Carib Scope

分类： society

  • 6 Optimist boats hand-built by Carriacou youth

    6 Optimist boats hand-built by Carriacou youth

    For generations, the coastal community of Windward in Carriacou has held close to its deep maritime roots, with traditional wooden boatbuilding standing as one of its most cherished cultural legacies. This summer, that centuries-old craft got a vital injection of new energy, as a group of young aspiring builders turned raw materials into six handcrafted Optimist dinghies through a unique youth-focused training initiative.

    The project was developed as part of the Division of Youth’s Camp Flame programme, created to connect younger Grenadians to fading traditional skills. Over the course of the intensive summer course, participants gathered at the purpose-built boatbuilding school facility to learn every step of the craft under the tutelage of master shipwright Bernard McLawrence, a veteran of the trade who has spent decades honing the techniques passed down through generations. Starting from nothing more than raw lumber and hand tools, the group worked together to complete six fully functional small sailboats, then added personal touches by hand-painting each vessel with bold, custom designs that reflect their own creativity.

    The boatbuilding school that hosted the programme itself is the product of a forward-thinking strategic collaboration. It was established through a partnership between the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Local Government, and Ambassador Piero Zippoli, Grenada’s Special Envoy for Investment. The entire facility was built with a clear core mission: to protect and pass on the unique maritime cultural heritage that has defined Carriacou’s identity for hundreds of years.

    Now that the six new boats are fully complete, organisers are preparing to mark the milestone with a traditional launching ceremony, held true to the long-standing customs of Windward. The event will incorporate all the historic blessings, rituals, and traditions that have accompanied the launch of new vessels in the community for generations, turning the completion of the youth-built boats into a celebration of both cultural continuity and the promise of the next generation. For organisers and community members alike, the successful programme is more than just a boatbuilding class – it is a critical step toward ensuring that Carriacou’s iconic maritime legacy does not just survive, but thrives for years to come.

  • Two Villa Men Shot Near West Bus Station

    Two Villa Men Shot Near West Bus Station

    A brazen shooting incident has rocked the area around St. John’s West Bus Station, leaving two young men from Villa with gunshot wounds just moments after the attack unfolded. Local law enforcement has launched an urgent investigation into the attack, which occurred as the two victims were traveling home from a public works gathering hosted at the city’s Multi-Purpose Centre, according to initial law enforcement briefs.

    Preliminary medical updates confirm that one of the victims sustained a gunshot wound to his torso side, while the second victim was hit in the leg. Both men are currently receiving urgent medical care, though official updates on their current conditions have not yet been released to the public.

    Investigators have also confirmed that the two injured young men are reportedly linked to a local faction known by the name “2Drilly”, a detail that has added a new layer of context to the ongoing probe into what led to the public attack. Local residents have expressed shock over the violent incident taking place in a busy transit hub, and authorities are asking any witnesses who were in the area around the time of the shooting to come forward with any information that could help move the investigation forward.

  • Young double amputee back on streets as mystery infection spreads

    Young double amputee back on streets as mystery infection spreads

    It has been 12 months since the public rallied behind 22-year-old Ezekiel Miller, whose lifelong battle with a persistent infection has cost him both legs and two fingers. Today, he still pushes his manual wheelchair for an hour each day through the streets of Freeport, Grand Bahama, asking passers-by for small donations to cover his basic living costs. His story has reemerged in the public eye after a video shared to Facebook on Wednesday reignited public concern, showing Miller seated in his chair, wearing black knitted gloves to cover open sores on his hands, his amputated lower legs visible beneath his black shorts. The person who filmed the video confirmed that Miller receives government disability assistance, but emphasized that the support falls far short of what he needs to get by, and called on the community to step forward to improve his quality of life.

    In an interview with The Tribune on Thursday, Miller explained that years of pushing a manual wheelchair have left his body worn and strained. Last year, a Florida resident following his story partnered with local business owner Eddie Whan to gift him a donated motorised wheelchair, but the device has since broken down and is in need of repairs that Miller cannot afford. “I just need some help,” Miller said. “I don’t feel like pushing this wheelchair 24/7, messing up my hands. I’ve already been through so much.” He is currently in urgent need of a new functional motorised wheelchair to regain his mobility without constant physical strain.

