to pardon. This geographical shift eventually led her to seek grief counseling through Christian ministry, which became the catalyst for establishing her faith-based organization.

    The Pamella Sunrise Foundation, launched in December 2024 with operations in both California and Jamaica, provides specialized support through licensed therapists who are also Christians, with particular emphasis on children affected by violence. “One of the reasons why the foundation places an emphasis on children is because that troubled child could want to grow up and be different,” Johnston explained. “We are about changing the mind, changing emotional patterns.”

    The foundation’s programs focus on understanding grief, achieving closure, and navigating the complex terrain of forgiveness. In a remarkable demonstration of this principle, Johnston forgave the daughter of one of her sister’s killers after the woman sought forgiveness through a TikTok video in 2024. They subsequently met, prayed together, and agreed to collaborate through the foundation to address the generational impact of violence.

    “How could I not want to forgive…it is not for me to be hanging on to unforgiveness,” Johnston reflected. “She wants what’s different for her family — and not for them to go the route of her father. It doesn’t have to be that because you have killed someone for me I have to kill someone for you.”

    The organization plans to expand its reach through camps and workshops in selected communities, training advocates for counseling while strengthening collaborations with the private sector, law enforcement, correctional services, educational institutions, and government ministries. Johnston summarizes their mission: “We aim to change the lives and the stories of people who have been disadvantaged by gun crimes from pain and defeat to promise and purpose.”

  • Neighbour helps rescue woman from house fire

    Neighbour helps rescue woman from house fire

    In a dramatic morning rescue on Porgy Way off East Street South, Nassau, quick-thinking neighbors forcibly entered a burning residence to save Christine Lightbourne after a powerful explosion ripped through her home yesterday. The incident occurred around 9:30 AM as Ms. Lightbourne was preparing for church services.

    According to eyewitness accounts, neighbor Robert Bethell abandoned his usual Sunday routine to remain home, where he detected smoke and heard distress calls emanating from the adjacent property. ‘My mind just told me to stay home,’ Bethell recounted, describing his spontaneous decision that ultimately proved lifesaving.

    Bethell immediately initiated emergency precautions by wetting his roof and shutting off gas supplies while rallying assistance from passing motorists. The rescue team confronted significant obstacles due to multiple deadlocks securing the property. ‘I was afraid,’ Bethell admitted. ‘I said boy this whole area could be imploding and she was in there hollering and we couldn’t get the doors open.’

    Through collective effort, the ad-hoc responders breached the entrance and extracted Ms. Lightbourne, who sustained substantial upper body burns and facial soot injuries. Nassau Fire Services arrived promptly at the scene, transporting the victim to hospital where medical staff reported her in stable condition.

    Family members expressed profound gratitude for the neighbors’ intervention, with sister Denise Mackey specifically acknowledging Bethell’s courageous actions. Daughter Crystal Ingraham confirmed her mother maintained remarkably positive spirits despite the traumatic event and visible injuries.

    Fire investigators continue examining the single-storey structure, where internal damage includes extensive soot deposition and collapsed sheetrock despite the building’s externally intact appearance. The explosion’s origin remains undetermined, though family sources noted Ms. Lightbourne had recently extinguished a candle moments before the blast occurred.

    Notably, the home’s other residents—Lightbourne’s daughter and grandson—were absent during the incident, preventing potential further casualties in what authorities are treating as a potentially catastrophic near-miss event.

  • Flow empowers Welches Primary students with a Safer Internet Day session

    Flow empowers Welches Primary students with a Safer Internet Day session

    In anticipation of the global Safer Internet Day, telecommunications provider Flow conducted a specialized educational engagement at Welches Primary School, delivering crucial lessons on responsible digital citizenship to young learners. The initiative targeted Class 3 and Class 4 students, emphasizing the formation of secure online habits during formative years.

