标签： Barbados

As 2025 concluded, Brandon’s Beach in Barbados offered a serene alternative to boisterous celebrations, with families and visitors choosing peaceful reflection over festive revelry. The picturesque shoreline became a backdrop for intimate gatherings emphasizing familial bonds and tranquil contemplation.

Among those savoring the year’s final hours was the Gill family, who established a beachside encampment for an evening of culinary delights and traditional entertainment. Their celebration featured a repertoire of activities including modified dodgeball, creative sand-drawn games, and racquet sports blending modern and Bajan traditions. The family orchestrated a color-coordinated gift exchange before anticipating a symbolic sea immersion to ceremoniously conclude the year.

“Our picnic embodies our celebratory spirit,” a family representative explained. “We’ve prepared macaroni pie, seasoned chicken with rice, and assorted sandwiches. This communal gathering represents our dedication to preserving connections through shared experiences.”

This year-end beach gathering has evolved into an cherished family ritual, complementing their Christmas reunions. “We intentionally converge during these transitional moments,” they noted. “After celebrating Christmas collectively, we determined to reconvene for the year’s culmination.”

Nearby, Horace Bailey, a septuagenarian taxi operator with decades of service, articulated a philosophy of cautious celebration. The 76-year-old transportation veteran elected for domestic tranquility over nocturnal activities, citing safety concerns and visual limitations from modern vehicle headlights.

“By eight this evening, I’ll be securely retired to my residence,” Bailey stated. “At my age, prudence supersedes celebration. My daughter will represent our family’s celebratory spirit abroad tonight.”

Despite increasing competition from ride-sharing services like Uber, Bailey reported consistent annual earnings. “Business remains satisfactory amid transportation evolution,” he commented. “I maintain gratitude for daily provisions whenever cruise ships dock. Divine appreciation accompanies every fare.”

An American first-time visitor simultaneously absorbed the beach’s calming ambiance, expressing immediate affinity for Barbadian hospitality. “The population radiates exceptional warmth,” the tourist observed. “My inaugural Barbados visit continues exceeding expectations with each passing moment.”

Barbados has taken a monumental step toward modernizing its public transportation infrastructure with the formal introduction of 35 new electric buses on Wednesday. This strategic initiative, supported by a substantial $21 million government investment, aims to resolve persistent service reliability issues, particularly within the Scotland District and central regions, while advancing the nation’s environmental goals.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works, Santia Bradshaw, announced the procurement during a ceremony at the Bridgetown Port. She emphasized that this acquisition fulfills a governmental pledge to deliver a more reliable, efficient, and contemporary transit system for Barbadian citizens. The expansion elevates the national fleet to a total of 121 buses, a significant enhancement from the stagnant investment levels experienced in the decade prior to 2018.

While the new vehicles represent a major advancement, officials clarified they will not be immediately operational. Several technical integrations must be completed, including the installation of cashless payment systems, programming of digital route displays, vehicle registration, and the finalization of charging infrastructure. A phased integration is planned over the coming weeks, with expectations for full deployment by the end of January. The public is advised to remain patient during this transitional period.

In tandem with this rollout, the government confirmed its commitment to retiring the entire diesel bus fleet by the conclusion of the current financial year. This move underscores a definitive shift toward sustainable public mobility. Since 2018, the administration has allocated close to $58 million toward both maintaining the existing fleet and financing this electric transition, signaling a profound investment in the nation’s future transport capabilities.

A newly established fishermen’s collective in Barbados is spearheading transformative changes within the nation’s fishing sector through strategic government collaboration. The Black Fin Fleet organization emerged following Hurricane Beryl’s devastation, addressing perceived representation gaps for boat proprietors, captains, and fishing agents.

Under the leadership of Moonesh Dharampaul, the organization representing approximately 200 industry stakeholders has already achieved significant breakthroughs through early dialogues with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Critical infrastructure enhancements at landing sites have become immediate priorities, with ministerial support resulting in the installation of new compressor systems in Bridgetown to address persistent ice production challenges.

Dharampaul emphasized the critical nature of reliable ice access for maritime operations: ‘Without adequate ice supplies, our fishing vessels cannot remain operational at sea. We’re collaborating closely with ministry officials to maintain essential machinery that supports our fishing capacity.’

Beyond infrastructure development, the organization is pioneering insurance reform for commercial fishing operations. Current insurance products inadequately cover fishing activities, prompting negotiations with the General Insurance Association of Barbados for specialized commercial fishing policies ahead of anticipated 2027 regulatory changes.

