标签： Barbados

On Saturday, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced a landmark shift in the nation’s approach to supporting vulnerable youth, moving away from century-old rigid institutional care frameworks in favor of home-like, community-focused residential settings. The announcement came during the official opening of the new Young People’s Village, a 12-to-18-year-old residential facility located in Holders Hill, St. James, a project framed as a cornerstone of the government’s sweeping national childcare system reform.

Developed through a collaborative partnership between the Barbados Children’s Trust and the country’s Social Empowerment Agency, the new Holders Hill facility is designed to gradually transition young people from the highly structured, institutional environment of the existing Nightingale Children’s Village into a space that prioritizes independent living, practical life skill building, and healthy emotional growth. This transition aligns with the government’s core goal of replacing inflexible institutional care with stable, nurturing environments that better meet the developmental needs of at-risk youth.

Speaking to facility staff and participating stakeholders, Mottley rejected outdated, rigid approaches to social care, noting that traditional Victorian-era care models have long failed vulnerable populations. “We have a duty, and we don’t want to use a Victorian approach to the delivery of social care services because that didn’t work either,” she stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to stripping away the impersonal, institutional feel of traditional youth care as much as possible.

Mottley went on to redefine the role of care staff, explaining that their work extends far beyond routine daily duties to shaping the long-term trajectories of the young people in their care. “You are not just doing a job, you are raising citizens and children to become adults,” she said, stressing that meaningful youth guidance must be rooted in shared values and positive personal example.

The Prime Minister outlined three overarching national priorities guiding the country’s social policy agenda: cutting systemic poverty, dismantling structural injustice, and expanding life-changing opportunities, with a specific focus on vulnerable children and youth. She also issued a warning against rising culture of entitlement, arguing that individual personal responsibility remains a non-negotiable pillar of sustained national development. “Nobody owes us a living,” Mottley said, urging all Barbadians to take an active, hands-on role in supporting the nation’s young people.

Echoing the well-known proverb that “it takes a village to raise a child,” Mottley emphasized that youth development and effective parenting require collective effort across communities, calling on local residents to invest time in mentoring and supporting at-risk young people. She also highlighted the urgent need to strengthen conflict resolution skills among youth, linking poor communication and lack of dialogue to rising incidents of violence, and encouraged more open, respectful conversation across age groups.

While Mottley acknowledged that Barbados maintains one of the highest quality of life rankings in the Caribbean, she cautioned that widespread societal complacency, paired with a lack of shared responsibility for collective well-being, could erode hard-won progress and undermine future growth. The new youth facility is just one component of a broader, nationwide expansion of social care infrastructure that includes new residential and support services for elderly Barbadians and differently-abled adults, all developed through cross-sector partnerships with nonprofits like the Barbados Children’s Trust.

Mottley stressed that ongoing collaboration between government, the private sector, and civil society is essential to building a resilient, effective social care system. She also noted that the new Young People’s Village incorporates renewable energy infrastructure, including on-site solar installations, as part of broader national efforts to reduce the country’s vulnerability to global energy and economic shocks.

In additional policy announcements, Mottley disclosed that the Barbadian government has allocated $5 million in funding to faith-based organizations across the country to support local youth programmes and community development initiatives, framing these community-led projects as critical to strengthening grassroots support systems for vulnerable populations.

Closing her remarks to the young residents of the new facility, Mottley framed the Holders Hill site as more than just a residential centre: it is a second chance and a clear pathway to a more prosperous future. “This is to make you a believer again in the possibilities of life… it is possible to achieve greatness, it is possible to be a good citizen, it is possible to be a good human being,” she told residents.

On the pristine island of Barbados, a major milestone in child protection and youth empowerment has been reached with the opening of a purpose-built residential facility designed to house and support foster children on the island. Inaugurated on a Saturday, this new development marks the official expansion of Barbados’ child protection infrastructure, fulfilling a long-held mission to support vulnerable youth across the country.

Developed by the non-profit Barbados Children’s Trust, this new initiative represents a significant step forward in Barbados’ efforts to provide safe, supportive housing for foster children, with a specific focus on helping them transition toward independent adulthood. The site, which was developed in collaboration with the non-profit Barbados Children’s Trust and the government’s Social Empowerment agency, now accommodates teenagers aged 12 to 18, with the specific goal of helping them transition from the more structured environment of the Nightingale Children’s Village into a setting that promotes independence and essential life skills.

