标签： Antigua and Barbuda

The Department of Culture has officially launched details for its highly anticipated 2026 “Summer in Arts and Culture Camp,” a two-week immersive program built to nurture young creative talent across two distinct age brackets. Scheduled to run from June 29 to July 10, the camp splits enrollment into groups for children aged 7 to 12 and teenagers aged 13 to 17, allowing organizers to tailor instruction and activities to the developmental needs of each cohort. The full program is priced at $100 per participant, with daily lunch not included in the registration fee.

Designed to go far beyond typical summer recreational programming, the camp curates a diverse lineup of artistic disciplines to give young attendees space to explore new interests and refine existing skills in a supportive, encouraging environment. The packed schedule of activities covers multiple corners of the arts, from music and performance to visual creation.

Music-focused offerings include structured vocal training to build core singing technique and stage performance abilities, foundational instruction for the recorder that introduces beginners to core music theory, hands-on exploration of traditional rhythmic traditions through traditional drumming, and a deep dive into the distinct, vibrant sounds of the steel pan instrument. For campers drawn to movement and theater, the program includes sessions covering a range of dance styles that center expressive movement, as well as theatre workshops that guide participants through dramatic practice to boost public confidence and stage presence. Visual creation is also a core focus, with hands-on arts and craft projects designed to spark imagination and build fine motor skills.

Department representatives emphasized that the program is crafted to deliver more than just summer fun: it aims to educate, empower, and connect young people who share a passion for the arts. “Our core goal is to create a memorable summer experience where campers can uncover their personal artistic passions, build lasting self-confidence, and form connections with peers who share their excitement for arts and culture,” a department spokesperson shared. Interested participants and guardians can reach out to the Department of Culture directly for additional registration and program details.

The entire law enforcement community of Antigua and Barbuda is in mourning this week following the passing of one of its longest-serving and most respected members, Sergeant Philmore Patrick. The veteran officer, who dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to protecting and serving the nation’s people, died on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the island’s main healthcare facility, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.

Patrick’s journey in law enforcement began on January 20, 1987, when he first joined the ranks of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda. Over the decades that followed, he built a reputation as a cornerstone of local policing, holding his post through changing times and emerging challenges while remaining unwavering in his commitment to public safety. At the time of his death, he was stationed at the St. John’s Police Station, where he continued to carry out his duties up until his passing.

Senior leadership of the force has paid warm tribute to Patrick’s legacy, describing him as a consistently diligent and deeply committed officer who approached every task with uncompromising professionalism and unshakable personal integrity. Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers formally extended heartfelt condolences to Patrick’s family, close friends, and fellow colleagues on behalf of the entire Royal Police Force organization.

The force emphasized that Patrick’s far-reaching contributions to both local policing and public service will leave a lasting imprint on the communities he served and the colleagues who had the privilege of working alongside him. He leaves behind many grieving relatives, friends, and fellow officers who are now honoring his life and decades of service to the nation of Antigua and Barbuda.

After more than a decade of protracted legal and administrative gridlock, the Antigua and Barbuda Fishermen Co-operative Society Limited has formally transitioned back to democratic member control, following the successful election of a new governing board at a special Annual General Meeting. Convened by the Supervisor of Co-operatives and hosted at the Fisheries Conference Room in Point Wharf on Sunday, the gathering brought a definitive close to 12 years of institutional uncertainty that left the representative body unable to operate under the leadership chosen by its fishing community membership.

The resolution of this long-running impasse came through the coordinated action of two national regulatory bodies, acting in strict alignment with the provisions of the island nation’s Co-operative Societies Act. The Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC), via the Office of the Supervisor of Co-operatives, carried out its statutory mandate to organize the process of returning full governance authority to the co-operative’s membership. To guarantee the fairness and transparency of the leadership vote, the national Electoral Commission was also brought in to oversee balloting and result tabulation.

Meeting proceedings opened with a comprehensive briefing for attending members on the co-operative’s current financial and operational status, before moving forward to the nomination and election of directors and committee representatives. When voting concluded, a full new leadership slate was sworn in, earning the unanimous backing of all members in attendance.

For the hundreds of working fishermen who have waited more than a decade for this outcome, the election is far more than a routine change in organizational leadership. It marks the long-awaited restoration of a collective voice for the island’s fishing community that had been silenced throughout the prolonged dispute. Many members noted that the co-operative has been a foundational institution for small-scale fishermen across Antigua and Barbuda for generations, and the return to member-led governance secures that legacy for future participants.

The successful conclusion of the transition has been broadly celebrated across the local fishing sector. Attending members publicly extended their gratitude to both the FSRC and Electoral Commission for their steady stewardship through the organization’s most challenging period, and for upholding the core democratic principle that the will of the membership must ultimately guide the co-operative’s work.