    Led by Camara Price, Supervisor of Flow’s Technical Assistance Centre, the interactive session empowered students to critically evaluate their digital behaviors. The curriculum addressed multiple dimensions of online safety, including appropriate information sharing, respectful digital communication, and the ethical use of emerging smart technologies. Central themes reinforced the values of kindness, privacy protection, and awareness that digital actions create permanent footprints.

    The workshop generated enthusiastic participation, with students actively posing questions and sharing personal online experiences. Flow contributed educational resources to the institution, presenting an iPad and vouchers to the school administration. Additionally, all participating students received branded merchandise commemorating the event.

    Toni Yarde, Senior Communications Manager at Flow, articulated the company’s philosophy: “We believe connectivity must simultaneously empower and protect, particularly for younger users. This engagement enabled early intervention through meaningful dialogue, helping students recognize that technology’s power must be balanced with informed choices. Education and awareness constitute essential pillars of online safety, especially as children access digital tools at increasingly younger ages.”

    School Principal Julia Broome expressed appreciation for the corporate partnership, noting: “We value Flow’s investment in delivering interactive, relevant safety education. This collaboration strengthens our school community by reinforcing critical lessons about digital responsibility and ethical decision-making.”

    The initiative aligns with the 2024 Safer Internet Day theme: “Smart Tech, Safe Choices – Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI,” highlighting the growing importance of informed digital literacy in an increasingly connected world.

  • Vincy NGO Hand2Earth to present at climate forum in Vienna

    Vincy NGO Hand2Earth to present at climate forum in Vienna

    Saint Vincent’s grassroots organization Hand2Earth has achieved international acclaim by securing an invitation to present at the prestigious UNIDO Climate Adaptation and Industrial Resilience Forum scheduled for February 2026 in Vienna, Austria. This recognition comes as a direct result of the NGO’s receipt of the highly competitive GEF Assembly Challenge Award in 2023, where it emerged victorious among 600 global applicants as one of only 22 selected winners.

    The organization will showcase its innovative vetiver systems project, which has demonstrated remarkable success in farmland recovery throughout North Leeward. Since its inception in 2022 with initial funding from the SVG Conservation Fund, the project has expanded significantly, now engaging 85 active farmers and 21 craft beneficiaries while positively impacting over 200 households through its comprehensive watershed management and agri-heritage tourism initiatives.

    Project Manager Vonnie Roudette has been personally invited to deliver a keynote address focusing on the governance, design, and sustainability of community-led climate adaptation solutions. Her presentation will emphasize the holistic approach that has become Hand2Earth’s trademark—a methodology that combines creative praxis with inclusive problem-solving to ensure community ownership and long-term viability.

    The four-day UNIDO forum, aligned with the UNIDO Climate Action Plan 2025–2029, will convene government representatives, private sector leaders, and technical experts to establish practical pathways for integrating climate adaptation into sustainable industrial development. Additionally, a specialized workshop will provide capacity-building training and networking opportunities for the 22 selected civil society organizations, enabling knowledge exchange and initiative scaling.

    Hand2Earth’s invitation acknowledges both its environmental achievements and its established reputation in prisoner rehabilitation programs encompassing vetiver crafts, literacy education, and sustainable farming practices since 2015. The organization’s participation represents not just local success but a model for global community-led climate resilience.

  • LISTEN: Antigua and Barbuda Government Purchases Crusher to Accelerate Road Repairs

    LISTEN: Antigua and Barbuda Government Purchases Crusher to Accelerate Road Repairs

    In a strategic move to enhance national infrastructure development, Prime Minister Gaston Browne revealed on Saturday that the government has secured a new stone crusher through an outright purchase. The announcement, made during his weekly appearance on the ‘Browne and Browne Show,’ signals a significant step forward in the administration’s public works agenda.

    The newly acquired industrial equipment, fully paid for by the state, is projected to arrive within the next 45 to 60 days. This machinery is specifically intended to revolutionize the country’s aggregate production capabilities, which have been operating below optimal capacity. By substantially increasing the daily output of crushed stone—a fundamental component in concrete manufacturing—the government aims to eliminate existing bottlenecks in construction material supply.

