Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Kamla vows to give Shouter Baptists a secondary school

    Kamla vows to give Shouter Baptists a secondary school

    In a landmark announcement to Parliament, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has committed to establishing the nation’s first secondary school for the Spiritual Shouter Baptist community. The declaration came during special greetings ahead of Monday’s Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day public holiday.

    The Prime Minister revealed her Cabinet’s formal approval to collaborate with Baptist leaders on this long-awaited educational initiative. “The community has consistently expressed their profound desire for secondary education facilities through years of advocacy,” Persad-Bissessar stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to tangible action rather than empty promises.

    This initiative builds upon Persad-Bissessar’s longstanding involvement with Baptist education. She recalled her previous role as education minister under former PM Basdeo Panday, when she authorized land transfers for Baptist institutions. Her earlier tenure as prime minister saw the establishment of both a primary school and an Early Childhood Care and Education Centre in partnership with former senator Archbishop Barbara Gray-Burke.

    The political significance of this commitment was underscored during the parliamentary session. Persad-Bissessar contrasted her administration’s actions with previous governments, accusing the former People’s National Movement administration of hypocrisy in their treatment of the Baptist community.

    Personal connections to the faith informed the Prime Minister’s passionate advocacy. She revealed her childhood baptism into the Baptist tradition despite her father’s Hindu background, describing how the faith shaped her development from a humble beginning in rural Trinidad.

    The parliamentary announcement faced brief opposition scrutiny regarding language used in the historical anecdote, though the Speaker permitted the contextual reference. Persad-Bissessar defended her terminology as reflective of personal experience and cultural identity.

    The Prime Minister positioned the secondary school initiative as both an educational milestone and appropriate recognition of the Baptist community’s integral role in Trinidad and Tobago’s national fabric.

  • Mother forgives son’s killer

    Mother forgives son’s killer

    In an extraordinary display of compassion amidst tragedy, Beryl Bovell has publicly forgiven the murderer of her only son, 30-year-old Kurt Bovell, who became Tobago’s third homicide victim this year. The heartbreaking incident occurred last Thursday around 10 p.m. during a birthday gathering on the streets of Patience Hill, where an assailant wearing a hat approached Bovell and fired multiple shots before robbing another attendee of a gold chain and fleeing on foot.

    Speaking with the Express in an emotional interview, the grieving mother revealed her spiritual approach to processing the unimaginable loss. “Whosoever did it, I forgive them. I put everything in God’s hands,” Bovell stated, demonstrating remarkable resilience despite her pain. She recounted how she had repeatedly warned her son about the dangers of spending time “on the block,” but acknowledged the limitations of parental influence: “You make your children, not their mind.”

    While expressing forgiveness, Bovell simultaneously called for systematic justice, hoping authorities would successfully investigate her son’s killing. Her message to the nation’s youth emphasized parental guidance, street avoidance, and educational focus as crucial protective factors.

    The murder has ignited broader conversations about justice approaches in Tobago. Area Representative Nigel Taitt of Signal Hill/Patience Hill rejected retributive justice concepts when questioned about reinstating capital punishment. “I don’t believe in an eye for an eye,” Taitt asserted. “What I do believe in is fair justice… Taking someone’s life is not your responsibility. That is God’s responsibility. No man has the right or privilege to take another person’s life.”

    This case highlights the complex intersection of community violence, restorative justice philosophies, and parental advocacy within Tobago’s social landscape, presenting both a heartbreaking personal narrative and broader societal implications worth examining.

  • A LYING COWARD

    A LYING COWARD

    A deepening conflict between Trinidad and Tobago’s nursing leadership and health authorities has erupted into public confrontation, with TTNNA President Idi Stuart filing formal reports with police and telecommunications regulators over an alleged threat made by North Central RHA Chairman Dr. Tim Gopeesingh during a radio appearance. The allegation prompted Gopeesingh to publicly denounce Stuart as “a lying coward” in response.

    The tension manifested visibly during a spirited protest at Sangre Grande Hospital, where dozens of nursing personnel marched while chanting criticisms toward Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe. Demonstrators carried placards highlighting wage disparities (“47% for politicians, 0% for nurses”) and the vital role of healthcare workers (“nurses save lives”).

