The Eleutheran Newspaper April/May 2021 Issue

Real Estate

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Volume 14, 04/12, April/May Issue

Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells, The Bahamas

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Long Awaited Service

Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, & Eleuthera - North, Central & South BACK COVER: Damianos Sotheby’s Int’l P 3: Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty P 5: HG Christie

The promise of Passport Service Availability on Eleuthera becomes a reality amidst much Fanfare

Eleuthera Business Hub Now Open to Support Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

- Page 2 Inspired Generosity

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ADVICE - 14 Hidden Treasures ...

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23 BAHFSA Warns of Suspected Conch Poisoning Cases

ADVICE - 13 Multiple Listing ...

PM Minnis during an address in the HOA on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, announced changes to travel requirements for fully vaccinated travellers moving within and coming to The Bahamas.

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OPINION -12 Storm Brewing Over Haiti..

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Long Awaited Service: PM opens new Passport Office in GHB

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis travelled to Eleuthera on April 30th to open the new Satellite Passport Office, at a re-purposed space in the Administration Building in Governor’s Harbour.

In addition to the Prime Minister, others present at the opening ceremony included Ministers of Government, Members of Parliament for the local Districts, Administrators and other high profile members of the community.

This newest Passport Office, is the fourth to be opened across the Family Islands in the last two months. Other offices were recently opened on the islands of Exuma, Inagua and Long Island.

“We believe in investing in infrastructure and services across the archipelago, creating environments that foster business and commercial activity,” said Prime Minister Minnis at the official opening ceremony for the new office. “Our goal is to help improve the quality of life in all of our islands. An important part of the Government’s investment in strengthening these communities is to ensure Government services are readily available.”

The new Passport Office offers full passport services, including processing renewal of expired passports, enrollment of first-time applicants and biometric fingerprinting. The

PM Minnis stands center, next to Minister of Foreign affairs Darren Henfield (center right), with Eleuthera MP’s Johnson and Mackey (far right), and other FNM party officials turnaround time for receipt of passports is between five and seven days.

Since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched the satellite iniP46

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Booksbybethel.com‘s publisher spearheads Initiative to donate hundreds of Bahamian Authored books to libraries in Eleuthera Over 50 Civic Minded Bahamian Authors Donate their publications to the initiative inspired by Tarpum Bay Primary’s De‘Anntae Hepburn.

A growing list of more than 50 civic-minded Bahamian authors has come together to provide 17 public libraries in Eleuthera with new copies of their books. At the time of the presentation, more than 550 books were donated with additional copies on the way.

This whirlwind initiative was spearheaded by local author and publisher Mrs. Teri M. Bethel of BooksByBethel.com, a website that features Bahamian authors (and residents of the Bahamas) who provide books with family-friendly reading content. The initiative, however, is not limited to the website’s authors.

“We were delighted to come across many talented writers in the Bahamas who we did not know before this book drive,” Mrs. Bethel P30

Bahamian author and publisher, Mrs. Teri Bethel.

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Eleuthera Business Hub Now Open to Support Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs (Disney Cruise Line, Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre announce small business grant program) The Eleuthera Business Hub, a partnership between the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce, Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre and Disney Cruise Line, is now open to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in Central and South Eleuthera.

Located in the Market Place Shopping Center in Rock Sound, the Eleuthera Business Hub provides business owners with access to shared workspaces and fullservice office amenities, including training and meeting rooms equipped with the latest audiovisual equipment, open desks and private office spaces available to rent on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Future programming at the Eleuthera Business Hub will be delivered in partnership with Access Accelerator. These services will include business development, business communication training, customer service training, business mentorship and other seminars and programming designed to empower local businesses and entrepreneurs.

“Whether business owners are seeking dedicated office space, meeting rooms or access to technology, we’re delighted to serve the small business community of Eleuthera,” said Candice Turnquest, executive director of the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re grateful to our many partners who have come together to support the success and growth of business and entrepreneurship on the island of Eleuthera.”

Small Business Grants of $5,000 Will Be Offered: In celebration of the grand opening of the Eleuthera Business Hub, Disney Cruise Line has partnered with Access Accelerator to sponsor small business grants in the amount of $5,000 each for local businesses across a variety of industries, ranging from e-commerce and delivery services to tourism and construction. Both new and existing businesses are eligible to receive small business grants. The application period will open on May 10th. Interested applicants may contact Access Accelerator Business Advisor Sharon French at sharon.french@sbdcbahamas.com to schedule an appointment in person or apply online at

www.accessaccelerator.org.

“The economic strength of communities is often built on the success of entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Kim Prunty, vice president of public affairs for Disney Cruise Line. “These combined efforts are intended to help local businesses maximize their involvement in projects underway in Eleuthera, including ours at Lighthouse Point.”

Disney Cruise Line committed more than $1 million to fund construction and operation of the Eleuthera Business Hub and its programming over the next three years. Disney Cruise Line also plans to open a small office in the facility in the future to provide a convenient touch point between the company and local entrepreneurs, small businesses and community organizations.

“The Eleuthera Business Hub is a prime example of the incredible synergy that is ignited when the private sector recognizes a need and steps P31

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UB and Min. of Finance Enter Agreement to Launch the Bahamas Recovery & Sustainable Growth Project The Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the University of The Bahamas (UB) have entered into an agreement to conduct a study, which will determine the level of growth required for The Bahamas to emerge out of and move beyond its present economic and fiscal dilemma.

Details of the “Memorandum of Agreement for The Bahamas Recovery and Sustainable Growth Project” were announced at a virtual press conference, Wednesday, April 28.

The study will be conducted over 90 days by the following: Zhivargo Laing, former minister with responsibility for Finance and Economic Development Bahamas, Chief Negotiator for The Bahamas Accession to the World Trade Organization and Executive Director of Government and

Public Policy Institute (GPPI), UB; Professor Olivia Saunders, Professor of Banking, Finance and Economics in the Faculty of Business, UB; Professor Tri Lam, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Banking, Finance and Economics, School of Business, UB and Dr. Jorge Baca-Campodonico, expert in fiscal policy, econometric modelling, former minister of finance of Peru and on-call economic consultant to the InterAmerican Development Bank.

The study will undertake the following: - Use econometric modelling to determine policy measures that generate growth figures that are likely to produce positive trends in the country’s economic and fiscal metrics leading toward greater

economic stability and sustainable growth; - Provide economic and fiscal policy options to promote the growth forecasts predicted by the study; and - Train others to use the econometric model in the future for the benefit of the country’s economic and fiscal planning.

Sen. the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson, Minister of State for Finance said the agreement will harness the talent, expertise and resources of the nation’s own academia to support and strengthen the Government’s economic recovery plan.

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Students Strongly Urged to be

Prepared for National Exams District Superintendent of Education, Mr. Michael Culmer urged students and parents at the beginning of May 2021 to stay informed

about upcoming national exam schedules, and to prioritize student attendance as schools on the

island shift into revision. “We want to encourage parents to familiarize themselves with all of the examination data, especially the schedules.

We want our kids to prepare properly for exams. We also want to let our parents know that the end of term of examinations, as well as the national exams, like the GLAT, BJC and the BGCSE are all going to be face-toface. So, we would like students to begin making preparations to take those exams.

Mr. Culmer added, “All information as it relates to examinations can be found on the Ministry of Education’s website, as well as on all of the local school’s web pages. So, please remain in contact with the schools.

Attendance is very, very important, especially now as we begin revision for the national exams.”

“We are also soon beginning the practical BGCSE exams, and our goal is to ensure that each child is in the best position to attain their success,” he emphasized.

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CB updates public following closure of the public consultation period for Digital Currency Draft Legislation In further preparation for national adoption and public education, which is planned to increase over the second quarter of 2021, the Central Bank of The Bahamas developed and circulated draft Regulations for the digital currency for public consultation on 15 February 2021: Central Bank (Electronic Bahamian Dollars) Regulations, 2021. The draft Regulations intended to enhance the existing legislative framework governing Payment Services Providers (PSPs), specific to their provision of central bank digital currency (CBDC) linked services.

These include specific obligations to safeguard the security of the financial market infrastructure,

affirmed obligations around the financial integrity (AML/CFT) of digital currency transactions, and intensive focus on financial inclusion and consumer protection. After the consultation period closed on 31 March 2021, the Bank set out to finalise the Regulations for issuance during May 2021. The consultation package was available on the Bank’s website.: This policy paper provides a synopsis of key consumer-centric provisions provided under the draft Regulations. The terms “PSPs”, and “wallet providers” are used interchangeably.

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A storm brewing over

Haiti at the OAS

By Sir Ronald Sanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own) Strong disagreement may be brewing at the Organization of American States (OAS) on how to respond to the ongoing, grave political and constitutional crisis in Haiti.

Since January 2020, the Haitian President, Jovenel Moïse, has been ruling the

country by decree without any legislative oversight. The mandates of the members of the Haitian Parliament, except for 10 of them, were terminated because elections were not held.

The rising tension in the country, including use of lethal force by the police against protestors, widespread kidnappings and killing, rape of women, and an arbitrary decision by Moïse to hold a controversial referendum on a new constitution, as well as heightened political contention, caused concerned member states at the OAS, including nine CARICOM countries, to sponsor a Resolution at the organization’s Permanent Council to address the situation urgently.

Specifically, the Resolution, adopted on March 17, offered “the good offices of the OAS under the authority of the Permanent Council to facilitate a dialogue that would lead to free and fair elections”. It requested the Secretary-General, Luis Almagro, “to advise the Government and other major stakeholders in Haiti, of the Permanent Council’s offer to undertake a good offices role and to invite the President of Haiti to consider inviting the Per-

manent Council to do so”.

Whether or not Almagro wrote to the Haitian President and “other major stakeholders” is unclear.

Certainly, no major political party or human rights group in Haiti has confirmed receipt of any communication from him. There has also been silence from him to two official requests, asking for details of stakeholders to whom he might have written and when. There is no need for this – a straight answer is all that is required.

This matter will be mired in controversy, because while uncertainty prevails over whether or not the Secretary-General did write to the President and other major stakeholders in Haiti, a letter dated April 28 was sent to him by Claude Joseph in the latter’s capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The letter is significant.

First, it does not refer to any communication received from Almagro. Instead, it references the Permanent Council’s Resolution of March 17 as the basis for writing.

Second, it states that “the Government of the Republic of Haiti is willing to receive an OAS mission in support of the ongoing dialogue with all the nation’s stakeholders with a view to concluding a political agreement that will facilitate the organization of the constitutional referendum and elections at all levels during the course of 2021”.

On the second point, the OAS Resolution of 17 March did not offer its good offices “to facilitate the organization of the constitutional referendum”. The proposed referendum is entirely of President Moïse’s making and is mired in claims of unconstitutionality. The highly respected U.S. Congresswoman, Maxine Waters, describes it as “Moïse’s most audacious and dangerous power grab”. Legal experts inside and outside Haiti have opined that the existing Constitution specifically prohibits referenda to decide constitutional changes because a former dictator, Jean Claude ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier, had used that artifice to proclaim himself President-for-Life. Therefore, if the OAS accepts that facilitation of the referendum is a condition of its good offices’ role, its purpose and credibility are undermined even before it starts. No stakeholder would participate in any

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dialogue where organisation of a constitutional referendum is a condition.

It is important to recall that, prompted by the rapidly deteriorating democratic and human rights situation in Haiti, the offer of good offices by the Permanent Council resolution was “to facilitate a dialogue that would lead to free and fair elections”. Nowhere did the Resolution venture to suggest that the OAS’ role would include facilitating the organisation of a referendum to alter the constitution.

Particularly significant is that on April 26, two days before Joseph sent his letter to Almagro, 68 members of the U.S. Congress wrote to Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, pointing out that Moïse “lacks the credibility and legitimacy to oversee a constitutional referendum scheduled for June 2021, or to administer elections that are free and fair”.

This position by such a large number of U.S. Congress persons, led by Gregory W. Meeks, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House, is a remarkable development. It shows that important U.S. lawmakers are deeply concerned about what they describe as, “lack of preparedness of electoral institutions to hold elections, as well as the unconstitutional composition of the prevailing electoral council”. Contrary to law, Moïse handpicked the members of the Council.

Of especial note is that the 68 U.S. Congresspersons urged Secretary Blinken to use the U.S. vote within the OAS “to ensure U.S. taxpayer dollars are not spent in support of this referendum”.

Last year, the OAS and CARICOM, held all the parties in Guyana to account to deliver a credible result to general elections held on March 2. It took five months of the active attention and diligence of CARICOM, the Commonwealth, the European Union and the OAS to ensure that democracy and the rule of law were upheld in Guyana, and that general and regional elections were not stolen by the incumbent government.

What is happening in Haiti now is no less egregious than what was resisted in Guyana in 2020 and is now being condemned in other member states of the OAS – and even in countries outside of it.

The OAS must act in the interest of Haiti and the Haitian people to uphold their rights to democratic governance, human rights, and the opportunity for economic development. The governing Charters of the OAS mandate it.

Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

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THE Multiple Listing Service

By Mike Lightbourn When you list your home or vacant land with a Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) licensed agent, you will be asked to sign a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) agreement.

This agreement is important because it sets the terms between the seller and real estate agency to list and market your property. It covers various angles and tries to eliminate the possibility of misunderstanding between both parties.

The buyer gives the listing agency the exclusive right and authority to list, market and sell the property for a specified period. The seller can’t list the property with anyone else during this period and must direct all inquiries to the listing agency during the life of the agreement.

The owner agrees to cooperate with the listing agency in marketing the property.

This MLS agreement enables the greatest exposure to be given to your property. As soon as the property is listed, it becomes available to over 350 BREA/MLS members who expose the listing to their client base.

This is the beginning of the exposure process. When an agency accepts a listing, it invests time, expertise and other resources into helping to prepare and marketing a property for sale. This includes providing a comparative market analysis to make sure the property is priced properly, guidance on staging a home to show it off to its best advantage and producing multimedia marketing material (including Matterport and drone video where appropriate). The agency networks with other agencies and contacts and coordinates showings to give the property maximum exposure.

Big Tax Break Prime Minister Minnis has announced the following tax break for property owners: Government will waive up to 50 percent of a taxpayer’s total arrears, including overdue taxes and accumulated surcharges, if the full remaining 50 percent balance is paid by May 31. This only applies to arrears that are outstanding for more than 180 days.

Alternatively, people who make a 25

percent “down payment” on their arrears and agree to a payment plan for the balance will have all penalty surcharges waived if they do so by May 31, 2021. The arrears must be outstanding for at least 180 days.

Dr. Minnis said officials realise recovering overdue property tax has been a long-standing challenge and the situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 economic downturn.

Are You Covered?

Although the Atlantic Hurricane Season officially starts June 1, this is a good time to take stock of your situation. If you have catastrophic insurance, go over your policy with a finetooth comb to determine the scope of coverage. Read the fine print.

People who live on the coast and low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable to hurricane and water damage.

The insurance companies won’t issue new policies for property on islands that are under a hurricane threat, so it’s best to deal with new policies sooner rather than later.

By Mike Lightbourn Questions or comments?

Contact me at info@cbbahamas.com Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty.

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Treasures Hidden in Plain Sight Teri M. Bethel Folks who read books with empowering content are generally more informed about world events, have practical social skills, and are further advanced in their communication and critical thinking than those who don’t.

After graduating from school, these are the people employers seek out as problem solvers and hardworking individuals for their establishments. They know that the creativity spawned through reading is the fuel for great ideas. One of the easiest ways we can kickstart creativity in our children is to encourage them to read. It is said that reading helps to develop the brain by assisting the children in focusing and developing their imagination. The fun part of reading is it allows children to discover their culture. It also allows children to explore the world without leaving the comfort of their favorite chair.

Some people believe that read-

ing has physical and mental health benefits as well. It is said that reading reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, helps to produce a restful sleep, fights the symptoms of depression, and depending on what they are reading, it can teach people how to empathize with others. Reading for adults also reduces the risk of memory disorders as it improves brain function.

They Locked Up His Body But Not His Mind: John Bunn was an illiterate fourteen-year-old African American boy when he was jailed for a crime he did not commit. While imprisoned, he told his mother that the courts could lock his body up, but never his mind.

