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FRIDAY,

AUGUST 29, 2014

VOLUME 108, No.35

www.thevincentian.com

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ALL SMILES: L-R: Former Prime Minister James Mitchell; Governor General, Frederick Ballantyne; Prime Minister, Dr. Hon Ralph Gonsalves; Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Weber Shih, and Opposition Leader, Hon Arnhim Eustace.

by GLORIAH…

Prime Minister Dr. Gonsalves presents His Excellency Weber Shih with a parting gift, while his wife Eloise Gonsalves does likewise with Mrs. Shih (right).

Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Weber Shih, who in the opinion of many has served our two nations with honour, was last Wednesday, 20th August, treated to a reception hosted by Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves at the official residence of the Prime Minister.

The Taiwanese Ambassador, who has dutifully served his country for the past four years in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, will depart these shores on August 30th to take up duties, on promotion, in his home country. Ambassador Shih will commandeer the position of Secretary General of Taiwan’s International Development and Cooperation Fund (TaiwanIDCF).

The farewell reception heard remarks from several speakers which paid tribute to the Ambassador and to the level of cooperation in which his country engaged SVG. Hon. Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Foreign Affairs, recalled that forging links with Taiwan was one of the first acts which SVG undertook as an independent nation. He said that Taiwan has touched the fabric of SVG in a number of ways. He went on to say that it was Taiwan’s own struggles that have informed its solidarity with St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Continued on Page 3.

Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Weber Shih delivering his remarks at the reception.

2. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

V News 3 Credit Unions under closer supervision A NEW BODY HAS BEEN CREATED to keep a closer watch on Credit Unions within the region. It is the Caribbean Association of Credit Union Supervisors, and emerged from a recent meeting of Credit Union Regulators.

Credit Unions can share information, and work in harmony on aspects of supervision and regulation. The

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 3.

Some of the workshop participants.

Left: Chairman of the FSA, Mr. Leon Snagg.

confidence in the currency union if it failed.

Caribbean Association of Authority of St. Vincent Snagg stressed the Credit Union Supervisors and the Grenadines. role of both regulators will “serve as a resource They have been given and the industry in for credit union the task of serving as the ensuring proper practices regulators and to keep inaugural Secretariat for and stability in this abreast of regulatory and the Association of sector. industrial developments.” Supervisors until 2016.

Ralph Wharton, A workshop was Chairman of the local General Manager of the sponsored by the FSA Leon Snagg noted Caribbean Confederation Caribbean Regional that, while the raised concern over of Credit Unions, Technical Assistance cooperative business potential economic and welcomed the formation Centre and hosted by the model had proven social hardship, financial of a network of Financial Services economically viable, he shock and loss of public Caribbean Credit Union

Regulators, pledged to work together to achieve “an enabling but sound framework for Caribbean Credit Unions.”

Representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Anguilla, Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Grenada, Dominica, Haiti, British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, joined with local colleagues at Sunset Shores for the two-day event.

SVG says goodbye to Ambassador Shih blossom even further.

“We will continue in our Former Prime solidarity and advocacy for Minister James Taiwan and their interests,” Mitchell also rose he was adamant, “as we are to give accolades confident that they will to the continue in their own support Ambassador. He of our developmental traced the aspirations.” development of Leader of the Opposition, the relationship Hon. Arnhim Eustace called between the two the relationship between countries, Taiwan and SVG “a loving showing the role relationship, a respectful of his New relationship that often goes Democratic Party, and detailing the many successes and even giving The Taiwanese contingent turned out to support the Ambassador at the hints of failed projects that were reception. started with good manifestations of our very (IADC), and the Overseas intent. strong links of solidarity. Dr. Engineering and Construction Prime Minister Gonsalves Gonsalves added that Co. Ltd. (OECC), and began his remarks with the Taiwan’s unwavering support observing all stages of the pronouncement of his construction. “More country’s “profound gratitude, was shown in December in importantly, to hand over the our thanks, to His Excellency acts of friendship after the natural disaster. That, he completed project to the Weber Shih for his immense said, “is one which will remain Honourable Prime Minister, contribution to our country’s with us always.” and to see it standing tall as a development and to the In his response, His landmark of the island,” strengthening of the relations Excellency Weber Shih said Ambassador Shih said. He between St. Vincent and the that four years ago, he had offered special thanks to the Grenadines and the Republic come to SVG with a special leadership of the Hon. Prime of China (Taiwan).” The mission. This, he outlined as Minister and the joint efforts Prime Minister went on to the building of the passenger of his Vincentian colleagues. give real examples of the terminal of the Argyle In his new capacity, he said, “I benefits in infrastructure, International Airport. He said look forward to continuing my education, agriculture which that over the years, he had efforts to promote our existing SVG has received from its had the honour of witnessing project cooperation.” cooperation with Taiwan. the signing of the construction Ambassador Shih’s Despite all of these, he was agreement between replacement will arrive in St. insistent, however, that “the Rudy Matthias presents token of appreciation to Ambassador International Airport Vincent and the Grenadines people-to-people links” were Weber Shih.

Development Company on September 12th, 2014. among the more profound Continued from Frontpage.

beyond the boundaries of simple diplomacy and democracy”. He lauded the Ambassador when he said, “I am extremely grateful to the Ambassadors that have come, one after the other, here to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to represent Taiwan. And Ambassador Shih is no exception to the rule, and I want to compliment him in that regard.” Eustace went on to say that in Shih’s new position, he was confident that the Kingstown-Taipei ties will

V

4. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Court

Investigations continue into former Registrar’s affair UP TO PRESS TIME Wednesday, Police were unable to say whether or not more charges would be brought against former High Court Registrar Tamara ‘Tammy’ Gibson-Marks.

On Thursday, August 21, the St Acting Commissioner of Police Reynold Lucian-born lawyer appeared Hadaway. at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to abuse of office, false certification by a public officer, and the theft of $21,925, the property of the Mediation Programme of the High Court. She was released on $30,000 bail with one surety, and will return to court October 7.

When contacted on Tuesday, Acting Commissioner of Police Reynold Hadaway told THE VINCENTIAN, “We cannot say at this moment whether additional charges will be brought or not.

We are continuing dialogue with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to determine whether any additional charges will be preferred”.

He confirmed that investigations were ongoing.

Still no Chief Magistrate

Prosecutor chides parents

Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS THE OFFICE of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) looks forward to the appointment of a Chief Magistrate, a post that has been vacant for the past four months.

“We all want to see the wheels of justice turning; we have a vested interest in that”, DPP Colin Williams admitted, while speaking to THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday.

The post of Chief Magistrate became vacant after then Chief Magistrate Sonya Young presided here for the last on April 4 this year. She subsequently took up duties in Belize as a High Court Judge.

The Serious Offences Court, over Director of Public which she presided, has not been sitting Prosecutions Colin Williams. since. That Court deals with all Preliminary Inquiries, except those involving offences of a sexual nature, as well as trials involving firearms, ammunition, and drug-related matters.

While the DPP admits that the prolonged absence of a Chief Magistrate will create hardships for all those connected to the criminal justice system, he is aware that steps are being taken to have the post filled.

Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche, who heads the summary division in the DPP’s office, told THE VINCENTIAN he would like to see the post filled as soon as possible, so that the very serious matters could be dealt with. He, however expressed confidence that it would be filled soon. He noted that it was advertised, but he was not aware if there were any applicants.

Delpleche is of the view that if those matters scheduled for hearing at the Serious Offences Court continue to build up, it could have serious implications.

“Justice delayed can be justice denied, and everybody would like to have their day in court — defendants, virtual complainants, and witnesses”, the Senior Prosecutor declared.

The Chief Magistrate is appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC).

PROSECUTOR at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Glenford Gregg is of the view that the attitude of some parents contribute to manyof the social problems in society today.

“Society is what it is today, because of some of us parents”, ASP Gregg lamented during a sitting of the Court on Monday.

Gregg told Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias that he overheard the mother of a defendant in an unlawful possession matter saying outside the Court building, “My son don’t thief; it easier for him to kill than thief. People does find phone, the boy nah thief no phone”.

The defendant Brandon Arthur, 22, of New Montrose, was being tried for having in his possession a Blackberry cellular phone and a Samsum Galaxy cellular phone, reasonably suspected of being stolen or unlawfully obtained at Kingstown, July 9, 2014. He was convicted and bonded for six months.

In breach of the bond, he will have to pay $1,500 forthwith or six months in prison.

Arthur, who was not represented by a lawyer, told the Court, that the Blackberry belonged to him, and he exchanged it for an Iphone, while he found the Samsung Galaxy at Paul’s Avenue next to a grassroot.

‘Tammy’ not considered flight risk FORMER High Court Registrar Tamara ‘Tammy’ Gibson-Marks, who was released on $30,000 bail when she appeared in Court Thursday, August 21 on three criminal charges, is not considered a flight risk.

The prosecution made no request for Gibson-Marks to surrender her travel documents as a bail condition.

When contacted on Wednesday, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche told THE VINCENTIAN that the reasons why the prosecutor made no request for her travel documents to be surrendered was because, “she returned to the state voluntarily, we do not see her as a flight risk, and she is married to a Vincentian”.

Gibson-Marks, a St Lucian-born lawyer, is the wife of Vincentian attorney Ronald Marks.

The former Registrar is charged with abuse of office, false certification by a public officer, and the theft of $21,925, the property of the Mediation Programme of the High Court. The theft offence is alleged to have occurred between April 30, 2014 and May 21, 2014, while the other offences are reported to have occurred May 7, 2014 respectively. She pleaded not guilty to the charges when she stood before Magistrate Rechanne BrowneMatthias at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

Gibson-Marks took up the post of High Court Registrar here in 2008.

She vacated her position and left the state May this year, following a meeting with this country’s Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan.

The former Registrar returned to

the state Wednesday, August 20. She was taken into custody the following day and slapped with the three charges following a meeting with the Attorney General.

GibsonTamara GibsonMarks’s Marks was placed on matters have $30,000 bail when been adjourned she appeared before the court last to October 7 Thursday. this year, but an application by the Attorney General for her to be disbarred is expected to be heard later in September.

Female professional reportedly raped UP TO PRESS TIME Wednesday, morning hours of Tuesday by two police were investigating a report of unmasked men. rape involving a female professional.

The assailant reportedly fled It was reported that the woman following the ordeal. was raped at her home in the early

V Record 685K visitors for St Lucia cruise season

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 5.

Regional

lines, which has contributed to the increase in numbers this season.

Back on the itinerary this year after over an eight-year hiatus, is Disney Cruise lines, which will be making approximately five calls to the island for 2014/2015.

“St Lucia has become one of the The celebrated Disney Cruise Lines is returning to St. Lucia. best performing cruise destinations in the Caribbean, and this is no accident.

“The port is located in Castries PORT AUTHORITY OFFICIALS over 685,000 cruise passengers and over Pointe Seraphine Duty Free Shopping Malls in where there is an eclectic mix of in St. Lucia are reporting that 375 cruise ships, for the upcoming Castries. traditional charm and modern day they are poised to welcome 2014/2015 Cruise Season. conveniences, including Duty Free This marks an increase shopping at La Place Carenage and from the previous year.

Pointe Seraphine Duty Free Shopping Dona Regis, Director of Malls.