    Miller’s life was upended forever at age 14, when he stepped on a rusty nail that sparked a persistent, unidentifiable infection that has slowly spread through his body. He lost his first leg at 14, his second at 19, and two more fingers earlier this year, leaving him with eight functioning fingers. Though he currently experiences no constant physical pain, the infection continues to progress, and another finger is so deteriorated that his mother is planning for another amputation. “I mean, the legs are already gone, so now it’s moving through my hands,” Miller said, his voice heavy with resignation. When asked if he hopes for further surgery or prosthetic limbs to restore function, he seemed drained of hope, adding: “They can’t even get rid of the infection in me anyway. It’s definitely still hard for me. I basically can’t do too much.”

    Last year, Miller traveled to the United States to see specialists in search of answers and treatment, but even top clinicians were unable to identify the root cause of his persistent infection. They only recommended minor additional surgery to remove a small section of remaining leg tissue, a procedure that has not stopped the infection’s spread. The condition has left him unable to hold steady employment, but the 22-year-old still considers himself a hard worker committed to earning what he can, describing himself as a “hustler.”

    Each day, he pushes himself more than a mile from his home in Caravel Beach to downtown Freeport and surrounding neighborhoods, seeking small donations from people he meets. Local Grand Bahama community members have continued to show up for him, with many stopping to contribute cash for his daily food and needs, and Whan provides him with a regular monthly stipend to help. After last year’s outpouring of support, a bank account was set up to hold donations from supporters around the world, but Miller says fraudsters hacked the account and stole most of the funds. The Tribune has not yet been able to independently confirm this claim, but Miller said the theft left him devastated, and forced him back onto the streets to beg for support to survive.

    For most of his life, Miller has been confined to a wheelchair, and his daily reality stands in stark contrast to the lives of most people his age, who get to enjoy travel, social connection and the freedom of young adulthood. Miller admitted that staying positive is a constant struggle. “When I’m by myself, I get down sometimes,” he said, explaining that he tries to hide his sadness from others. “Certain things I can’t do, I just can’t do. I just sit down and patiently wait for someone to help me, to be honest with you.” Right now, he says he is just doing his best to get by each day, and he is asking anyone who can donate a working motorised wheelchair or contribute financial support to reach out to him directly at 242 827-1213. Any assistance, he says, would be life-changing.

  • Family seeks answers after elderly father is shot dead

    Family seeks answers after elderly father is shot dead

    A senseless, unprovoked shooting has robbed a close-knit family of their beloved patriarch, a 71-year-old hardworking construction worker who spent decades raising six children alone and keeping to himself in his adopted home of The Bahamas.

    St Gerard Nord, a Haitian national with permanent residency in The Bahamas, died in a local hospital on Friday, two days after an unknown gunman ambushed him as he sat in his parked vehicle outside his Wilson Tract residence, preparing to leave for the day. Nord had only celebrated his 71st birthday four months prior, and was quietly looking forward to retiring in his home country of Haiti after a lifetime of work.

    The devastating news has left his relatives, most of whom live abroad, reeling with grief and confusion, as they struggle to reconcile why anyone would target a man they describe as gentle, hardworking, and entirely unconnected to trouble.

    Lynda Nord Seide, Nord’s daughter, who lives outside of The Bahamas, recalled speaking to her father just hours before the attack, when the pair laughed, joked, and caught up on life as they usually did during their twice-weekly calls. When her sister called her at work the next morning with the shocking news, Seide said the blow was overwhelming. “I felt like everything just left my body. I felt like my soul literally just left my body, and it’s just been a blur and a roller coaster of emotion for the past week,” she told local outlet The Tribune.