    Prime Minister Browne articulated the direct correlation between aggregate availability and road construction efficiency, stating, ‘This strategic acquisition will enable us to dramatically increase aggregate production, thereby accelerating our concrete road paving initiatives nationwide.’ The investment represents a core component of the administration’s comprehensive infrastructure modernization program, which prioritizes durability, quality, and long-term resilience in public works projects.

    Beyond the crusher acquisition, the government is preparing to deploy additional specialized road repair machinery in the coming weeks. This multi-faceted approach underscores an intensified commitment to overhauling the nation’s transportation network, addressing both immediate repair needs and long-term infrastructure development goals through enhanced technical capacity and resource allocation.

  • Antigua and Barbuda to Invest in National Sound System for Major Events

    Antigua and Barbuda to Invest in National Sound System for Major Events

    The Antiguan government is advancing ambitious plans to elevate the nation’s cultural infrastructure with a dual-pronged approach: the imminent completion of a $20 million performing arts center and a potential state investment in a national sound and lighting system. Prime Minister Gaston Browne, speaking on the ‘Browne and Browne Show,’ confirmed that the transformation of the former Deluxe Cinema into a cutting-edge performance venue is on track for a September or October unveiling.

    Beyond the brick-and-mortar development, the administration is contemplating a significant investment in professional audio-visual technology. This initiative aims to drastically improve the production quality of large-scale national events, including Carnival celebrations and major concerts. The government has already procured a large stage for the new center and is now evaluating the acquisition of a professional-grade sound system, with lighting equipment also under consideration.

    Prime Minister Browne framed this investment as a crucial component of a broader strategy to ‘level up’ the country’s creative economy. He emphasized the government’s role in ensuring that flagship productions meet international standards, thereby enhancing the experience for both residents and tourists. ‘We can’t have substandard sound at major productions,’ Browne stated, underscoring the commitment to quality.

    The proposed government-owned system would specifically target large-scale events, while private audio providers would continue to serve the small and medium-sized event market. This delineation aims to supplement rather than supplant existing private sector services, with the government taking responsibility for guaranteeing top-tier production value at the nation’s most prominent cultural showcases.

  • Illegal greenhouse Neither coffee nor bananas: what they were growing in these mountains was marijuana

    Illegal greenhouse Neither coffee nor bananas: what they were growing in these mountains was marijuana

    In a significant counter-narcotics operation, Dominican authorities have uncovered and dismantled a major marijuana cultivation site in the mountainous terrain of Baní, Peravia province. The joint operation involved prosecutors from the Public Ministry and agents from the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), supported by state intelligence services and aerial surveillance from Dominican Republic Air Force helicopters.

    Intelligence gathering revealed multiple individuals were engaged in systematic cultivation and distribution operations, prompting an extensive air and ground assault in the Montería sector. During the raid, law enforcement officials discovered 1,835 marijuana plants standing approximately two meters tall, indicating an advanced stage of cultivation.

    The seizure included substantial evidence: two buckets filled with processed plant material, five industrial exhaust fans, four extension cords, an irrigation pump, agricultural tools, water storage tanks, multiple fuel containers, and hundreds of bags containing soil and seeds prepared for future planting. Authorities also confiscated living quarter items including foam mattresses found within a makeshift shelter at the site.

    Investigators are currently pursuing three suspects, including two Haitian nationals and a Dominican landowner identified through intelligence reports as the property owner. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued calls for the identified individuals to surrender voluntarily to face justice under Law 50-88 on Drugs and Controlled Substances.

    All confiscated plants and materials have been transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) for analysis and legal processing. This operation represents one of the largest recent marijuana plantation dismantlements in the region, demonstrating enhanced inter-agency cooperation in combating drug trafficking operations.