What a remarkable statement from a young man; a system could break his body but not his will to survive and succeed. How many people have not pursued dreams or higher education because of a stumbling block in their youth? Bunn realized it was time to learn how to read and taught himself, earning his GED. After serving 17 years in prison, John was released on parole

April/May, 2021 for good behavior and later exonerated for the crime placed on him by a corrupt NYPD Detective, Louis Scarcella. Since his release, John set his sight on promoting literacy. He founded a non-profit to educate incarcerated youth and provide access to books. Despite his tragedy, John Bunn found a way to help himself and others through this charitable endeavor.

John claimed that reading books allowed him to travel the universe without leaving his jail cell at the lowest time of his life.

His world opened through the pages of a book. It allowed him a way of escape and empowerment.

Though not physically imprisoned, many readers find solace in reading. Those unable to travel outside their communities learn about the world, culture, technology, and so much more by simply turning the pages of an informative book.

An Island Rich with Free Access to Books: Sometimes we take what we have so readily available for granted. An island with 17 public libraries and a few private ones are often a hidden resource filled with exciting treasure in plain sight.

Many of those who can read take this gift for granted. They view it as a punishment rather than pleasure, a setback rather than a setup for success. While on the other side of opportunity lay people in some foreign countries who have no access to books or education. Worse still, are segments of society that do not allow females to be educated. Others are challenged with impaired vision and are not able to learn any form of reading.

The Brilliance of Young People: Many years ago, on the other side of the world, a young French boy, Louis, had an unfortunate accident at the age of 3 that caused an infection in his eyes. By the time he was 5 years old, he was completely blind. That didn’t stop his parents from having Louis attend school. They were determined he would learn by listening. He did this for a while and became quite good at it. Between the ages of 12-15, Louis developed a reading technique for the visually impaired using a series of dots. He was inspired by a previous attempt

by Charles Barbier, a soldier in

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the French army, who invented a series of dots that created sounds.

This method of communication was short-lived as it was a difficult concept to grasp. Despite the challenges faced and Louis’ untimely death at the age of 43 in 1852, his Braille reading system is still used today. Louis did not allow his loss of sight or age to excuse him from becoming a destiny changer. His reading system for the blind is still making communication attainable for the visually impaired.

When George Moses Horton was a child, it was considered a crime for him to learn how to read.

He was a black kid growing up as a slave on a plantation in North Carolina. George didn’t like farm work but developed a love for reading in his limited spare time. He taught himself to read with reading blocks, spelling books, hymnals, and the Holy Bible. Horton (his slave master’s surname) became known as a poet despite his inability to write until being taught much later in life by Mrs. Caroline Hentz, a writer, and wife of a professor. It was Hentz who used her contacts to get his poetry published in a few newspapers. Before writing, however, he recited his poems as others transcribed them. George Moses Horton was considered the first African American to publish a book of poetry in the United States of America. These people went against the odds to achieve milestones that impact our lives today.

Young Eleutheran’s Rajon & De’Anntae Doing Remarkable Things: That was then, and this is now; a time where young people are still doing remarkable things.

Where tiny seeds still grow to become large trees and little dreams can become a reality. It’s incredible how a small positive act can cause a ripple effect through an entire island. We often hear about youngsters involved in crime, rebellious behavior, and teenage pregnancy. Though many consider it to be the end of their chance for a successful life, it can be an opportunity to turn over a new leaf where they can soar and become all they dreamed of and more. As a society, however, we rarely take P15

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Teri M. Bethel is a publisher and author of relationship enrichment books, Bahamian inspired romance, and adventure novels for children that share our islands’ history and culture. She is also an artist and purse making instructor. Her books and DVD tutorials are available where good books are sold in Eleuthera and New Providence and on Amazon.com. Teri and her husband have two adult sons. Website: www.inspirepublishing.org

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Advice

the time to celebrate the actions of kids who are on the right path, like 6th grader Rajon Louis, whose food collection initiative was able to help feed more than two dozen families in the North Eleuthera area.

When another 6th grader, De’Anntae Hepburn, started the virtual book club in Tarpum Bay, my husband Tellis and I got to thinking about how we as a community can provide exciting and beneficial reading materials to her group. Not just as an author or publisher, but as parents. Parents who embrace opportunities to see children flourish in life and one who knows how essential reading is to our children’s personal, social,

and career development. That’s when we reached out to a group of Bahamian authors, inviting them to participate in providing their family-friendly books free of charge to the libraries in Eleuthera.

Within a mere 3 weeks, this initiative has yielded more than 550 new books by Bahamians, with other authors promising to send their books to help strengthen literacy in the community.

So what nuggets are hidden in a book, waiting for you to reveal your world of innovation and success? Visit your local library to read an assortment of life-changing material or purchase an empowering book today.

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An Eleutheran Profile: Mrs. Marie Judith Galanis (nee Hall) BY elizabEth bryan

Mrs. Marie Judith Galanis (nee Hall)

Introduction: During April 2021, Principal of the Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS), Mrs. Marie Judith Galanis (nee Hall), sat and chatted with The Eleutheran, as she prepared to retire in June 2021 and transition into a new chapter of her life and times. Although petite in stature, through her life attitude of continuous learning and firm belief that every experience was an opportunity to grow, she became a leader amongst her peers, and an inspiration for countless students, who would go on to excel in their lives and careers.

As she shared her story, a clear connection was revealed about how Mrs. Galanis’ positive impact on so many young lives during her career, had been inspired by the many special people within her own young existence who instilled her with confidence, courage and a zest for life-long learning.

Ole Nassau: Mrs. Galanis was born on May 10th, in 1956 to her parents Bentley and Norma (Peggy) Hall in New Providence. She was the eldest child, with six siblings over time - four sisters and two brothers. Her earliest memories began in the Hawkins Hill area of Nassau, where as a young family, they lived with her paternal grandparents in their home along Mount Royal Avenue and Shirley Street. “We lived with my paternal grandparents, Herschel (who hailed from Current, North Eleuthera) and Margarette Hall, on Mount Royal Avenue and Shirley Street... We grew up there in the house, and it was a busy street. We were in a neighbourhood, but also in

a business district, so there was that combination at that time. We could walk to Model Bakery on Dowdeswell Street to get cinnamon buns and fresh bread - I remember you could smell it baking. We could go to Mrs. Isaac’s petty shop and down the street was Mrs. Cartwright who sold snow cones.

“Also, during that time, all of the properties in the neighbourhood had some kind of native fruit. My grandmother had cherries, gooseberries, a huge hog plum tree, avocado pears - all of those were in there, and when you see the size of the lot, you wouldn’t believe all those things were grown there. At the neighbours, we were able to get guineps, tamarinds, guavas and mangoes. All of those were in the area. So, we grew up with the transitioning of the seasonal fruits, and I recall them with fond memories,” shared Mrs. Galanis with a wistful smile.

She continued, happy to walk a little down memory lane, “When I was quite young, about five or six years old, my grandfather had an aneurism, and he was blinded by it. So, he would have me read the newspaper to him. There were words that I couldn’t pronounce, so I would spell them and he would pronounce them for me, and then I would continue reading. I specifically remember reading about ‘Red China’ and the ‘Cuban Missile Crisis’, because he tried to explain them to me, but I didn’t quite understand them then. It wasn’t until a teacher in grade six, at Sacred Heart Catholic primary where I attended, was telling us about her experience in China, did I finally get the understanding of what China was... In my mind at age six, I had imagined everything painted red and ‘china’ being utensils you ate out of,” laughed Mrs. Galanis.

She continued, “Both of my grandparents were readers, and a lot in that generation may not have had a high school education, but their basic education allowed them to read and they bought the newspaper every day.

Not only that. My grandmother was an industrious woman. She sewed and crocheted - she had one of those sewing machines that you pedal, which was made in 1901 - the year she was born. So, she taught us sewing basics - my two sisters did a lot better with it, but she also taught us how to crochet - and she did a lot of crafty needlepoint activities. When we were in ‘Girl Guides’ she also helped us with training for getting our badges. When she baked bread, she would give us a piece of the dough and let us make things with it, and always included us.

Another thing I remember about her is

that she would play with us, and when we were around nine/ten, she would have been in her late 50’s/early 60’s, but she would come out and skip with us, play hopscotch with us and do that sort of thing.”

Mrs. Galanis shared that her early memories of living with her parents and grandparents on Hawkins Hill were precious memories in many ways, adding, “After school, first thing we had to do was change our clothes, get a snack, then get down to doing homework. We didn’t have television at the time, so it was just the radio, and we played games - inside with cards and the like, and outdoor games, like the skipping, hopscotch and rounders in the yard.

“I also remember my grandmother going to market at Prince George Dock on Saturday mornings. She would ride her bicycle as early as 5:30am in the morning, and go to the vendors and pay for her supplies, leaving them with the different vendors. Later, around 8am, our uncle would take us along in the car, and he would stop at the vendors and pick up her purchases with her. We would also get out of the car and would be with her as she had conversations with the vendors, so it was a social event as well as a market day for purchasing... Later years while teaching English Language and Literature, and reading ‘The year in San Fernando’, I said wow, I can identify with this, because of that childhood experience of going to the market.”

As the eldest child, Mrs. Galanis also recalled playing ‘the teacher’ with her siblings during their afternoon playschool, progressing to ‘principal’ over time. As she grew, she recalled the neighbourhoods expanding as people purchased property ‘Over the Hill’ and moved away from the downtown area. “My parents purchased property in Regency Park off Soldier Road, and built a home there and we moved. So, we didn’t spend as much time with my grandparents, but while we were still in primary school at Sacred Heart, we stayed with them during the week, because school was within walking distance, and would go home on the weekend - until we went to high school.

She continued, “When we moved to Regency Park, I was about seven then, my maternal grandmother, Dorothy Capron, then came to live with us. Both of my parents worked full-time, so we were in that generation where our extended family played a pivotal role in raising us, and they were there, wanting to do that,” she shared. “Regency P17

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Park was a new development then, and there was no electricity. We left Hawkins Hill with electricity to a new development with none. So, we saw the village (referring to ‘it takes a village’), in that there was a communal effort to have electricity for the four families there in our little cul-de-sac at the time.

My dad was able to get a generator, and all the homes there were connected to it. We had many dark nights, but that was a part of our early memories there... Also, it was a new development, and it was still sparsely populated with lots of ‘bush’, so we were able to roam for darling plums and pigeon plums and the like.”

Mrs. Galanis’ dad, Bentley Hall, who she described as a ‘good girls daddy’ - because he treated his daughters especially gently, she said, started at Batelco, then did a short stint with insurance, but spent most of his years with the Theaters of Nassau. He was a projectionist, working first at the Savoy, then at the Shirley Street Theater from its opening in 1963 until its closure, eventually he became the manager there. Her mother, Norma - better known as Peggy, started off at age 14 in retail at Russell’s and several other department stores, then she got into the airlines. She was with Out Island Airways, Bahamas Airways, then spent almost 30 years at Delta - as a ticket agent. Mrs. Galanis shared that she is still blessed today to have both her dad and mom still with her, now at ages 87 and 84, respectively.

School Days: The times spent in primary school at Sacred Heart Catholic, were enjoyable ones, recalled Mrs. Galanis, who along with local classmates helped her teachers and the nuns in the classroom. Many lifelong friends were made then, she said, and a number of them would go on to study together in high school.

Having grown up in the Catholic education system, a young Marie chose to attend Aquinas College as she transitioned from primary to junior high school in 1968. The school then, she shared, had an innovative leader in the person of principal, Mr. Andrew Curry, who she recalled made great effort to give his body of students a positive and wellrounded education, with the view that this time for many of them may have been the full extent of their higher education experience. “My years at Aquinas, I thoroughly enjoyed my high school years...

Kirk Griffin from Governor’s Harbour was a year ahead of me. Paul Simmons attended with me as well, and they were both softball players in school.

There were things we did at Aquinas that may not have been done at other schools at the time. It was a small school then, but we had an outstanding basketball team - and we would have pep rallies before the games within the indoor auditorium at the school - the only one at the time... Mr. Curry, did some things that I also tried to personally do during my time later on as a principal - building confidence and self-esteem, and letting students know that they were special and important.

“We had individual student photo identification cards, and we also had our yearbook - and I was on the yearbook committee. I was also a prefect, and a student council member during most of my years in high school - and even ran for council president in 1972, just before my final year, losing by only three votes,” smiled Mrs. Galanis. She

remembered having to campaign, give speeches, with election paraphernalia, and all the works.

“Principal Curry tried to give us the special experiences. Aquinas was also known for its musicals and dramas, and I was involved with some, and also took part in the choir. What he did was try to give students experiences to enhance their strengths, to give you the confidence to move on from there.

So, the high school experience for me was fun, but disciplined with strict rules, and we were exposed to teachers with a variety of nationalities - from the U.S., and the Caribbean.

Mrs. Galanis was introduced during her final year in high school to the College of St. Benedicts in Minnesota, by her guidance counsellor and Religious Knowledge teacher, Mr. Basil Christie. “He felt that I would do well there, the only thing was the weather,” chuckled Mrs. Galanis, adding, “Cold is relative. At the time when he said, ‘the only thing is it’s very cold there’, I said, ‘Oh, okay’ - But it wasn’t until I experienced it that I realized what ‘cold’ really was!” She went on to complete her undergraduate degree in Education, beginning first in Psychology, but later changing to Family and Consumer Science (Family Life, Consumer Science and Health Science and Home Economics). While at university, she did a study abroad term in Mexico, expanding her Spanish studies which she also completed while in university. One regret she shared was to have never taught Spanish, and not using her second language knowledge after returning home, meant she lost over time, much of what she had gained from the immersion experience and formal study. While at university, Mrs. Galanis actively participated in the Black Student Union, the Foreign Student Club, and well as the college newspaper, and graduated in 1977 with her Bachelor’s Degree and her Teacher’s License.

Career and Family: When asked whether she was still single and unattached after finishing university, Mrs. Galanis laughed and smiled, with a bit of a blush, and shared how she met her husband and life partner, Mr. Stephen Galanis. “Stephen and I met when we were young teenagers. He attended St. Augustine’s and I attended Aquinas, so we had a telephone relationship for years. Our parents knew each other, but we weren’t raised knowing each other - we met during our high school period, going in opposite directions from school. Some of my siblings attended Aquinas, and some attended St. Augustine’s, so my dad would take us to school in the morning, but we would walk home in the afternoon.

In the car with my dad, he would drop off my siblings to St. Augustine’s first as they started earlier, and Stephen would always wait, and wave when he saw me in the car, and I would wave back,” smiled Mrs. Galanis. “A few years later, I remember my father looking in the rear-view mirror as I hailed, and he commented, ‘Oh, that’s Cliff’s son...’. So, we were high school sweethearts.”

As she made the move from school to career, a value that would come to be appreciated by Mrs. Galanis, was the importance of every life experience, and how being open minded and willing to step out of your comfort zone, often time prepared you for opportunities in the future. She recalled before beginning teaching, her personal thoughts, that she would prefer not to teach at the primary level thinking she couldn’t deal with the little kids. However, after graduation in 1977, even though she was high school trained, her first offer in the Catholic school system in New Providence was as a primary

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school teacher, first as a grade 3 substitute at St. Francis Catholic primary for one month, then at St. Cecelia’s Catholic primary, where she would teach grade 1 for two years, and a short stint teaching Language Arts to grades 4-6. “I had the excellent support of colleagues, the kindergarten and grade 2 teachers at the time who held my hand, and showed me how to adjust to teaching the primary level students, and I got through with their help.”

Marie, at the age of 23, after working for two years, married Stephen on December 29th, 1979.

At the time he had completed his studies at Livingston College, one of Rutgers University’s schools, and was then working in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Before marrying, both Stephen and Marie had converted to the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith - so they were married in the Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New Brunswick, and the new couple would stay in New Jersey for about a year and a half before returning to New Providence in 1981.

On her return to the Bahamas, Mrs. Galanis joined the Public Service as a teacher in the Language Arts Department at Government High School, where she would spend the next three years, until 1983, reaping the first of many opportunities to follow, from having kept an open-minded approach to experience. “Government High did not have the program that my degree offered, so they put me in the Language program because of my experience teaching Language Skills in the primary school. So, I taught Reading and BJC Language with the senior high students. I had a beautiful time at Government High. You would think I had worked with the teachers there for twenty years because of the relationship we forged at that time.”

In 1983, as she and Stephen were both actively involved with the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization, they became aware of a need for assistance on the island of Eleuthera. As a result, the couple moved to Rock Sound in South Eleuthera in 1984 to assist with the congregation there. Mrs. Galanis transferred to Preston Albury High School, where she would teach for the next six years, until 1990. During her time there, Mr. Robert Deal was principal, and Mr. Kirkwood Cleare served as vice principal.

