Carib Scope

分类： society

  • 12 farmers receive sprinkler irrigation training

    12 farmers receive sprinkler irrigation training

    Agricultural producers across the twin islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique have emerged from specialized hands-on training with new technical skills and critical equipment to boost crop output and strengthen their defenses against the growing impacts of climate change. The initiative focused on training farmers to properly install and maintain two water-efficient irrigation systems: micro-sprinklers and drip irrigation, and follows the recent distribution of purpose-built irrigation hardware to 12 participating producers — seven from Carriacou and five from Petite Martinique.

    Both the equipment donation and technical training were made available through the Challenge Fund for Agriculture (CFA), a core component of Grenada’s national Climate-Resilient Water Sector (G-CREWS) project. The ongoing program prioritizes expanding access to water-smart agricultural technologies across the country, encompassing not just micro-sprinkler and drip systems, but also infrastructure for rainwater harvesting. The overarching goal of these investments is to shore up long-term resilience in Grenada’s agriculture sector, which is disproportionately vulnerable to shifting weather patterns linked to climate change.

    For island communities like Carriacou and Petite Martinique, where chronic water scarcity and extended dry seasons have long hammered agricultural yields, the new irrigation systems deliver a game-changing improvement to farm operations. Unlike traditional irrigation methods that waste large volumes of water through evaporation or runoff, the technologies deployed through G-CREWS deliver water directly to crop root zones with pinpoint accuracy. This cuts down on water loss dramatically while boosting overall farm efficiency. Beyond immediate production gains, the training has also built lasting local capacity: participating producers now have the skills to independently install, adjust, and repair their own irrigation systems without relying on external support.

    Many beneficiary farmers have already highlighted the tangible benefits the program will bring to their operations. Rohan Thomas, one of the participating producers, noted that the training provided practical, actionable knowledge that will transform how he farms. “Thanks to the G-CREWS project. The training was very informative. I learnt a lot. It should help us, as farmers, in a great way. First, in conserving water and farming year-round,” Thomas said.

    Fellow beneficiary Kurt Quashie echoed that appreciation, emphasizing that the timing of the equipment and training could not have been better, aligned as it is with the annual dry season. “The equipment comes at a good time, now that it is the dry season. It will help towards improving food security in the near future,” Quashie explained.

    Kaitlyn Weekes, who supported the rollout of the new irrigation systems, outlined the broader sector-wide benefits the technology will deliver for the two islands. “It is very important that we have this system in which we can water our plants and get them growing at a faster rate. This system drops the water directly into the roots of the plants, resulting in increased production over time,” Weekes said.

    Elhaddaji Lahcen, the training facilitator from Agile Water Solutions, the private firm that led the technical instruction, explained that drip and micro-sprinkler systems stand out as the most water-efficient irrigation solutions available for small-scale producers in arid and water-scarce regions. “The only system that can save water right now on irrigation is drip irrigation and micro-sprinklers, but more drip irrigation. We did a small demonstration on the installation of the drip irrigation system, while reminding farmers of the importance of securing spare parts for repair needs,” Lahcen said.

    Derek Charles, a CFA consultant attached to the Grenada Development Bank, reported that participating farmers showed high engagement and curiosity throughout the training process. In addition to irrigation hardware, Charles noted that several producers also received new water storage tanks to support on-farm rainwater harvesting, expanding the resilience benefits of the program. “They had hands-on experience with the layout of the lines and checking the pressure within the lines. From this training we are sure, they would be able to install their own lines,” Charles said.

    The G-CREWS project is a collaborative climate initiative, with joint resourcing from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKK) through its International Climate Initiative (IKI), and the Government of Grenada. The project’s core mandate is to advance climate resilience across Grenada’s entire water sector through systemic, multi-level transformation that drives a long-term shift in how the country approaches climate adaptation and builds national resilience.

    This article was published by NOW Grenada, which notes it is not responsible for the opinions and statements shared by program contributors in this report.

  • Illegale vuilstort bij Ston Oso aangepakt, maar probleem blijft bestaan

    Illegale vuilstort bij Ston Oso aangepakt, maar probleem blijft bestaan

    For over a week, Suriname’s Directorate of Public Green Space and Waste Management (OGA) has been working to clear tons of illegally dumped waste from the grounds surrounding the iconic historic Ston Oso building in central Paramaribo. The landmark site has emerged as a persistent hotspot for unregulated waste dumping, with offenders repeatedly leaving discarded materials and trash on the property despite repeated cleanup efforts.