The collective simultaneously prepares to launch an extensive public awareness campaign highlighting fishermen’s vital role in national food security. The initiative aims to reshape public perception regarding maritime professions while advocating for professional recognition as Blue Economy specialists rather than traditional ‘fisherfolk’ terminology.

Dharampaul explained the rationale behind terminology evolution: ‘Fishing requires specialized skills acquired through practical experience rather than academic training. We seek appropriate professional designations that reflect the technical expertise and economic value our industry provides.’

The organization also addresses statistical representation issues, noting that aggregate fleet recovery data often masks operational disparities between different vessel types and their respective catch specialties, which ultimately affects market supply dynamics and consumer expectations.

For the 27th consecutive year, the cherished Christmas Cheer Programme at Sheraton Mall has illuminated the holiday season for disadvantaged Barbadian youth, with energy provider RUBIS continuing its longstanding partnership through a substantial financial contribution. The recent event on December 6 transformed the shopping center into a hub of festive excitement as approximately 100 carefully selected children experienced a day brimming with both entertainment and practical education. Beyond the typical holiday festivities, the program incorporated financial literacy components during shopping activities, providing valuable life skills alongside seasonal joy. The comprehensive experience included catered meals, cinematic entertainment at Olympus Theatres, and the priceless opportunity for children to select their own Christmas gifts. Karen Oliver, Head of Business Operations at Sheraton Mall, emphasized the profound community impact, stating that RUBIS’s $2,000 donation was instrumental in creating meaningful memories for participating families. Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to continuing this partnership, recognizing its significant role in supporting community well-being and demonstrating corporate social responsibility during the holiday season and beyond.

In a landmark development for youth empowerment, the Barbados Youth Development Council (BYDC) has secured a transformative financial commitment from the government that will more than double its annual funding starting fiscal year 2026/27. This substantial increase in subvention marks what Council President Caleb Brathwaite characterizes as a \”special turning point\” for youth development initiatives across the nation.\n\nFor decades, the organization has operated under significant financial constraints that limited its ability to fully execute its mandate. Despite being nearly as old as Barbados’ independence, the council has consistently faced resource limitations across successive administrations. \”For many years, one of the council’s greatest challenges has been financial—quite simply, the resources needed to execute projects and sustain the organization,\” Brathwaite acknowledged.\n\nThe new funding injection will enable an ambitious expansion of programs and services targeting Barbadians aged 18 to 35. Strategic initiatives include the launch of a digital discount card program in partnership with corporate Barbados, establishment of formal apprenticeship programs with established businesses, enhanced support for youth groups, expansion of paid internship opportunities, and creation of structured platforms for youth to voice ideas and concerns.\n\nBrathwaite emphasized the council’s ongoing commitment to its motto of \”building youth and developing country,\\” noting that even amid previous financial and technical challenges throughout 2025, the BYDC maintained its development mandate. Through initiatives like Project Move Up, the corporate internship program, the council provided placements for dozens of young people, certified over 50 youth leaders with Commonwealth support, assisted struggling youth groups and individuals, contributed to youth-focused policy development, and engaged in regional and international youth development efforts.\n\n\”This investment will allow us to create greater impact: young people looking out for young people, young people solving young people’s challenges, and young people actively contributing to youth development,\” Brathwaite stated, expressing confidence that the enhanced resources will finally enable the organization to fulfill its potential in serving Barbados’ youth population.

The Ministry of Educational Transformation in Barbados is extending a formal invitation to parents and guardians across the nation to participate in a series of crucial town hall meetings. These sessions are specifically designed to provide comprehensive insights and clarity regarding the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE), a pivotal assessment in a student’s academic journey.

To ensure widespread accessibility, the Ministry has organized multiple meetings in key locations. The initiative commences this Saturday, January 3, with dual sessions scheduled simultaneously. The first will convene at Alexandra School on Queen’s Street in St. Peter, while a second, parallel meeting will be held at Princess Margaret Secondary School located at Six Roads in St. Philip.

Further extending the outreach, a subsequent round of town halls is planned for Tuesday, January 6. Residents in the parishes of St. George and St. Thomas will have their opportunity for engagement. The St. George Secondary School in Constant and the Lester Vaughan School in Cane Garden, St. Thomas, will serve as the respective venues. The Ministry has standardized the timing for all events, with each session slated to begin promptly at 5:00 p.m., allowing for convenience after standard working hours.

These forums represent a significant effort by educational authorities to foster transparency and strengthen the partnership between schools and the communities they serve. By attending, parents and guardians can gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the examination’s structure, preparation strategies, and its overall role within the Barbadian education system, ultimately empowering them to better support their children’s academic aspirations.