“I had a very good experience teaching there, and today, I always enjoy seeing students from there,” she shared.

The couple would make another life changing move in 1990, when they again volunteered to assist their religious organization in the building of a new facility in New Providence during the construction phase, in July of that summer. Mrs. Galanis, said during this time, she worked in the laundry, in the kitchen, baking, as well as helping to tie rebar and steel, and at the end of the construction phase, she and Stephen were invited to oversee the new Assembly Hall, located off JFK Drive. Mrs. Galanis, who shared that they prayed about it and together agreed, resigned from teaching that year - as she was not permitted to take a leave-without-pay, and the couple heeded the call to volunteer full-time at the new Assembly Hall and Branch Office for the next five years, until the end of 1995.

Back to the Island: Mr. and Mrs. Galanis set their sights again on Eleuthera and during the next year planned their return. Mr. Galanis joined Cable Bahamas as they engaged in building their cable infrastructure in North Eleuthera, and they moved back to the island during the Fall of 1997. Mrs. Galanis P18

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was assigned to teach at the Harbour Island All Age School (HIAAS), and after being out of the primary classroom for twenty years, once again faced the assignment of stirring the minds of students at that level. “It really made me reflect, because sometimes we are faced with decisions, or opportunities come up, and we say, ‘No that’s not what I want, I’m not doing it’. But we don’t know when the experience from that time will be used later on. The thought I had was that if I had refused at that time (to teach at the primary level in 1977 just after graduating university), I would not have wanted to teach first graders twenty years later. But, because I did have that experience, and had been successful with it, I felt confident that I could go back to it.” During her first year at HIAAS, Mrs. Galanis taught all of the primary grades from 1-6, Religious Knowledge and Family Life, and also assisted with weaker grade 1 students.

During the following year, the grade 1 class was larger than it had ever been with almost seventy students. The decision was made to split the class into two, and after interviewing the students, those who were not quite ready for grade 1 were taken on by Mrs. Galanis

to assist. “Let me tell you. That experience, teaching those twenty-nine students - twenty-two boys and seven girls, was my most creative year in education. I was teaching so many boys, I constantly was thinking about what would boys like and felt that I needed to do very creative things with them. So, I had a wonderful time with them - exploring music and colors, along with thematic grouping and field trips. I just allowed them express themselves, and had a lot of fun with them.”

In 1999, Mrs. Galanis and her husband were then ready to move further south, where they were preparing to settle down and build their future home, south of Savannah Sound. Again, the only teaching position available for Mrs. Galanis was at the primary level in Rock Sound. She said, ‘okay’, and took up the opportunity. She worked along with principal, Mrs. Vandolyn Pyfrom Oldham, and taught a combined class of nineteen 2nd and 3rd graders. During this year, interestingly for her, Mrs. Galanis also had a colleague, a former student of hers from Preston Albury High, Shenique Symonette Moxey, who was the grade six teacher at Rock Sound

Primary. This was her first experience working alongside a former student whom she had helped to mold and shape into who they had become. During that year, Mrs. Galanis was also afforded the opportunity to mark the grade 3 GLAT paper and to attend the international Reading Conference ACURIL - which was being hosted in New Providence.

At the end of the year spent at Rock Sound primary, the District Superintendent at the time, Carnetta Ferguson informed Mrs. Galanis that a spot had opened up at Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS) in the Language Arts Department.

She had set her sights on getting back into Preston Albury High at the time, which was known and familiar to her, having taught there for six years before, but was told that CEHS was the only spot opening at the high school level. Mrs. Galanis smiled as she recounted driving with Stephen, from their home property, south of Savannah Sound - first to Palmetto Point, and then to Rock Sound, timing both trips, and it was a little less time to Palmetto Point. She reasoned that was an advantage, as well as the fact that Mr. Kirkwood Cleare, who she had worked with at several schools was currently the principal there at CEHS. So, she accepted the post, and began her final chapter as an educator in September of 2000.

Learning and Leadership: “From the day I got there, and that has been almost 21 years,” recalled Mrs. Galanis, as she thought back to her start at the school where she would now retire at the end of June 2021, “I had to get with teaching in the BGCSE program, as that had come on stream when I had been out of the system in the early 90’s. However, my colleague Carol Davis, who arrived at CEHS at the same time, had some experience, and we worked together.” Mrs. Galanis also fondly recalled her first homeroom class of grade nine students, who she worked closely with as a class throughout their time there and witnessed their successful graduation in 2005.

At the end of the 2005 Summer term, she was promoted to Head of Department, so she did not take on another homeroom class, but still with a fully loaded schedule, went on to also serve as senior assistant. Three years later, in 2009, Mrs. Galanis was invited to apply for the position of vice principal at CEHS, and worked with principal Mr. Michael Culmer. In 2012, Mr. Culmer was transferred to North Eleuthera High School. Mrs. Gala-

April/May, 2021 nis was then asked by the Director of Education to serve as acting principal until further notice, and a few months later she was asked to make application for the position of principal at Central Eleuthera High School.

During her first five years as principal, she was mentored by Eleuthera District Superintendent, Mrs. Helen Simmons-Johnson, who led the island’s thematic mantra of being ‘Schools of First Choice’.

Commenting memorable moments while teaching and leading, Mrs. Galanis shared, “One of the concepts that now really stand out for me, looking back at my time in education, is the importance of being a lifelong learner, because in just about every year of my teaching and administrative experience, I had to learn and also work and partner with other people, and not just be dependent on me. That is one thing. Also, as far as I was able to make learning fun, and to give students the opportunity to grow and expand their talents, I did - by encouraging their song writing, singing, poetry gifts; bringing in authors for a day, doing workshops with other skilled teachers and my students.”

Principal Galanis also worked with the debate team at the school along with her husband, and highlighted featuring the debate team within the classrooms, exposing many more students to the experience and inspiring a number of them to want to take part the following year. The whole idea during her time, she shared, was to build confidence within the student body, and an ‘I can do it’ culture, in academics, sport, personal talents and the like. She was especially proud to emphasize, the school’s mantra, “I am a student of first choice, taught by teachers of first choice, at a school of first choice.”

Believing that having that in their heads they would eventually buy-in to that attitude. Well-rounded students, she believed would become productive citizens. Community partnerships were extremely important as well, said Mrs. Galanis, with different organizations offering positive help and assistance with the students. Another initiative she was very happy to see take off during her time at CEHS was one that encouraged more students to perform at a higher level, rather than just focusing on the top performers and being satisfied with that.

Dubbed the ‘Rising Stars’, students whose academic performance hung out just below the honour roll level, between 2.5 and 2.99, were enP19 couraged to push

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that little extra to move from average to above average, and those performing below average were focused on to aim for the improvement needed to move to the next level.

This shift in focus said Mrs. Galanis saw a remarkable improvement in both student academic performances, as well as the culture of excellence at the school.

“I realized that if we encouraged them and pushed them, that it could happen, and it actually worked,” smiled Mrs. Galanis - looking back. Gauging from 2015, with 38 students on the honour roll, climbing to 60 the following year, then 68 - and in December 2019, the school was up to 97 students on the honour roll and 17 on the principal’s list (The total student body at the time was 309 students). “Sometimes, people say, the honour roll isn’t everything. No, it isn’t. But it helps you to establish a standard, and when you establish that standard - it also helps with discipline.

If students are focusing on being outstanding, they are less distracted with and by other things,” she shared.

The Bucket List: When asked what she was looking forward to after the end of this school year, Mrs. Galanis’ first mention was ‘real rest’, and she also described a bucket list of things she wanted to do - as she had reengaged with crocheting as well as other

crafts, and was also signed up to take a beekeeping course as one of her first activities of the summer. She also smiled as she mentioned her husband Stephen, saying that he would happy that with just the two of them, they would now have more time to spend doing a number of things together, that time would not have allowed before.

As Mrs. Galanis retires, and passes the reins of leadership to others, she shared a bit of advice to those stepping in, saying, “What I tried to do in working with my team and others, was to make sure to keep the standard and build on what others had done. Also, something I may not have done as well in the beginning as I do now, is to include more people in the decision-making... It’s also very important when looking at a student, to see what they could be in the future, and to not just see who they are now, because if you only look at the behaviour and performance of the student now - you just want to cut them off - so, you have to look at what is possible with them and what they can achieve in the future, and help them to reach that point. That viewpoint as you deal with students is pivotal - being able to let go of any current negatives, and looking at the positives for the future.”

Mrs. Galanis added that she was grateful to her husband, family, friends, all of the mentors throughout her life, and people she had worked with and or associated with who had affected her life in a positive way.

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Mrs. Marie Judith Galanis (nee Hall)

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April/May, 2021

Catch Jerry Chile: Annual Fund-raising Charity Event, Smaller but still making a BIG DIFFERENCE

Miska Clarke, key organizer stands far left, with stalwart participants of the annual Catch Jerry Chile event.

The Catch Jerry Chile Organization (CJC), a non-profit organization (NPO) formed in 2013, which hosts a fundraising walk/run event each year in James’ Cistern, on the first Saturday in May - after the interruption of the early pandemic shut down of 2020 - sought to continue its community service objective in 2021, despite the continued restrictions on gatherings.

The NPO was formed by a group of local professionals and entrepreneurs who envisioned change within their community, and where there was neglect, to make an impact through their combined resources and efforts - with

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an overall aim of promoting healthy lifestyles and improving community life.

A small open fun/run event was held on Saturday, May 1st, 2021 with just a few participants, and no competition involved, with the aim of keeping the organization’s goal of assisting Central Eleuthera communities alive.

“Today was a small event, not a competition,”shared Miska Clarke, a visionary of the organization. He continued, “We want to keep the ‘Catch Jerry Chile’ name alive. All of the donation items we have collected we’ve used to put together care packages, with comforters, sheets, clothing items and the

Pictured Above: Donated goods which were redistributed to community members in need.

like, to be given away to persons in need within the community. That’s what this is all about. There were no prizes or t-shirts this time, but the participants did the run just for the pride, and to help people. With the Covid challenge still ongoing, there are still people in need. So, that was the purpose this time.”

The Catch Jerry Chile Organization has chosen different intiatives to support through the donations and funds raised each year.

Beginning in 2013, they assisted the Cancer Society of Eleuthera with monetary donations, assisted with repair of the James’ Cistern Community Clinic, and refurbishment of the local public bathrooms.

Medical equipment, including a Life Pac, cardiac monitor, defibrillator, and portable ventilator was purchased and donated to the Hatchet Bay Clinic in 2014, along with sponsored training sessions for the medical staff. This was followed by a portable Jaws of Life donated to the Police Force in 2015, and books and school supplies for primary students in 2016.

Assistance with renovation and refurbishments at the Hatchet Bay Clinic, as well as health promotion seminars and nutrition counseling

events were supported in 2017, followed by support given to cancer survivors, tests abroad, medication and family assistance for children of cancer victims in 2018.

In 2019 the organization proposed to assist with refurbishment of the Governor’s Harbour Clinic in collaboration with representatives of the local government township council. Following a government announcement of plans to formally refurbish the Governor’s Harbour Clinic in March of 2019, the CJC proposal was put on hold. The Clinic in Governor’s Harbour still awaits mobilization of construction teams to begin the government refurbishment project announced in 2019.

According to Clarke, the CJC hopes to be fully back on track in 2022. “We are hoping that next year we can have a full-fledged event again - with the race competition, prizes, t-shirts... a normal one.”

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Creative Conservation A Close Look at Cardboard

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of single-use plates. This required qualifying the cardboard material not only for what it is, but also for what its properties can facilitate, and what it can be manipulated to do. Our cardboard waste was first screened and treated to ensure it was clean and without any other materials. It was then converted to a pulp, formed into sheets, dried, moulded into plates and then sanitized to be food safe.

As part of The Island School semester’s Sustainable Design curriculum, students and our research team used the compostable paper plates to tackle a campus sustainability challenge; reduction of wastewater and energy at our dining hall area. On Earth Day, the pilot launch of the project produced over 160 plates that were used during lunch and dinner times on campus, and allowed the opportunity to test sustainable design principles for an eco-friendly “consumer product”. As a result of this sustainability initiative with compostable paper plates, our campus community saved about 75 gallons of water by not having to wash dishes, and if implemented on a daily basis we could save 41,000 gallons of water and offset $3,000 annually in utility cost.

Conservation matters:

Island School students show off the product of their campus sustainability challenge.

Eco-friendly, ompostable paper plate.

Globally, cardboard is viewed as a problematic waste stream as 80% of all products in The USA and Europe are packaged in cardboard. Within the Caribbean region cardboard accounts for 10-20% of our solid waste, and puts a strain on our landfill and dumpsite management due to its volume and lack of recycling facilities.

This semester at The Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI), our sustainable materials team conducted research with plant-based fibers to design consumer products and biodegradable packaging solutions. Traditionally, plant fibers are used in a variety of products such as paper and cardboard, clothing, and textile manufacture. Plant fibers, which are one of the most abundant renewable resources on Earth, can be sourced from green waste especially wood

Students making use of the paper plates on campus. and other agricultural residues. From our sustainable design process, cardboard was selected as the plant fiber source due to its biodegradability and accessibility (campus generates 120 lbs/ month as waste), to produce paper plates. While the majority of our campus cardboard waste is composted, upcycling this waste stream to a new usable product helps us to better meet our zero-waste goals and be on the cutting edge of research and innovation in sustainability.

To feasibly produce these compostable plates, the research team offered novel materials as better alternatives to convention

While this project is an innovative approach to sustainability and being zerowaste, it highlights the importance that sustainable materials and design can contribute to improving our waste management systems and conserving our environment. As The Bahamas 2020 Plastic Ban has forced us to eliminate styrofoam food containers and plates, the hope is to bring awareness to the potential that upcycling green waste has from the design of eco-friendly products to regeneration of soil.

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Top Academic Achievers in 2020

National Exams Receive Awards Top achievers from public and private institutions throughout the country who excelled in the 2020 national Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) and Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examinations were celebrated at the National Awards Presentations hosted by the Examination & Assessment Division of the Ministry of Education (MOE).

The event, scaled-down due to COVID-19 protocols, was held at the Holy Trinity Activities Centre and live streamed on various social media platforms on Monday, April 26, 2021. Parents, MOE officials, school administrators and teachers attended the ceremony.

The top achiever from schools in Eleuthera this year in the 2020 national Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) was 9th grader at Central Eleuthera High School, Alexandria Culmer, who earned (8As and 2Bs), and the Best BJC results by island for Eleuthera. The top achiever from schools in Eleuthera this year in the 2020 national Bahamas General Certificate of Second2020 National Examinations Awards Presentations hosted by MOE on Monday, April 26th.

Alexandria Culmer - BJC Best Island Results ary Education (BGCSE) was 11th grader at Windermere High School, Perrell Cooper, who earned (6As, 1B and 1C), and Best BGCSE results by island for Eleuthera.

At an appropriate time ceremonies will also be held in each district to honour the highest achievers.

Kamori Sawyer, a student of Queen’s College, received the Paul Adderley Award for the Most Outstanding Student BGCSE Performance. She also received the Carol Hanna Award for the Best Overall BGCSE Performance in independent schools and

Perrell Cooper - BGCSE Best Island Results best BGCSE results for New Providence. She earned 13As in the BGCSE and a Subject Award for Literature. She aspires to pursue a career in Biomedical Engineering.

Chardonnay Garrick received the Marjorie Davis Award for the Best Overall BGCSE Performance in government schools. She earned 5As, 1B and 1C. She presently attends the University of The Bahamas.

Cherkadin Wells, a stuP23

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BAHFSA Warns of Suspected Conch Poisoning Cases April 26, 2021 - The Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) Unit has been made aware of suspected conch poisoning cases. BAHFSA would like to caution consumers to avoid eating fresh conch at this time or conch that they suspect was not properly handled and/or prepared until the source of the contamination can be determined.

Conch poisoning is typically caused by the bacterium, Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Contamination is commonly attributed to poor hygienic practices during its handling and preparation. Signs of infection may be in the form of watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache and bloody diarrhea and usually occur within 24 hours after ingesting the suspect food but may range between 4 to 96 hours. This may last from 1 to 7 days and although in most instances treatment may not be necessary, infected persons who are experiencing any of these symptoms should seek medical attention at their local clinic or nearest medical facility.