    According to initial police accounts, a purple vehicle pulled onto the street near Nord’s home last Wednesday. A gunman exited the vehicle, opened fire on Nord, and immediately fled the scene. Relatives confirmed that Nord suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Bystanders told investigators they had seen a vehicle matching that description parked near the home with multiple men inside in the moments leading up to the attack, a detail that has deepened the family’s confusion.

    Nord’s life was defined by quiet responsibility. When Seide was just seven years old, his wife died, leaving him to raise all six of their children alone as a single father. He worked tirelessly in construction to provide for his family, never sought conflict, and had no known ties to criminal groups or gang activity, his relatives said. The family has confirmed that while Nord did mention a minor conflict with an acquaintance that began last year, he never expressed fear for his safety, and the family has no insight into whether that dispute was connected to his killing.

    For Tasha Oliver Milfrise, Nord’s niece and goddaughter who also lives overseas, the violence is incomprehensible. She had just visited The Bahamas two weeks before the shooting for her own father’s funeral, and got to see her godfather during that trip. “I just don’t understand. How can someone just take a 71-year-old life?” she said. “My godfather never bothered anyone.”

    Seide described her father as the unshakable pillar of the family, and said he was incredibly proud that all six of his children had built lives abroad. Beyond his work and his dedication to his kids, Nord lived a quiet, unassuming life: he kept to himself, avoided conflict, and was planning the next chapter of his life back in Haiti after decades of working in The Bahamas. Right now, the family’s only request is answers and justice for a man who never harmed anyone.

  • CDB, UN Women and UWI partner to advance regional response to violence prevention

    CDB, UN Women and UWI partner to advance regional response to violence prevention

    Against a backdrop of rising concerns over interconnected violence plaguing communities across the Caribbean, regional and international institutions have joined forces to center youth voices and gender justice in long-term violence prevention efforts. The Caribbean Futures High-Level Anti-Violence Forum, hosted as a core component of the 16th Caribbean Institute in Gender and Development (CIGAD), brought together a diverse cross-section of stakeholders—from grassroots youth advocates and senior government policymakers to leading academic researchers and gender equality specialists—for three days of collaborative dialogue and strategy-building.

    Organized through a partnership between the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), UN Women Caribbean, and The University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus, the event departed from traditional top-down policy discussions by prioritizing intergenerational dialogue. Young advocates sat side-by-side with established decision-makers to unpack the overlapping drivers of violence in the region, linking gang activity, gender-based violence, and displacement linked to climate change as interconnected issues that demand integrated, context-specific solutions. Rather than relying on imported frameworks that do not align with Caribbean cultural and social realities, participants centered locally rooted strategies shaped by the communities most affected by violence.

    Dr. Maria Ziegler, Senior Gender Specialist at CDB, emphasized that effective violence prevention goes far beyond law enforcement interventions. It targets the underlying attitudes, beliefs, and social norms that normalize violence in homes, schools, public spaces, and intimate relationships. “Violence prevention transforms the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours that normalise violence in homes, schools, communities, and relationships. It promotes positive masculinities, empowers girls and young women, and engages boys and men as allies in creating safer, more equitable societies for everyone,” Ziegler explained.

    Sharon Carter-Burke, Communications and Advocacy Analyst at the UN Women Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean, outlined UN Women’s ongoing work to address harmful gender norms that harm all genders. Through the Foundations Violence Prevention Programme, a youth-centered, participatory curriculum, the organization works to shift the cultural and social attitudes that perpetuate gender-based discrimination, inequality, and violence. “UN Women not only promotes the rights, empowerment, and safety of all women and girls, but we are working with partners to disrupt the gender norms that also harm men and boys,” Carter-Burke noted.

    Beyond policy dialogue, the forum also marked the completion of the in-person training segment for 16th CIGAD participants. Supplementary programming included an interactive theatre presentation that challenged harmful conceptions of masculinity and a youth-led roundtable that put young voices directly in conversation with top decision-makers. These activities demonstrated how collaborative research, open dialogue, and cross-sector partnership can strengthen the impact of regional violence prevention work.

    a consensus emerged among participants that sustainable, lasting change requires buy-in and contribution from every sector of society. Attendees reinforced that progress cannot be achieved without bridging generational divides, uniting the experience of long-time practitioners with the fresh perspectives of young leaders, and aligning the efforts of governments, community groups, and regional institutions. Discussions also made clear that gender justice and youth empowerment are inextricably linked, and must be advanced in tandem to create meaningful, lasting change.