    OGA director Anwar Moenne told reporters via Suriname’s Communication Service that investigators have not yet identified the specific individuals responsible for the ongoing dumping, though authorities hold preliminary suspicions that unhoused people staying in the area are connected to the waste accumulation. “This is one of the locations that sees an extraordinary volume of illegal dumping on a repeated basis,” Moenne stated in his remarks, adding that the directorate will enforce strict penalties against anyone caught dumping waste at the site moving forward.

    The current large-scale cleanup operation is being carried out in partnership with several local stakeholders, including a cohort of incarcerated individuals participating in community work programming. Alongside the cleanup efforts, OGA has issued a public call for broader community engagement, urging all Surinamese residents to take responsibility for maintaining clean, healthy shared living environments across the country.

    Local business owner Patrick Liesdek, who operates a shop adjacent to the Ston Oso property, told reporters that the illegal dumping problem has plagued the neighborhood for years. Even after multiple previous cleanup initiatives organized by authorities, the area quickly becomes cluttered with waste again once crews finish their work. Liesdek added that the accumulated waste and presence of unhoused people in the area have also brought secondary nuisance issues, including frequent infestations of rodents and other pests that have spilled over to neighboring properties including his store.

    Liesdek is calling on local authorities to adopt a long-term, structural solution to the crisis rather than relying solely on periodic cleanup projects that only address the symptom of the problem, not its root causes. At the same time, he expressed hope that the historic Ston Oso building, a landmark of Paramaribo’s cultural heritage, will be preserved and eventually receive full restoration work to protect it for future generations.

  • NOTICE: Works at FADI Building Supplies and Eazy Supermarket

    NOTICE: Works at FADI Building Supplies and Eazy Supermarket

    The Ministry of Works of Antigua and Barbuda has issued an official public advisory announcing the resumption of major infrastructure rehabilitation works on a key section of All Saints Road, stretching from FADI Building Supplies to Fresh and Eazy Supermarket. The overnight construction and associated traffic detour will go into effect starting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and will conclude by 7:00 a.m. the following morning.

    To accommodate the construction activities, traffic management measures have been put in place for both outbound and inbound commuters. For motorists traveling out of town, drivers are required to make a left turn at the Hazelroy’s intersection on All Saints Road before following the marked detour route outlined on official project maps. For those heading into town, the detour requires a right turn at the Fresh and Eazy Supermarket junction, then continuing along the pre-approved marked path.

    On-site traffic controllers, also referred to as flag persons, will be stationed throughout the detour zone to help direct vehicle flow and reduce congestion. Commuters are advised that specific segments of the alternate route are designated as one-way traffic zones, consistent with markings on the official project map. Clear directional signage has been installed along the entire detour to guide drivers traveling in both directions.

    In light of heavy-duty construction equipment operating in close proximity to the work zone, transportation authorities strongly urge all motorists to comply fully with on-site instructions and posted signage to maintain safe passage for all road users. Crucially, the advisory confirms that all local businesses along the affected stretch of road will remain open for regular operations throughout the construction period.

    This infrastructure upgrade forms part of the broader All Saints Road Project, a government-led initiative aimed at improving the island’s transportation network. Project coordinators are asking all local residents, commuters and business stakeholders to proactively adjust their travel schedules ahead of time to account for potential minor delays during the overnight work window.

    Any members of the public with questions about the road works or detour arrangements can contact the Project Implementation Management Unit directly via telephone at 562-9173 for further information.

  • Manhood Series Seminar 2026 launches “RISE UP” initiative in Dominica

    Manhood Series Seminar 2026 launches “RISE UP” initiative in Dominica

    A targeted new community development program is set to roll out in Roseau next month, as the 2026 Manhood Series prepares to launch its ‘RISE UP’ initiative – a pair of complementary events designed to foster purpose-driven masculinity, strengthen family structures, and build stronger local communities.

    The first of the two events, which shares the initiative’s name ‘Manhood Series Seminar 2026 – RISE UP’, is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, running from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the UWI Open Campus Roseau location. Tailored specifically for young male participants, the day-long seminar will center on three critical core themes: nurturing mental wellness and personal clarity, building effective leadership skills both within family units and broader society, and cultivating the ability to deliver intentional performance even when facing high-stakes pressure.

    Program organizers note that the seminar is crafted to push attendees to confront common societal challenges that hold many young men back, encouraging them to reject limiting narratives and adopt a framework of disciplined, purpose-centered manhood that serves both themselves and their communities.