Reporting an illness is critical in conducting a

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dent of Queen’s College, earned 12As in the BJC. He was recognized for the Most Outstanding BJC Performance, the Best Overall BJC Performance in Independent Schools and the Best BJC results by island. He received a subject award for Mathematics.

Kerrine Simeon, a former student of C. H. Reeves Junior High School, received the Best Overall BJC Performance award in government schools (10As). She is presently attending R.M. Bailey High Senior High School and has chosen to pursue a career in Accounting/Business Studies.

Stephanardo Rolle, a student of C. R. Walker Senior High School, earned the Best Overall BJC Performance award by a Male in government schools (9As, 2Bs). He aspires to become a General Surgeon.

“I am proud of each of you. I congratulate and thank God for you and what you have demonstrated this past 14 months,” said the Minister of Education the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd.

“We are here to single out students who have

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trace-back investigation to determine the point of contamination and the pathogen at fault. We ask that consumers assist us by reporting these events.

This allows the development of an effective and collaborative response to this and similar outbreaks.

It is important to note that severe illness is rare and occurs most often in persons with weakened immune systems.

BAHFSA is in communication with the Surveillance Unit at the Ministry of Health (MOH), the MOH International Food Safety Authority Network (INFOSAN) Focal Point, the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) and the Department of Marine Resources (DOMR) and will provide further updates once investigations are completed to confirm the exact cause of the conch poisoning.

Conch vendors should follow industry best practices to avoid foodborne illnesses due to conch contamination. The following guidelines can be followed: 1. It is important when storing the conch in sea water, it remains in an area where the current is flowing and not stagnant as the latter can promote the proliferation of pathogenic organisms; 2. Once harvested, vendors should avoid having the conch sit in the sun for long periods of time; 3. After cracking and removing the conch meat, it should be gutted and rinsed thoroughly under potable running water for enough time to carefully remove all the slime and debris present; 4. When handling the raw conch, vendors should wash their hands before and after preparation with liquid hand soap and warm running water for 20-30 seconds; 5. Additionally, vendors should wear gloves particularly when preparing conch salad or other fresh preparations where further cook-

ing is not done. Hair nets and disposable aprons should also be worn to prevent cross contamination. Gloves should be changed regularly if they become torn or in between tasks; 6. Conch salad vendors should utilize separate cutting boards for slicing vegetables and the conch. Cutting boards and utensils should be cleaned and sanitized in between preparations to avoid cross contamination or the carryover of contamination between preparations; 7. Consumers must be vigilant to ensure that wherever they are purchasing raw conch dishes, vendors are following hygienic practices in the preparation of these dishes. Those who purchase raw conch to prepare at home should follow these preparation steps as well; 8. Remember, if in doubt, throw it out!

Note – All food handlers, including conch vendors are required to have a valid food handler’s certificate issued by the Ministry of Health Food Handler’s Unit.

Feel free to contact BAHFSA at bahfsa@bahamas.gov.bs, christopherworrell@bahamas.gov. bs or patriciajjohnson@bahamas.gov.bs for any additional inquiries.

persevered despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. We are here first to recognize the top five performers in the 2020 BJC and BGCSE examinations in both public and private schools. These students and their parents, guardians and teachers deserve huge accolades for their achievements.”

Minister Lloyd congratulated the students and thanked educators, school staff, and parents, who continue to encourage students to prepare or exams.

“Many parents lost their jobs, many students were without devices, internet connectivity and in some cases without security or electricity. Yet many persevered and triumphed over adversity.

“Students, through your resilience you have demonstrated to your peers that it is possible to remain steadfast to your studies and achieve success despite the unprecedented challenges you had to face,” he said.

In the BJC exams, three students of SC McPherson Junior High School attained at least 8As, two students from CH Reeves Junior High School earned 9As and 10As, and two students from HO Nash Junior High School received 9As

and 8As respectively. Despite the pandemic, in the 2020 BGCSE there was an improvement in 15 subjects. Overall, 68.2 per cent of the candidates earned grades between A and D compared to 71 per cent in 2019.

Evelyn Sawyer, Assistant Director of Education, Examination and Assessment Division said the awardees have demonstrated that they have embraced the values of self-discipline, flexibility, perseverance, tolerance, resilience, self-confidence and a zeal for learning.

“The success of the 2020 national exams could not have occurred without such extraordinary strength of character in many who opted to take the examinations.

“We celebrate your spirit and the spirit of the people who were behind you – school administrators - teachers, parents, relatives and community leaders. Yes, behind you, beside you and in front of you encouraging you to finish the race. We applaud you,” said Mrs. Sawyer.

The outstanding students received prizes including plaques, laptops and other incentives.

Bluff, Eleuthera Tel: 242-335-1880 Email: neshoppingctr@yahoo.com

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New Life Worship Ministries Commissioned in Upper Bogue Senior Pastor Bishop Raymond Ward, and his wife Associate Pastor Jennifer Ward celebrated the commissioning of the New Life Worship Ministries church, located in Upper Bogue, as well as the ordinations of the body of leadership for the new ministry at the end of February 2021.

Associate Pastor Ward in sharing how she and her husband had come to the place where they were celebrating the commissioning of the church, said, “Nothing happens until its right season and time. There is a time and season for everything. Our past life and experiences in ministry propelled us to this commissioning, which we celebrated recently. All of those ordained during the commissioning, we came from the same ministry. My husband and I have been in ministry for a long time. Bishop Ward served as the assistant pastor in the Mission Church of God, under the leadership of Bishop Johnson. We served in ministry there for thirty years plus. My husband served in the ministry department and was the youth leader for 27 years. I served in many roles, and also at the district level for 19 years as assistant secretary as well as secretary and treasurer.”

Formally ordained as leaders within New Life Worship Ministries during the Commissioning service were: Senior Pastor - Bishop Raymond Ward; Associate Pastor - Jennifer Louise Ward; Leander Johnson - Assistant Pastor; Prophetess Brenda Johnson - Assistant Pastor; Elder - Leroy Kelly; Elder - Claudina Kelly; and Minister - Gerard Mackey.

The husband and wife Assistant Pastor team, Leander and Brenda Johnson, played a pivotal role in the ministry, said Associate Pastor Ward, because they were also a part of the youth ministry at the church.

Sharing their experience that brought them to beginning the new church ministry, Associate Paster Ward began, “God was calling us into more and propelling us forward. He was shaking us up out of our comfort zone and it pushed us into where we are today. Even though the signs were all around us, we wanted to make sure that it was not just our own minds telling us to do something, but to be sure that it was the Lord leading us. As you know, God doesn’t change his mind. When God has a plan for you, and gives you direction and a way to go, that is the plan He has for you. Sometimes we run away from it, but He would continue to push you and propel you to-

ward His plan.

“It was not an easy road,” she continued, “but God was requiring more from my husband and I, so to fulfill His calling, we had to move on, move out, and move into where He was directing us and that is where we are today. We spent much time in prayer and fasting, making sure we were in the right direction.”

Continuing to share their story, Jennifer continued, “We began the new ministry in August of 2019, and you know we had a shop where the church is now located. However, we had to close out the business, and we see now that those circumstances led to us being able to be propelled by God to where He wanted us to go.

With the store closure, we did not have to go

Pictured Above (L-R): Minister - Gerard Mackey, Elder - Leroy Kelly, Elder Claudina Kelly, Senior Pastor - Bishop Raymond Ward, Associate Pastor - Jennifer Louise Ward, Prophetess Brenda Johnson - Assistant Pastor, and Leander Johnson - Assistant Pastor.

Pictured Left: Praise and worship in song during the commissioning ceremony for the New Life Worship Ministries church.

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Temporary reprieve in W&SC water bill dispute with private plant operator During the final week in April 2021, news broke about a publicized communication from the reverse osmosis water plant operator, Aqua Design Bahamas to the Water & Sewerage Corporation (W&SC), citing expired contracts and overdue payments, with significant threats of not only ceasing water supply on Monday, May 3rd at several Family Island water plant locations, including South Eleuthera, San Salvador and Inagua, but also decommissioning those locations and removing their equipment.

The company was quoted as saying, “Despite our communicated interest to renew the contract, W&SC has not shown any interest in doing so.”

Prime Minister Minnis, during a visit to Eleuthera on Friday, April 30th, 2021, in answer to a question asked by the media about concerns of Aqua Design Bahamas, possibly decommissioning and pulling out its equipment from the Reverse Osmosis Water Plants in South Eleuthera, over yet another payment dispute with the Bahamas government, the PM stated, “I think that matter has been resolved, I’ve spoken with the Minister of

Works [Minister Desmond Bannister] this morning.

I’ve spoken to both he and the Financial Secretary [Mr. Marlon Johnson], and as I speak to you now, they are aggressively resolving that matter.” As intimated by the PM, shortly before the May 3rd deadline, in an announcement, Aqua Design Bahamas said that after discussion with the Water & Sewerage Corporation the planned plant closures had been postponed.

The company was also quoted as saying, “W&SC and Aqua Design Bahamas are working to finalize written agreements to resolve all outstanding issues between the parties... Should the parties comply with their obligations, Aqua Design Bahamas will continue production through November 1, 2021... Should WSC not meet their obligations, Aqua Design Bahamas will cease production on May 8, 2021.”

During his trip to Govenor’s Harbour, the PM has also been asked about whether the government had any plans to implement independent water infrastructure in islands now dependent on private/foreign providers. “Yes, we are,” he said,

adding, “Water and Sewerage (W&S) are pursuing putting in the necessary infrastructure in all the Family Islands, and if you have been following W&S investments and movement, you would see that they have been doing that. They are implementing the necessary facilities even in Long Island at this particular time.”

According to published reports, Aqua Design Bahamas blamed its actions on the failure of the Water & Sewerage Corporation to settle $3.8 million in outstanding debts, with another $740,000 coming due for payment on May 8th, 2021. Another factor highlighted was the Corporation ‘showing no interest’ in renewing the contracts to operate the three plants, threatened with decommissioning.

Six months ago, during October 2020, Aqua Design Bahamas ceased its supply of water to customers in Central and South Eleuthera for more than a week, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, also due to a dispute over outstanding payments, with the Water & Sewerage Corporation.

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looking for a location to host the new church ministry. The building was vacant and was fully available for the new church. So, we were able to move right in and begin services. This was after much time of prayer and fasting, and the Lord was saying yes, it is time to go, to move on - and we did that, obeying the call.

“We had to inform our leaders and everyone else within the Mission Church of God ministry that we were moving on, and that God had called us out. It was not easy, however many other brothers and sisters made the decision to join us, knowing that the hand of the Lord was over our lives, and witnessing how we had conducted ourselves during our many years in ministry - putting God’s work first. God says to seek Him first, His kingdom and His righteousness, and all other things would be added unto you.

“After moving out, along with those who understood our vision, we also encountered much opposition - but we didn’t let that deter us, and continued to remain focused and steadfast in what God had called us to do.

“God has been faithful, and has given us a group of leaders who also have hearts for ministry. So we are all about advancing the kingdom of God, winning souls, stepping out of the four walls, and doing whatever He has for us to do - feeding the whole man - mind, body and soul. Because, we also take care of the physical needs with our food and clothing ministry. God is doing a tremendous work.”

When asked about the vision for the new ministry going forward, Jennifer shared, “It is the vision of New Life Worship Ministries to shift and empower the body of Christ, to seek after souls, to bring stability to the hurting and less fortunate, to evangelize and proclaim the gospel beyond the four walls of the church - helping others to recognize their gifts and callings that will enhance the kingdom in the earth realm, bringing spiritual awareness to our community as we usher in kingdom principles - making us to seek to fulfill our assignments. Bringing educational and economic empowerment to the body of Christ and to walk wholeheartedly with God in this season.”

Pictured Above: Senior Pastor - Bishop Raymond Ward on the mic, with Associate Pastor - Jennifer Louise Ward.

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April/May, 2021

Last Chance for Lighthouse Point Campaign calls on Disney to withdraw its draft EIA, and resubmit after more comprehensive study The Stop Disney - Last Chance for Lighthouse Point Campaign urged the public in The Bahamas and across the world to submit comments on Disney’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for their proposed cruise port at Lighthouse Point on the southernmost tip of Eleuthera in The Bahamas, just ahead of the May 7th, 2021 deadline for submitting public comments directly to inquiries@depp.gov.bs or via the Disney’s project website.

The ‘Stop Disney’ Campaign informed that more than 444,000 people had already supported the Campaign’s petition urging Disney to reconsider its plans for a $400 million cruise port at Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera. The development’s planned placement was described as, “set to be located right at the heart of a proposed Marine Protected Area— an important passageway for bonefish and other marine species.” The port, they said, would include a half-mile-long pier built on top of important marine habitats and would bring up to 20,000 visitors every week to the pristine site.

The communication continued, “On March 10th, Disney released their flawed EIA for the project. On April 8th, The Bahamian Government held a truncated public consultation that attracted more than 350 people.

The session left many unanswered questions about the adequacy of the environmental review.

“As a result, the Last Chance Campaign hosted extended public consultations on April 15 and April 22, to further open public discussion about the EIA. Numerous independent experts have come to the same conclusion: the EIA is filled with gaps. A number of independent experts spoke about the fundamental flaws in the document, particularly in regard to the economics, coral reefs, fisheries, climate change, and sea level rise. Dr. Gregory Miller, Executive Director of the Center for Responsible Travel, and Dinah Bear, former General Counsel at The U.S. President’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), both concluded that the EIA would not meet the standards

that Disney would be required to follow in the U.S., its own country. Most notably, they pointed out that the EIA does not consider an alternative to the cruise port, as is standard practice for EIAs around the world.

“Such an alternative concept has been put forward recently by Chris Maxey, the founder of the Island School in southern Eleuthera.

Mr. Maxey recently wrote to Disney’s CEO, Bob Chapek, asking him to consider cooperating with local organizations on a lower-impact, sustainable alternative that would better protect the environment and provide more jobs for Bahamians. Mr. Maxey did not receive a response.

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Caribbean Travel Marketplace offers international buyers a post-pandemic look at the region MIAMI (May 3, 2021) - Caribbean Travel Marketplace, which runs virtually from May 11 to 14, 2021, is offering buyers from around the world a chance to refresh their portfolios as they prepare for the post-COVID-19 revival of travel and tourism.

noted that a diverse group of buyers have signed up from Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, France, India, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.

Vanessa Ledesma, acting CEO and Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), which hosts the annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace, said that this year’s edition will feature buyers looking for properties and experiences that meet the needs of post-pandemic travelers, many of whom will be vaccinated.

“While we are virtual this year due to COVID-19, more buyers and sellers of travel are able to participate, which is why this promises to be a unique Marketplace event,” she stated.

“As a result of the pandemic, businesses have had time to reappraise their properties and governments have evaluated their destinations, making changes to reflect the new realities of the tourism sector,” said Ledesma, adding that “this is the perfect opportunity for buyers to learn of these changes, adjust their own approaches and ensure their packages are up-to-date and appealing.”

The association executive

Travel suppliers registered to date will represent Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, and the United States Virgin Islands.

Caribbean Travel Marketplace will also introduce participants to the association’s membership drive, “CHTA: Forward Together”, which reminds stakeholders why membership in the preeminent

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“James Lima, an international expert on sustainable development who has worked closely with local groups on Eleuthera, said at the April 15th meeting, ‘We found that a plan centered around educational and ecotourism, stay-over-tourism, at a very small footprint of the site would generate 27 times greater economic benefit for The Bahamas than the proposed Disney plan.’

“Dr. Thomas Goreau, President of the Global Coral Reef Alliance and Chief Scientist at Blue Regeneration, pointed out that the EIA is completely inadequate when it comes to its assessment of impacts to coral reefs. He added that the reefs at Lighthouse Point ‘are some of the best reefs left in The Bahamas…that’s why the area was designated to be a Marine Protected Area…it is one of The Bahamas’ top marine conservation priorities without any question.’ The Woods Hole Group, an environmental engineering and consulting organization, conducted a review of Disney’s EIA and concluded that the document does not adequately address climate change implications related to the project.

“Jacob Scherr, former Director of Global Advocacy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, and

Vanessa Ledesma, Acting CEO and Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).

trade association is vital for destinations and for the profitability of the private sector, which fuels the Caribbean tourism and hospitality industry.