    Organizers expect that the cross-sector partnerships forged during the forum will continue long after the event concluded, creating a sustained foundation for greater collaboration between youth organizations, national governments, and regional development institutions on violence prevention initiatives across the Caribbean.

    CIGAD, which is jointly funded by CDB and UN Women, works to advance gender-responsive development across the entire Caribbean region. The initiative also aligns with CDB’s 10-year Strategic Plan, which sets out a goal of integrating gender equality into all levels of decision-making across the public, private, and civil society sectors in the Bank’s Borrowing Member Countries.

  • Police seek public’s help to locate missing girl

    Police seek public’s help to locate missing girl

    Law enforcement officials in Saint Lucia are turning to the community for help in locating a woman reported missing from the capital district of Castries. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has issued a public call for information on Israel Phillip, a resident of Black Mallet who has not been seen or heard from since late July 2026.

    According to official details released by the police, Phillip was last spotted by witnesses at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, July 30. At the time of her disappearance, she was dressed in distinctive clothing that may help the public identify her: black tights, a black hooded jacket featuring a bold red stripe running down the back, and a pair of popular Reef brand slippers.

    Police have shared a physical description of the missing woman to aid public recognition. Phillip stands roughly 5 feet 5 inches tall, has a medium build, brown eyes, and black hair that is styled in braids.

    The RSLPF is urging any member of the public who may have seen Phillip since the date she was last reported seen, or who holds any information that could help investigators trace her current whereabouts, to come forward immediately with details. There are multiple confidential channels available for people to share tips:

    Interested parties can reach out directly to the Marchand Police Station by calling the dedicated local line 456-3885. Alternatively, tipsters can contact the anonymous national Crime Hotline at 555, or submit information securely through the official RSLPF Crime Hotline mobile application.

    Authorities emphasize that even small pieces of information could prove critical to locating Phillip safely, and encourage anyone with relevant details to not hesitate to contact police.

  • Bellevue Chopin resident appeals to authorities to follow up on sanitation predicament

    Bellevue Chopin resident appeals to authorities to follow up on sanitation predicament

    A Bellevue Chopin resident on the Caribbean island of Dominica is escalating a public appeal to local waste management authorities and environmental officials, demanding immediate action to clear a large pile of bagged household waste that has sat on her property for months, despite repeated formal requests and a pre-agreed payment for the service.

    Frances Harvey, the property owner, told local media outlet Dominica News Online that the waste accumulated after she hosted a three-day end-of-term retreat for 25 students from Dominica Grammar School, which is based in the capital city of Roseau. After the event concluded, Harvey sorted and bagged all leftover waste to be collected, placing the pile in her garden, where it has remained untouched ever since.

    In the months following the retreat, Harvey has pursued multiple avenues to secure collection, making repeated in-person visits to the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC)’s Roseau office and sending multiple follow-up emails to request the special pickup. She confirmed that during these communications, a DSWMC staff member agreed to dispatch a collection truck for a paid special collection, and Harvey immediately committed to covering all associated service costs. To date, however, no collection team has arrived to remove the waste.

    The months-long delay has spawned growing public health risks for Harvey’s household and the surrounding neighborhood. Rodent populations have already been drawn to the uncollected waste pile, creating unsanitary conditions that threaten the well-being of local residents. Beyond the immediate impacts on her own property, Harvey warns the broken promise of collection highlights systemic gaps in the island’s waste management infrastructure.

    She argues that when residents take the initiative to properly sort, bag and store waste for collection, only to be ignored for months on end, it erodes incentives for responsible waste disposal. This breakdown in service, she says, ultimately contributes to a rise in illegal dumping across local communities, exacerbating broader environmental and public health challenges island-wide.