    A week and a half later, on Saturday, May 2, the series will host its second complementary event: the Parent Support Seminar – Manhood Series 2026 (Vol. 3), also held at the UWI Open Campus Roseau site during the same 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM time window. Helmed by Dr. Kevin Laurent, this session is focused on the adults who shape young men’s development: it is open to all parents, legal guardians, and caregivers of any gender, and will deliver actionable, practical strategies to help adults raise disciplined, self-assured young men, strengthen parental leadership within the home, and navigate the unique complex challenges that define modern parenting in the 2020s.

    Taken together, the two seminars form a core part of a larger community movement to strengthen local families and collective community well-being by investing in two interconnected pillars: the development of young men themselves, and the support systems that guide their growth. Organizers have stressed that independent media coverage will be a critical component of the initiative’s success, helping to spread its core message and open up inclusive national conversation around three underdiscussed topics: effective community leadership, healthy modern masculinity, and intentional parenting.

  • Community hygiene at Silver Lake receives boost with rehabilitation of washroom facility

    Community hygiene at Silver Lake receives boost with rehabilitation of washroom facility

    The small, close-knit community of Silver Lake in Roseau, Dominica, is celebrating a long-awaited upgrade to its core public infrastructure: a fully rehabilitated public washroom facility, delivered at a total project cost of over EC$33,000. The transformative project was spearheaded by a collaborative partnership between the Rotary Club of Dominica and the Community Policing Team of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force, turning a crumbling, decades-old facility into a modern, hygienic public space built to serve local families for generations, according to an official statement released by the Rotary Club.

    First constructed in 1982, the original washroom had suffered from decades of wear and tear, leaving it badly in need of comprehensive renovations long before the project broke ground. The successful restoration is more than just an infrastructure upgrade—it reflects a shared commitment among partnering organizations to lifting quality of life, upholding public dignity, and advancing community health in one of Roseau’s most active neighborhoods. Last Thursday, community members, senior government officials, and police representatives gathered for an official handover ceremony to mark the completion of the milestone project.

    During the ceremony, Honourable Rayburn Blackmoore, Dominica’s Minister for National Security and Legal Affairs, commended the cross-sector collaboration as a blueprint for effective civic action. “This is exactly how partnerships between civil society and public institutions should work—delivering real, tangible improvements that directly benefit everyday citizens,” Blackmoore remarked. Honourable Chekira Lockhart-Hypolite, Parliamentary Representative for Roseau South, echoed that praise, emphasizing that strategic investments in local community infrastructure lay the foundation for stronger, more resilient neighborhoods. Police Commissioner Lincoln Corbette also reaffirmed the Dominica Police Force’s ongoing commitment to rolling out community-centered public safety and development initiatives across the island.

    Rotary Club of Dominica’s President expanded on the deeper meaning of the project beyond construction work. “This is not just a project of bricks and mortar. This rehabilitation is about restoring dignity, protecting public health, and nurturing shared community pride for every resident of Silver Lake,” the President said.

    The handover event saw high turnout from local residents, many of whom shared open gratitude for the much-needed upgrade to a public amenity they use daily. Attendees also noted that the project aligns perfectly with the decades-long public service mission of the Rotary Club of Dominica, which has operated continuously since it received its official charter in 1974. The club forms part of Rotary International District 7030, a regional network that stretches across the Caribbean from St. Kitts to Suriname, uniting more than 3,200 Rotarians across 75 local member clubs all committed to community development work.

    With the revamped washroom now open and operational, Silver Lake residents are set to enjoy cleaner, safer, and more dignified living conditions. The successful outcome of the project stands as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when civil society organizations and public institutions work together toward a shared community goal. Those seeking additional information on the Rotary Club of Dominica and its ongoing projects can visit the organization’s official website at www.rotary-dominica.org.

  • “This is the Place for You”: Belize Book Fair Calls on All Readers & Writers

    “This is the Place for You”: Belize Book Fair Calls on All Readers & Writers

    As nations around the globe prepare to mark World Book and Copyright Week, Belize has stepped forward with a vibrant two-day literary gathering designed to nurture the country’s reading culture and lift up homegrown creative voices. Scheduled to run across Wednesday and Thursday, the 2026 Belize Book Fair is being organized by the Belize Book Sector Network, and is being hosted at the iconic House of Culture in the heart of Belize City.

    For attendees, the event offers far more than a simple display of printed works. Visitors will have the chance to browse a curated, extensive collection of publications created entirely by Belizean writers and creators, schedule one-on-one meetings with the authors behind their favorite books, and participate in a series of structured panel conversations covering three critical topics for the local literary ecosystem: expanding access to literacy, growing the domestic publishing industry, and strengthening copyright protections for local creators.