For more details about reg-

senior advisor to the Last Chance Campaign, added: ‘If Disney is to be truly environmentally responsible, it cannot continue to downplay or ignore the realities of a changing climate and rising seas… Disney still has an opportunity to do something truly transformational at Lighthouse Point and to provide the leadership our planet needs to assure a brighter, more sustainable future, not only for Eleutherans and Bahamians, but for all of us.’

“Big conglomerates like Disney have a corporate and social responsibility to operate in a manner that is sustainable for people and the planet. Sam Duncombe, reEarth, added: ‘It is absolutely crucial to submit comments on this EIA and let both Disney and the Government know that it is not good enough. Disney needs to withdraw their current draft EIA, conduct supplemental studies, and resubmit an updated EIA that includes all of the information necessary to determine the best option for the environment and people of The Bahamas.’ More information can be found at stopdisney.com.”

istering for Caribbean Travel Marketplace 39, please visit https://chtamarketplace.com/ marketplace/registration or email events@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.

30 www. EleutheraNews . com

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April/May, 2021

Eleuthera librarians stand with Director of Public Libraries, Dorcas Bowler, and Author/Publisher, Mrs. Teri Bethel during the presentation of more than 550 Bahamian-authored books to libraries throughout the island.

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Generous donation to local libraries

indicated. “While some had already made their books available to several of the libraries around the Bahamas, others embraced the opportunity to join the effort to build, inspire, and entertain the far-reaching communities in Eleuthera.” Mrs. Bethel further indicated that when authors or their families found out about what was being done, they immediately threw their hand in (so to speak) as an act of participating in nation-building.”

When asked about the inspiration behind the gesture, Mrs. Bethel noted that she had read a story in the Eleutheran Newspaper featuring a 6th-grade stuAbove (L-R): Nurse Nell Johnson, De’Anntae Hepburn, Mrs. Teri Bethel, Principal Sands, dent from the Tarpum Bay Primary School. The little Commodore Tellis Bethel. girl, De’Anntae Hepburn, had started a virtual reading club to encourage fellow students to read. They fiction (adults), Bahamian • Mrs. Anna Lewis, of reading and information wanted to know why she was so clever, so she let them literacy at an early age; dohistory, tourism, poetry, • Ms. Jacqueline Micklein on her little secret—it was reading. “My husband marriage enrichment, whyte, ing so in an appealing and Tellis and I immediately wanted to be a part of her devotionals, family life, • Ms. Chrystal Moss, fun-filled environment.” program. But rather than limiting the books to a seleccounseling, deliverance, • Mr. Dayvon Moss, Mrs. Bowler commended tion from my immediate family, we thought why not get young De’Anntae Hepburn as inspiration, and more.

• Mr. Oden Moss, others involved to make great reading accessible for • Mrs. Jewel Moncur the brainchild of establishboth children and adults throughout the island.”

Among the authors are Moss, ing a virtual reading club for As the inspiration behind it all, young De’Anntae • Mr. Tate Bethel, • Dr. Myles Munroe (doher schoolmates, especially Hepburn was the first to receive a stack of age-appro• Commodore Tellis nated by his children in this unprecedented time priate Bahamian titles from Mr. and Mrs. Bethel, to add of COVID-19. She went on Bethel, Chairo & Charissa), to her personal reading collection. The Bethel’s pre• Mrs. Teri Bethel, • Rev. Angela Palacious, to say, “Here is a child at sented her with the precious pile at her primary school this tender age who already • Ms. Yvette Bethel, • Dr. Richard Pinder in Tarpum Bay, expressing their appreciation for her • Dr. Dave Burrows, (donated by his wife knows the importance of reading passion and her initiative to share it with her • Ms. Davrielle Burrows, Pastor Sheena Pinder), reading and is willingly sharpeers. De’Anntae, who was delighted to receive the • Pastor Princess Bur• Ms. Gabrielle Pratt, ing that love with her peers.” new treasures, said, “I was really happy and excited, Contributing to this effort rows, • Rev. Ulric Smith, because I didn’t know this was going to happen, and • Mrs. Kim Sweeting, are authors who range from • Mrs. Angela Cleare, I really thank them for the donation of the books. Our • Ms. Audra Tynes, well-known forerunners of • Ms. Alvonia Collie, reading club is going great, and we are now writing a • Mrs. Bekera Taylor, internationally published titles • Ms. Opal Cooper, book of our own, about our experiences this past year • Pastor Clarice Thompto a group of dynamic first• Pastor Kersch Darville, – called ‘From the classroom to the computer’.” son, time self-published authors in • Ms. Ernestia Fraser, Mrs. Dorcas Bowler, Director of Public Libraries in • Ms. Claudette Thompthe Bahamas, many of whom • Sir Randol Fawkes the Bahamas, immediately embraced this project. The son, are from Eleuthera. (donated by his chilDirector indicated her delight to partner with Mrs. Beth• Mrs. Jennifer Stack, dren), el and her team of authors in the initiative. “Reading is • Dr. Paulette Stuart, • The genres include: • Ms. Doris Johnson, the bridge to knowledge and the gateway to the world and English literature, adven• Pastor Sharnette of opportunities and exploration,” Mrs. Bowler noted.

• Dr. Susan J. Wallace. ture novels for children, Kemp, “It is imperative that we instil in young people the love

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UB & MOF

“Under the project, UB will research and determine optimal growth levels to support the Government’s plan to set the country on a more sustainable macroeconomic path. It will also expand and enhance the government’s current economic modelling and platforms and protocol by allowing for more suffocated analysis using a wider range of input and variables,” said Minister Thompson.

“This administration is focused on combating the challenge of producing growth at sufficient levels to address the full gamut of national development priorities, including fiscal responsibility targets relating to revenue, expenditure and debt.

“In 2019, it was therefore significant, albeit modest, that for the first

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time in 12 years The Bahamas was projected to see growth of over 2.0 per cent for consecutive years due to the efforts of this administration.

He said, “The Government had also made tangible progress with reducing the deficit and slowing debt growth. This was a major achievement we had intended to build upon before the pandemic. It is why we are even more determined today.”

Sen. Thompson noted that GPPI has put together a team of expert economic and fiscal specialists that will conceive a data-driven approach to the country’s growth trajectory to support the existing capabilities of the MOF. “The team will use data provided by the government to establish a base-

The Eleutheran

line of the country’s current economic and fiscal status. From there, they will engage in economic modelling to predict growth forecasts over short, medium, and long-term outlooks.

“The model will expand the number of economic indicators that are assessed from a three-sector model to a five-sector model. The analysis will allow GPPI to present a set of sound recommendations to address the economic and fiscal trends we have historically experienced and that have worsened due to the pandemic.”

Minister Thompson is pleased that the project will be focusing on economic and fiscal policy options that promote growth. “In other words, UB through its GPPI, will support the Government’s economic plans and help us achieve our goals.”

Dr. Rodney Smith, President, UB said the study is an effort to understand better the economic and fiscal

future of the nation. “In fact, by mathematically and statistically examining the impact of various policy measures on an academically rigorous model of our economy, we may be able to choose the best policies to positively impact our economic future. We can better predict the effect of those policies on important social outcomes like employment, poverty, savings, investing, and the like.

“Additionally, we can better target resources to economic sectors that can produce the greatest outputs.

This is the nature of the study being undertaken, and its lasting impact will be a model available for use in the future by personnel from across the Government for future planning,” said Dr. Smith.

Source: BIS Written By: Kathryn Campbell

Eleuthera Business HUB

in to assist,” said Access Accelerator Executive Director Davinia Grant.

“We celebrate the opening of the Eleuthera Business Hub and the launch of the Disney grant program, and are excited about how these combined initiatives will positively impact Eleuthera for years to come.”

Additional sponsors include Cable Bahamas Business Solutions, who equipped the center with the latest technology solutions, including phone, highspeed internet and printing services, and the University of The Bahamas.

“We’re proud to be a part of this initiative,” said John Gomez, Chief Executive Officer for Cable Bahamas. “Cable Bahamas understands how important it is for small businesses and entrepreneurs to have access to essential tools, like high-speed internet, in order to successfully run their businesses. We’re pleased to offer these resources and be a part of this forward-thinking approach to growing the economy in Eleuthera.”

University of The Bahamas (UB) also affirmed its commitment to helping cultivate an environment in which small

businesspersons can thrive.

“We applaud the launch of the Eleuthera Business Hub,” noted University of The Bahamas President Dr. Rodney D. Smith. “UB and its United States Foundation remain committed to the success of Eleuthera, growing its business capacity and extending access to business and management training for entrepreneurs. When our small business owners

receive the education and support that they need, our economy is positively impacted.”

For more information about EBH, visit https://www.eleutherachamberofcommerce. com/businesshub -ENDSource: The Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce

Front desk of the new Eleuthera Business Hub - Photo by The Eleutheran.

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Child Protection guide books donated for the benefit of kids at School in New Providence

By Matt Maura NASSAU, The Bahamas – Officials of the National Child Protection Council (NCPC), the Child Protection Month Committee and the Free Town Urban Renewal Centre recently teamed up with Administrators, Staff and FifthGrade students of Uriah McPhee Primary School to commemorate Child Protection Month.

The collaboration resulted in almost 100 of the NCPC’s “Say No, Then Go” Colouring Books being donated to the students. School Principal, Mrs. Pamela Armaly, accepted the books on behalf of the students to ensure that the health and safety protocols established by the Ministry of Health to stop/limit the community spread of COVID-19 were adhered to. Crayons were also provided to the students.

The students were also presented with hygiene kits that included masks and hand sanitizers, along with a number of other items, by the Free Town Urban Renewal Centre and Centre Manager Mrs. Loretta Mackey as a means of further keeping them protected from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Written by Dr. Novia T. CarterLookie, a Child Psychologist who also

serves as the Co-Chairperson of the National Child Protection Council, the Colouring Book is an interactive Educational and Safety Guide that provides information on Safe and Unsafe Touches -- including five personal safety rules about touching, and the Rights of a Child, a United Nations Convention that was developed in 1989 to protect children from abuse, neglect and discrimination. The book also includes Resource Telephone numbers for key agencies including the National Child Abuse Hotline (New Providence and Grand Bahama), the Crisis Centre Hotline (New Providence and Grand Bahama), the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Unit and others.

Dr. Carter-Lookie said the “Say No, Then Go” Colouring Book and the accompanying Stop ‘N Tink Colouring Books, not only teach primary school students about the various forms of abuse and bullying, but also how to respond to those threats.

“The ‘Say No, Then Go’ Colouring Book not only helps them to understand, but to also be able to communicate which actions constitute a threat, how to respond when someone threatens them, and to know that the

community helpers are there to assist.

Those community helpers of course would be the teachers, guidance counselors, nurses and police officers, among others.”

Dr. Carter-Lookie applauded School Principal Armaly, the Administration and Staff for their efforts in observing National Child Protection Month.

“The push to protect our children from all forms of abuse is a collective effort,” Dr. Carter-Lookie said. “Our programme is designed to instruct children throughout the primary school grade level in understanding their roles as children within our society, and our commitment as a country to their well-being. I thank you madam for being a stakeholder in this key initiative and we look forward, as always, for the National Child Protection Council being there to safeguard our children and assist you in all of your efforts to do likewise.”

School Principal Armaly thanked the NCPC and Free Town Urban Renewal Centre for their contributions to the school’s mission to create life-long learning opportunities for its students.

“We are constantly thinking of

ways in which we can protect our children because they are indeed our future,” Mrs. Armaly said.” For children to be able to ‘Say No, Then Go,’ that speaks volumes, that’s power and at the end of the day we are creating lifelong learning.”

Mrs. Loretta Mackey, Centre Manager, Free Town Urban Renewal Centre, said the collaboration was an extension of the various services the Centre consistently provides to the community. She said the fact that the collaboration took place during Child Protection Month, was just: “the icing on the cake.”

“Our Centre has always been a safe haven for the children of our community and so today was just an extension of that. The opportunity to provide the children with masks and hand sanitizers filled a need for many of them and so we were excited to be able to facilitate that,” Mrs. Mackey said.

“The partnership today shows our children that there are various entities out there that care about them; that are willing to combine their efforts to ensure their safety and protec-

Representatives from the National Child Protection Council and the Free Town Urban Renewal Centre presented almost one hundred books on child protection to the Uriah McPhee Primary School as part of the activities commemorating Child Protection Month. The Free Town Urban Renewal Centre also presented the students with hygiene kits. School Principal Mrs. Pamela Armaly accepted the donations on behalf of the students. Pictured (from left) are: Mrs. Valencia Ferguson, Fifth-Grade Teacher, Uriah McPhee Primary School; Principal Armaly; Dr. Novia T. Carter-Lookie; Mrs. Antonette Anderson, Mrs. Loretta Mackey and Miss Samantha Seymour. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

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Ordained for Service

Global Outreach Ministries celebrated the ordination of twelve of its members, during a special gathering at the Workers House Complex in March 2021.

The ceremony, described Pastor Orlando Thompson, “Sets the twelve candidates apart for ministry, and further endorses the special giftings that God had already bestowed upon their lives.” The candidates ordained on the special day were; Sisters Glenda Ingraham, Latesha Newbold, Carnetta Gaitor, Janice Symonette, Tressica Isaacs, Branishka Rolle, Stacia Smith, Laura Albury, Sheena Munroe, Rhonda Rolle, and Brothers Stephen Adderley and Wesley Percentie.

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Guide Books

tion. The children really are our future and if we don’t protect them at an early age and instill good values in them, they will go astray. To have a better country we have to ensure that our little ones and are youth are well-protected and not taken advantage of,” Mrs. Mackey added.

Principal Armaly said the partnership with the Free Town Urban Renewal Centre, has been a blessing for the school.

“We developed a partnership with the Free Town Urban Renewal Centre upon my arrival in 2017,” Mrs. Armaly said. “They have made us (administrators and staff) feel welcomed; they have made us feel appreciated.

Whenever they have programmes, they would always include us. The Centre, has in the past, also assisted us at assemblies and with the school’s summer programme prior to COVID-19. This partnership that we have developed has been beneficial.

Uriah McPhee Primary School cannot go anywhere without positive partnerships and I must say that the Free Town Urban Renewal Centre is making a difference and we can feel it at Uriah McPhee Primary School,” Mrs. Armaly added.

Attorney General Announces the Country’s First Freedom of Information Commissioner and Deputy

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Sen. the Hon. Carl Bethel released a statement on the Freedom of Information Act, May 2, 2021 and introduced the first Freedom of Information Commissioner and Deputy Freedom of Information Commissioner in the persons of Retired Supreme Court Justice Keith Thompson and Mr. Shane Miller, now retired Assistant Director of Legal Affairs (ADLA), respectively. Standing from left: Freedom of Information Commissioner, Retired Supreme Court Justice, Keith Thompson; the AG; Mr. Miller and Permanent Secretary in the AG’s Office and the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Cecilia Strachan. (BIS Photos/Ulric Woodside)

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April/May, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccinations Now Open to ages 18+ - 2nd Dose Appointment Notices Soon to Come The Bahamas National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee released a statement during the final week in April, announcing that vaccinations were now open to all Bahamian Citizens and Permanent Residents who are 18 and older, which read as follows: “Vaccinations for COVID-19 will be open to all persons 18 years of age and older, effective Monday 26 April 2021.

This applies to New Providence, Grand Bahama and all Family Islands...

The roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine is scheduled to take place on the various Family Islands, starting Monday, April 26th through Friday, April 30th.

To make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine please visit vax.gov.bs. To view the full Family Island schedule, including vaccination site locations and times, visit opm. gov.bs.

On-site appointments are available at the Church of God of Prophecy, East St. and St.

Anselm’s Catholic Church Hall, Bernard Road on New Providence; the Susan J. Wallace Community Centre on Grand Bahama and at all Family Island vaccination sites.

A Bahamas Government issued ID is required at check-in at the vaccination site.

Individuals who have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should expect an email within the next two weeks to alert them as to when they should book their second appointment. The reminder email will contain a link to access the appointment portal.

Persons without an email may book their second appointment at a center where on-site appointments are available.

The administration of the second doses is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 10th.

Second dose appointments can be booked at any of the available vaccination centers. An individual is not required to receive their second dose at the same vaccination site, or island, that they received their first dose.

First dose appointments will continue to be available during the time that second doses are being administered.

All individuals who have received a first dose will be able to receive the second dose.

As of April 25th, 2021, 25,692 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine have been administered on New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and Abaco.”