Marketing and Product AUGUST 15, 2014 marked 100 years since unveiling last month, the minister said he “We continue to work with our Development, says over the the Panama Canal became operational. was “enormously honoured to be unveiling industry partners to ensure that years, there has been a slight Built over the course of ten years, today, a new bronze plaque here at the passengers and crew receive the following previous failed attempts, the Miraflores Locks that will memorialise the dip in numbers, but the warmest welcome at Port Castries and upcoming season seems to be Panama Canal is a 77.1 Km (48 miles) important contribution of the people of the continuously promote Port Castries long ship canal, that cuts across British West Indies, in the construction of better than previous. and Saint Lucia as the ideal cruise “A number of cruise lines the Isthmus of Panama, and connects the Canal. I hope this plaque will be seen destination,” Regis stated. the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) by all the visitors to the Canal for the next are returning, including For the past two years, Port Carnival cruise Lines, Royal to the Pacific Ocean. It is a major conduit 100 years.” for international maritime trade.

Following the presentation, the minister Caribbean International, P&O Castries has been ranked in the top 50 ports by the Global Cruise Market The vast majority of workers who made had the chance to meet members of the Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Magazine. (Source:Caribbean 360) this project possible came from the West West Indian community in Panama; in Windstar and MSC cruise Indies, particularly during the period 1904 some cases direct — 1914 when the United States of descendants of American assumed responsibility for its those whose construction. labours had built It is purported that over 50,000 the Canal one individuals travelled from the then British hundred years ago.

West Indies, including St. Vincent, to work (Source: Caribbean on the Canal. Figures purport that some News Now) 20,000 of those came JAMAICA HAS AGAIN taken from Barbados. the lead in matters related to Interestingly, the the possession of ganja internationally (marijuana). acclaimed West Indies On Wednesday 13th cricketer, George August, that country’s Headley, was born in Security Minister, Peter Panama in 1909 during Bunting, announced that the height of police can no longer arrest construction. He was people for possession of small raised in Jamaica. amounts of ganja, but must, To honour the instead, serve them with contribution of the summonses.

West Indian workers, Minister Bunting’s Britain’s Foreign Office Peter Bunting, Security Minister for Latin announcement came minutes Minister, hopes that the new America, Hugo Swire after the Jamaica Police measure will help to prevent MP, recently presented Service high command had Mario Deane’s death may just reoccurrences of the type a bronze plaque at the Plaque honouring the thousands of issued a statement, indicating have prompted the Jamaica that caused the death of Miraflores Locks Visitor West Indian workers who laboured that six police officers had authorities into action.

Mario Deane.

Centre, in Panama. been suspended and on the construction of the Panama immediately declare an Speaking at the necessary policy and interdicted for their role in the Canal. amnesty on all arrests for legislative changes to avoid beating death of 31-year-old uncompressed ganja under the recurrence of a tragedy Mario Deane. like the one that caused Deane died as a result of a one pound.

The outcry attracted the Deane’s death. beating he is said to have Here in St. Vincent, a received from police, while in attention of the Jamaica Government, and Minister Public Prosecutor is on record custody for possession of a Bunting disclosed that he was as saying that he will not ‘spliff’ (of ganja). He died a in receipt of a memorandum waste the ‘Court’s time and few days after the beating is money’, prosecuting someone alleged to have been inflicted. from the Attorney General’s Chambers, and after for possession of a ‘spliff’.

Deane’s death evoked a discussions with Acting Police Since that statement was quick response from the Commissioner Glenmore made, there has been a (Jamaica) Ganja Future Hinds, it was determined that dramatic decrease, if not a Growers Producers the constabulary will apply total discontinuation, of Association (GFGPA), among the referred measure, re persons being brought before other organizations and summonses. the courts for possession of prominent individuals. The Bunting also assured that miniscule amounts of ganja.

GFGPA repeated its call, first The Panama Canal, in addition to being one of the world’s (Source: RJR News, Jamaica: made as long ago as 1999, for his Government was greatest engineering achievements, plays a critical committed to making the The Loop) role in facilitating and shaping global trade. the government to

West Indian workers honoured in Panama

No more arrests for small amounts of weed

V SVGTCU awards Bursary and AÊ Level scholarships 6. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Stories by KENVILLE HORNE

THE ST.VINCENT and the Grenadines Teachers Credit Union (SVGTCU) has awarded ten bursaries and two A’Level scholarships to its members and members’ children, who are desirous of furthering their education.

During its Annual Bursary and A’ Level Scholarship Awards Ceremony that took place at the union headquarters in Kingstown on Tuesday, the 12 recipients accepted cheques amounting to EC$25,000.

EC$3,000 each was awarded to Trackeisha Davis and Michelle Wyllie, who would be pursuing studies overseas, while, Ivonne Butler, Odette John, Janet Joseph, Keisha Yorke-Peters , Sherine Quahsie, Gizla Rawlins, Ingrid Walker-White, and Carlitha LetteenWilliams each received bursaries of EC$ 2,000.

This year’s A’Level scholarship awardees are Kerron Glasgow and Avril Hamilton, both of whom will be attending the Community College and will receive funding for the two years, once they maintain good grades.

Addressing the ceremony, President of SVGTCU Dwight Lewis said that a number of financial institutions have introduced fees in their business transaction with

SVGTCU President, Dwight Lewis.

Executive of the SVGTCU, along with Scholarship recipients.

customers, but the credit unions have not done that. He stated that, as a result of the financial institutions’ action, “they would have in many ways eroded the little interest that you get on your savings. So what essentially is happening, they are taking your interest; but Teachers Credit Union and the credit union movement generally are taking interest in you”, proclaimed Lewis.

Lewis, who was part of the selection process for the recipients, said that he was impressed by their result. “What perhaps is a little disturbing to me is the absence of the males,” opined the SVGTCU president. “I think we have to do a lot more to save our males,” he observed, adding that the credit union has placed a lot of emphasis on

education.

He said the union utilized some of its surplus to invest in the advancement of its members’ education, and encouraged the recipients to speak to the management if they experience any financial difficulties, “and am sure that we can put something in place, where we can assist you in one form or the other.

The critical thing here is successful completion,” said Lewis, before congratulating them and imploring them to give back to the Union after they have completed studies. “See if you could give back something to the credit union movement. This is a great movement, and we are all volunteers… We would need people like you as volunteers, whether serving on committees, and perhaps

even reaching to the level as director in the movement,” he concluded.

CEO of the Teachers Credit Union, Julian Jack said the idea of awarding bursaries for persons who were doing studies “overseas at the time,” came into being a few years after the SVGTCU was

established. Jack explained that the SVG TU has always been concerned about education. “And even when we did not always have the funds, physically to do what we think should be done, we found means and ways in which to get our members, in the first case to get involved in

education, and that is through the whole process of giving loans”, he emphasized.

Jack congratulated the recipients on their success, noting that the results are the best he has ever seen from any set of recipients over the years.

CEO critical of UWI system SVGTCU CEO, Julian Jack.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Credit Union (SVGTCU), Julian Jack has leveled criticism against the University of the West Indies (UWI) for what he deemed as failure by the university in making their students more critical.

Jack said he heard Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves speak to the question of people being able to analyze things, “and I have been a critic of the education system here, and I have criticized UWI for that too”, said Jack.

According to the SVGTCU CEO, many of the university graduates here, would have received most of their education through the UWI system, “but the UWI system don’t make

you a very critical person” declared Jack.

He said persons graduating from the university tend to come back to the country and “want to work with government”.

Jack, however, admitted that in recent times, he has been seeing some changes.“But before that, they didn’t encourage you to be a person that can set up individual businesses, because they don’t give you a lot of that exposure, at UWI itself, where you go and join firms and companies and those kind of things, so that you learn how to do things, not just by books, but you have the practical experience of doing things through your studies,” said Jack. “I am admitting now that

am seeing more of that coming on stream. Don’t know if they heard me before, but if they didn’t, they should hear me now saying that am congratulating them for doing that, and they need to continue that down the road, otherwise we will still be left with a society that is not really and truly ready to take the country forward,” he concluded.

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 7.

News

Three Vincentians graduate in Trinity’s fifth term TWENTY-SIX STUDENTS of Trinity School of Medicine, situated at Ratho Mill, participated in the institution’s Fifth Term Student Clinician Ceremony on Tuesday, August, 19th at the school. Three Vincentians: Glenor Black, Tenneille Da Silva, and Delana Peters, participated in this ceremony.

In the midst of mixed emotions, Leighton Elliot, student speaker, stood at the lectern and gave a speech which further drew on the emotions of his classmates and others present. He began by saying that, Trinity had given each one of them a special chance. He was adamant that, although they will separate as they move on to the next phase in their careers, the experiences that Trinity afforded them had created an inseparable bond. “We will continue on this journey as one. We will continue to stay shoulder to shoulder as we have done in these lecture halls, although we will be scattered in different states in the U.S.,” he said.

Informing his colleagues that “Tonight is about celebrating our class”, Elliot went on to

The full delegation of graduates. lad, You’ve all that the greatest of men have had’ and ended with the profound words, ‘With your equipment they all began. Get hold of yourself, and say: ‘I can’.’

Students were L-R: Vincentian graduates: Delana Peters, presented with their Tennielle Da Silva and Glenor Black.

Professionalism Pins by call each by name and to Grenada when Hurricane Dr. Frances Jack and Dr. Ivan had struck. She highlight each one’s Conrad Nedd, Assistant recounted some of her special attributes that Professor of Clinical experiences, stating that Medicine and Clinical had contributed to that at one point, she had to individual’s success and Preceptor. Student, hold the hands of others Janelle Hadley then that of the group. It was at this point that the in the same storm in solemnly said the words order to make it through. of the Gold Foundation emotions went to a “You may not have gone Humanism Oath. height. Everyone cheered, laughed, cajoled, through that, but you Student Zach Curtis would have gone through and gave special your metaphorical commendations. Elliot hurricane,” she told thanked Faculty and them. “You could claim Staff, reminding them your own hurricane. You that, “We started this journey as strangers, but have held hands through the gusty winds at we will continue as Trinity and have made friends!” it.” Dr. Scott expressed Keynote Speaker at that that class in the Ceremony, Dr. particular had given her Bernadette Scott, Clinical Tutor, began by a very unique experience, telling the students that and concluded by quoting Edgar Albert Guest’s she remembered herself at that same point in her poem, ‘Equipment’, career. She said that she which began with the had been a student at St. encouragement, ‘Figure it out for yourself, my George’s University in

made the presentation of the Student Government Association Awards Most Outstanding 5th Termers, Best Pre-Med Faculty; Best Term 1 and 2 Faculty; Best Term 3 and 4 Faculty; Best Term 5 Faculty and Best Supportive Staff.

Dr. Andreas Reymann, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Evaluations, and Professor of Pharmacology, presented the Faculty awards for “Best Results in Basic Sciences”; “Best Results in the National Board of

Medical Examiners” (NBME) examination; “Future Physician Award” and the “White Coat Award”.

The students will now move on to write the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, and then will, for the next five terms, do clinical rotations. After these, they will they sit the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills and Clinical Knowledge, for permission to practise as a resident in the United States.

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8. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Views The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Managing Editor: Desiree Richards Editor: Cyprian Neehall Telephone: 784-456-1123 Fax: 784-451-2129 Website: www.thevincentian.com Email: vinpub@thevincentian.com Mailing Address: The Vincentian Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 592, Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Editorial

The NIS under scrutiny REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines would want to pat itself of its shoulders for having devised ‘another creative means’ (a masterstroke?) of getting out of ‘another’ finance-related quandary, the bottom line of the recent foray surrounding the National Insurance Services (NIS) remains thus: The Government, this country’s largest single employer, had failed to honour its obligation of paying into the NIS, the monthly contributions (employer and employee) for civil servants.

As disclosed by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, that indebtedness by government to the NIS had reached an unprecedented (record) high of $15m. It was interesting to note that no public declaration was ever made regarding this indebtedness, before a measure of redress applicable to this defaulting, was tabled during a Sitting of Parliament.