    Harvey reaffirmed that she remains fully willing and ready to pay the agreed cost for the special collection service, and is only asking authorities to fulfill their commitment. She has now issued a formal public call for the DSWMC and Dominica’s Ministry of Environment to intervene immediately, end the unnecessary delay, and arrange for the waste to be removed from her Bellevue Chopin residence without further postponement.

  • Jamaicans in Antigua Urged to Uphold Nation’s Values on 64th Independence Anniversary

    Jamaicans in Antigua Urged to Uphold Nation’s Values on 64th Independence Anniversary

    As Jamaica prepares to mark its 64th year of sovereign self-governance, a leading Caribbean immigration services executive has delivered a heartfelt message of celebration to Jamaican nationals building lives across Antigua and Barbuda. Nevoy Morrison, Principal Consultant of Caridocs – Caribbean Document Processing & Immigration Services, used the national milestone to urge diaspora members to embrace their role as goodwill ambassadors for their homeland, while continuing to lift up the local communities they now call home.

    For Morrison, the anniversary of Jamaica’s 1962 independence is far more than a ceremonial holiday. It stands as a lasting testament to the extraordinary resilience, unwavering determination, and trailblazing achievements that have defined the Jamaican people from the fight for sovereignty to the present day. Even as thousands of Jamaicans have built new lives outside the nation’s borders over the decades, Morrison emphasized that core Jamaican traits — including the island’s rich cultural heritage, strong communal work ethic, and deep national pride — remain central to the identity of every diaspora member.

    “Members of the global Jamaican diaspora share a common responsibility to act as intentional ambassadors for our nation,” Morrison explained in his official greeting. “When we lead with integrity, contribute our time and effort to local service, and add value to the communities that welcome us, we honor the enormous sacrifices made by the generation that fought for our freedom and laid the foundation for every generation that followed.”

    Morrison encouraged Jamaicans at home and abroad to frame this year’s independence celebration as both a moment of reflection on the nation’s history and a call to action for its future. By staying connected to one another, offering mutual support, investing in community growth, and upholding the values that have made Jamaica a global source of inspiration, diaspora members can play a critical role in shaping the nation’s next chapter, he said.

    Beyond his holiday message, Morrison also used the occasion to reaffirm Caridocs’ longstanding commitment to serving Jamaican communities across the Caribbean. The firm remains dedicated to delivering efficient, professional, and dependable document processing and immigration support to Jamaicans living throughout the region, ensuring they can access the services they need no matter where they reside.

    Closing his address, Morrison offered prayers for sustained growth and widespread prosperity for Jamaica, extending blessings to the nation’s leaders, people, and diaspora members around the world. “May God continue to bless Jamaica, guide her leaders, protect her people, and strengthen every Jamaican at home and abroad,” he said, closing with a final wish for a joyful and meaningful 64th Independence Day celebration for all.

  • Blackmoore urges public to stop spreading false information in search for missing Portsmouth teen

    Blackmoore urges public to stop spreading false information in search for missing Portsmouth teen

    As the widespread search for a missing 16-year-old Portsmouth teenager enters its second week, top Dominican security officials are sounding an urgent alarm over harmful misinformation spreading on social media that is derailing official investigation efforts. Minister for National Security Rayburn Blackmoore has issued a public appeal calling on social media users and community members to halt the circulation of unvetted, false information related to the disappearance of Jerbiah Kaysia Paul, who has been missing for more than a week.

    Paul was last seen leaving her family home in Portsmouth at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time on Friday, July 24, 2026, and has not had any contact with her loved ones since that evening. In an official public statement addressing the case, Blackmoore confirmed that the Ministry of National Security has mobilized full resources to support local law enforcement, with the core priority of locating the missing teen safely and returning her to her family.

    Against the backdrop of growing public concern over the case, Blackmoore emphasized that unfounded claims and unconfirmed details circulating across social platforms are actively damaging the investigation. He went further to note that some of the false content being shared appears to be a deliberate effort to slow down and obstruct police work, complicating what is already a sensitive, complex missing person case.