Source: National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee

Press Club Applauds Appointment of Freedom of Information

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Digital Currency Progression

The Central Bank began the gradual national release of the Bahamian digital currency in October 2020. Since then, participating financial institutions have worked to integrate their proprietary mobile applications (apps) to the Sand Dollar infrastructure. As of mid-March, nine PSPs––the Authorised Financial Institutions (AFIs)–– have completed cybersecurity assessments of their technology systems and have been cleared to distribute the CBDC. That is, four money transmission businesses (MTBs), three payment services institutions, one commercial bank, and one credit union. These institutions

are either enabled to offer Sand Dollars through their proprietary mobile wallets or through the Central Bank developed app.

The Central Bank is working with PSPs to achieve the interoperability of all proprietary mobile apps. Interoperability means that businesses and individuals would be able to send and receive funds with any other digital wallet once the transaction is in Sand Dollars. Payment providers that adopted the Central Bank app already satisfy interoperability, while institutions that are using proprietary apps were expected to meet a deadline of 31 March 2021.

The Central Bank ex-

pects to imminently complete the technical integration of the digital infrastructure with the commercial banking system.

This will establish links between wallets and bank deposit accounts, through the Bahamas Automated Clearing House (the ACH), and allow transfer of funds in both directions. As participants in the ACH, commercial banks also play a direct role, as the respective online wire transfer platforms are being updated to accommodate these transactions. The ACH has established protocols to be followed for such updates.

Commissioner

NASSAU, The Bahamas - The Bahamas Press Club 2014 says “hats off” to the Government on the appointment of a Freedom of Information Commissioner, which brings the Freedom of Information Act closer to becoming law.

The Club sees this as a progressive step towards the strengthening of democracy, which we members of the media are bound to uphold.

The appointment of the Freedom of Information Commissioner and a deputy coincides with the observation of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2021.

This day as declared by the United Nations to observe and raise awareness of the importance of “Freedom of the Press” and remind Governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Information as a public good” is an apt theme for this year’s World Freedom Press Day. It recognizes and addresses people and conditions in every sphere across the globe, especially in these pandemic times of COVID-19.

In that vein the Bahamas Press Club 2014 applauds and upholds those fearless Bahamian journalists who diligently seek out, uncover and report abuses and corruption that may otherwise go unheralded.

We salute those in The Bahamas who are daily insulted and vilified for their attempts at seeking out truth and fair play. And we honour those in war zones and dictatorial regimes, whose very lives are on the line for the stories they produce.

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Month of May Declared “National Disaster Preparedness Month”

Above: Minister of State in the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, the Hon. Pakeshia Parker-Edgecombe.

The Month of May has been declared National Disaster Preparedness Month and it is being observed under the theme, “We are all NEMA - Stronger than Ever”. As a very active hurricane season is being forecasted for this year, the government of The Bahamas, via the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction and the National Management Emergency Agency, (NEMA), is urging Bahamians to take proactive steps to mitigate disastrous results as a result of lack of preparedness.

The theme is centred on the concept that everyone, including the government, citizens, businesses, religious institutions and civic organizations, has a role to play in disaster preparation. The month of May was chosen because June 1 marks the official start of the annual Atlantic Hurricane Season that officially ends November 30th.

A special focus is on the hazards that mostly affect the country, which are those associated with tropical cyclones (tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes).

These hazards include storm surges, flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, and high turf and rip currents. Accordingly, officials believe the month of May is an opportune time to bring attention to making preparations

for the season.

On Sunday, May 2nd, at the NEMA headquarters on Gladstone Road, Minister of State in the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, the Hon. Pakeshia Parker-Edgecombe, in a recorded statement, urged the public to commence preparations for the hurricanes ahead of the opening of the season. She said that this is all part of the government’s objective to ‘mitigate or lessen’ the degree of risk in the country and to provide necessary support to prepare and rebuild communities in the face of a disaster.

“While disasters or their impact cannot be prevented, it is imperative that we arm ourselves with the ability to effectively manage disasters,” said the Minister of State. “Consequently, when the Government of The Bahamas enacted theDisaster Preparedness and Response Act in 2006, it adopted the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy.”

This strategy, she explained is an integrated approach to disaster management that encompasses the management of all hazards through all phases of the disaster management cycle - namely, prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation.

The Minister of State said that it is critical that each Bahamian and resi-

dent take the necessary precautions now in the event that a storm hits during hurricane season.

“Make sure you have a plan as to where you and your family will stay if a storm threatens. If your home is in a low-lying area or on the coast, it is recommended that you do not stay there. Instead, plan to stay with a family member or a close friend who has appropriate accommodations in an appropriate place,” said Mrs. Parker-Edgecombe. “If it is not possible, you can stay at one of the Governmentapproved shelters, which we will ensure are ready and able to assist those in need.” She pointed out that due to the pandemic, the government has taken into consideration the population density of each shelter and will ensure that all public health COVID-19 protocols are followed at each activated location.

She also encouraged Bahamians and residents to be well-stocked with emergency supplies such as batteries, a radio and flashlights, face masks and sanitizers and adequate supply of non-perishable food items and water.

Director of NEMA, Captain Stephen Russell said several initiatives have been taken during the past year to strengthen the role that NEMA plays, including the tweaking of the National Disaster Plan and fine-tuning training facilitated

by NEMA with agency partners, including the Caribbean, United States, The Pacific Centre, and the Pan American Health Organization and other agencies.

He also urged Bahamians and residents to be prepared.

“Bahamas, let’s not forget the impact of hurricane Dorian in 2019, which resulted in an unprecedented impact on the country’s resources at all levels,” said Captain Russell. “The storm also left, in its wake, lives lost and an estimated $3.4 billion in losses and damages.

Captain Russell, in his recorded statement, also gave an overview of the state of readiness of various ministries and departments including: The Ministry of Public Works (with responsibility for infrastructural aspects of disaster management); Water and Sewerage Corporation (Water security and pumping of sewerage); Department of Social Services (Shelter readiness); Bahamas Power and Light (BPL); Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC); ALIV; and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

(See Captain Russell’s full overview online at www.TheEleutheran.com or www.EleutheraNews.com) Several activities and events are also being planned to highlight the month, including: A comprehensive exhibition, which will be mounted on the grounds of NEMA highlighting partners and their role in disaster management; a high school digital essay and art competition and a national day of prayer, scheduled for Sunday, 30th May. -Source: Bahamas Information Services Written By: Betty Vedrine

36 www. EleutheraNews . com

Op i n i o n

April/May, 2021

OP-ED: The necessary transformation of the Caribbean agrifood system Will the world be able to feed 28% more people by 2050?

How do we ensure that we can all eat better and healthier without mortgaging the Earth’s ability to produce food for our grandchildren? These are very challenging questions especially for the Caribbean, a region that unlike others in Latin America has an over-reliance on food imports even though there is a potential to produce healthy and nutritious food.

There are at least two powerful reasons that allow us to propose that there is an imperative need to transform the agrifood systems of the CARICOM, that is, the complex network of private and public actors, activities, customs and traditions, regulations, and, physical and economic conditions that determine what each person in the Caribbean eats every day.

First, the Caribbean needs to reduce its unhealthy and risky dependence on food imports. Most of the CARICOM countries are net food importers, and at least seven countries import more than 80% of the food they consume.

Worse, one third of the imported foods are energy dense, high in fat, sugar and sodium, which explains the exponential increase in ultra-processed food consumption.

This contributes to world-record rates of overweight and obesity. The incidence of adult obesity quadrupled from 6% in 1975 to 28% in 2021. Alarmingly, overweight and obesity in children aged 5-9 years are two to three times higher than in the rest of the world. Unhealthy imported foods are cheap for the consumer, although their cost to society is very high. In the Caribbean, the cost of a healthy diet is 3.8 times higher than that of a diet that only meets the minimum caloric requirements. The future looks dismal if people in the Caribbean do not go back to eating healthy foods, and this will require a transformation from the farm to the table of consumers.

Above: A school farming initiative in New Providence.

The second very powerful driver of the necessary transformation of agrifood systems is climate change. Hurricanes and droughts are becoming more frequent and intense, affecting the already limited Caribbean agricultural production. This sector absorbs 25% of the total damage and losses caused by extreme climate events. It is simple: there is no future for Caribbean agrifood systems if they fail to adapt and become far more resilient to climate change.

These two necessary objectives cannot be achieved by each CARICOM country on its own.

No single country can produce and provide healthy foods to all of its population, but more integrated Caribbean agrifood systems could surely advance greatly in that direction. Also, no country on its own will be able to ensure the resilience of its domestic agrifood system when the next category 4 hurricane strikes, but a more integrated Caribbean agrifood system could deliver the necessary food supplies while the affected countries recover their production. Regional action is not just convenient; it is a must when it comes to building the agrifood systems of the future.

For this reason, we celebrate CARICOM’s COVID-19 Agri-food Action Plan and the OECS Regional Plan of Action for Agriculture, both regional efforts for action that are imperative in addressing Caribbean challenges in the agrifood sector, especially in the context of the pandemic and its ongoing effects.

FAO is working in partnership with Caribbean countries and regional organizations like the CARICOM and the OECS, to support the transformation of agrifood systems. We have four ambitions in our work: better production, better nutrition, better environment and better lives for all. How do we get there?

First, by encouraging technological innovation and digitalization, value-adding, and intraregional trade, which, together, will drive productivity, reduce the cost of healthy foods, and create thousands of good jobs for youth. Second, making healthy diets for everyone a core objective of national and regional policy, as it is the foundation of the health of the population. This will require a multi-pronged strategy, including by mainstreaming nutrition in agricultural policies and by fostering

change in the food environments with a wide range of tools, from taxing unhealthy foods, to including nutrition education in school curricula. Third, invest in climate resilient agrifood systems, for example by strengthening early warnings and response systems. Finally, underpinning all, greater intra-regional policy coordination, involving not only governments but also private sector, civil society, and scientists.

In September 2021, Heads of State and of Governments will come together in New York at the United Nations Food System Summit. The Caribbean can be present with a clear and forceful blueprint to reset its agrifood systems so that they are fit for a better future for all of its peoples.

Source: FAO By: Julio Berdegué (Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - FAO), and Noëlle Salah (Technical Support Consultant to the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean - FAO)

opinion

Looking Back It is very hard for us to come to the realization that people are being replaced by machines or being made to perform as though they are robots!

Well they are, and it seems as though there is nothing we can do to prevent the eventual results of smart technologies forcing human jobs into oblivion.

With the onset of job redundancies there is increased demand for social intervention as larger portions of our populations become increasingly poorer and less able to participate in the economic vibrancies of trade and commerce.

In the 20th century there were two world wars that brought great destruction and tremendous carnage, and even though these things were true there is another side of why such things happen. I have watched many nature documentaries and observed how animals behave; I have always said that every war is fought over ‘territory’. Where ever animals stake out an area as their exclusive living space, they will fight and kill to prevent it from being ‘invaded’ by others of their own kind. Men are no different, and as we witness the dramatic shift taking place in the world as poverty expands and the super rich become even richer at the expense of us all, there is only one ultimate solution, War! Wars are very expensive and result in increased demand for labour and

materials, and those who instigate such action create the need and justification for committed funding and senseless loss of human life, thus war becomes a means of excusable reduction of human populations. Yet; even though we see this taking place and understand the outcomes, we pretend that all the violence is justifiable, necessary and tolerable if it means that there is a chance of those who survive becoming richer. It can be truly said that money and wealth is this worlds curse, a life motivated by ‘greed’ is pure evil.

We have lived through economic recessions, devastating storms, near collapse of businesses and financial institutions, but did we learn anything, like ‘how did this happen and what is the cause of it’? However, we are so captivated with recovering that taking time to discover why is soon overpowered. When you read the Bible you will discover in it a constant theme, God the Almighty says that we are to fear Him, and Him alone. Yet we are constantly being bombarded by every form of media, attempting to instill in us a fear of everything that is, except God! The Bible teaches us to seek knowledge and understanding so that we do not have to rely on man-made fear.

As the technology boom surges ahead businesses become increasingly more impersonal, education loses its social values, and even church and religion become more money driven!

My appeal to you who are inspired to

read this column is that you may do what Jesus warned all of His followers to do, and that is to remain ‘awake’ and not become drowsy at the wheel of life. We are constantly being told that there is a political solution to our many social, religious, and economic issues, but time has proven that unless we become strong individually we will not rise to the occasion collectively.

In unity there is strength, the Bible says that a cord of many strands is not easily broken. To overcome the many problems that we face today requires that we as families, communities, Islands, and as a country must resolve to work together for the total benefit of us all, while not eroding the uniqueness of our individual character and skills.

Just as God made each of us to be born as individuals, even though we all descended from one source, our unity comes with our individuality. We are all a part of the problem, and we must all be willing to be the solution. For too long we have sat and waited for the answers to our problems to come from some distant or outside source; we were wrong then and we are wrong now. God has instilled in each one of us the power and ability to live out the purpose for our being here, however, we have often transferred responsibility for ourselves to others, but only I have feelings for myself, as does everyone else.

It takes many poor people to make one rich person, but one person with a rich heart can make many poorer

April/May, 2021

By: Andrew L. Burrows andrewburrows1@gmail.com persons richer. Many persons buy into a Lottery to enrich a single winner.

When are we going to understand that God is the creator and sustainer of all things, we all came into this world and brought nothing, we will also die and take nothing out with us; so our problem is simple, as we truly love God, we must also truly love our fellow men.

(First published, January 2016)

RBDF plays a notable role in demonstrating Caribbean unity in response to SVG Tragedy Defence Headquarters, 27 April ‘21 (RBDF): As a part of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force mission to provide disaster relief assistance, auxiliary craft Her Majesty’s Bahamian Ship LAWRENCE MAJOR departed the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to assist in delivering relief supplies to St. Vincent and the Grenadines who are continuing to cope with the erupting of La Soufriere volcano.

HMBS LAWRENCE MAJOR, which departed on Saturday, April 17, 2021, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Omarv Saunders, traveled to Kingston, Jamaica to assist with the transport of more than $20 million worth of supplies for St. Vincent and the Grenadines as part of Jamaica’s disaster relief aid.

The coordinated effort of the Office of Disaster Preparedness

and Emergency Management in Jamaica was easy, however, the challenge arose when it came to transportation. The Jamaica Defence Force reached out and secured the support of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to bridge this gap who responded favorably in the spirit of Caribbean unity.

According to Lieutenant Commander Saunders, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force is always prepared to assist partnering nations when called upon. It was not so long ago that the Jamaica Defence Force and the Government of Jamaica assisted The Bahamas following the passage of Hurricane Dorian, so the organization is pleased to assist in delivering the much-needed supplies.

On completion of this mission, HMBS LAWRENCE MAJOR

proceeded to Surinam, South America, to commence dry docking and repairs. This exercise also includes the replacement of both its generators, which have been operating constantly since the vessel has been in operation due to the lack of shore power supply.

This latest humanitarian deployment by HMBS LAWRENCE MAJOR follows the relief mission to assist the hurricane-ravaged island of Dominica in 2017. Commodore Dr. Raymond King and the Officers and Marines of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force stand ready to assist in times of disaster.

RBDF Photos show HMBS LAWRENCE MAJOR ship’s company assisting with delivering supplies from Jamaica to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. (RBDF Photos by Sub Lieutenant Antonio Adderley)

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Crime News

38 www. EleutheraNews . com

Select police reports, shared by the RBPF

D/DRUG Reports •

•

•

•

At about 10:30am on Friday 30th April 2021, Eleuthera RBPF Reported arresting an adult male in the vicinity of Pascal’s Restaurant in Queens Highway Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs, at about 10:20am on Friday 30th April 2021. The suspect was processed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs contrary to section 29(6) & 29(2)b of the Dangerous Drug Act, Chapter 228.

On Saturday 10th April 2021, sometime around 10:05 am the Officers while conducting Road Checks in the area of The Glass Window Bridge, Eleuthera reported stopping and searching an adult male in reference to possession of dangerous drugs.

As a result, a quantity of marijuana was found in the possession of the suspect , he was later processed and charged with that offence.

On Monday 05/04/2021, sometime around 11:13pm, Officers while conducting a road check along Bay Street, Harbour Island, arrested an adult male reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs, namely marijuana, which was found in his left pants pocket.

The suspect and exhibit were transported to the Harbour Island Police Station, where they were processed and charged.