The newly installed 7-member Board of Directors is led by Chair Sir Anderson Roberts, and includes members Gary Gore, Orel Benjamin, Dale Stoute, Euro Henry Jr., Colin Francis, and Charles Simon. A three-person Supervisory and Compliance Committee was also elected, composed of Mavis George, Fellisa Simon, and Devon Revan.

With this long-running dispute finally resolved, the co-operative turns the page on a difficult chapter and enters a new era unified behind a democratically chosen leadership team. Members have reaffirmed their commitment to the co-operative principles of collective action, shared benefit, and community leadership that first gave rise to the organization decades ago.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda is rolling out a landmark public welfare initiative that will deliver 25,000 pairs of prescription eyeglasses completely free of charge to residents unable to access affordable vision care, Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed in a radio address Saturday. Appearing as a guest on Pointe FM’s popular Browne and Browne talk program, the prime minister outlined the core goals and logistics of the new National Vision Initiative, framing the effort as a targeted investment in both economic productivity and public quality of life.

Uncorrected vision impairment creates significant barriers for people across Antigua and Barbuda, limiting their ability to work, pursue education, and carry out daily activities safely. For low-income households, the high out-of-pocket cost of prescription eyeglasses often puts this essential care out of reach. During the broadcast, program participants highlighted that a single pair of prescription glasses typically costs between 700 and 2,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars, a major expense that many families cannot prioritize alongside other basic needs.

Browne emphasized that the government designed the initiative to remove this financial barrier entirely. “We’re making sure that those in Antigua and Barbuda who struggle with poor vision and cannot afford a pair of glasses can get one for free,” he said. The prime minister confirmed that the full shipment of eyeglasses has already cleared customs and arrived in the country, with the Ministry of Health tapped to oversee all program operations from screening to distribution.

The program will offer a full end-to-end service at no cost to eligible residents: participants will receive a comprehensive eye exam, a customized prescription, and their new eyeglasses all free of charge. Browne added that the administration views this as an ongoing commitment to public vision health, rather than a one-time effort. The government plans to run repeat distribution cycles in coming years, and will provide replacement glasses for recipients when their prescription changes or their current glasses need to be replaced.

Led by the Prime Minister’s office and executed through the public health system, the initiative grew out of cross-government discussions about the critical role of early intervention in vision care and the need to expand access to underfunded health services for low-income communities. It forms a core part of the current administration’s broader portfolio of social support programs aimed at reducing financial strain on vulnerable households.

In addition to the vision program announcement, Browne used the radio address to share an update on a separate government assistance initiative. He confirmed that a second shipment of subsidized building materials has arrived in the country and is currently being distributed to qualifying beneficiaries of that housing support program.

For countless first-generation and international students, the path to becoming a medical doctor is paved with years of sacrifice, relentless effort, and unwavering focus. For Dr. Janae Martin, a native of the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, that long, demanding journey has recently reached a landmark milestone: her official graduation from medical school, marking the start of her professional career as a physician.\n\nDr. Martin’s educational foundation was built close to home, where she completed her primary schooling at Sunnyside Tutorial before moving on to secondary education at Christ the King High School. Even in her early years, her drive to pursue a career in healing was clear; upon graduating high school, she made the decision to relocate to the United States to turn her lifelong dream of practicing medicine into reality.\n\nHer academic trajectory in the U.S. has been marked by consistent excellence. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from La Salle University, graduating magna cum laude in recognition of her outstanding academic performance. Building on that strong foundation, she went on to complete a Master of Biomedical Studies at Drexel University College of Medicine, where she gained advanced specialized training that prepared her for the rigors of medical school. She was ultimately accepted into the competitive Wayne State University School of Medicine, where she successfully completed all requirements for her medical degree in May 2026.\n\nBeyond excelling in her coursework and clinical rotations, Dr. Martin has long prioritized giving back to communities and lifting up the next generation of healthcare workers. Throughout her years of training, she maintained active involvement in public health research, peer mentorship, and community healthcare projects focused on closing gaps in health equity for underserved populations. She also dedicated countless volunteer hours to mentoring high school students with aspirations of entering healthcare and science careers, sharing her own experience to help young people navigate their own educational paths.\n\nGuided by a deep-seated passion for child health and a commitment to centering patient advocacy in her practice, Dr. Martin will begin her post-graduate clinical career as part of the pediatric care team at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.\n\nDr. Martin’s trailblazing journey from a small Caribbean nation to earning a medical degree in the United States is more than a personal achievement—it is a testament to the power of resilience, discipline, and a sustained commitment to serving others. Her success reflects not only top-tier academic achievement, but also a core dedication to compassionate, patient-centered care and community uplift that will shape her career for years to come. For young aspiring medical professionals across the Caribbean and beyond, her story stands as an inspiring example of what can be accomplished through dedication and purpose.