Nothing that arises as a means to address this delinquency will remove the stain. The non-payment of NIS contributions will remain as an indictment against this defaulter, moreso because it is government, which seems to have been accorded immunity in the face of that delinquency, and further that it would have been allowed to devise its own plan of action, to address the breech in regulations that apply, should apply, equally to all employers.

Not for the first time, the Minister of Finance has led an escape from a tightening noose that, while it might work in this case, the fear that the situation could repeat itself must not be dismissed willy nilly. It comes down to a question of confidence.

But, given the usual in-your-face-attitude to occurrences that could read havoc at the polls, expect that the Prime Minister, the government and the ULP will face the issue head on, and provide a spin to the issue that will, hopefully for them, lessen the impact on a not so distant major, future national decision-making exercise.

Expect that issue to remain a fixture on the national political landscape. It will, for major damage has been done and, while there might be a measure in place to repair it, our NIS has been exposed to government debt. And no amount of comparison to what obtains in other Eastern Caribbean countries will remove that. SVG might be the least exposed, quantitatively, but we must not lose sight of the reality of economies of scale.

It is always what we can afford to absorb, to manage, not how much we should stretch what works, that matters.

Yet, for all the focus that is currently trained on the NIS, neither government nor opposition wants to see the NIS fail. In fact, no citizen of this country, those who have contributed, those who contribute, and those who will contribute, wants to see the NIS fail.

Far from that!!!

But, given the scrutiny it now endures, not only because of this latest occurrence, but also because of the role it acquiesced or was influenced to play in the construction of the international airport, and given that this (scrutiny) will not wane in the future, it is incumbent on those who are charged with its day to day management, those entrusted to decide on policy, and the government as guardian on behalf of the people, that a policy and method be agreed to ensure greater transparency and relay of information, beyond news of increased contributions and benefits, so as to appease the thousands of contributors and beneficiaries, that all is well with the Service.

Politicians should not be the ones delegated the first and last say as it applies to the NIS. This is not a Service that speaks to a politically partisan benefit. This is benefit for the vast majority of working people, that offers some restitution for their labour when it is no longer required.

It follows, therefore, that there are many who would want to question the whereabouts of the Board of Directors of the NIS, when decisions affecting the very operation of the Service, are relayed through some Resolution, some amended Bill in Parliament.

When politicians would want to make the best for themselves out of a bad or threatening situation, one that in the long run will affect a large percentage of the people of this country, the citizenry would want to know that there is an impartial Board of qualified persons who will safeguard their interest.

Then again, given the appointment of Statutory Boards in this country, can we truly expect impartiality when the … hits the fan?

The NIS is not a footstool.

A throw-back to Lynch and eulogists MY CO-WORKER KEITH JOSEPH gets carried away with Dr. Gonsalves and what he calls “The Politics of the Dead”.

In fact, Dr. Gonsalves has chalked up quite a few eulogies under his belt.

First came Mike Douglas’, followed by brother Rosie’s, both former Dominican Prime Ministers.

Gonsalves failed to secure the privilege of sending off Tim Hector of Antigua, who two years earlier had assisted in the launching of Ralph’s first book, the honour falling to George Odlum. Ralph struck back to earn the privilege of giving George’s Funeral oration, after two visits within a matter of days to George’s dying bed-side.

Friendships apart, Ralph wanted to have the credit of reconciling George with Kenny Anthony for future reference.

“Son” Mitchell had done a similar job in Grenada at Gairy’s funeral (which Ralph declined to attend), in smoothing the part for Keith Mitchell to inherit the Gairy legacy, at least the positive part of it.

It is, of course, not all political calculation and cynicism. There were strong ties among the Mohicans-Michael, Rosie, Tim, George and Ralph: But nothing could quite replicate the bond between “Son” Mitchell and Errol Barrow, Prime Minister of Barbados, which bordered on the uncanny.

This mysterious telepathy was so compelling that on one occasion, letters crossed where both leaders had invited one another to address the national convention of their respective parties on the same date!

Eventually, the Mitchell eulogy on Barrow was so touching that it caused Mitchell himself to shed “eye-water”, opening up the floodgate for the men of Barbados to release all their pent up feelings in a downpour of tears!

On the local front, there is often a quiet but dogged fight among the politicians for the prize of doing the eulogy.

Ralph had it all his way with the state funeral he granted Michael Hamlett, and outflanked family members to deliver the eulogy at Luther Robertson’s burial. In the case of Hobbes Huggins, Ralph performed the feat of delivering the eulogy around the very time that he had planned to dismiss Hobbes’ son Joel, from being the manager of Vinlec.

With the interment of Sir Charles Antrobus, however, Prime Minister Gonsalves had to play second fiddle to “Son” Mitchell, who had shared a great

friendship with Sir Charles, harking back to their school days.

I, too, have done my fair share of eulogies, as in the cases of my two close friends Eddie Griffith and Stuart Nanton, on whose endearing memories I poured out my heart.

In the case of Ebenezer Joshua, I wrapped the fallen hero in a shroud of Local history, sociology, culture and politics, which went down well with the regional congregation, to the chagrin of Gonsalves, who repeatedly expressed the view that the job should have been his to handle!

When I go, the only disposition in my will would be that my eulogy be done by one of three powerful orators: Andrew Cummings, who produced a beauty on the passing of Sir Rupert John and George Thomas; the redoubtable Parnel Campbell, who is a wordsmith in his own right, as displayed in his eulogies, including that presented on behalf of “Mammy” Joshua; and John Horne, whose comprehensive classic on Kerwyn Morris and, recently on Irma Norris, are worthy of preservation for all time.

But I rather suspect that, if they are not quick on the uptake, Dr. Gonsalves could well beat the three to the podium!

There is one eulogy or tribute to which I shall allude, not for the first time, involving me, the funeral of Sir Sydney Gun -Munro.

Sydney Gun Munro, ex-Governor General of SVG, died as he had lived, simply and honestly. He wanted no STATE FUNERAL, to which he was entitled, but wished a simple burial service led by family and close friends, among whom I was personally invited and requested to pay a tribute.

The Funeral took place in Bequia, where Sir Sydney passed his last days, simply and quietly, lacking pomp and show which are hall-marks of the State and political funerals nowadays.

The ULP Government, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and his top brass, including his Deputy Straker, Slater and Julian Francis, put in a presence; but there was no input from any of them.

The “Searchlight” newspaper carried a report of the funeral, with full mention of the Government’s turn-out, but not one word of my invitation to pay tribute which I delivered. The report was repeated for emphasis on the first anniversary, with the same omissions.

That is how Ralph performs and does business backed by his newspaper friends!

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 9.

Letters

So what’s up with Facebook?

I HAVE LITTLE tolerance for those persons who see Facebook as “the enemy”.

You will hear remarks such as, “Me? I will never use Facebook”! “Facebook full ah commess”! or “Me nah have time fuh waste pon Facebook”! Comments like these make me realize that such persons are ignorant of the use and value of using social networking platforms such as Facebook, and that they are being misled by their own arbitrary thinking.

Facebook is just like the community you live in, a social space where people meet, greet, catch

* Whether a public servant has dipped his/her hand in the cookie jar of one of his/her relatives? * What’s holding back the return of locally bottled Ju-C? Didn’t the new operators promise it for carnival? Is anything amiss with the machinery? * And, by the way: What’s the latest on severance pay for the Ju-C workers?

Can we have their trade union rep, Mr. Burns Bonadie, give an update on this matter? * Why is it every time the Government does something for poor people, it makes it sound as though it’s a favour and not a duty?

up, socialize, share information, etc. The difference between Facebook and the community in which you live is the mere fact that Facebook is in cyberspace. You will discover the good, the bad and the ugly, just like in your very community.

Facebook is not as bad as some people (maybe minority) make it out to be. Yes! It boils down to people’s choice as to whether they want to have a page on Facebook.

Your Facebook page can be whatever you want it to be. If you want your Facebook page to be an advertising agency for all and sundry, it can! If you want to use it to promote the gospel, it can. If you are a social activist and you want your page to be a platform of advocacy, it can. People use Facebook to promote their businesses. Facebook can be for you whatever you want it to be. So this time, don’t hate the game, hate the players!

Ask the FBI or Police what Facebook is to them, or ask that person who just linked up with a long lost schoolmate or friend, or maybe, you could ask the journalist who is just trying to get the story out there!

As an Information Specialist, I have followed the development of Facebook over the years, and have seen how it has revolutionized the way we receive and share information in a global setting. Today, online users are now forced to analyse and evaluate the information they receive for its

authenticity, relevance, authority and timeliness.

We are living in an ‘information age’, and people are demanding information every which way you turn for various reasons. Facebook just happens to be one of the most popular online sources where people go to seek information that would meet their needs,

whatever their needs are.

Just like your community you live in, you will get the good as well as the bad on Facebook. The responsibility is therefore yours to use it wisely.

There are ways and means to monitor your Facebook page.

So don’t hate on Facebook, instead

become an information literate individual. Learn the skills on how to seek, organize and evaluate the information you find.

Believe me, these times require such skills!

Pearl Mc Master-Mason Information Specialist Head Librarian SVG Community College

No Prince for Marriaqua RECENTLY, I read in your paper a letter written by a disillusioned ULP supporter in Marriaqua, and agreed to some extent with the writer, though I disagreed that Godson Cain is not serious as it relates to politics. Today, through your medium, I wish to add my voice to the debate now taking place in Marriaqua regarding the three persons who are contending to represent the ULP in the upcoming general elections.

I am amazed that two candidates who have worked hard (though one much harder than the other) over a four-year period, are seemingly being overlooked by the higher echelons of the party for possible selection as candidates.

Mr. Kirk Da Silva and Godson Cain are decent, knowledgeable individuals. They both teach classes free of charge in the Marriaqua area. Kirk Da Silva has sponsored cricket, football and netball, and I know he has helped and supported persons with respect to travelling

abroad for medical support through his contacts.

Godson Cain has been a little less active, but plays his part well. I write of these men because it is only fair that one of them replaces Mrs. Miguel. The Marriaqua area is a Labour Party stronghold, and any serious, capable person representing the ULP and doing their share of work in the constituency will win.

However, of late, Mr. Jimmy Prince, a man around for years, who has never sponsored a single event in Marriaqua, who when asked up to a few weeks ago if he is running, would respond, “Me an dah politics ting dey, not me. If the big man want me, me go run”. I have tried to put it over exactly as it was said to numerous persons in Marriaqua.

Jimmy is not suitable for candidacy, he is not

more popular than Kirk or Godson for that matter, neither is he more capable. People are now asking who is he outside of TV; so it begs the question, why the interest in Jimmy as a candidate? The people of Marriaqua should sit and take note. Let us select a hard-working representative for our people.

People of Marriaqua, I beg you, choose wisely.

Watchful Supporter

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10. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Views

The problem with Arnhim Eustace and the NDP The Issue For some time now, members of the opposition New Democratic Party have been hailing their leader, Arnhim Eustace, as a socalled “economics guru”.

Presumably, this means that he has the ability to govern small island economies, particularly in the face of a global economic crisis, which is showing little signs of abating, since it began in 2008.

This belief by the NDP is false, to say the least, and there is abundant proof to show that Arnhim Eustace is no “economics guru”, and in fact has demonstrated time and time again, that he is no leader. In fact, the truth is that he is better off demitting office, and handing the reins of leadership to another person, perhaps Dr. Friday, maybe.