On Monday 05/04/2021, sometime around 11:15pm, Officers while conducting a road check along Bay Street, Harbour Island, arrested an adult male reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs, namely marijuana, which was found in the area of his buttocks. The suspect and exhibit were transported to the Harbour Island Police Station,

•

April/May, 2021

Police Contact Numbers

locally

where he was processed and charged.

On Sunday 4/4/21, sometime around 11:10pm, Officers while conducting a road check along Colebrook Street, Harbour Island arrested an adult male reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs, namely a quantity of suspected Marijuana which was found in his possession.

He was transported to the Harbour Island Police Station where he was processed and charged for that offence.

Attempted House Breaking On 1st April 2021 at 3:30am an Adult female contacted the Governors Harbour Police Station and reported they were awakened by an unknown person attempting to break into their home via the front door. However, he ran upon seeing them. Officers visited the scene investigation are ongoing.

House Breaking & Stealing Report

On Tuesday 27th April 2021, at about 9:30am, an adult male contacted the N.E.A.P.S and reported Housebreaking and Stealing. Items taken during this incident were as follows gas Cylinder, Evinrude boat engine and tools all valuing over $4,000 was stolen. Investigation continues.

House Breaking Report

On Monday 12th April, 2021 at 1:20pm an adult female came into the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that sometime between the hours of 1:30am and 9:00am, some unknown person/s broke and entered into their rental home and stole $400.00 in cash and a pack of Marlboro cigarettes valued at $10.00 that she left on the porch bench.

Investigations into this matter resulted in the arrest of two adult males who were arrested and subsequently charged with this offence.

House Breaking Report

On Monday 12th April, 2021 at 1:45pm an adult male came into the Governor’s Harbour Police Station and reported that between Sunday 11th April, 2021 at 10:30pm and Monday 12th April, 2021 at 10:30am, some unknown

HeadQuarters (GH) 332-3500 person/s broke and entered into their rental home and stole about $400.00 to $500.00 in cash.

Officers visited and processed the scene. Two adult males were later apprehended and charged with this offence.

HOUSE BREAKING & STEALING

On Sunday 4th April 2021 at 2:40pm an adult male reported to the Governors Harbour Police Station that Sunday 4th April 2021 sometime between 11:05am and 1:40pm some unknown person/s broke and entered into his residence. Approximately $3,000.00 in Bahamian Currency was stolen.

An adult male was subsequently arrested and interviewed in reference to this matter which remains under active investigation.

FORGERY REPORT

On Friday 30th April, 2021 at about 10:05am, An employee c/o of a local Bank, came to Harbour Island Police Station and reported that the mentioned bank received six (6) Bahamian counterfeit $50.00 notes:- (5) of which had serial # F0768693 and (1) with serial # A0377308, also (4) Bahamian counterfeit #20.00 notes with serial #G131260, #G116011 and (2) #G320010. Same reported for Police Information.

Exhibits handed over.

(Special Note: The Financial Crimes Investigations Branch of the RBPF, have recently seen an increase in counterfeit currency reports, particularly on the Island of Eleuthera the Harbour Island area. A number of Bahamian $50.00 and $20.00 notes were recently seized on that island, however, no arrests have been made.

In our investigations, we take note that fraudsters use various techniques to generate counterfeit notes, and they are creative in finding ways to pass them off on unsuspecting victims or business establishments. We want to remind the general public that it is an offence to be in possession of counterfeit currency which can result on a prison term for up to 5 years.

If you become aware of the whereabouts of any counterfeit currency, please contact the nearest police station to have the same turned over. We also encourage persons to invest in counterfeit detection devices to assist them in identifying these fraudulent bank notes to prevent losses to them or their businesses.

Chief Superintendent Matthew Edgecombe Director.)

Governor’s Harbour 332-2111 OR 332-2117 O/C Governor’s Harbour 332-2723 Gov.Harb. Airport Station 332-2323 Deep Creek Station 334-8207 Tarpum Bay Station 334-4033 Rock Sound Station 334-2244 Rock Sound Sgt. Office 334-2212 Rock Sound Airport Stn 334-2052 L. Bogue Station (Airport) 335-1208 Harbour Island Station 333-2111 O/C Harbour Island 333-2327 Spanish Wells Station 333-4030 Gregory Town Station 335-5322 Hatchet Bay Station 335-0086

Targeted Operation Curtails Theft Ring The Eleuthera Division, since last year, recorded a number of house breakings targeting second homeowners, with about five occurring in 2020 and another six since the beginning of 2021, shared, Eleuthera RBPF OIC, Ch/Supt. Brian Rolle.

He commented that the common denominators from all the breakings reported to the police were that the entry was either gained by cutting a screen, prying open a door or a window. The most recent incidents occurred between Monday, April 12th and Thursday, April 15th, 2021.

In response, on Friday, April 16th, 2021, the Eleuthera Division established an Incident Room and dedicated 14 officers from throughout the district to assist with the investigation. The work of the officers led to the arrest of four males and one female. To date, two men and one woman have been charged for five counts of house breaking and one count of shop breaking.

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THE ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS ANNOUNCE UPDATED TRAVEL AND ENTRY PROTOCOLS New Rules in Effect for Vaccinated Travellers NASSAU, Bahamas, April 30, 2021 – The Government of The Bahamas announced updated public health measures and entry protocols for fully vaccinated travellers, stating: • Effective immediately, Bahamian citizens and residents who are fully vaccinated – after receiving their second dose - will be exempt from COVID-19 testing requirements when travelling inter-island from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera to any other island.

• Effective May 1, 2021, international visitors travelling to The Bahamas from other countries who are fully vaccinated and have passed the twoweek immunity period will be exempt from testing requirements for entry and inter-island travel. \REQUIREMENTS FOR VACCINATED TRAVELLERS: Vaccinated travellers will still need to apply for the Bahamas Travel Health Visa and will be

required to upload proof of vaccination (such as CDC or government issued vaccine record card) with their application in place of PCR test requirement. They will not need to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test prior to entry, submit to rapid testing mandates or complete the daily health questionnaire during their stay. At this time, the Bahamas Government will only be accepting vaccines by Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca.

REQUIREMENTS FOR UNVACCINATED TRAVELLERS: Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will be required to follow all existing entry testing requirements including applying for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa, providing proof of negative PCR test taken no more than five (5) days prior to arrival and completing the daily health questionnaire, as well as conducting rapid COVID-19 antigen testing, if they are staying in The Bahamas for longer than four (4) nights and five (5) days.

ment of The Bahamas will continue to monitor cases across the islands and loosen or tighten restrictions as needed. The Bahamas is an archipelago with more than 700 islands and cays, spread over 100,000 square miles, which means conditions and instances of the virus can be different on each of the 16 islands available to welcome visitors. Travellers should continue to check the status of their island destination before travelling, by visiting Baha- Photo by Donna Decosta mas.com/travelupdates.

For full details on the latest updates, protocols and regulations, please visit opm.gov.bs.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL TRAVELLERS: All visitors and residents will be required to apply for the Bahamas Travel Health Visa and adhere to health and safety protocols on island such as mask wearing, social distancing and frequent hand washing among others. Health and safety remain our highest priority, and we must continue to be vigilant.

Due to the fluidity of COVID-19, the Govern-

Source: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

Social media photo

Social media photo

Snapshot Covid -19

As it was May 5th, 2021

For more information visit www.EleutheraNews.com

World Data

(https://clustrmaps.com/)

40 www. EleutheraNews . com

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April/May, 2021

Celebrating Nurses Nursing Staff at the Spanish Wells

Community Clinic Highlighted as part of Nurses Month

Nurses across the island of Eleuthera during the month of May 2021 are being celebrated and honoured for the invaluable service they provide for residents within their communities in recognition of Nurses month.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has actually designated 2021 as the International Year of Health and Care Workers (YHCW) in appreciation and gratitude for their unwavering dedication in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, with a year-long campaign, under the theme – ‘Protect - Invest - Together’ - calling on people and government support and action to ensure that our health and care workforces are supported, protected, motivated and equipped to deliver safe health care at all times, not only during COVID-19.

In this issue, we highlight a group of nurses stationed at the Spanish Wells Clinic in North Eleuthera, who have all dedicated years of service in health care, as they share who they are, what they do, and what keeps them motivated to continue in their chosen work.

Nurse Bridgette Evans.

Bridgette Evans, a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Community Health Nurse has been in the nursing profession for 27 years. She worked in a number of areas during that time, including Accident and Emergency, medical wards, school health services, community clinics both in New Providence and on the Family Islands and she is presently the Nurse-In-Charge at the Spanish Wells Community Clinic.

About her decision to go into nursing, she shared, “Nursing was not my first career choice, but once I completed my training, I quickly realized my passion of wanting to help persons who were hurting. As I matriculated into the workplace it was

confirmation, as I was compared to my mother who was a caring, compassionate, and empathetic nurse early in my career.

Nursing has taught me that everyone deserves to be respected and treated with dignity and has allowedme to make a difference in so many lives through my service, encouraging words or just being a listening ear. I encourage young persons

Nurse Nicola Kelly.

Nurse Auxilliary Agnes Bethel.

- male and females - if your desire is to touch lives in a meaningful way. Explore the nursing profession. I am very proud to be a nurse.”

Agnes Bethel, a Nursing Auxilliary at the Spanish Wells Community Clinic, assist the nursing staff there with various tasks. About her daily experience, Agnes said, “One of my daily tasks is screening, which allows me to meet clients before their encounter with the nurses. This gives me the opportunity to encourage people, letting them know that giving up is not an option. A kind word can lift a person’s spirit and provide healing, just as much as medication. My job has allowed me the opportunity to use my passion of encouraging and lifting others up while I perform my duties. I love working in the Department of Public Health.”

A Registered Nurse for the past 14 years and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse for the past 4 years, Nicola Kelly got into the profession because of her own life experience with a nurse heroine that she never forgot. “I went into the Princess Margaret Hospital when I was a little girl after getting cut with a corned beef can top. The nurse that served me, treated me with such love. Even though I was afraid, she somehow made me feel safe and comfortable enough to believe that everything was going to be okay. It was from this day that I knew that nurses are real heroes.”

Nicola continued, “I became a nurse because I too want to make a difference. I want to be a beacon of hope, so that when you enter through the doors of Spanish Wells Government Clinic, whether in pain physically, or mentally - I’m a part of a multi-disciplinary team that is there - ready and able to serve you with love and compassion. The kind of service that let’s you know, ‘I’m here for you, and you are not alone’.

“What I love about nursing is that we get to make a difference in the lives of people when they are at their worst or faced with a difficult medical situation. It is in these moments that we get to give a little of ourselves, through using our nursing skills and techniques to either save a life, or help restore people back to their optimal level of functioning and prevent further complications. Nursing has taught me that despite race, gender, creed, religion or socio-economic background - ‘All lives matter’!

- and that it is so important to take advantage of every moment that we have with others. I honestly believe in making every encounter a therapeutic encounter.”

Nurse Antoniece Thompson.

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The Eleutheran

The Port Department Launches Its Online Portal

The Port Department now moves into the 21st century as it becomes accessible in cyberspace via its new digital platform, allowing its customers to be able to conduct business online.

During a press conference held on Monday, 26th April, Minister of Transport and Local Government, the Hon. Dion Foulkes said the move is among the government’s objectives of modernizing services at the Port Department. The new portal went live on Monday, May 3rd. Also in attendance at the press conference were the Minister of State for Finance, Sen. the Hon. Kwasi Thompson; Permanent Secretary, Bernadette Thompson and Officials from the Ministry of Finance.

Minister Foulkes said, “This move is in keeping with the government’s mandate to aggressively automate its services in its efforts to improve the ease of doing business for its clientele, both locally and internationally.” He said that the online service represents a collaborative effort between the Port Department, the Department of Transformation and Digitization and the Ministry of Finance. Among other services, customers will be able to complete applications and register private and commercial boats or watercraft such as jet skis and parasail.

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Another invaluable member of the nursing team at the Spanish Wells Community Clinic is Antoniece Thompson. She has been a Registered Nurse with the Department of Health (DPH) since December 2015, and also loves what she does. “What I love about being a nurse the most, is truly being able to extend my hand out to help others who are in need.

One of the reasons I chose to work for DPH is because it would award me with the opportunity to travel throughout the various Family Islands as a nurse and help where I can by doing what I love the best. Also, it allows me to experience the diverse culture each island has to offer and gain new experiences inside and out of the medical field.”

Antoniece also sees the current need to ensure equal access to high quality care in Family Islands, saying, “I would love to one day see all of the

Customers will be able to apply for an “A” or “B” class masters license and apply for a “D” class operator’s license; register a marine structure such as a private, commercial or industrial dock and apply for a foreign yacht charter license.

Documents can also be uploaded with the application.

Customers will receive email updates from Port officials on the status of their applications. Additionally, in a bid to expedite services, customers will be able to pay for all the aforementioned services online, via the solution’s built-in integration with the government’s DigiPay platform.

“Essentially, the public will now be able to conduct processes, which were previously carried out manually, in a streamlined manner for maximum productivity,” said Minister Foulkes.

Minister of State for Finance, Hon. Kwasi Thompson said that the Port Department’s new online portal will fully embrace the government’s goal of increasing and integrating online services to promote efficiency and accessibility for the general public. “Once again DigiPay, The Bahamas’ digital payment platform, has provided the gateway to facilitate the Government’s move towards moderniza-

inhabited islands within The Commonwealth of The Bahamas become effectively equipped with adequate medical personnel and equipment to sustain the islands’ populations.

This would allow people to receive medical services such as x-rays, ultrasounds and minor procedures on their islands without having to travel to Nassau or Freeport for such care.”

Louise Cartwright-Joseph, our final nurse highlighted at the Spanish Wells Government Clinic, is a Trained Clinical Nurse, who has been in the profession for the past 13 years. A theme for her, she says is always keeping in mind how she would want to be treated as a patient, saying, “I became a nurse for self-empowerment and because I had a passion to help people. I am motivated daily to be a better, kinder, more gentle and understanding nurse than the day before. I strive to serve with diligence and integrity, treating everyone I come in contact with, as I would like to be treated.”

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tion and digitization,” said Sen. Thompson.

“This innovative payment solution has the ability to seamlessly integrate with a wide range of business processes and systems throughout the government, allowing for a more accountable collection of government revenue.”

DigiPay has already been installed in several other agencies including the Immigration department and the Judiciary.

He added that DigiPay has made it possible for citizens in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Abaco and North Andros, aged 18 and over, to apply and pay for a range of government services including: copies of birth certificates, death and marriage certificate, police records, driver’s license renewal and e-Passport renewals.

As the platform will offer a secure payment feature, customers will be able to pay for applications with their credit or debit cards. In addition, he said that the DigiPay integration will soon be able to accept payments, with Sand Dollar, the country’s new digital currency, created by the Central Bank.

By: Betty Vedrine

Nurse Louise Cartwright-Joseph.

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World Day for Safety and Health at Work: ILO calls for resilient occupational safety and health systems for future emergencies GENEVA (ILO News) – Countries need to put in place sound and resilient occupational safety and health (OSH) systems that would minimize the risks for everyone in the world of work in the event of future health emergencies, says the International Labour Organization (ILO) in a report, released on World Day for Safety and Health at Work (April 28, 2021).

This will require investment in OSH infrastructure and integrating it into overall national crisis emergency preparedness and response plans, so that workers’ safety and health is protected, and the business continuity of enterprises is supported.

The report, ‘Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises. Invest now in resilient OSH system’, examines risk prevention and management relating to the pandemic, and analyses other health and safety risks associated with the changing work arrangements arising from virus control measures.

It outlines the critical roles played during the pandemic by occupational safety and health regulatory frameworks and institutions, compliance mechanisms, health and advisory services, data, research and training.

“There could be no clearer demonstration of the importance of a strong, resilient, occupational safety and health environment.

Recovery and prevention will require better national policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks, properly integrated into crisis re-

sponse frameworks,” said ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged workers in specific sectors, such as emergency, health and social care, have been particularly vulnerable to the risk of infection. According to data cited in the report, 7,000 health workers have died since the outbreak of the crisis, while 136 million health and social care workers are at risk of contracting COVID-19 through work.

The pressures and risks facing health workers during the pandemic have also taken a toll on their mental health: one in five healthcare workers globally have reported depression and anxiety symptoms.