    “Every report of a missing person is peculiar. We have peculiar circumstances in every report of a missing person, and those circumstances will inform the methodology of the investigation,” Blackmoore explained in his address. While urging anyone with credible, first-hand information about Paul’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately to aid the search, he doubled down on his warning to social media users, stressing that bogus information undermines every step of the investigation.

    The missing teen’s mother, Jacinta Paul, recently shared an emotional public video appeal as the search entered its ninth consecutive day. Opening her statement by thanking the hundreds of community members, volunteers, and officials who have supported search efforts over the past week, she asked anyone who knows anything about her daughter’s disappearance to step forward with information.

    “Today marks nine days since she’s gone missing,” Jacinta Paul said. “I just want to reach out and tell the people who have been searching, contributing and praying that we are thankful. We are grateful for your prayers, your contribution, your visits and your check-ups. I am very thankful for this.”

    Dominican police have released a basic physical description of Jerbiah Kaysia Paul to help the public identify her: she stands roughly 5 feet 3 inches tall, has brown skin, and was last seen wearing a blue blouse when she left her home on July 24.

  • Police Say Carnival 2026 Ended Without Major Violence

    Police Say Carnival 2026 Ended Without Major Violence

    ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – August 6, 2026 – The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has issued an official statement celebrating the overwhelmingly successful outcome of the 2026 national Carnival, marking the annual cultural festival as one of the safest in recent memory with no major violent events or life-threatening injuries reported.

    Following the conclusion of the multi-day celebration, which draws thousands of residents and international visitors each year, police leadership emphasized that the peaceful, secure atmosphere of the 2026 Carnival was not the result of chance. It reflected a shared commitment between the general public, law enforcement agencies, and cross-sector partners to prioritize public safety while allowing attendees to enjoy the iconic cultural traditions of the event. Key flagship events including the early-morning J’Ouvert street parade and the closing Last Lap procession unfolded without disruption, a outcome police called encouraging for the island nation’s tourism and cultural sectors.

    While a tiny fraction of attendees encountered law enforcement action – a small group was arrested on charges of carrying prohibited weapons – police confirmed these isolated cases did not escalate to threaten public safety, and the vast majority of revelers voluntarily adhered to pre-event safety advisories and on-the-ground security protocols. Police administration attributes the low incident rate first and foremost to the responsible behavior of Carnival participants, who followed guidance to keep activities orderly and respectful.

    In the official statement, police leadership extended explicit gratitude to the uniformed officers who worked extended shifts throughout the Carnival season. The professionalism, relentless dedication, and on-the-ground effort of these personnel were cited as a foundational pillar of the successful outcome, with their work protecting not only attendees and local residents, but also local businesses and public and private property across the festival zone.

    Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers reserved special recognition for the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF), led by Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Telbert Benjamin. Jeffers highlighted that the inter-agency collaboration between police and military personnel was seamless, with ABDF officers and soldiers providing unwavering logistical and operational support across all major events. “I am particularly pleased with the level of professionalism, discipline, and dedication demonstrated by the officers and soldiers of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force,” Jeffers said in the statement. “Their seamless collaboration with our officers played a significant role in ensuring that Carnival 2026 was celebrated in a safe and secure environment for everyone.”

    Jeffers also extended appreciation to the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, the government body responsible for organizing the annual Carnival, for its ongoing collaborative partnership. The commission’s proactive approach to coordinating with police and other stakeholders ahead of and during the event helped address potential security gaps before they could impact the celebrations, he noted. Additionally, the police administration thanked local and international media outlets for their partnership in distributing critical public safety information to attendees and residents ahead of and during the festival, helping to inform participants of security protocols and expectations.

    Looking ahead, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda reaffirmed its commitment to building on the 2026 Carnival’s success, strengthening ongoing partnerships with community groups, government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and the public to maintain high standards of safety for future major public events. The force remains dedicated to its core mission of upholding public order and delivering a secure environment for all people who live in, visit, and do business in Antigua and Barbuda.