The study of economics is a complex one. The theory is that economics is the study of how people use their scarce resources. The understanding is that people have to make choices as to how to allocate these resources, to satisfy and improve their well being. The development of these choices is an issue that is critical to most persons, including leaders of countries, and the way these choices are implemented, could spell success or doom for most situations, including the development of small island states.

Arnhim Eustace is traditionalist when it comes to economics. Having learnt the theories and concepts at university (and we have to accept that he may have had a sound grasp of these), Eustace applies these economic concepts without regard for the development of people. At the heart of application of all economic theory, are real flesh and blood people. It is people who will provide and use the scarce resources. It is people who will provide the labour, who will use the land and capital, who will operate the businesses and the factories, and who will provide the revenue for governments, through taxation and other revenue streams.

So in the final analysis, if even you understand economic theory, you must have a clear understanding of the society and how it functions, and how it is affected by economic policies and decisions. This is the weakness exhibited by Arnhim Eustace and the NDP. To them, it is not important that people have needs and services which must be met. It is more important to boast of surpluses and economic growth, and figures which go up and down like an escalator.

The NIS issue The NIS resolution that was tabled recently in the House of Assembly is a case in point which demonstrates the poor socio-economic and leadership skills of the NDP. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has clearly explained that the NIS contribution of the public servants, was not paid over, simply because the government needed all the financial resources it could muster, to meet the needs of Vincentians, who were suffering from the effects of the

2013 Christmas Eve floods.

Let us remind the NDP that 12 persons lost their lives, and people lost their homes, furniture, appliances, clothing and even motor vehicles.

Vincentians were suffering, and needed relief, and fast. The recognition of the need to pay over the NIS contributions must be seen in the need to fund the required assistance, to those persons who were suffering.

Naturally, the ULP administration, a party of labour, a party of the poor and the working class, will always rush to the assistance of people in need, and this was done. Clearly, Arnhim Eustace and the NDP do not understand this, and they would have preferred to leave Vincentians to suffer at a critical time in their lives. What callous disregard, what inhumanity, what a demonstration of hatred for Vincentians!

Now the matter has been dealt with through a resolution that was passed in the House of Assembly. All that has been explained to the people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, and most people clearly understand and support the government in this regard.

Even the Chairman of the NDP, Linton Lewis, was at pains to explain to his callers on Nice radio, what the resolution was all about. We congratulate Chairman Lewis, for his decision to deviate away from the strategy of his party to tell lies, so as to provide the truth to his listeners.

Conclusion The NDP will continue to lie to the Vincentian public, as part of their scaremongering tactics, aimed at frightening the people. This is the only way they can gain any political traction in the face of the outstanding performance of the ULP administration, led by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

This is the man who is clearly suited to leading our country, particularly at this critical time in our development history. Dr. Gonsalves holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics, and a Master’s in Government. He also holds a Doctorate in Government and a degree of Utter Barrister from Grays Inn. He has spent years in advocacy, doing legal work, lecturing here and there, and the list goes on.

But most important, he is a product of the poor, having come out of the bowels of the working class, and thus he understands their needs. He has spent years in the political wilderness where he was beaten and hardened, before the people said “Come, my son; it is time for you to serve your country”.

Arnhim Eustace, on the other hand, is a failed politician, who has had the distinction of being a “hand me down” prime minister for a period of five months. The people will choose Comrade Ralph and the ULP, when the bell rings again in our country.

The National Insurance Service THE DISCUSSION ON the resolution that was brought to parliament by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration on Tuesday 19th August, 2014, for the government to borrow $15 Million from the National Insurance Service (NIS) to pay the NIS is continuing. Despite the reasons that were given by the government, most Vincentians do not believe, and cannot understand why the government did not pay the NIS its contributions. As a result, most Vincentians are concerned, and have been voicing their dissatisfaction on the various Call-in programmes on radio.

Moreover, it was the comments that were made by a government Senator during the debate, when he declared that the NIS was in good shape and financially healthy, that irritated Vincentians. Bearing in mind, at the beginning of this year, employers’ and employees’ contributions to the NIS were increased and a number of other changes were implemented. Therefore, had the NIS been in such a healthy financial position, the question most people have been asking, why were these changes introduced?

To show that the NIS is not in such a strong financial position as stated by the Senator, the following statement was made by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its 2012 Article IV Consultation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the NIS. “The National Insurance Service (NIS), a state-owned pension company, is facing long term sustainability challenges. The recently completed eighth actuarial review indicates that under the existing parameters–8 percent contribution rate, 60 year retirement age, and 60 percent replacement rate–the NIS could face sustainability issues, especially given the increasing rate of unemployment and high outward migration of the working age population. In particular, it is estimated that contribution income will not be sufficient to cover total expenditures starting from 2015; the reserve fund would need to be tapped to finance expenses starting from 2025; and the reserves are expected to be depleted by 2036.

The government is considering a number of reform options. Based on the recommendations of the actuarial review, the authorities are considering a number of options to make the NIS sustainable. These measures, which are expected to be implemented gradually starting in 2014, include: (i) increasing the minimum years of service for eligibility to a full pension from 10 years to 15 years; (ii) increasing the retirement age to 65 years; (iii) increasing the contribution rate over the next few years to 12 percent. Assuming that (i) and (ii) are fully in place by 2028 and (iii) is implemented over the next four years, the contribution income would continue to cover expenses up to 2034 and the reserve fund ratio will be increased up to 13 years.”

Based on the recommendations of the actuarial review, one can conclude that the NIS is not in a strong financial position as the government would want us to believe. The report mentioned the increasing rate of unemployment and the high outward migration of the working age population. These factors are impacting negatively on the NIS. And the government is not doing anything to fix the economy of the country so

that employment can be created which will ultimately have a positive impact on the NIS. Instead, the NIS contributions were withheld by the government and a loan was taken from the NIS to pay the NIS. The New Democratic Party (NDP), through its leader the Honourable Arnhim Eustace, has been constantly reminding the government of the importance of the NIS. He has also expressed his concerns in the manner in which the government has been managing the institution, and has advised on a number of occasions that the government should manage the finances of the NIS in a prudent manner. He had given similar advice to the government for the former National Commercial Bank (NCB).

The advice was not heeded, and with a “Master Stroke”, we lost the NCB. Do we want the same for the NIS?

Education The new academic year will begin on Monday 1st September, 2014, and most parents have not finished their preparations for their children to return to school. This is because of the hard economic condition that exists presently in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Most parents are experiencing difficulties to purchase the necessary school supplies and text books that their children require to return to school. As a result, they have turned to the NDP for assistance, and the party has been readily assisting where possible.

However, one of the major concerns is the lack of text books on the Book Loan Scheme. When the NDP was in office, it established the Book Loan Scheme to assist the poor and working class in this country. Parents were asked to contribute $50.00, and they received all of the text books needed for their children. During the years of the NDP in government, students received all of their text books; $2 Million was budgeted by the NDP for the programme. In 2002, the budget for the Book Loan Scheme was reduced significantly to $6000, and for this year it is $1 Million. The reduction in budget has created the problem.

The NDP had the vision to implement such programme which benefitted thousands of Vincentians from poor and working class families.

Such social programme demonstrates that the NDP has a high value on education and will continue to work in the interest of the poor and working class, when it returns to office. For instance, the NDP will pay the exam fees for all students who will be writing the CSEC and CAPE exams, and expand the Book Loan Scheme to the primary schools. We will also build a dormitory for students from the Grenadines and rural areas. This accommodation will ease the burden of the parents in these areas, and make it easier for the students to access quality education. Therefore, Vincentians need to elect the NDP when the next general elections are called, so that they will be the beneficiaries of the party’s programmes and policies.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 11.

Views

Discipline and Academic Success

“Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind of order that sets me free to fly.” - Julie Andrews (1935– ) English film and stage actress known for her fresh-faced, innocent appeal, Oscar-winning MANY PARENTS, TEACHERS, and students are regular readers of this In Touch column. Their e-mail and telephone messages encourage me to dedicate the time and effort to produce these weekly “food for thought”. My desire and prayer is that readers will be inspired to pursue paths that are noble ... and to do so with energy and excitement. This week’s column is therefore specially tailored for this select group of readers. However, we can be assured that there are jewels of knowledge and pearls of wisdom that all readers can extract from the paragraphs that follow. This statement is made with confidence, having examined various quotations from accomplished writers and philosophers to guide and punctuate my “utterances”.

It is often very frustrating when parents, teachers, and other wellwishers observe students who are capable of accomplishing great academic success, but seem to settle for mediocrity or average performance.

We can sometimes feel so incompetent and helpless when, despite our best efforts to encourage a more positive approach to academic pursuit, the youth just seems determined to “float along”. They seem to lack the drive or the discipline to exert the energy needed to excel. So many appear to have the potential to be classified as “genius”, but have selected a lacklustre approach to academic exercises. The English novelist George Eliot, whose pen name was Mary Ann Evans (1819-1880, reminds us that, “Genius at first is little more than a great capacity for receiving discipline.” The challenge, however, is how to ignite that discipline that will ignite the genius within. And there is no one-style-fits-all formula for such a challenge. Each child is different.

Our task, therefore, is to so know that individual that we can determine which is “the right button to push”.

However, this is certainly easier said than done. It involves knowing that child. And some are difficult to know.

But as teachers, parents, and concerned citizens, we must dedicate the time to have the conversations with them. It is only as we communicate with them that we are likely to have some inclination of the best approach to pursue, as we seek to ignite that spark of greatness that we know resides within so many of them.

Many of our children have the desire to do well. Some wrongfully assume that this can be achieved merely because they are “bright”, and unwisely decide not to exert much effort or energy. And, while many may get relatively good grades as they pursue such an approach, we do know that they could do so much better when they discipline themselves to study on a regular basis. John William Gardner (1912-2002), the former President of the Carnegie Corporation, stated it so well when he said, “Some people have greatness thrust upon them. Few have excellence thrust upon them. . . . They achieve it. They do not achieve it unwittingly by doing what comes naturally, and they don’t stumble into it in the course of amusing themselves. All excellence involves discipline and tenacity of purpose.”

Yes, all excellence involves discipline and tenacity of purpose. If we desire to achieve greatness, we must be prepared to embrace the discipline

that is required. We must be prepared to study when others are seeking to get us to party and play.

We must be prepared to “burn the midnight oil” while others are sleeping. But that takes discipline.

And this, too, is a critical aspect of the educational process. Education, in its truest sense, prepares us for life and for living. Creating and sustaining a disciplined life is a significant aspect of our education system.

Tryon Edwards (1809—1894), the American theologian, best known for compiling A Dictionary of Thoughts, reminded us that, “The great end of education is to discipline rather than to furnish the mind; to train it to the use of its own powers, rather than fill it with the accumulation of others.” But it takes effort and energy on our part (as teachers, parents, and concerned citizens) to facilitate that discipline that Edwards refers to. To get students to imbibe the wisdom that emerges from the discipline of cultivating independent thought and critical thinking, we must be prepared to have them “push back” on some of our own thoughts. We will not always be right (and neither will they). But we must understand and appreciate that, as they gain knowledge and explore new horizons of thought, their utterances will not always be in line with ours. They will see things differently. They should have the freedom to share those insights in an atmosphere of mutual respect. This, too, is all part of the process of cultivating the discipline that is unleashed through education.

There are so many other thoughts that we can share in relation to this most important topic. However, as we approach the end of the space allocated to this article, it is important that we stress the importance of integrity in this entire exercise.

Students are often tempted to cheat on some assignments. Many educational institutions are now engaged in investing in securing software that could check students’ written submissions for plagiarism.

