标签： Barbados

A Barbados-based disability-led organization is calling for increased financial support to scale its innovative training initiative designed to foster self-sufficiency among disabled and marginalized individuals. The Love Circle, founded three years ago as an inclusive collective of both disabled and non-disabled members, has strategically pivoted from temporary aid provision to comprehensive skills development after identifying systemic gaps in conventional support structures.

Executive Director Ralbert Ashton explained the organization’s evolution, noting that repetitive assistance patterns revealed the limitations of short-term solutions. “We observed the same individuals returning consistently for food parcels and utility bill support,” Ashton stated. “This cyclical dependency prevented us from extending help to others in need and prompted our transition from handouts to sustainable empowerment.”

Launched in September 2024 at the Barbados Council for the Disabled, the pilot program currently serves 18 participants through practical skill-building workshops. Curriculum components range from artisanal soap and candle crafting to decorative balloon artistry and commercial food preparation—all strategically designed to create income-generating opportunities.

Funding remains the primary constraint for program sustainability. Current support derives mainly from religious organizations including Seventh-day Adventist churches and Beach Church, supplemented by personal contributions from Love Circle members—many surviving on modest pensions themselves. A recently organized fundraising concert yielded limited returns due to insufficient publicity, highlighting the organization’s promotional challenges.

Despite financial hurdles, The Love Circle is pursuing strategic partnerships to enhance program impact. Ongoing discussions with the Small Business Association aim to provide formal business development support for aspiring entrepreneurs, while future collaborations with the Labour Office could institutionalize program benefits.

The organization has already equipped several participants with professional tools and equipment to launch micro-enterprises. With adequate funding, planned expansions include upholstery workshops, winemaking courses, and additional soap-making classes responding to demonstrated community interest.

“The demand for practical skills training is undeniable,” Ashton emphasized. “Our participants have shown remarkable engagement—what we require now is sustained investment to transform potential into lasting economic independence.”

An elderly Barbadian man’s prolonged flooding ordeal has been resolved after public works crews cleared drainage debris linked to a government well installation. Seymour Burnett, 77, of Ashdeane Village, St Michael, had been virtually confined to his home due to persistent floodwaters that created accessibility challenges for the mobility-impaired pensioner.

The breakthrough came after St Michael North West MP Neil Rowe intervened, confirming that leftover materials from a previous contractor’s drainage operations had been completely removed. “I’m pleased to report that the debris has been eliminated, and I extend gratitude to the drainage department for their prompt action,” Rowe stated during an onsite assessment with Barbados TODAY.

On Tuesday, drainage department personnel executed comprehensive remediation work—extracting remaining debris, laying fresh milling material, and regrading the terrain to elevate it above water level. These measures specifically targeted flood mitigation for Burnett’s residence and adjacent properties.

The resolution follows escalating concerns last week regarding Burnett’s living conditions, where recurrent flooding compounded by severe mosquito infestations had created unhealthy circumstances. Local residents attributed these problems to inadequately maintained public drainage infrastructure.

Rowe acknowledged that initial remediation attempts in late 2023 had proven insufficient when a privately hired contractor removed approximately three skip-loads of debris but failed to complete the job. The MP formally apologized to Burnett and fellow residents for the inconvenience caused by these previous incomplete works.

The elderly beneficiary expressed profound relief at seeing conclusive action, voicing optimism that these latest interventions would deliver a permanent solution to the chronic flooding issues that had compromised his quality of life.

Barbados is confronting a concerning evolution in its drug landscape as the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) reports a gradual but significant diversification beyond traditional substances. While marijuana, tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine remain the predominant choices among Barbadians, new psychoactive compounds have emerged on the island between 2023 and 2025, signaling a shift in consumption patterns.

Troy Wickham, Deputy Manager of the NCSA, revealed during Drug Awareness Month that the council’s surveillance has identified several novel substances entering the local market. These include MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoids (specifically MDMB4en PINACA and 4-Fluoro MDMB Butica), and semi-synthetic cannabinoids like hexahydrocannabinol.

The proliferation of these substances transcends statistical data, manifesting in increased treatment facility admissions. Young males under 40 continue to dominate both treatment referrals and encounters with the criminal justice system related to substance abuse. Wickham noted a surge in outreach from educational institutions, families, and communities seeking intervention services during the awareness month, ranging from educational sessions to counseling and rehabilitation.

Despite the NCSA offering free counseling services to all citizens, prevention efforts face substantial challenges. Social stigma surrounding substance abuse discourages early intervention, compounded by an apparent normalization of marijuana use despite its illegal status in Barbados. Wickham expressed particular concern about open marijuana consumption across age groups and genders in public spaces, describing it as a worrying trend toward normalization.

The deputy manager urged heightened vigilance among parents, guardians, and educators, emphasizing the importance of recognizing behavioral and physical indicators of substance use. Warning signs include erratic behavior, aggression, memory impairment, anxiety, and changes in social circles. Physical evidence may include drug-branded clothing, vaping devices, and small zip-lock bags.

Wickham stressed that parental warmth and active involvement constitute crucial protective factors, underscoring that strong familial relationships play a pivotal role in prevention and early intervention strategies.

Authorities have conclusively determined that St Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School is not experiencing a rodent infestation, following a comprehensive investigation into reports of animal droppings discovered on campus last week. The inquiry revealed that approximately 98% of the droppings were attributed to lizards, with the remaining trace amounts linked to cockroaches and mice confined to a single classroom.