The campus has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate young people at different stages of their development, with dormitory-style accommodation for younger residents, while older teens benefit from more independent living arrangements, including private bedrooms and shared living spaces. The site comprises a 3-acre campus that includes a main residence, activities centre, sports pavilion, with capacity for 37 young people and residential staff.

The overall design of the facility incorporates a strong focus on providing practical, hands-on training that will equip young people with valuable life and employability skills. For example, the central kitchen and laundry area has been designed to accommodate both everyday domestic use and commercial-style training, allowing residents to gain hands-on experience in food preparation and facility operations. Additional features include a beauty salon where residents can learn hair care and styling skills, with plans for a woodworking workshop to introduce other practical trades. Dedicated support spaces such as a doctor’s office, social worker’s office, and reflection room are part of the integrated model of care provided at the facility.

Outdoor amenities include courts for netball, volleyball, and road tennis, along with a floodlit playing field, reflecting a deliberate emphasis on physical activity as part of behavioural development. The compound is fully secured with perimeter fencing, 24-hour surveillance systems, and controlled access, ensuring a safe, secure environment for residents and staff.

According to Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Adrian Forde, this significant investment reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding vulnerable youth and ensuring no child falls through the cracks. He thanked donors for their contribution to what he described as a life-changing initiative for vulnerable youth across Barbados.

Forde stressed that young people must be treated as rights holders, not passive recipients of care, adding: “The words endless possibility must be imbued in our young people.”

He said the facility would serve as a platform to equip residents with practical skills, including horticulture and culinary training, while also promising the addition of a recreational park to further enhance the environment for residents.

The minister outlined a broader national strategy focused on preventative intervention, arguing that exposure to structured opportunities and supportive environments reduces the likelihood of harmful behaviours and improves long-term outcomes for vulnerable youth. He also pointed to the ongoing expansion of social services across communities, particularly in St Michael, aimed at delivering support with greater accessibility and responsiveness to community needs.

Overall, the opening of this new facility represents a significant step forward in Barbados’ ongoing efforts to expand and improve child protection infrastructure across the country, fulfilling a long-held mission to support vulnerable youth and help them transition toward healthy, productive independent adulthood.

Law enforcement officials in Barbados are turning to the public for urgent help to locate an elderly man who has been missing for weeks. 85-year-old Joseph Brathwaite, who also goes by the aliases ‘Norman’ and ‘Nou’, was last spotted by members of the public on 1 April 2026 in his home neighborhood of Gill Land, Eastmont, St John.

Brathwaite lives with two critical health conditions that put him at heightened risk of harm while unaccounted for: he is completely blind in his left eye and lives with dementia, a condition that can impair his ability to navigate unfamiliar areas or recall his personal details. Investigators have released a detailed physical description to help community members identify him: he stands roughly five feet six inches tall, has a slim build and dark complexion, with distinct features including large sunken eyes, a broad bulbous nose, thin lips, oversized ears and sagging cheek tissue. He speaks with a distinct Barbadian accent, has a naturally abrupt communication style and a deep speaking voice.

When he was last seen, Brathwaite was wearing a simple green crewneck T-shirt and black three-quarter length pants, and he was not wearing any footwear. Police confirmed he is known to regularly travel between two St. John areas: Small Town and his home neighborhood of Gill Land, so search efforts are currently focused on these regions.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have spotted Brathwaite since 1 April, or anyone who holds any information about his current location, to reach out to investigators immediately. Tips can be submitted directly to District ‘C’ Police Station via the phone lines 416-8200 or 416-8204, to the national police emergency hotline at 211, to the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800-TIPS (8477), or in person at any local police station across the country.

As the annual personal income tax filing peak period approaches, the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) is rolling out a widespread network of free in-person Tax Clinics starting April 4, designed to cut through confusion and help taxpayers complete their submissions correctly and on schedule.

The first wave of assistance will open to the public this Saturday at two convenient central locations: Queen’s Park Steel Shed and the Rice’s Resource Centre. To expand access to residents across the island, additional clinic sites will be activated on every following Saturday through the end of April. These include the Valley Resource Centre, BRA’s existing offices at Holetown and Warrens Towers II, and a one-off clinic at the Briar Hall Resource Centre on the final Saturday of the month.

All Saturday clinics will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time across all participating locations, with one exception: the Queen’s Park Steel Shed location will close early at 1 p.m. on April 25. To accommodate taxpayers who cannot attend weekend sessions due to work or other commitments, BRA has added extended weekday clinics at Queen’s Park Steel Shed running from April 20 to 30. These weekday sessions also operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be closed on official bank holidays.