Tools such as Turnitin can aid teachers, lecturers, and facilitators in identifying where references are taken from. But students who discipline themselves to identify the source of their information (rather than seek to have another writer’s work appear to be their own) will find that they do not have to fear the harsh reprisals that are meted out to those who lack the discipline to do what is right in this regard. They can have a clear conscience as they pursue their studies with integrity. They will experience the benefits of what the American religious leader, lawyer, and politician James E. Faust (1920-2007) describes when he wrote, “Integrity is the light that shines from a disciplined conscience”. But this will not happen by chance. It is not a default position that students achieve. We (parents, teachers, and concerned citizens) must encourage and reward it in our wards.

This, too, is an important aspect of the discipline that they must develop as they pursue academic excellence. In doing so, they will not see discipline as a chore but as wind beneath their wings setting them free to fly.

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to julesferdinand@gmail.com

Africa’s Ebola Outbreak: The Root of the Crisis AMY GOODMAN, the award winning journalist and host of the widely acclaimed news programme Democracy Now interviewed Dr Paul Farmer. Dr Farmer, an infectious disease specialist and medical anthropologist, has devoted his life to improving the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. He has traveled the world, not only treating impoverished patients, but also challenging entire healthcare systems.

Dr. Paul Farmer is the author of a number of books, including Infections and Inequalities: The Modern Plagues and, most recently, In the Company of the Poor: Conversations with Dr. Paul Farmer and Fr. Gustavo Gutiérrez.

AMY GOODMAN: Talk about what we should understand about this outbreak of Ebola.

DR. PAUL FARMER: Well, I think the most important thing to understand is that this is a reflection of long-standing and growing inequalities of access to basic systems of healthcare delivery. And that’s how we link public health and clinical medicine, is to understand that we’re delivering care in the context of protecting the health of the population. And so, if you go down to each of these epidemics–that are, of course, one epidemic–and you ask the question, “Well, do they have the staff, stuff and systems that they need to respond?” the answer is no.

And then, what will stop the epidemic, which it will be stopped, is an emergency-type response. But then again, how are we building local capacity to do that so these epidemics don’t spread–as they would never spread in the United States, by the way?

JUAN GONZÁLEZ: And the astounding fatality rate that we keep hearing about is that a result of the disease itself or the weaknesses of the healthcare systems that confront them?

DR. PAUL FARMER: I think the more important hypothesis is that it would be great to talk to the infectious disease colleagues who treated patients. It’s not that they had an experimental medication; it’s that they had supportive care. And supportive care, in medical terms, doesn’t mean having someone hold your hand. It means, if you’re bleeding, you get blood products. If you’re hypotensive, or your blood pressure is low, you get IV solutions.

That’s not what’s happening in these Ebola centers. You know, it’s really quarantine without a lot of the care, because supportive care requires sometimes an ICU. AMY GOODMAN: That was very interesting that you just said that Ebola couldn’t be–there couldn’t be an outbreak in the United States.

DR. PAUL FARMER: Well, there could be, but it would be stopped quickly, because patients would be isolated, not in quarantine facilities without medical care, but in places like Emory or the place where I work in Boston, at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. And even in Haiti or in Rwanda, you know, we’ve prepared, along with the authorities, isolation rooms that are not to shut people away, but to take care of them while protecting the rest of the staff, if they have an infectious illness, an airborne illness.

JUAN GONZÁLEZ: Well, last week, when we had some guests on discussing this issue, there was

somewhat of a debate over this whole issue of the quarantine. Laurie Garrett, who won a Pulitzer Prize for her coverage of one–of an initial Ebola outbreak, supported the necessity for even forced quarantines because of the reality of the weak systems. However, Lawrence Gostin, who is the faculty director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University–he’s a specialist in geoquarantines–he warned against the use of a cordon sanitaire, a large quarantine.

LAWRENCE GOSTIN: People who are in the quarantine area are very frightened, and I think deservedly so.

And they’re frightened not only because they are in a hot spot, a hot zone of Ebola, but also with roads blocked. Food is expensive and getting scarce. There are no medical supplies.

And basic needs, psychosocial and medical needs, are not being met. And so, this is a really inhumane way of trying to do that. We never should have come to this. ...

You can’t have a health crisis turn into a human rights crisis. You have to provide food. You have to provide medical care. You have to provide psychosocial support. And you need to provide secure, but also safe and sterile, isolation equipment, with personal protection equipment. And that’s what a smart sanitaire is. You can’t have a smart quarantine without real care for the people being quarantined. The American patients who went to Emory, they were being quarantined. But they were also receiving care. You can’t be compassionate without expertise, and you can’t have expertise without the supplies that you need to do a good job. A human rights position should also include the right to healthcare, the right to compassion, the right to psychosocial support, just as a public health response has to be aware of how an illness is transmitted and how to protect the public. And this tension, which is very profound is worsened by the fact that there is no good medical system in Liberia or Sierra Leone or Guinea. And we have to build one.

AMY GOODMAN: Dr. Farmer, what is Ebola.

DR. PAUL FARMER: Ebola is a– Ebola virus disease is a hemorrhagic fever caused by a kind of virus called a filovirus. And Marburg is another one of those. And it’s spread through close contact, in the sense of blood, mucous membranes. When I heard an official say that Ebola had gone airborne, I knew that wasn’t right.

But what happens is, the symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea. It looks a lot–it can look like malaria. And this is one of the problems, that you have to diagnose it, because we have readily available–or, we should have readily available therapies for malaria. And now with all this fear around Ebola, people aren’t going to receive care for that potentially fatal illness. So there are all kinds of complexities.

To be continued.

Send comments, criticisms & suggestions to wefirst@aol.com

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12. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

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SVG needs a Green jobs training program AFTER 13 years of ULP regime’s economic incompetence, SVG is in a desperate state and seemingly heading towards economic collapse. The ULP regime seems to be putting tourists first and focusing on airport, airport, airport, when in reality our people need jobs, jobs, jobs.

Visionary Green Party Leader, Mr Ivan O’Neal, believes that SVG must urgently become part of the green world, and start up a green jobs training program, as this would give Vincentians the skills needed to get highly paid jobs in green industries in SVG and abroad. A green jobs training program would empower our people, and give them valuable skills and a lifetime ability to earn money.

In the USA, many traditional factories have found new markets by manufacturing parts for wind turbines, solar panels and other environmental industries. It has become more profitable switching over to green manufacturing. The USA green manufacturing sector could create 1 million jobs directly and another 2.5 million indirect jobs in related industries.

The US government has indicated that it wants to retrofit 10 million homes every year until 2020, because most buildings are not close to being energy efficient, and waste heat and energy through poor design. The building retrofitting industry could employ as many as 1.25 million people

directly and about 6 million indirectly.

According to UK Guardian newspaper, the number of people working in the global renewable energy industry alone grew by 14% to 6.5 million in 2013.

There are many jobs worldwide in the Green industry, yet the ULP regime lacks the vision to train our people to do these jobs. A Green government will set up a green jobs training program to give our people the skills and an internationally recognised qualification, so they can work in the solar, wind, hydro and other green industries.

With the skills learned and qualifications gained, people will be able to get work in SVG and all over the world. Many green jobs abroad have salaries in excess of EC$80,000 a year.

For example, completing a solar PV (photovoltaic) training course would enable a person to become a solar panel installer and enter an exciting, growing market. The training program would teach the skills needed to install solar PV panels, and also the skills to install domestic electrics, meaning the person would have two ways to generate an income, by doing PV or electrical installation jobs.

With a green jobs training program, people would be able to set up their own business and earn money independently. There is a huge potential for green jobs in SVG, but

the incompetent ULP regime seems happy to let our people suffer in poverty and unemployment. A Green government will create hundreds of new green jobs to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of Vincentians.

To boost the SVG economy, a Green government will phase out oilproduced electricity, and replace it with electricity from renewable energy.

This will create green jobs and give our people prosperity.

The multinational professional services firm Ernst & Young’s Cleantech Industry Performance Report investigated 424 companies that derive more than half of their total value from clean energy. It says that these companies employed over

half a million people by April 2013 and had a combined market capitalisation of $170 billion (£109 billion) — up by 18% from the previous financial year.

There is money to be made in green industries; there are jobs available in green industries. Vincentian people need to be trained so that they can get these green jobs and get a share of the billions of dollars being made in green industries. SVG needs a Green government for this to succeed.

SVG Green Party www.svggreenparty.org

RETIRED TEACHERS

by PATMOS RICHARDS

his return from England in the late 70s, he was assigned to EDITOR”S NOTE: As a two secondary schools on the memorial of the late Leeward coast, the Barrouallie distinguished educator, Secondary and the Troumaca Austin Leigh Hunte Nurse, Secondary. who was laid to rest last Mr. Nurse also obtained week Tuesday 19th at the training in Educational Kingstown Cemetery, Administration for principals following a church service at of secondary schools at the the Kingstown Methodist University of Toronto, 1975-76.

Church, we reproduce an Also in the 70s, he did a article in the ‘Retired Bachelor of Education degree Teachers’ column which was at the Cave Hill Campus, Austin Nurse published on Friday 16th Barbados. Subsequently, this November, 2001, Mr. Nurse’s training, which was cobirth month. sponsored by the UWI and US Aid, elevated him to the position of This week’s column on ‘Retired Implementation Officer assigned to the Teachers’, salutes an intellectual icon Ministry of Education from 1980-84. in the person of Mr. Austin Nurse.

Then from 1984-86, he was the Local Austin Leigh Hunte Nurse came to Co-ordinator at the Ministry of Vincentian shores in October, 1959 Education. Mr. Nurse also had training after teaching at the St. Bartholomew in Education Testing and Evaluation in Boys Primary School for seven years in 1985. The following year, he was Barbados, his native land. attached to the St. Vincent Teachers His first assignment as a teacher in College as Co-ordinator of the Resource his adoptive homeland was at the Centre, and on the eve of his official Calliaqua Anglican School, the same retirement from the teaching year of his arrival. Within a few profession, was awarded a contract to months, Mr. Nurse was transferred to lecture in Mathematics at the same the Bequia Anglican School until 1962. institution.

From the Bequia Anglican School, he Mr. Nurse’s last round in the teacher was transferred to the Belair Primary profession was at the Bishop’s College School. There he taught on separate Kingstown — an institution he regards occasions as Qualified Assistant as one with a very high standard of Teacher and later on as Acting discipline on the part of the students.

Headteacher.

He spent seven years there, 1992-1999.

Again in the 60s, Mr. Nurse reAustin Nurse was an executive entered the Calliaqua Anglican School member of the SVUT for twelve years, as Acting Headteacher. In the early 70s and was president for three years. He he had another stint as Acting still remembers his contemporary Headteacher as the Belmont Rupert Bascombe, the then Secretary of Government School, and after spending the SVUT, whom he regards “as a very three years at that institution, was hardworking secretary”. posted to the Sion Hill Government Nurse, Bascombe and the late School where he was officially Adelaine John were instrumental in confirmed as Headteacher. establishing links with the Canadian At this school, Nurse was able to Teachers Federation which annually neutralise students and parents who organises Summer Vacation courses for identified with the two warring local teachers. political factions of the day, the In his post retirement, Mr. Nurse Peoples’ Political Party and the St. still enjoys working out maths Vincent Labour Party. Students, then, problems, and dabbles in Electronics — literally stuck photographs of PPP’s a field in which he has a diploma from leader Mr. E.T. Joshua and Labour the National Schools, California, USA. Party’s Mr. Milton Cato on their is also an organist for the Methodist exercise books, which often erupted in Youth Choir and the Women’s Arm at physical violence in and outside the Arnos Vale. classroom.

