标签： Grenada

The Carriacou Historical Society and Museum has unveiled its newly appointed Board of Directors, signaling a pivotal moment in the institution’s mission to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Carriacou. This leadership transition follows the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, which necessitated significant rebuilding and expansion efforts. The museum, a cornerstone of Carriacou’s cultural identity, is now poised to embark on a transformative journey with the support of its community, volunteers, and the global diaspora. The newly appointed board members, whose roles span various strategic and operational domains, include Bryan A. Whyte as President, David Mark, MBE, as 1st Vice President, and Majella Mark, MBA, as Director of International Affairs and Special Projects. Other key appointments include Patricia John as Treasurer and Benaiah Matheson as Director of Diaspora Engagement. To enhance its outreach, the museum has launched new social media platforms on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and BlueSky, aiming to connect with diverse audiences and amplify the visibility of Carriacou’s rich cultural history. Majella Mark emphasized the board’s commitment to safeguarding the island’s artifacts and stories while fostering global connections. For updates, the public is encouraged to follow @carriacoumuseum on all platforms or visit www.carriacoumuseum.gd.

In response to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Liberty Caribbean Foundation has launched a comprehensive regional relief initiative to aid affected communities across Jamaica. The foundation, a charitable arm of Flow and Liberty Business, has coordinated with regional crisis teams and partners across Liberty Latin America to deploy essential supplies, including food, water, emergency kits, and connectivity solutions, as soon as safe access is granted by local authorities. Ensuring the safety of staff remains the top priority, with teams actively verifying the well-being of all employees. Relief shipments are poised to commence at the earliest opportunity, pending official clearance. Inge Smidts, CEO of Liberty Caribbean, emphasized the foundation’s commitment to supporting both employees and the broader community, stating, ‘Our first duty is to our people and to the communities who rely on us. We are prepared to deliver immediate relief and stand with these communities throughout their recovery.’ The foundation is collaborating closely with national and local authorities, community organizations, and trusted relief partners to ensure efficient and targeted assistance, avoiding duplication and prioritizing the most vulnerable populations. Simultaneously, Liberty Caribbean’s crisis-management teams are focused on restoring critical communications infrastructure and supporting employee welfare. Smidts highlighted the foundation’s long-term commitment, noting, ‘Recovery will be a sustained effort. Beyond emergency supplies, we are dedicated to partnering with local organizations on rebuilding and resilience initiatives.’ Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on October 28 as a Category 5 hurricane with winds reaching 185 mph, tied with Hurricane Dorian (2019) and the 1935 ‘Labour Day’ hurricane as the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record by wind speed. The Liberty Caribbean Foundation is calling for public and corporate support to scale relief operations. Donations will directly fund the procurement and delivery of essential supplies and support long-term recovery programs in the hardest-hit areas. Secure donations can be made online at https://www.libertycaribbeanfoundation.org/hurricane-relief.

Mandatory parental consent, often perceived as a safeguard for children, can paradoxically trap them in abusive households. While this provision is beneficial in nurturing environments, it becomes a tool of oppression in dysfunctional families. In such homes, sexual cruelty, fear, and suppression replace care and trust. Alarmingly, these ‘households of hell’ are more prevalent than society acknowledges, cutting across all social strata. Parental consent is frequently misused to preserve family image rather than protect children, allowing abusers to operate unchecked. In one Eastern Caribbean country, 18.6% of women reported childhood sexual abuse, a likely underreported statistic. Removing mandatory parental consent would grant adolescents legal access to healthcare professionals, empowering them and improving the reporting and prosecution of predators. The Age of Civil Responsibility Bill does not alter the legal age of consent, undermine trustworthy parents, or favor predators; instead, it makes abusers more vulnerable. Advocates urge the government to strengthen and proceed with the bill to protect children.