    Panel sessions kicked off on the morning of the first day, wrapping up the first day’s programming at 3 p.m., with all discussion and exhibition activities continuing through the second day of the fair. In opening comments, Felene Cayetano, president of the Belize Book Sector Network, highlighted the steady growth the book fair has experienced since its launch, noting that this year’s iteration benefits from a more streamlined, expansive, and well-organized programming schedule than any previous edition.

    Cayetano emphasized that the fair is intentionally designed to welcome a wide cross-section of attendees, not just dedicated published authors or lifelong book enthusiasts. From casual readers who pick up a book a few times a year to emerging writers still honing their craft, and even small business owners looking to break into the publishing industry, all community members are encouraged to attend. “This is the place for you,” Cayetano said, extending an open invitation to all Belizeans with an interest in the written word.

  • Why Was Corozal Man Murdered?

    Why Was Corozal Man Murdered?

    A violent fatal shooting has shaken the quiet community of Corozal Town, leaving local resident Santos Antonio Escobar, 55, dead and law enforcement officials working to uncover the circumstances behind the killing that unfolded on a Tuesday evening.

    The incident took place in the Rainbow Town neighborhood, specifically along 5th Street North, shortly after 8:30 p.m. Multiple residents in the area told local authorities they heard more than 18 rounds of gunfire ring out in the residential block. In the immediate moments after the shooting, witnesses spotted a white vehicle moving slowly away from the crime scene, a detail that has become a key early lead for investigating officers.

    Preliminary accounts of the attack outline a sudden, public act of violence: Escobar had only just returned to his home from Belmopan, and was gathered outside his residence catching up with family members when an unidentified male suspect approached the group. Before bystanders could react, the suspect opened fire on Escobar, inflicting multiple life-threatening gunshot wounds.

    In a frantic attempt to save his father’s life, Escobar’s son immediately drove the injured man to the nearest medical facility, Corozal Community Hospital. Despite the rapid response to get him care, medical staff at the hospital confirmed Escobar was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

    As of the latest update, law enforcement officials have not released any confirmed information about a potential motive for the killing. Investigators are currently working through witness statements, examining physical evidence collected from the crime scene, and following up on tips from community members to identify the shooter and determine why the attack was carried out. Local residents have been urged to contact police with any additional information that could assist the ongoing investigation.

  • Special Envoy Demands Action After Cop’s Domestic Abuse Case Collapses in Court

    Special Envoy Demands Action After Cop’s Domestic Abuse Case Collapses in Court

    A high-profile domestic abuse case against a serving Belizean police officer has ended in dismissal after the victim withdrew her cooperation, sparking urgent calls for administrative action from the country’s top family and children’s welfare official.

    On Monday, a local magistrate threw out all charges against 39-year-old Phillip Garbutt, a constable with the department’s Traffic Support Unit, after 38-year-old Deidra Jacobs, Garbutt’s common-law wife and the alleged victim, told the court she did not wish to proceed with the prosecution. Jacobs, a caregiver who alleged Garbutt attacked her and her 8-year-old son during a February 17 altercation at their Watermelon Street home, denied under questioning from prosecutors that she had been threatened, coerced, or bribed to drop the case. With no cooperating complainant, the prosecution had no evidence to present, forcing the magistrate’s ruling to dismiss both the wounding charge connected to Jacobs and the harm charge linked to her son, and Garbutt — who represented himself in court — was released immediately.

    The case first gained widespread public attention after graphic security footage from inside the family home circulated widely across social media platforms. Official police allegations outline that during the dispute, Garbutt choked and punched Jacobs multiple times. When the child stepped in to defend his mother, Garbutt slapped him, resulting in injuries classified as wounding for Jacobs and harm for the child per medical examinations.

    Rossana Briceño, Belize’s Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children, has publicly decried the outcome, releasing an official statement expressing deep concern and outrage over the alleged incident. Briceño’s office emphasized that the accused’s status as a sworn police officer — a role that requires him to protect public safety and uphold the law — makes the alleged abuse even more disturbing.

    The Special Envoy’s office is now pushing for urgent administrative intervention from senior government and law enforcement leadership, including the Minister of Police, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Commissioner of Police. The office is calling for Garbutt to be immediately removed from active duty and held accountable through internal police disciplinary processes, regardless of the collapsed criminal prosecution.

    “No officer should ever stand above the law,” the official release read. “Those who fail in their fundamental duty to protect citizens — even more so when the violence is committed against their own family inside their home — forfeit the privilege of wearing the police uniform.”