Mr. Nurse serves as a Justice of the Mr. Nurse pursued studies in Peace here. Presently, he is enjoying a Education in the area of Mathematics happy retirement. at the University of Hull, England. On

V Charity group on 3rd mission to SVG

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 13.

Diaspora

Right: Mission head Robert McBarnett loads container of supplies (his wife Mrs. Sharon Grant-McBarnett is insetted).

STORIES BY NELSON A. KING naking@verizon.net; neloking@msn.com US CORRESPONDENT IN KEEPING WITH ITS GOAL of aiding the homeland as best as it can, the Bronx, New York-based St. Matthias Charities, Inc. this Saturday, Aug. 30, begins its third mission to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I am excited to go on my third mission to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to continue improving the lives of the people,” said Robert McBarnett, the group’s president and founder, in a VINCENTIAN interview just before departing from New York.

McBarnett, an ordained Spiritual Baptist pastor, who hails from Dickson Village, Georgetown, said the eightmember group — which also comprises his wife, Sharon Grant-McBarnett; his sister, Hannah Reid; and Registered Nurse Joan Moore — plans to distribute a large number of medical and other supplies, during its two-week visit, throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) in Kingstown.

“We want to touch as many lives as possible, in any small way, that we can,” he said.

“Also, we would like to pinpoint what are the most important needs of the people in each area we visit, so we can get more items geared to those needs,” he added.

In the months before departure, the group dispatched two 40-ft. containers of supplies, courtesy the Brooklyn-based Square Deal Shippers and Movers.

Items for the MCMH include: 80 IV poles; three hospital beds; two air mattresses; six daycare mattresses; eight cribs; 16 wheelchairs; 35 cases of adult pampers; 200 canes; one bedside table; 35 walkers; 110 pairs of crutches; 35 commodes; 15bath chairs; five chart storages; one wheelchair ramp; one filing and medicine cabinet, metal table, X-ray view box, case of condoms and case of face masks; 10 bed chuks; and two nebulizers.

General supplies for the public comprise, among others, 60 boxes of books; 200 boxes of clothing; 22 boxes of shoes; 200 boxes of pots, pans, cups, plates, dishes and glasses; 30 boxes of bedding and towels; two boxes of wall décor; eight boxes of toys;

one piano; six chairs (two waiting area); four used printers; seven sewing machines and two bales of clothes to be donated to the Minister of Sports and Culture; three mattresses; two beds; one used barbecue grill; three used carpets; two ladders; one case of Holy Water; two cases of candles; three bags of rice and sugar; two cooking oil cans; one case of containers of canned milk, supplies to the seltzer water and Caribbean — liquid soap; and five to St. one bag of salt.

Vincent and In recent the Grenadines years, the St. and one to Matthias Grenada.

Charities, Inc. He said has been residents in furnishing A crib, among the items to North medical, Leeward, be distributed to MCMH. educational and particularly personal supplies to a number of medical clinics, Chateaubelair, will be among the MCMH, the Georgetown beneficiaries during the current Hospital and to ordinary mission, which runs until Sept. nationals.

13.

Since 2012, McBarnett said Other members of the his group has dispatched six

mission are: Emily Mentor, Raphael Small, Patricia Moore and Cammie Daniel.

In its continued effort to help nationals, McBarnett said the group will be hosting its annual fundraising prayer breakfast at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center, 671 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, on Nov. 22, 2014.

“I see myself doing this for the rest of my life,” said McBarnett, who has been working as an aide in the Environmental Service Department at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, since 1994.

Vincy community advocate honored POPULAR VINCENTIANBORN community advocate and cultural figure, Verna Arthur, was among honorees during the recently-concluded Harlem Week in New York.

The Board of Directors of Harlem Week, Inc. and New York City Senior Citizen’s Committee, Inc. bestowed the honor on Arthur and Caroline Lightburn, 105.

Arthur, a Paul’s Avenue, Kingstown, native, is Manhattan Community Outreach Director and Senior Advisory Council Liaison with the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA).

Arthur and Lightburn, the oldest female honored at the event, received the awards during the “Elders Jubilee” Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, on Aug. 5, at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building in Harlem.

Harlem Week celebrated its 40th anniversary, while the

Elder’s Jubilee celebrated its 37th anniversary.

Arthur received the Public Service Award for her “many contributions to the success of Harlem Week, especially her commitment to the seniors,” organizers said.

“I am truly humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award,” Arthur told the reception.

“Never in my 13 ½ years as a member of the Harlem Week Senior Citizens Committee has the thought crossed my mind that, one day, I will be standing before you as an honoree of this distinguished culture event.

“My only objective was to serve the seniors and (to) assist with the Harlem Week, now a month activities, the largest cultural event in the U.S.A., to the best way possible,” she added.

Arthur said that Harlem Week, celebrating its 40th anniversary, is “nothing to sneeze at.

“There are so many

moving parts to this event, it’s unbelievable,” she said. “The amount of work which goes into this event, one marvels when you look at the space that’s being utilized to get this month’s celebration come to fruition. The committee has outdone itself for its 40th anniversary.”

Arthur said she was grateful to Lloyd Williams, president and chief executive officer of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, his board members and the Harlem Week Senior Citizens Committee, for “bestowing this award on me.”

“Seniors, remember, I am here to advocate on your behalf,” she said.

“And I was told by one of your peers, senior issues are in my DNA.” Arthur’s role with DFTA involves advocacy initiatives and community outreach on aging-related issues.

She also represents DFTA and the commissioner at special events, sponsored by

elected officials and other community organizations and agencies.

Additionally, Arthur serves on aging-issues panels at the request of local groups, several interagency councils, district service cabinets, and community and advisory boards.

Prior to working at DFTA, Arthur was the director of a senior center in Brooklyn, formerly known as Grant Square Senior Center, from 1999 to May 2001.

Arthur said her background in strategic and project planning and program development enables her to make “significant contributions” to organizations and senior centers, such as the New York Urban League, Harlem Week Senior Jubilee Committee, New York Citizens Committee on Aging, Henry Street Senior Companion Advisory Council, and New York City Housing Authority Entitlement and Benefit Fair Committee.

She is the recipient of the New York Urban League Community Service Award; the New York City Council Eastern Caribbean Heritage and Cultural Award; the Progressive Democrats Political Association Caribbean Heritage Award; Brooklyn Councilmember Matthew Eugene’s City Council Citation; VIBE Caribbean Magazine Person of the Month Award; St. Vincent Verna Arthur displaying her and the Grenadines award after being honoured Organization of during Harlem Week in New Pennsylvania 2011 York.

Vincentian Person of the Year Award; groups in the United Vincy Cares, Inc. States. She currently Community Service serves as the group’s Award; and Club St. public relations officer.

Vincent, Inc. Past Arthur holds a President Award. bachelor’s degree in Arthur is a past human communication president of Club St. and a master’s in urban Vincent, Inc., one of the affairs from Hunter leading Vincentian College, City University of educational and cultural New York.

V SCORCH Cancer support group launched 14. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

News

persons affected by cancer. It has as its objective, “to offer support through VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS of the dreaded education, counseling, navigation and disease of cancer here, can now rest advocacy”, all in an environment that assured that there is an avenue for fosters respect for others, enhancing addressing the issues of support which the quality of life of people living with they face upon diagnosis. cancer, to the point where no On Saturday, 23rd August, at the Vincentian fears cancer. official residence of the Prime SCORCH’s Executive Committee Minister, Dr. Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves, comprises: President —Olive Allen; Vice the SCORCH Cancer Support Group President — Margarita Tash; Secretary was launched. SCORCH, which — Rosalind Thomas; PRO — Elim embodies individuals who are Castello; Treasurer — Everest Charles; “Surviving Strong, Courageous, and Assistant Treasurer — Alicia Optimistic, Resilient, Confident and Lewis. The Committee Members are: Hopeful”, was created for the primary Kathleen Mandeville and Monique purpose of providing support for Tash. Medical professionals attached to the group are its founder, Dr. Jozelle Miller; Co-founder, Dr. Melissa Miguel, and Ms. Nadia Browne, Dietitian at the MCMH.

by GLORIAH…

Endorsements

Front row: Dr. Charles Woods, Dr. Simone Keizer-Beache and Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves were among those present to witness the launch.

A number of speakers made remarks, expressing sentiments of understanding and pledges of support. Dr. Simone Keizer-Beache, Chief Medical Officer at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), pledged the hospital’s support. She agreed that the coming on stream of SCORCH was a worthwhile and necessary venture.

Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment, Hon. Clayton Burgin reaffirmed Dr. Keizer-Beache’s sentiments, adding that his Ministry is currently trying to best find resources and skills for early diagnosis, especially with the Ministry’s focus on chronic noncommunicable diseases. Dr. Melissa Miguel spoke on behalf of Dr. Rosalind Ambrose of the SVG Medical Association. She outlined how the Cancer survivor, Association has Mrs. Morine embedded a very Williams, Senior Education Officer potent mark in and Honorary cancer, especially breast Counsel for Jamaica. cancer, reminding the audience of its annual October Breast Cancer month of activities.

Prime Minister Gonsalves welcomed all to his official residence, and spoke with praise of Dr. Owen Gabriel, visiting oncologist from St. Lucia, who conducts pro-bono clinics here in SVG. He expressed his desire for membership in SCORCH, saying that cancer is now more real to him, with one of his in-laws coming down with the disease. He stated that his office is inundated with requests for assistance in cancer treatment, which is mostly provided.

Coming on the heels of that statement, the Prime Minister announced his intention to make provision in the upcoming estimates, for a position of consultant oncologist.

He elaborated that it is necessary and desirable to have these services, along with nurses, and other persons who are properly trained. These, he informed could be best achieved with investments in partnerships. Here, he made mention of the many medical missions which come to SVG on an annual basis, hinting at the possibility of collaborations.

Founder of SCORCH, Dr. Jozelle Miller detailed how the group had been in existence since January 18th, 2014, and had been receiving the benefit of Dr. Gabriel’s services. She then declared SCORCH launched, to appreciative applause.

Featured Speaker Mrs. Morine Williams, Senior Education Officer, Honorary Counsel for Jamaica, and cancer survivor, was the featured speaker. Her delivery was entitled, “C is for”. She took the audience through a victim’s diagnosis and the resultant despair and numbness. In trying to show that there is no need to give up, Mrs.

L-R: Group Co-founder, Dr. Melissa Miguel and founder, Dr. Jozelle Miller.

Williams looked at the other possibilities of “C” in the life of a survivor. She outlined the ‘challenge’ in fighting in spite of a diagnosis; ‘coping’ by being positive in thoughts and avoiding negative people; the ‘companionship’ or physical presence one needs in the midst of vulnerability; the necessary ‘care’, and not the pity which is easier to dish out to victims; and the ‘courage’ which demands a quality of the mind that enables the victim to face difficulty on the way to becoming a survivor. With such profound wisdom, she triumphantly declared that, “C may be for cancer, but it is also for ‘conquer’!”

Scorching truths Master of Ceremonies and member of SCORCH, Gloria Williams, paused for a moment to give the audience a scorching truth: that cancer is a devastating disease, and that every day, victims struggle to become survivors, constantly resolving to win and to do it valiantly. She said this as she introduced members of the group who comprised these same strong, resilient people. They put on a choral speech presentation from the writings of Theodore Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts”.

Visiting Oncologist, Dr. Gabriel, in his remarks told all, “Today, we are gathered here to commence a journey.

It is not an easy journey. It is not one any of us should undertake alone. We will face many obstacles, we will question our disposition, and we will doubt our own fortitude. There will be days, when we traverse through grey clouds, when will have to dig deep down to find strength. It is what all cancer patients face each and every day.” He rounded this off by concluding that, “However, as a team, we will weather the storm together.”