    Stuart, invoking former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday’s famous lion-fighting metaphor, vowed unwavering commitment to advocating for nurses’ rights. He revealed that salary negotiations remain deadlocked, with medical staff still operating under 2013 compensation structures while facing critically low staffing ratios—reportedly five nurses to 124 patients in NCRHA facilities.

    The union leader described a tragic consequence of understaffing: a patient reportedly died unattended in the Accident and Emergency holding bay at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, prompting a distressed nurse to call him in tears.

    With a major demonstration scheduled for April 10 in Port of Spain, Stuart warned that thousands of healthcare workers would converge outside the Health Minister’s office to protest what they characterize as governmental indifference. He emphasized that Minister Bodoe bears ultimate responsibility for securing funding and improving conditions, not subordinate officials like Gopeesingh.

    Gopeesingh, when contacted, dismissed Stuart as “a nondescript person fighting for his survival as a trade unionist” and threatened legal action if the allegations continue.

  • A Call for Unity: Protecting the Lives of Our Youth

    A Call for Unity: Protecting the Lives of Our Youth

    The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is confronting a profound national crisis following the violent deaths of two young citizens, an event that has triggered widespread grief and urgent calls for systemic reform. Kristine Louisa, the National Youth Ambassador and Founder of the Hopeful Hearts Foundation, has issued a powerful appeal for both solidarity and concrete action in response to the tragedy.

    In her public statement, Louisa emphasizes that collective mourning must be coupled with a determined commitment to address the underlying causes of youth violence. She stresses the imperative for justice for the victims’ families and condemns the culture of violence that endangers the nation’s younger generation. The core of her message advocates for the establishment of robust intervention programs, the creation of accessible safe spaces, and the expansion of consistent mentorship initiatives designed to guide vulnerable youth toward positive life choices.

    Lousa highlights the critical role of community engagement, calling on youth ambassadors, mentors, and leaders to initiate honest dialogues about the challenges facing young people. She argues that proactive support systems are a vital national investment, citing her firsthand experience with the Hopeful Hearts Foundation, where mentorship and safe conversations have proven effective in redirecting young lives.

    The ambassador’s statement concludes with a direct message of support to the bereaved families and a reaffirmation to every young person in the nation that their lives and futures are valued. She frames the current moment as a pivotal opportunity for the country to unite with compassion and purpose to build a safer, more supportive environment for its youth.

  • Central Board of Health honours Doris Lucia Blair Thomas on retirement after 45 years of service

    Central Board of Health honours Doris Lucia Blair Thomas on retirement after 45 years of service

    The Central Board of Health has publicly honored Mrs. Doris Lucia Blair Thomas upon her formal retirement, celebrating an extraordinary career spanning four and a half decades within the public health sector. In an official tribute published on Thursday, the board highlighted her exceptional dedication and the profound institutional knowledge she cultivated throughout her tenure.

    Mrs. Blair Thomas’s remarkable career saw her provide executive secretarial support to an impressive succession of four Chief Health Inspectors. Her role extended far beyond administrative duties, as she became a cornerstone of the Public Health Inspectorate and various other departmental units, offering invaluable mentorship and guidance to countless colleagues over the decades.

    Characterized by the board as a steady and immensely valuable presence, her profound expertise, unwavering professionalism, and extensive experience were cited as having left a permanent and positive imprint on the department’s operations and culture. Officials expressed profound gratitude for her decades of steadfast commitment and support, acknowledging that the legacy of her contributions will endure within the organization’s framework long after her departure.

    The tribute concluded with a warm, humorous nod to her daily workplace interactions, noting that colleagues will now have to forgo their familiar request: ‘Can you just type this quick?’—a light-hearted remark underscoring her reputation for efficiency and the personal connections forged over 45 years of dedicated service.