As well as the health and care sectors many other workplaces have been sources of COVID-19 outbreaks, when staff are in closed environments or spend time in close proximity with each other, including in shared accommodation or transport.

In analyzing the health concerns arising from the dramatic increase in teleworking during the pandemic, the report says that while teleworking has been essential in limiting the spread of the virus, maintaining jobs and business continuity and giving workers increased flexibility, it has also blurred the lines between work and private life. Sixty-five per cent of enterprises surveyed by the ILO and the G20 OSH Network reported that worker morale has

been difficult to sustain while teleworking.

The report says small and micro-sized enterprises have often found it hard to meet official OSH requirements because many have lacked the resources to adapt to the threats posed by the pandemic.

In the informal economy, many of the 1.6 billion workers, especially in developing countries, have continued working despite lockdowns, restrictions on movement and social interaction, and other measures. This has put them at high risk of catching the virus, yet most do not have access to basic social protection, such as sick leave or sick pay.

International labour standards (ILS) offer specific guidance on how to respond to these challenges, thereby reducing the risk of virus transmission in the workplace, the report says.

They provide tools to implement OSH measures and to ensure that workers, employers and governments can maintain decent work, while adjusting to the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic.

ILS also encourage social dialogue as the best way to ensure that procedures and protocols are effectively implemented and accepted.

Source: ILO Newsroom

CARICOM AND US AGREE ON NEED TO WORK TOGETHER Foreign Ministers of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United States Secretary of State agreed on the need to work together on a number of issues of mutual interest.

In a virtual meeting on Wednesday 21st April, the two sides noted the inextricable link between the Community and the US and welcomed the Roundtable Discussion as an initial engagement between the new US administration and CARICOM. Honourable Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration of Belize and Chair of CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque made opening statements.

All three speakers expressed support for St Vincent and the Grenadines as the country grapples with the on-going eruption of the La Soufriere volcano. Both Minister Courtenay and

the Secretary-General spoke to the need for access to concessional development financing based on vulnerability, especially in this challenging period for the Region given the Covid-19 pandemic, the La Soufriere volcano and the upcoming hurricane season.

The discussions at the meeting focussed broadly around the Covid-19 pandemic and its health and economic fallout, recovery of the regional economy, climate change and democracy, human rights and security.

The CARICOM Ministers took the opportunity to urge the US to assist with access to much needed vaccines which was an imperative for the region to emerge from the economic devastation caused by the pandemic.

Secretary of State Blinken stressed his determination to strengthen co-operation and coordination and stated that he would engage with his colleague US Cabinet Secretaries on the issues of mutual interest raised by the CARICOM Ministers.

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Special Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government ref: SVG Volcanic Eruption

Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) met in Special Emergency session (14th Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government) on Thursday 15 April to discuss the situation in St Vincent and the Grenadines caused by the on-going volcanic eruptions of La Soufriere.

They committed to continue providing extensive support to St Vincent and the Grenadines and pledged solidarity with that Member State as it strove to cope with the disaster. The volcano erupted on Friday 9 April and has been spewing ash and emitting pyroclastic flows.

Dr the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines briefed his colleague Leaders on the situation at the meeting which was held virtually. It was presided over by the Chair of the Conference of Heads of Government Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. The meeting also received information from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) which is co-ordinating the regional response to the event.

Heads of Government were informed that the situation would be prolonged given

the level of uncertainty in respect of the behaviour of the volcano.

Prime Minister Gonsalves reported that more than 10,000 people had been evacuated from the immediate disaster area covering approximately one third of the island.

They are being housed in shelters and at homes of family and friends. Accommodation for evacuees is also being arranged by neighbouring States.

The ash and the pyroclastic flows have decimated crops and vegetation and compromised water sources. Food and water were identified as among the primary needs.

Member States indicated the level of support that had already been delivered and committed to providing further financial, technical and material support, in particular food and water. Security assistance is also being provided.

The Honourable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados alerted the meeting to the effects of the unprecedented heavy ashfall across that island which has resulted in major disruptions to the infrastructure including the closure of the Grantley Adams International Airport with an adverse effect on the tourism sector and the wider economy.

Heads of Government pledged their support

and solidarity with Barbados in treating with this significant challenge.

Prime Minister Gonsalves thanked his colleague Heads of Government and the Regional Institutions for their overwhelming support. He praised the work of the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC) which has been monitoring the volcano and expressed his deep appreciation for the efforts of CDEMA, the Regional Security System (RSS), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) in assisting the country.

Photo Caption: Ash plumes billow out from the La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on 13th April. (Photo via UN)

44 www. EleutheraNews . com

PM Minnis Announces Changes to Requirements for Vaccinated Travellers Prime Minister Hubert Minnis during an address in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, announced changes to travel requirements for fully vaccinated travellers moving within and coming to The Bahamas, referencing information presented by the Ministry of Health one day earlier.

He reiterated several points highlighted by Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis in her presentation about the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in The Bahamas at the Ministry of Health press conference, hosted on Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 Dr. Dahl-Regis, he said, noted that the pandemic is not over, that it is continuously presenting new challenges, and at this time vaccinations alone will not get us out of this pandemic. He quoted Dahl-Regis’ statement, “We must simultaneously address the increase in cases, the identification of resistant strains and adherence to the public health measures if we are to win this race and return to a sense of normalcy.”

PM Minnis pointed out that there had been an increase in daily infection numbers in the country during the past two weeks, and highlighted Dr. Dahl Regis’ observation that, “New infections are being driven by international travel and a relaxed adherence to the health measures.”

Dahl-Regis also highlighted concern over the suspected presence of variant strains of the COVID-19 virus now believed to be in country, saying that they spread more easily and are affecting younger age groups - with possibly more severe cases, adding, “The broad global uptick and increase in cases is affecting The Bahamas.”

Dahl-Regis pointed to a return to heightened surveillance, contact tracing, and accelerated uptake in vaccines as the path to controlling the pandemic within the Bahamas.

To assist contact tracing efforts, PM Minnis announced that after meeting with representatives of private labs on Tuesday, April 20th, data submission requirements were being tightened to a 24hr submission window for RT PCR test results, with stiffer penalties for labs not meeting requirements.

Enforcement of Emergency Orders would also be increased and enhanced said the PM, and he asked businesses, who were able to do so, to have their employees work from home where possible to decrease the spread of COVID-19.

The PM also announced a number of additional measures as follows: “Effective immediately, the daily curfew for mainland Abaco will be moved to 10 p.m. – 5 a.m.

“Travelers within The Bahamas who have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus will be exempted from COVID-19 test requirements that are currently

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in place when traveling from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera.

“These travelers will be exempted immediately after full vaccination. Proof of full vaccination will be required.

“Effective 1st May, those travelling to The Bahamas from outside of the country will be exempted from a COVID-19 test if they are fully vaccinated and have passed the two-week mmunity period. Proof of full vaccination will be required.

To be clear if an individual is not fully vaccinated that individual will still be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test where testing requirements are in place.”

According to PM Minnis, The Bahamas had administered approximately 22,000 doses of the 53,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine received, as of April 21st, on the islands of New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Eleuthera. Another 33,000 doses were expected to arrive before the end of May, through the COVAX Facility.

Vaccinations were set to continue, said the

Bahamas Government now the new owner of the GB Int’l Airport For the first time in 63 years, the government of The Bahamas is the owner of the Grand Bahama International Airport.

The Official Signing Ceremony of the Share Purchase Agreement between Freeport Airport Development Company P45 Limited and Freeport Harbour Company Limited and the signing of the

April/May, 2021

PM, throughout the Bahama island-chain. In the Family Islands the vaccine would be administered to all residents 18 years and older with a Bahamas Government-issued ID. The locations of vaccination sites and the days and times for each island are published on opm.gov.bs.

Family Island residents are asked to make their appointments online at: https://vax.gov.bs, however, on-site appointments are also available.

PM Minnis emphasized that now was not the time to relax, saying, “We must continue to practice the public health measures. Avoid large gatherings. Abide by the Emergency Orders. Wear your mask properly - over your nose and your mouth. Keep a distance of six feet from others when you are out. Wash or sanitize your hands regularly. And when you are eligible, get vaccinated! The sooner we get vaccinated, the sooner we can fully open our economy. The sooner we get vaccinated, the sooner we can get back to work.”

Waiver Agreement between the Government of the Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority took place on April 29, 2021.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis, along with Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar came to the island for the event.

Also present were: Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Michael Pintard; Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon Iram Lewis; Minister of State for Finance and for Grand Bahama, Sen. the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson; Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction, the Hon. Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe; Acting Chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Sarah St. George,; and Chief Executive Officer of Hutcheson, Allan Dixon.

The Prime Minister noted that despite storms and the devastating effects of COVID-19 on life and livelihoods, the march to recovery and the economic revival of Grand Bahama continues.

He said, “I firmly believe that every crisis brings new opportunity.

“I am pleased to announce today that we are delivering on our commitment to purchase the Grand Bahama International Airport.”

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GB Airport

This signing brought the number of airports owned throughout the country at various stages of development to 30.

“While this Airport in Grand Bahama was almost completely destroyed

by Dorian, our commitment is steadfast in the rebuilding of the Grand Bahama International Airport as a world-class facility.

“We will develop a modern facility that is designed and built to be resilient and meet the weather conditions that are experienced during the frequent storms that affect Grand Bahama.

This new facility will also enable the return of U.S. Preclearance.”

He continued, “Grand Bahama’s economy does well when residents have access to modern infrastructure and facilities.

“Your economy does well when we facilitate its major industries, including: manufacturing, shipping, financial services, and of course, tourism.

“We continue to demonstrate our commitment to the revitalization of this island’s economy.”

To strengthen this commitment, the government signed a Purchase Agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and the ITM Group and this deal should be completed soon.

Prime Minister Minnis said the employees of the Airport, 63 of them, will be employed by the Airport Authority if they choose.

New contracts will be issued during the week of May 24.

He further stated, “I am pleased to confirm that the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of the new Grand Bahama International Airport is significantly underway. The Department of Aviation is working closely with our International Consultants, Leigh Fisher.

“This group has helped to successfully steward similar projects in our region to issue a market-leading RFP, so that market can drive the process. We are pleased that there is high interest in the airport development and continue to receive many inquiries for the redevelopment of this Airport.

“Accordingly, we engaged Leigh Fisher in order to be transparent in the redevelopment of the facility, and in awarding a contract to a new management partner. We expect that the RFP will be issued within the next three months and a decision made as soon as the review process is completed.”

It is hoped that through the arrangement with a private partner, the government will not have to spend significant funds. There are five Bahamian companies interested in the redevelopment of the facility.

WELL ATTENDED – Government officials and a few members of the public were invited to the signing of the Share Purchase Agreement between Freeport Airport Development Company and Freeport Harbour Company and the signing of the Waiver Agreement between the Government of The Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority which was held on Thursday, April 29. (BIS Photos/Lisa Davis)

The government will spend approximately $1.5 million to rebuild the Customs Warehouse, carryout elevator and structural repairs to the Air Traffic Control Tower and secure office space for the Airport management team and airlines.

“As we previously reported, we are paying the Freeport Harbour Company $1.00 for this airport facility, let me repeat, ONE BAHAMIAN DOLLAR. “Additionally, we are paying approximately $1 million to assist in staff severance costs.

“The Freeport Harbour Company has invested $1.6 million to convert the Fixed Based Operation or FBO into a new temporary terminal and has been subsidizing the monthly operating costs of this facility.

“After the transfer date, and until the new PPP is identified through the RFP process, the Government has committed to continue to carry these costs.

Employees, he noted, are assured that their jobs are secured.

The Prime Minister listed several things the government is working on, “This airport facility that we will develop; the Grand Lucayan Hotel that is now open and will soon change owners; the newly renovated Rand Hospital along with the new four-story expansion project, the Royal Caribbean/ITM cruise port terminal facility and the Carnival Cruise port facility are exam-

OFFICIAL SIGNING – The Bahamas Government now owns the Grand Bahama International Airport following the official signing ceremony on Thursday.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis and Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar were present for the event. Shown from left are: Berlise Pintard, Legal Counsel for Hutcheson; Algernon Cargill, Director of Aviation; Karla McIntosh, Legal Counsel for the Grand Bahama Port Authority and Sarah St. George, Acting Chairman, Grand Bahama Port Authority.

ples of our determined and unwavering fight to inject new life into Grand Bahama.”

Source: BIS; Written By: Robyn Adderley

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Passport Services

tiative two months ago, 43 passports have been issued in Inagua; 209 passports in Exuma; and 42 passports in Long Island, said the Prime Minister. The Passport Office will also continue to deploy its Mobile Team to areas that have smaller populations that are not served by local offices.

Earlier this year, residents of various islands were enrolled via the Mobile Team, and the New Providence Passport Office is presently considering requests from Bimini and Andros.

“My Government will continue efforts to diversify and decentralize our economy,”

said Prime Minister Minnis.

“Our Family Islands are well poised for development.”

Local South Eleuthera community leader, Ronald Horton, who made the trip from Rock Sound to Governor’s Harbour to attend the opening of the new passport office, commented after the ceremony, “I’m extremely excited. At one time we brought personnel from the passport office in New Providence here, but it is great to know now that it is here permanently. I think this is an excellent thing, and I’m very pleased. I’m more than happy to see that the whole island will now be able to ben-

Above: PM Minnis with Eleuthera MP’s Mackey and Johnson, and other officials, cutting the ribbon to declare the new Eleuthera Passport Office open. Below: Audience of government personnel and Eleuthera residents in attendance at the opening ceremony, held on Friday, April 30th, 2021.

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efit from this.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Darren Henfield, also weighed in briefly following the midday ribbon-cutting, saying, “It is very important that we are able to cause Family Islanders to be able to access the same amenities, particu-

larly government services, that are now provided in New Providence and Grand Bahama. It’s very significant, and it’s a policy initiative that I am very pleased to be a part of.

The Prime Minister, in his remarks during the opening ceremony, also not-

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1 (242) 422-9350 email / website services@TheEleutheran.com editor@TheEleutheran.com www.EleutheraNews.com

fax/landline

1 (242) 332-2993 The Eleutheran, P. O. Box EL-25166, Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera, The Bahamas.

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Above and Below: The dance worship group from Global Outreach Ministries entertained the audience during the Eleuthera Passport Office opening ceremony.

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Ceremony

ed that new cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations have increased in The Bahamas in recent weeks. He reminded Eleuthera residents that the pandemic is not over and stressed the importance of continuing to abide by the public health measures and Emergency Orders.

He urged residents to get vaccinated. “[COVID-19] vaccines are available to all Bahamians and permanent residents 18 years and older,” said the Prime Minister. “We need as many people as possible vaccinated in order to get out of the emergency phase of the pandemic and return to normal lives.”

During a short meeting with the press, following the passport office opening in Governor’s Harbour, PM Minnis made comment on a range of questions asked by attending reporters. In response to whether or not he had received any indication of the Bahamas getting access to Astrazeneca vaccines manufactured in the U.S., he replied, “No, but we have been continuously and aggressively searching for vaccines, and I am certain that we will find the necessary amount to vaccinate our entire population.”

In answer to a question asked about concerns in response to the issue brought to the attention of the public during the previous week about Aqua Design Bahamas, possibly decommissioning and pulling out its equipment from the Reverse Osmosis Water Plants in South Eleuthera, over yet another payment dispute with the Bahamas government, the PM stated, “I think that matter has been resolved, I’ve spoken with the Minister of Works this morning. I’ve spoken to both he and the Financial Secretary, and as I speak to you now, they are aggressively resolving that matter.” In a follow up the PM was questioned on whether the government had any plans to implement independent water infrastructure in islands now dependent on private/foreign providers. “Yes, we are,” he said, adding, “Water and Sew-

Students with the Central Eleuthera High School band also performed during the afternoon ceremony. erage (W&S) are aggressively pursuing putting in the necessary infrastructure in all the Family Islands, and if you have been following W&S investments and movement, you would see that they have been doing that. They are implementing the necessary facilities even in Long Island at this particular time.”

With his push to encourage residents to get vaccinated, the PM was also asked about what resources were in place in Eleuthera to respond to the possible scenario of a person having a severe reaction after receiving the vaccine, to which he responded, “First of all, we have no recorded cases of anyone having a severe reaction after receiving the vaccine. However, you would note that as individuals are being vaccinated, there is an observatory period, and the necessary professionals are there. But, we have not had such a problem.”