SCORCH, he said, had all the elements of worldwide cancer support organizations like the Terry Fox Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

President Olive Allen did not dispel the truths, but she gave a resounding vote of confidence in SCORCH’s existence: “We seek to ensure that all persons who are impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community, in an effort to reduce feelings of isolation and restore hope.”

SCORCH, had been validated.

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 15.

V Hope for Breast Cancer patients 16. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Association Rosalind Ambrose welcomed the new PERSONS AFFECTED by Breast drive.

Cancer in St. Vincent and the Mustique Airways plans Grenadines have a glimmer of hope to hand over some of the that their malady will be treated money raised over the next more readily. two years to the Sunnybrook A two -year campaign Foundation based in launched by Mustique Airways, Canada, and to the local aimed at heightening the Medical Association.

The Mustique Airways aircraft which is hoped to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. awareness of breast cancer, is in Ambrose is hoping that exciting new turn,” in that the its take off stage. The ceremony Vincentians will get the chance was announced last Tuesday to take part in the research and Sunnybrook Foundation will serve as a springboard for those when a Mustique Airways plane awareness activities that the seeking treatment here. was unveiled at the E.T. Joshua Sunnybrook Foundation is In addition to their work in Airport. spearheading. research and treatment into The plane with pink She indicated that cancer breast cancer, Dabriel announced engravings, done in artistic treatment was an expensive plans to have doctors connected fashion, was parked on the exercise, and that “people fall tarmac while a small ceremony through the cracks,” owing to the with the Sunnybrook Foundation took place at the arrival area. difficulty of keeping up with the to provide their expertise to Vincentians here.

Mustique Pilot Marcus Dabriel remedial process.

A delegation from the Cancer described the Mustique Airplane The Medical Association Society, including Doctors Jozelle as a ‘Flying Billboard.’ He is president echoed the Miller and Melissa Miguel, and hoping that the craft, which “phenomenal” cost of the Shannon Durrant-Samuel, joined travels between San Juan to the treatment, and justified her Marcus Dabriel, Johnathan north and Caracas in the south, Association’s reasons for All smiles at the unveiling: L-R: Johnathan Palmer, will help to make people more partnering with a Laboratory in Palmer and Margaret Palmer in Dr. Rosalind Ambrose, Dr Jozelle Miller, Shannon the ceremony at the E.T Joshua aware of Breast Cancer.

Miami on cancer care.

Durrant-Samuel, Dr. Melissa Miguel (partially hidden), airport.

President of the Medical For Ambrose, this is “an Margaret Palmer and pilot Marcus Dabriel.

by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 17.

News

Police Band Summer Programme a success The 2014 Police Band Summer Programme, one of several initiatives implemented by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force to alleviate factors which create risk and negative social behaviour among the youth, ended at the Old Montrose Police Station on Saturday.

Delivering the feature address at the ceremony, Assistant Commissioner of Police in Assistant Commissioner of charge of Crime, Frankie Joseph credited the Police in charge of Police Force for having the largest youth programme in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Crime, Frankie Joseph, delivering with over 1, 000 children and youth being the feature address actively involved in the Police Band, the St. at the closing of the Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard, the Police Youth Clubs and the Pan Against Crime Police Band Summer Programme.

Committee summer programmes.

“As a law enforcement organization, we believe in the holistic development of our children and youth, and as a result of this, we broadened the Police Band Summer Programme to include lectures in drug awareness, counselling on issues regarding children, and human trafficking.

However, we also gave you the opportunity to play games so that you can further develop your social skills as you interact with your peers,” said ACP Inspector of Police Joseph to the 95 graduates, and band master who participated in the Bernard Haynes programme. making remarks at He challenged the the Police Band graduates to focus on an Summer Programme important ingredient for closing ceremony. success —practice.

“Practise, practise, practise your musical skills so that you can develop your craft and be the best that there can be.

Taking time to practise allows you to build and preserve your skills.

“There is no level where you’re too good to practise”, said ACP Joseph.

He also urged the graduates to become knowledgeable of the career Former Commissioner of opportunities that exist in the musical Police, Keith Miller, presenting Jadiah Sampson, field. He said by doing so at an early with her certificate. Sampson age, graduates will was the first graduate to be presented with her certificate be in a better of participation at the closing position to further develop their skills, ceremony. as well as reap the rewards that exist in the field. He pointed out that the summer programme has provided students with a solid foundation to propel them to go on to become expert vocalists, song writers, performing artistes, recording engineers, studio directors, music teachers, booking agents, arrangers and composers.

Band Master Inspector of Police Bernard Haynes said this year’s programme was “a big success”. He said the aim of the programme is to give students a start in music, with the hope that they will use it as an opportunity to achieve greater things in the field.

Five hundred and fifty-one (551) students have graduated from the programme since it was initiated in 2008, and today some of the graduates are vocalists and are playing music in church bands as well as other music bands across the country.

The graduates who were trained to play the piano showcasing their talent.

18. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 19.

News

4 receive Building and Loan Scholarships keep at their books, discipline turned it around, and them,cut out the television and so what we need now is of FOUR YOUNG VINCENTIANS have forth, and we expect that they will try course the confidence of received scholarships from Building and as hard as possible to maintain A in the public to remain with L-R (Front row): Adiah Holder, Nathaniel Williams, Loan Association (BLA). all subjects,” said Crichton , adding us for us to further Sorhea Jackson and Zenika Chance , Camille The four are Adiah Holder, that “ if you do not maintain your strengthen the Crichton and Elizabeth Walker. (Back Row): Nathaniel Williams, Sorhea Jackson grade, the scholarship can be taken Association going Richard Branch, Michael Morgan, (parents) and Zenika Chance .Two of the away from you”. She congratulated the forward,” he observed.

Suzette Hoyte-Holder, Lavorne Williams, , Sorna students received Merit Scholarships, recipients and wished them success in The parents of the Jackson and Lou-Anne Chance, Richard John while the other two received their future. recipients also expressed (center).

Underprivileged scholarships.

CEO of BLA, Richard Branch joined thanks to the SVG Additionally Richard John, the 2014 in congratulating the awardees. He Building and Loan scholarships from different top performer at CSEC, who is already said the organization was more than Association for the assistance, and institutions, but they chose to stick a scholarship holder with BLA, will happy to be a part of their pledged to work with their children to with the Building and Loan, since they receive an extended scholarship during development. “We are so proud of ensure they maintained their required have been with that financial his tenure at the Community College. them. For example Richard John ,who grade. Some of the parents also institution for a long time.

During a presentation ceremony has done exceedingly well on being the admitted that they were offered held the BLA headquarters in top performer at CXC, Kingstown, Michael Morgan, Manager and we are very very of Customer Service and Deposits, said fortune to be a part of that an aggregate of EC $ 12,000 his academic upbringing, would be paid to the holders of the in terms of the Merit Scholarships, while an total of scholarship provided EC$ 5,000 would be paid to the over the years, and we Underprivileged Scholarship holders, plead with the new Caption: The Central with the possibility of an extension for scholarship awardees Water and Sewerage a further two years at the Community that they will try to Authority has awarded College level. emulate what Richard four full scholarships to For the scholarships to continue, has done”. Branch said children of employees students must maintain an average of that BLA went through for their secondary and B+ throughout their studies. Morgan a very challenging time, A’level studies. therefore appealed to the parents of and now “We are seeing Recipients of the Full the scholarship awardees to encourage the light at the end of Academic Scholarship their children to do well in school, so the tunnel; things have are Antonique Billingy, Recipients of the CWSA’s Scholarships & Bursaries pictured with that they could maintain the required improved significantly,” Rodecia Grant, Dorian their parents along with Human Resource Manager, Yvette Daniel average. he admitted, as he (far left), General Manager (Ag) Brian Da Silva (third from left) Archibald and Terrica Director at BLA, Camille Crichton and Union Representative Elvin Jackson (far right). thanked the public for Stapleton. Three other said the institution was happy to their support. “It has students: Kyron Plaugh, school exit examinations. At the handover recommence the scholarship been a challenge, but the Kasheema Simmons and Kelly-Ann Murray, ceremony, students were encouraged to perform their programme. “We also hope and pray financial performance were given one off bursaries. best in their studies and not to give up on that parents ensure that the students shows that we have Annually, the C.W.S.A. awards their dreams. scholarships to The CWSA Sports Club also awarded an children of employees, who additional one off bursary to Kyron Plaugh, were successful in their primary son of Christopher Haywood, a member of the CWSA’s Sports Club.

THE EMBASSY OF CUBA held a cocktail, hosted generous gift from the government of Cuba over the

by Ambassador Pablo Rodríguez Vidal and his years in building education in wife, in honor of seven (7) Vincentian students St. Vincent. who have been awarded scholarships by the Also giving remarks were Government of Cuba commencing September 2014.Of the seven recipients, six (6) will pursue Hon. Frederick Stephenson, Minister of National studies in Medicine. They are, Swana John, Rachael Quashie, Raven Cruickshank, Chamane Mobilization, Social Peniston, Preston Mercury and Chezaul Walker. Development, the Family, These students will attend the Latin - American Persons with Disabilities and Youth; and Hon. Rene School of Medicine (ELAM), while Akley Olton Baptiste, Speaker of the OECS will pursue studies in Photography Direction, Parliament and President of funded by the International School for Cinema the Vincentian Association of and Television (EICTV) and by the ALBA Artists, Writers and Producers Cultural Project.

INC, the latter having an arm The Republic of Cuba has, for the past of solidarity with Cuba. decades, offered scholarships in various fields such as Medicine, Engineering, Sports, Architecture, Veterinary, Economy, Journalism, and Nursing, among others, which totals 396.

In responding to the offer of scholarships, Hon. Clayton Burgin, Minister of Health and the Environment, expressed thanks on behalf of the government and people of St. Vincent and the Hon. Rene Baptiste, Dr. Rosalind Ambrose, Hon. Grenadines, for the Clayton Bugin and Hon. Frederick Stephenson (second from right) with scholarship awaredees.

by KENVILLE HORNE

The Central Water & Sewerage Authority awards scholarships and bursaries to children of employees.

Cuban Government awards scholarships

20. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Leisure

Aries (Mar. 21- April 20) Changes regarding your image will bring you greater confidence. The battle continues. Put aside any decisions concerning your position at work. You may have a tendency to put on weight.

Taurus (Apr. 21- May 21) Sudden romantic encounters will set your head spinning. Promotions will be yours if you have acted professionally in times of crisis. You can make amends by taking them somewhere special. You can easily impress others with your generous nature.

Gemini (May 22-June 21) Don't vacillate about asking for assistance if you need it. Your creative ideas will be put to good use if you dig in and do things around the house that will make your family happy. A series of misunderstandings may be at fault.

Opportunities to get involved in selfimprovement projects will be rewarding.

ones.

Libra (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You will be in a high cycle regarding work. They may cost you dearly. You need to be sure that you aren't in your present relationship because it is convenient. Luck is with you.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Put your thoughts into action.

Unexpected visitors are likely. Be prepared to do your chores early. You may think gifts will win their heart, but it could add stress from lack of funds. You may find that depression is causing you to feel lonely and insecure.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Unexpected visitors will be a welcome surprise. You haven't been totally honest with yourself and it's time to review your motives. Minor accidents are likely if you take risks. You will tend to overeat this week.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Don't let your stubborn nature get the better of you. Your energy will be high; however, if not channeled suitably, temper tantrums may erupt. You need to do something that will make you feel better about yourself. Channel your energy wisely and you can score points with the boss.

Capricorn (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Go with the flow and don't let the unsettled atmosphere get on your nerves.