  • Women & Water Community Consultation to Advance Locally-Led Research on Climate, Care, and Gender in Antigua and Barbuda

    Women & Water Community Consultation to Advance Locally-Led Research on Climate, Care, and Gender in Antigua and Barbuda

    The EcoShores Sustainable Futures Network (ESFN) is spearheading a groundbreaking community consultation titled “Women & Water” on March 30th, 2026, in observance of World Water Day. This strategic gathering forms a crucial component of the organization’s Climate and Care Nexus initiative, creating an inclusive platform for women and girls to articulate how water accessibility, climate disruption, and gender-specific obstacles impact their daily existence and environmental realities.

    Scheduled at Wadadli Spaces on Herberts Road from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, this participatory session aims to capture firsthand accounts and practical insights that will directly shape community-oriented solutions. ESFN emphasizes that this consultation represents a pivotal opportunity to mold research agendas, policy frameworks, and program development throughout Antigua and Barbuda.

    Despite facing disproportionate impacts from water scarcity and climate variability, women’s perspectives frequently remain marginalized in environmental governance. This initiative deliberately positions those most affected at the forefront of both identifying challenges and crafting responsive solutions. Participant contributions will inform the development of pragmatic, inclusive research and programs designed to enhance community resilience and transform everyday living conditions.

    The consultation findings will fuel locally-led research endeavors and initiatives across four strategic domains:

    1. Care Economy: Examining how water availability influences both compensated and uncompensated care work, including domestic chores, cooking, cleaning, and family caregiving responsibilities.

    2. Women’s Health: Investigating correlations between water purity, sanitation infrastructure, climate-induced stress, and comprehensive health outcomes encompassing physical, mental, maternal, and menstrual wellbeing.

    3. Community-Driven Development: Ensuring research methodologies and program architectures reflect the knowledge systems and priorities of local women and girls across diverse communities.

    ESFN actively encourages participation from women of all backgrounds, emphasizing that each narrative shared and suggestion offered will contribute to formulating solutions that are simultaneously inclusive, practicable, and sustainable.

    The organization acknowledges support from corporate partners including Jim Daddy & Sons Ltd., whose sponsorship facilitates complimentary water distribution during the event. Participants will receive honorariums in recognition of their contributed time, expertise, and lived experiences—a deliberate practice underscoring the value placed on community knowledge and the interconnection between environmental stewardship, equity, and resilience.

    An ESFN representative articulated the vision: “This initiative fundamentally centers women’s voices within climate and development discourse. Through attentive engagement with lived experiences, we can architect improved care systems, enhance health results, and meaningfully address opportunity disparities.”

    Registration remains accessible via https://qrco.de/bghSOt for this transformative community engagement opportunity.

  • Woman, 48, dies in Bank Hall house fire

    Woman, 48, dies in Bank Hall house fire

    Barbados has been struck by its second deadly residential fire this year, resulting in the tragic death of a 48-year-old woman in the Bank Hall area of St Michael. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious concerns about housing safety.

    Emergency services responded to distress calls around 3 p.m., deploying significant resources including 16 fire officers and three water tenders from both Bridgetown Station and Bridgetown Port Station. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Henderson Patrick confirmed the property functioned as a multi-tenant sublet arrangement housing seven occupants, one of whom was pronounced dead at the scene.

    The victim’s identity remains undisclosed as authorities continue their investigation into the fire’s origin. Distraught relatives gathered at the location, visibly overcome with emotion and unable to speak with media representatives.

    Fire officials emphasized the complexity of determining causation while extending condolences to the grieving family. Patrick urged property owners to implement enhanced safety measures, noting that not all fire incidents stem from negligence but often involve unforeseen circumstances.

    The tragedy marks the third significant fire within a month in St Michael West constituency, according to local MP Chris Gibbs, who described the progressive severity of these incidents as realizing his ‘worst fears.’ Gibbs highlighted the emotional devastation affecting both the immediate family and broader community, pledging comprehensive support for the six displaced survivors.

    This fatal event follows another recent fire tragedy in Two Mile Hill that claimed the life of 98-year-old former police officer Noel Marshall, underscoring a concerning pattern of residential fire incidents across the region.

  • Used car dealer to return to court in theft, money laundering case

    Used car dealer to return to court in theft, money laundering case

    The Supreme Court’s No. 5A courtroom will reconvene on March 31st for the continued trial of Dwayne Omar Clarke, a used car dealership operator facing serious financial crime allegations. The defendant stands accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scheme that allegedly diverted over $42,000 from an unsuspecting customer through both theft and subsequent money laundering operations.