Unlike general inquiry services, these targeted clinics are tailored to address two key needs for Barbadian residents: assistance filing 2024 Personal Income Tax returns, and support for residents applying for the Reverse Tax Credit. Every clinic will be staffed by fully trained BRA officers, who are prepared to walk attendees through step-by-step filing processes, clarify confusing regulatory requirements, answer individual questions, and resolve common filing errors before submissions are finalized.

BRA officials are urging all taxpayers who have not yet completed their returns, or who have questions about the Reverse Tax Credit program, to take advantage of the free service well in advance of the filing deadline. The authority noted that accessing early support helps avoid the rushed, last-minute mistakes that often lead to processing delays or penalties, and ensures that eligible residents receive any applicable credits without unnecessary hold-ups.

To make the most of their clinic visit, BRA advises all attendees to come prepared with two critical items: all relevant supporting financial documents for the tax year, and a valid form of government-issued photo identification. Up-to-date information on location changes, additional clinic dates, and program details is posted continuously on the official BRA website, which can be accessed at www.bra.gov.bb.

A teenage defendant has been released on $5,000 bail after facing two serious criminal charges before a Barbadian magistrate earlier this week.

Sixteen-year-old Jaheim Remere Holder, a resident of Licorish Village in the My Lords Hill neighborhood of St Michael, made his first court appearance on Thursday before Magistrate Alison Burke at the District ‘A’ Traffic Court. As the charges against Holder are classified as indictable offences under local law, the defendant was not required to enter a formal plea during this initial hearing.

The charges stem from a reported violent incident that took place on March 27, in which 52-year-old Oberon Padmore was allegedly the victim of the robbery and intentional wounding. Following the brief proceeding, Magistrate Burke granted Holder bail set at $5,000, and scheduled the next hearing in the case for June 18, 2026, to allow for further investigative and procedural preparations. The matter remains ongoing as the legal process moves forward.

Across the Caribbean island of Barbados, crowds of faithful worshippers filled local churches on Good Friday, coming together in quiet solemnity to mark one of Christianity’s most sacred observances. While the day centers on reflection on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, messages of persistent hope and radical new beginnings echoed through sanctuary halls, uniting congregants in shared faith.

At the historic Ann Gill Memorial Methodist Church, the air hung thick with contemplation, broken only by the soft strains of traditional hymns and the gentle cadence of collective prayer. Leading the service was Reverend Nicholas Chambers, whose sermon wove personal struggle, core Christian theology, and timeless encouragement into a cohesive message centered on perseverance, unshakable faith, and the promise of renewal that emerges even from life’s darkest chapters.

Chambers opened his address by inviting every member of the congregation to turn inward, reflecting on their own personal battles and the universal human longing to bring seasons of hardship to a close. Grounding his teaching in these relatable, everyday experiences, he drew a striking parallel between modern struggles and the original events of Good Friday. He reminded those gathered that for Jesus’ disciples, his mother Mary, and the entire early community of followers, the crucifixion did not read as a sacred turning point—it looked like the final end of every hope they had held.

“My dear friends, in life, all things come to an end, and for us today, as we celebrate Good Friday, for the disciples, Jesus’ mother, and for the nation of Israel, they thought that every good thing that they believed in came to an end,” Chambers told the assembled congregation.

Yet the reverend emphasized that what appeared to be a final, crushing defeat was actually the starting line for something far greater than the community could have imagined. “But my dear brothers and sisters, even though they saw their master on a cross, even though they saw him and his body laid in a tomb, even though he himself said that it was finished, I want to submit to you that it was not finished simply in that moment. But it was finished to begin something new,” he said.

Chambers challenged worshippers to carry this same perspective into their own daily lives, especially when navigating uncertainty, overwhelming hardship, or crippling despair. He explained that moments that feel like total endings often act as unrecognized turning points, paving the way for profound personal growth, deep transformation, and eventual victory over struggle.

Drawing on the interconnected significance of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, Chambers reminded attendees that the Good Friday story does not reach its conclusion at the cross. Instead, it extends forward through the promise of renewal and ultimate triumph over hardship. “I believe for us today as we celebrate Jesus’ death and his resurrection, and as we may be facing hopelessness and fear, we might be wondering, when will it be finished?” he said. “I want to submit to you that [in] life…that finish leads to victory.”

He further encouraged believers to draw strength from Christ’s own journey of suffering and resurrection, noting that Jesus personally understands the full depth of human struggle and pain. “As we look at Jesus’ life and as we reflect on what he went through, we will have hope instead of hopelessness and courage instead of fear… because Jesus understands what it means to be at the end of the road,” Chambers said.