The Rotary Club of Grenada has announced the eagerly awaited return of ‘Christmas at the Point,’ set to take place from November 30, 2025, to January 4, 2026, at the stunning Quarantine Point Recreational Park. This annual event, which transforms the park into a festive wonderland of lights and joy, will feature an enhanced focus on global cuisine, reflecting Rotary International’s commitment to cultural exchange and community connection. The Monica Benoit Wonderland of Lights, a tribute to the event’s founder, will once again illuminate the park, adding to the holiday magic. This year, the food court will take center stage, offering a diverse array of international dishes, from Asian street food to European winter classics, West African stews, South American spices, and Caribbean favorites. Richard Strachan, the event’s chairman, emphasized that the culinary experience is designed to foster understanding and unity across cultures. Julia G Lawrence, President of the Rotary Club of Grenada, highlighted the event’s role in promoting peace through shared traditions. In addition to the food, the event will feature nightly movies, music, children’s activities, and curated vendors, making it Grenada’s premier holiday celebration. More details, including vending opportunities and programming, will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, follow the Rotary Club of Grenada on Instagram or visit their official website.

Sandra Ferguson has been celebrated as one of the 2025 Leaders of Rurality of the Americas by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Grenada. This prestigious accolade acknowledges her decades of transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing rural development in Grenada. The award was formally presented by Gregory Delsol, Technical Specialist at IICA Grenada, during a ceremony held at the IICA Grenada Office on October 21, 2025, on behalf of IICA’s Director General Dr. Manuel Otero and Representative Gregg Rawlins. Delsol praised Ferguson for her exceptional service to rural communities, both individually and through her leadership of the Agency for Rural Transformation (ART). The Leaders of Rurality of the Americas Award, established in 2020, honors individuals whose innovation and dedication have significantly improved rural livelihoods, strengthened food security, and promoted sustainability across the Americas. Ferguson’s nomination recognizes her over 30 years of visionary work with ART, where she spearheaded initiatives that expanded access to credit, enhanced technical support for farmers, and empowered women and youth in rural areas. Her advocacy has also driven national movements like “Grow What You Eat, Eat What You Grow” and “Eat Local. Eat Healthy,” fostering food sovereignty and nutrition awareness in Grenada. In her acceptance speech, Ferguson credited ART and its partners for the success of these initiatives, highlighting impactful projects such as the revitalization of Grenada’s beekeeping sector and community-based food security programs. Delsol expressed gratitude to IICA headquarters for endorsing the nomination and lauded Ferguson’s lifelong dedication to sustainable agricultural and rural development. Her recognition as a Leader of Rurality of the Americas underscores her commitment to building resilient communities and inspiring a more inclusive and sustainable future for Grenada and the Caribbean. Since its inception, the award has honored numerous individuals across Latin America and the Caribbean whose stories embody hope, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of rural life.

October marks Creole Heritage Month, culminating in International Creole Day on October 28, 2025. This year, the occasion serves as a poignant moment to honor the life and contributions of Dr. Marguerite-Joan Joseph, a remarkable figure who passed away last year. Dr. Joseph was a trailblazer in both the medical and cultural spheres, leaving an indelible mark on Grenada and beyond. As a medical doctor specializing in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, she significantly reduced maternal mortality rates during her tenure at Grenada’s General Hospital from 1992 to 2012. Beyond her medical achievements, Dr. Joseph was a passionate advocate for the revival of the French Creole language, known locally as Patois. She co-founded the Grenada Creole Society in 2009, dedicating herself to researching, documenting, and promoting the language. Her efforts included renovating a family home in Concord to serve as the Society’s headquarters, where she conducted workshops, classes, and cultural events. Dr. Joseph authored three books, including the groundbreaking “Un-Tying the Ancestors’ Tongue,” a comprehensive Patois grammar guide with an accompanying audiovisual tutorial. She also penned creole songs, including a Patois version of Grenada’s National Anthem. Her work aimed to integrate Patois into the national school curriculum, a vision she passionately pursued with the Ministry of Education. Dr. Joseph’s legacy continues to inspire, as her family and the Grenada Creole Society strive to uphold her mission of preserving and celebrating Grenada’s linguistic heritage.