    The collapsed case has reignited public debate in the country over barriers to prosecuting domestic violence, particularly when perpetrators serve in law enforcement, with advocates noting that victim intimidation often goes unreported even when victims deny coercion on the stand.

  • Another Young Man Found Murdered

    Another Young Man Found Murdered

    A young life has been cut short in Belize, as law enforcement launches a homicide investigation into the death of 19-year-old Jamir “Jam” Cambranes, a Belize City-based technician residing on Euphrates Avenue. His bullet-riddled body was recovered from thick underbrush off the Burrell Boom/Hattieville Road, marking the latest in a disturbing string of violent deaths and unresolved missing persons cases rocking the Central American nation.

    Details of Cambranes’ final hours paint a grim picture. The 19-year-old left his family home on Tuesday evening on bicycle, telling those close to him he planned to meet two acquaintances traveling in a silver Chevrolet Equinox. That meeting turned out to be his last: contact with Cambranes was cut off shortly after he arrived at the prearranged meeting spot.

    Emergency services received the first official report of a shooting in the area just after 1:00 a.m. Wednesday, and local law enforcement dispatched officers to the scene immediately. It was not police, however, that located Cambranes’ remains: his girlfriend used location tracking to pinpoint the approximate position of his cell phone along the roadside. His brother and brother-in-law then conducted an independent search of the surrounding terrain, finding the teen’s body hidden in nearby bushes, where he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

    As the investigation moves forward, authorities have confirmed they are currently reviewing security camera footage from areas near the crime scene and Cambranes’ home in hopes of identifying potential suspects or persons of interest. As of the latest update, no arrests have been made in connection with the killing, and police have not released any information about possible motives for the attack.

    The tragedy has already sparked an outpouring of grief from Cambranes’ loved ones and the broader Belizean community. Friends and relatives have rallied around the 19-year-old’s family, sharing messages of support and solidarity — with many urging Cambranes’ immediate family to stay strong in the face of their devastating loss.

    Most concerning for many Belizeans is that Cambranes’ murder is far from an isolated incident. In recent weeks, the country has seen a sharp uptick in homicides and unresolved missing persons cases that have left communities on edge. The growing list of young victims includes 24-year-old Dangriga delivery worker Steve Lewis, 17-year-old Alwin Marin Jr., and 19-year-old Jaheil Westby, another Belize City resident. Jericho Humes, also from Dangriga, was initially reported missing before his body was discovered days later. As of the latest update, two other Belizeans — 23-year-old Lidahni Martinez and 28-year-old Deborah “Bree” Arthurs — remain unaccounted for, leaving their families in agonizing limbo.

  • First autism awareness walk deemed a success

    First autism awareness walk deemed a success

    The small Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia has entered a new chapter in neurodiversity advocacy, hosting its inaugural community autism awareness walk in the town of Micoud on April 19. Event organizers have hailed the groundbreaking gathering as an unqualified “massive success”, marking a long-awaited step forward for autism acceptance and inclusion across the island.

    The walk brought together hundreds of attendees from all walks of life, uniting local residents, neurodiverse advocates, family members of autistic people, and public service representatives behind a shared mission of raising public understanding of autism. In a show of official government commitment to disability inclusion, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Persons with Disabilities Jeremy Norbert joined the procession to voice his support for the cause.

    The historic event was spearheaded by Police Constable WPC 772 Elien of the Micoud Police Station, developed through a collaborative partnership between the local police department and Island Voices for Autism, Saint Lucia’s leading community support group for autistic individuals and their families. Cross-sector public service collaboration was a core part of the walk’s success, with multiple local agencies stepping in to reinforce the event’s focus on holistic community well-being. Members of the Micoud Fire Service marched alongside other participants, while clinical staff from the Micoud Health Centre set up on-site testing stations offering free health screenings for attendees, including checks for blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

    Adding an emotional, unifying soundtrack to the day was the event’s official anthem “Different Beats Same Heart”, which played repeatedly throughout the walk. The track was specially written by Geraldine Michel and Dania Joseph, two members of the Island Voices for Autism team, and its central message of shared community despite neurodiverse differences made it a perfect symbol for the day’s advocacy goals.

    To keep the event accessible to all community members, organizers offered completely free registration for all participants. Attendees left the gathering with complimentary healthy snacks and small commemorative tokens of appreciation, reinforcing the warm, welcoming, and inclusive atmosphere that defined the milestone event. For local autism advocates, the successful turnout and cross-community backing of the first walk has laid a strong foundation for future annual advocacy events, helping to build a more accepting and supportive environment for autistic Saint Lucians across the country.