The investigation was initiated on January 7th when educational officials alerted the Ministry of Educational Transformation and the Environmental Health Department about potential sanitation concerns. Specialized teams from the Branford Taitt Polyclinic and Vector Control Unit promptly conducted detailed inspections and implemented targeted treatment protocols across the school premises.

Reverend Canon Dr. Sonia Hinds, Chair of the school’s Board of Management, confirmed that environmental health experts found insufficient evidence to warrant full school closure or industrial-scale cleaning operations. The assessment concluded that the findings did not indicate an active infestation scenario requiring drastic measures.

Despite the reassuring conclusions, health officials recommended specific remedial actions which school administrators have committed to implementing urgently. Ongoing baiting procedures and intensified cleaning protocols continued through Monday as precautionary measures. The final update regarding the resolution was formally communicated to stakeholders on Monday evening, providing clarity and reassurance to the school community.

A criminal case is advancing in Barbados as a 30-year-old resident of St. Michael prepares to face murder charges in the District ‘A’ Criminal Court. The accused, identified as Xzavier Malik Clarke from Marl Hole Road, Halls Road, has been formally charged by authorities in connection with the fatal incident involving David Leacock.

The Barbados Police Service confirmed that the charges stem from events occurring on November 11, 2025, with the Criminal Investigation Department (Central) leading the investigation and subsequent filing of charges. The judicial process marks a significant development in a case that has drawn attention to law enforcement procedures and criminal accountability within the Caribbean nation.

Legal experts anticipate that the court proceedings will shed light on the circumstances surrounding Leacock’s death while demonstrating the Barbados justice system’s approach to handling serious violent crimes. The case represents one of several homicide investigations currently moving through the country’s legal channels, highlighting ongoing efforts to address criminal activity through formal judicial mechanisms.

With the January 18 deadline approaching, Barbados’ proposed two percent minimum wage increase has garnered just one formal objection, according to Labour Minister Colin Jordan. The minister confirmed receiving minimal pushback against the scheduled adjustment that would raise the national minimum wage from $10.50 to $10.71 per hour effective January 21.

Minister Jordan revealed he had been briefed about the solitary objection but remained unaware of its source or specific content. Despite this limited opposition, the government maintains established procedures for addressing formal challenges. Any objection must undergo review by the Minimum Wage Board, which subsequently provides recommendations to Cabinet for final determination.

The minister defended the modest increase as a balanced approach that addresses both worker needs and employer concerns. “This two percent adjustment covers the annual increase in national insurance thresholds while providing predictability for businesses,” Jordan explained. He emphasized that the measured increase helps low-income workers manage rising living costs without placing excessive burden on employers.

The current framework includes provisions for more comprehensive triennial reviews, with the next major assessment scheduled for 2027. Barring significant economic disruptions, no further adjustments are anticipated before this scheduled review.

This upcoming change follows a substantial minimum wage increase seven months prior that raised rates from $8.50 to $10.50 for general workers and from $9.25 to $11.43 for security personnel. The new adjustment will bring security guards’ industry rate to $11.66 per hour.

Public objections require specific documentation including grounds for opposition, the objector’s interest in the matter, and suggested amendments. Submissions must be emailed to designated government addresses before the January 18 cutoff. Following this consultation period, the Minimum Wage Board will evaluate any objections and provide cabinet recommendations ahead of the planned implementation on Errol Barrow Day.

In a significant move to bolster arts education, the organizers of the BIM Got Talent Youth Sing-Off finale have designated all proceeds from this year’s event to directly fund music programs in Barbados’ secondary schools. The finale, scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, will feature ten young performers competing for top honors while serving as both a talent showcase and strategic intervention for arts education development.

Creative Director Randy ‘Mr Quantum’ Eastmond emphasized the initiative’s broader purpose during a weekend press conference at De Bar, Worthing, Christ Church. ‘This press conference represents more than an event announcement; it’s a declaration of intent focused on youth development, cultural preservation, and national investment through music and the arts,’ Eastmond stated. ‘The Sing-Off exists for one urgent purpose: to directly support school music programs across Barbados.’

Eastmond highlighted systemic challenges in arts education, noting that music is frequently marginalized within the school curriculum. ‘In many institutions, music education remains under-resourced, often treated as an extracurricular luxury rather than a developmental necessity,’ he explained. Citing established research, Eastmond emphasized that ‘music education strengthens cognitive ability, improves academic performance, builds discipline, enhances emotional intelligence, and fosters teamwork—outcomes that are essential for developing nations like Barbados.’

Special guest Senator Roshanna Trim endorsed the initiative’s role in youth engagement and national development. ‘We must find innovative ways to engage young people through the arts, which we know can transform lives and create meaningful impact,’ Senator Trim asserted. ‘Through such activities, we build resilience and develop confident youth.’

The senator issued a stark warning regarding underinvestment in youth development: ‘If we neglect intentional investment in our young people, we accept whatever consequences follow. For a small nation like Barbados, where our people constitute our only natural resource, we cannot afford to leave development to chance.’

Trim additionally called for increased private sector involvement, urging ‘corporate Barbados to not only create their own initiatives but to support youth-led programs, ensuring young people feel their contributions are valued.’

BIM Got Talent founder Kevin ‘Sluggy Dan’ Watson described the competition as a platform to showcase Barbados’ diverse talent pool, particularly among youth lacking major performance opportunities. The event has gained prominence for highlighting singers, performers, and creatives across the island while increasingly aligning with social causes that reinvest in national development priorities, including education and creative industries.