  • Honden paraderen tijdens carnaval in Rio; protest tegen dierenmishandeling

    Honden paraderen tijdens carnaval in Rio; protest tegen dierenmishandeling

    In a vibrant display of solidarity against animal abuse, hundreds of costumed dogs and their owners gathered Saturday for Rio de Janeiro’s annual Blocao carnival celebration. The event, now in its third decade, transformed Barra da Tijuca district into a colorful spectacle where canines dressed as alligators, fairies, and superheroes enjoyed a specially adapted street festival.

    The gathering served dual purposes: celebrating the joy of human-animal bonds while raising awareness about pet protection. Organizers implemented special measures to ensure canine comfort in Rio’s 30°C heat, including shaded rest areas, water stations, and paw protection from hot asphalt. The two-hour celebration featured samba music, breakfast buffets for four-legged participants, and opportunities for socializing.

    Marco Antonio Marinho, 72, the event’s chief organizer, emphasized the familial bond: ‘Dogs are part of our families. When we’re sad at home, they stay with us and share our sadness. Now that we’re happy, they should be happy too.’

    The event took on poignant significance as attendees paid tribute to Orelha, a dog whose brutal killing in southern Brazil in January sparked national outrage. Participants waved white ribbons and sang memorial songs while calling for justice in the ongoing case, where a 15-year-old suspect faces juvenile court proceedings despite police recommendations for prosecution.

    First-time attendee Natalia Reis, 28, arrived with her 11-year-old dog Theo, visibly emotional during speeches about animal protection. ‘This tragedy could have happened to any of us,’ she stated, echoing widespread calls for increased awareness and stricter penalties for animal cruelty.

  • Buxton labourer charged with robbing Montrose woman

    Buxton labourer charged with robbing Montrose woman

    A 53-year-old laborer from Brush Dam, Buxton has been formally charged with the armed robbery of a Montrose businesswoman in a case that has drawn attention to coastal criminal activity. Joseph George appeared before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, February 12, 2026, where he entered a plea of not guilty to the allegations.

    The alleged incident occurred on Monday, February 9, 2026, when the accused reportedly targeted a 47-year-old self-employed woman residing in Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara. While the Guyana Police Force has not disclosed specific details regarding the circumstances of the offense or the items stolen, the charge formally accuses George of robbery under arms—a serious criminal offense in Guyanese law.

    Magistrate Nurse granted the defendant bail set at GY$150,000 pending trial, allowing George to remain free under financial guarantee while awaiting judicial proceedings. The court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on March 17, 2026, when both prosecution and defense are expected to present their respective cases.

    The case represents another entry in the ongoing judicial processing of criminal activities along the East Coast Demerara corridor, highlighting the continuing challenges faced by law enforcement in the region. The relatively quick progression from alleged offense to formal charges—within three days of the reported incident—demonstrates the operational response capacity of local authorities in addressing serious criminal complaints.

  • Cattle owner charged with suffering animals

    Cattle owner charged with suffering animals

    A livestock proprietor from Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara has been convicted on multiple animal welfare violations after admitting to charges of neglecting his cattle. The Guyana Police Force confirmed Saturday that 54-year-old Denesh Rohit entered guilty pleas for three distinct counts of permitting his bovines to stray unlawfully, contravening national road legislation.

    The judicial proceedings unfolded at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court on February 13, 2026, where Magistrate Dylon Bess presided over the case. Court records indicate the offenses occurred across three residential zones: Prospect Young Professional Housing Scheme, Herstelling Housing Scheme, and Farm Housing Scheme along the East Bank Demerara corridor.

    Following his admission of guilt, Rohit received financial penalties totaling GY$30,000—structured as GY$10,000 per individual count. Beyond monetary sanctions, the magistrate issued formal directives mandating the implementation of appropriate containment measures to prevent future incidents involving unrestrained livestock.

    Authorities emphasized this judgment serves as both punitive action and preventive measure, highlighting the legal responsibilities of animal owners to maintain proper control over their herds. The case represents ongoing efforts to address public safety concerns and animal welfare standards in developing residential communities where human-animal conflicts occasionally emerge.