    Court documents reveal two distinct sets of charges against the Warrens Crescent, St Michael resident. The first alleges Clarke stole $18,000 belonging to Joy-Ann Mapp between August 2019 and July 2021. These funds were reportedly proceeds from a Republic Bank Limited cheque originally issued to MD Auto Sales. The second charge involves an additional $24,500 allegedly stolen from the same victim on February 4th via another Republic Bank cheque, this time made payable to Clarke personally.

    Notably, Clarke has entered not guilty pleas to all charges, maintaining his innocence against allegations that he knowingly possessed criminal proceeds and had reasonable grounds to suspect their illicit origins. In an unusual courtroom arrangement, the defendant is representing himself without legal counsel.

    The prosecution team comprises three experienced state attorneys: Principal State Counsel Romario Straker, alongside State Counsel Maya Kellman and Eleazar Williams. Justice Christopher Birch presides over the complex financial crime case, which continues to develop as both sides prepare their arguments for the late March court session.

  • Barbadians urged to join fisherfolk in paying attention to BMS advisories

    Barbadians urged to join fisherfolk in paying attention to BMS advisories

    As Barbados approaches the Easter weekend, the fishing community is balancing traditional seasonal preparations with heightened caution due to hazardous marine conditions and an ongoing search for two missing fishermen. The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) reports that fishermen are among the most diligent consumers of weather forecasts, utilizing multiple channels including radio broadcasts, official apps, and news bulletins to assess sea conditions before departure.

    Senior meteorologist Semelka Jackman expressed surprise at the fishing community’s extensive engagement with weather information, noting they operate in a fundamentally dangerous environment that demands constant vigilance. The BMS is currently collaborating with marine stakeholders to enhance how meteorological data is communicated, understood, and implemented by end-users.

    Recent weeks have seen increased marine advisories due to seasonal weather patterns, particularly mid-latitude cyclones originating from winter storms in the United States. These systems generate northerly swells that affect even typically protected coastlines like Barbados’ west coast. Easter period conditions are further complicated by consistently high wind speeds that create hazardous swells and challenging marine environments.

    Despite comprehensive forecasting capabilities, the BMS observes a troubling pattern where many residents only seek weather information after conditions have deteriorated. Jackman noted significant spikes in social media engagement and phone inquiries coincide with ongoing weather events rather than preceding them. The meteorologist emphasized the importance of proactive planning using the available five-day forecasts, urging the public to follow the example set by the fishing community in utilizing advance warnings for daily planning and risk mitigation.

  • Education : Towards the establishment of the MENFP’s Strategic Orientation Council

    Education : Towards the establishment of the MENFP’s Strategic Orientation Council

    In a significant move to reform Haiti’s education sector, Minister of National Education Vijonet Déméro has announced the creation of a Strategic Orientation Council (COS). The initiative, formally declared on March 27, 2026, aims to strengthen institutional coordination, improve educational outcomes, and optimize the use of public resources within the national education system.

    The council’s establishment follows the legal framework outlined in Articles 94-96 of the May 17, 2005 Decree concerning the organization of Haiti’s Central State Administration. The COS will comprise key education leaders including the Minister of National Education, the Secretary of State for Literacy and Non-Formal Education, the Ministry’s Director General, Inspectors General of the National Education Administration, and heads of major educational institutions such as the National Education Fund (FNE), National Office for Partnership in Education (ONAPE), National Institute for Vocational Training (INFP), and the National School Canteen Program (PNCS).

    During the working meeting that included technical directors and project coordination units, Minister Déméro emphasized the government’s priority areas: election preparation, economic recovery, security, and sound governance. Participants engaged in substantive discussions on implementing anti-corruption mechanisms across the ministry and its affiliated entities.

    A central outcome of these discussions is the development of a ‘Declaration of Commitment’ that all civil servants and contract employees within the education sector will be asked to voluntarily sign. This measure represents a concrete step toward promoting transparency and accountability throughout Haiti’s educational infrastructure.