Opportunities to expand your circle of friends will result in possible new romantic encounters. Sudden changes regarding colleagues may surprise you.

Someone you work with may be trying to make you look bad.

Leo (July 23-Aug 22) You may find yourself interested in more than one person. Be primed to use your intellect in order to get what you want. You will meet new friends and enjoy a multitude of new activities.

You should try to elaborate on an idea you have regarding a product or service for the home.

Aquarius (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) Your diplomatic approach and rather outgoing nature will enhance your reputation and bring you the support you need. You can get good solid advice from relatives or close friends you trust.

Children may be on your mind. Take a close look at documents before signing on the dotted line.

Virgo (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Outbursts of passion may cause arguments with your mate. You can expect to have problems with your mate if you've been spending too much time away from home. Call someone you haven't seen in a long time. Try to avoid serious discussions with loved

Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) This day was meant for love. Make creative changes to your residence. Your ability to help others will win you points.

Don't make promises that you can't possibly keep. Spend time with friends or family.

ACROSS

office 47. Not well‐ 1.Miss Piggy’s liked pronoun 52. “__ to 4. Garbo of film pieces” (2 wds.)

9. Opposite of 55. Part of MPH Mr. Right 56. Renter’s 12. Hollywood’s document Affleck 57. Morse code 13. Scale symbol members 58. __ Paulo 14. Remnant 59. Martinelli 15. Sandy’s sound and Maxwell 16. Events 60. NYC summer 18. Suffix for a setting doctrine 20. Drunkard DOWN 21. Grows more intense 1.Business‐ 25. Kind of reef person’s deg.

29. Associate 2. Poet’s “over” 30. Barrracks 3. Shortstop or fixture first 32. Cairo’s baseman waterway 4. Troll’s cousin 33. Had more 5. Fabled bird points 6. Common 34. British abbr. beverage 7. Lipton 35. Moving beverages vehicle 8. Organization 36. Arden et al. (abbr.)

38. Atmospheric 9. Company content exec (abbr.)

39. Cow crowd 10. Columnist 40. Truth __ Landers 42. Removes 11. Dentist’s weapons degree 44. Maniacal (abbr.)

46. Those holding 17. Take __ the

chin (2 wds) 19. Foreign agent 21. Broad valleys 22. French student 23. March Madness sponsor (abbr.)

24. Not liquid 26. Bank of a stream 27. Cause anxiety 28. Furnishes 31. Actress Hatcher 37. __ wrestling 39. Solo of “Star Wars”

41. Syrup tree 43. Royal titles 45. Fencing match 47. Delivery option (abbr.)

48. Teacher’s group

LAST WEEK’s SOLUTION

V

THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 21.

(abbr.)

49. Master 50. __ Vegas 51. Light __ feather (2 wds.)

53. Zeus or Odin 54. Famed Giant Mel

V What more does she want?

22. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Advice

Dear George,

My girlfriend is telling me that she needs more. She is not satisfied with the job I have which pays just enough to pay the bills, and says that she wants me to get a bigger place, all because the room that we have is too small and needs a bigger bed, etc.

George, she is even comparing me to some of her friends who have, according to her, what we don’t have. I don’t know how to please this woman. Nothing we have is enough for her, and she is trying to drive me to steal. I am asking you, George, do you have any suggestions on how to deal with this situation? I am absolutely doing my best to keep us afloat and to make her happy, but it is not enough for her, and I honestly do not know what she wants.

Frustrated Dear Frustrated, It is unfortunate that

your girlfriend does not see the situation for what it is, and your efforts to make things better. Quit trying to make her “happy”! She has to come to the relationship in a happy state of mind, and there is nothing that you can

do to make her happy. If she truly loves you, and is devoted to the relationship, she would understand what obtains, and work with you side by side to improve the current situation. If your best efforts are never good

enough, then you need to conserve your energy and move on without this woman who will eventually find someone whom she can manipulate to live above their means.

George

Jealousy getting out of hand Dear George,

admiring this woman from before, and went home to make a big noise about it. I am tired of this, and my wife needs to know that I will not live with her if she decides to be like this.

Before I married her, she was not like this, and we used to mix with other friends - male and female, and never had a problem like we are having now. I hope she reads this and know who is writing it.

I CANNOT look at another woman, once I am walking or driving with my wife. I have never cheated on her and will never cheat on her, but I just want to be able to admire another person (woman) if the situation calls for it. For example, we were talking with a few friends about this young lady and the wonderful qualities she has. I made my contribution to the discussion by saying she Tired certainly has a nice Dear Tired, shape and smile. My wife gave me a mean Sit your wife down look, and accused me of

and explain to her that her insecure and jealous nature will not help the marriage, and she needs to take a deep look into herself to see where this is coming from, and to do something about it.

Suggest that she find help if necessary to deal with this. Remind her that you are fully satisfied with her and the marriage you are both in, and have no need to look elsewhere for further or any satisfaction. Continue to be the supporting husband to her, and to always assure her of your love and commitment. A little reminder this ever so often can go a long way in bringing about a different climate in any relationship.

George

No third party in relationships Dear George, I HAVE BEEN married to my husband for fourteen years, and we have never had a problem with infidelity until now. My husband went with this friend of mine who has always been coming to our house since we have been married. According to the facts, they have only been involved once, and he admitted it was a mistake on his part.

George, I want to just walk out on him because of the hurt he has caused me; but there is one factor I have to admit to. Before this affair with this ‘friend’ of mine, our sex life was going down a slippery slope. There was no fun in the bedroom and everything was just routine.

After the affair, things have improved tremendously, and I know it is as a direct result of the affair, he had with my friend. When I confronted my friend about the affair she said my husband constantly complained to her about our boring sex life, and she did what she did to help him and by extension help us. She said she only took on a teaching role, and I ought to be grateful that things are now back on track, as reported to her by my husband. I know she is right about some things, but I am hurt that she made the decision to come between us like that. I am so confused right now that I do not know what to do with my husband or my marriage.

Hurt bad Dear Hurt bad, As good intentioned as your friend may have been, she should not have interfered with your marriage. She could have encouraged him to see a marriage counsellor or a sex therapist for help.

You cannot show gratitude to someone who as a friend decides to have an affair with your husband in her attempt to ‘help’. This action can have repercussions in the future, of course. Your marriage, however, is at a stage where it can still be salvaged, and the next step you can take is to go see marriage counsellor and discuss the errors that were made, with a view to move forward with new information on how to keep the marriage alive and well. You should have been the first person your husband should have discussed the problem with, and not a third party. Please be advised that third parties are not good for relationships/marriages keep them out!

George

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 23.

News

Sandy Bay gets environmental training

OVER SEVENTY YOUNGSTERS from the North Windward area have increased their knowledge on aspects of their surroundings. They completed a Summer Programme at the Sandy Bay Government School recently under the theme ‘Literacy and the Environment.’

Public Relations Officer for Caribbean Youth Environment Rebekah Dennie commended coordinators Ariel White and Christopher Grant for fulfilling the targets of the exercise. She was satisfied

that the mandate to empower young people to take a positive stance when tackling socio-economic and environmental issues was achieved.

Poverty alleviation, health, climate change, and preservation of natural resources were among topics dealt with.

Children between four and fifteen years attended, for which Dennie was greatly pleased.

Vinsave’s Summer Programme enlightening THE VINSAVE SUMMER PROGRAMME 2014 came to an end on Friday 22/8/14. The 6-week programme was conducted under the Theme: “It’s all About Learning and Having Fun”.

During the six weeks, the children were taken on field trips to various sites, organizations and farms.

They also heard talks from personnel of the Central Water and Sewerage Authority, Horticultural Society, Fisheries Division, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard, among others.

The Closing Ceremony took the form of a Concert, where the children participated in dance, songs and drama. Remarks were given by the Director of Vinsave, Mrs. Janice Fraser, and Reflections on the programme in the form of a skit, by the teachers. Parents, guardians and well-wishers attended the Ceremony.

Certificates were awarded to the children, and it concluded with an Exhibition of children’s work.

Some of the work done by the children who attended.

SVG Volunteers and participants at the Owia Salt Pond Recreational Park.

Inset: Age group 7- 9 involved in an arts and craft session.

A main focus was to have an increased life and leadership capacity so as to help improve educational,

environmental and life skill activities, she outlined.

Students did poetry writing, arts and crafts,

environmental awareness games, First Aid, team building, self-defence, and gender and equality.

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24. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

News

Starlift Juniors graduate

Right: Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts, Musical Director, Starlift Steel Orchestra.

The Starlift Steel Orchestra 2014 Summer training programme closed with an impressive graduation ceremony at the Starlift Pan Yard ,Old Montrose on Saturday 23rd August 2014.The ceremony began with a prayer, followed by opening remarks by the Steel Orchestra’s Captain Roddy Dowers and the first of

two renditions by the Starlift Juniors.

This was followed by remarks by Ms Oneka Morgan, President of the Youlou Pan Movement, and Mr John Horne, who stood in for Central Kingstown Representative Major St. Claire Leacock.

Hon. Cecil ‘Ces’ McKie, the Guest Speaker, spoke on the

development of the Starlift Steel Orchestra, and the Youths who were the beneficiaries of the six-week training sessions under the tutelage of Kingsley ‘Hero” Roberts.

The featured speaker Leslie-Ann Millington, a member of Starlift for many years, emphasised the many

problems the Steel Orchestra endured over the forty-seven (47) years of its existence, and that it was so refreshing to see the forty-six Graduates receive their

Graduating Class rendering ‘FERNANDO’ at closing ceremony.

Certificates .

The ceremony closed with a rendition of the well-known song ‘FERNANDO’ by the

2014 graduating class, with cheers from the appreciative audience of parents, invited guests and friends.

Laptop training for Secondary School teachers ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES National Centre of Technological Innovation (SVGNCTI) continues to fulfill its commitment to provide quality ICT training to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

As part of the “One Laptop per Student” initiative, each secondary school student received a laptop from the government. SVGNCTI is proud to be a part of this initiative by providing ICT training for the secondary school teachers who will be teaching these secondary school students.

During the period July 28 to August 22, over 640 secondary school teachers were effectively trained in ICT Pioneer, Windows 8 and 8.1 PRO, Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2013, Acer Classroom Management and Integrating ICT in the classrooms (ICT Integration). This training will prove invaluable in enhancing the delivery of their lessons.

To effectively complete the training, several secondary schools throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines were utilized. These included Georgetown Secondary, North Union Secondary, St Clair Dacon Secondary, Central Leeward Secondary, Troumaca Secondary, Bethel High Secondary, Girls High School, St Martin’s Secondary, Bequia Community High, Emmanuel High Mespo, Union Island Secondary, Boys Grammar School, and Dr. JP Eustace Secondary. In addition, the training was completed at the SVGNCTI headquarters, located upstairs Old Banana Growers Association Building on Sharpe Street.

SVGNCTI recently became an accredited Association of Business Executives (ABE) institution offering diplomas in business courses. It is also a British Computer School (BCS) Chartered Institute of IT approved College offering IT qualification, while nurturing its partnership with Microsoft, CompTIA, Pearson VUE and Prometric. This ensures that persons who are interested in gaining a global qualification, while training locally, are afforded the opportunity to do so at an affordable price. In addition, Level 1 QuickBooks training is also offered by SVGNCTI. The ICT training was possible through the aid of Digicel and the collaboration of the Ministry of Education.

SVGNCTI continues to provide ICT training to Vincentians at their office on Lower Bay Street.

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 25.

Business

Lime to invest millions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

decision to make the Caribbean and Central American region its “home market,” and in doing so, would invest over one billion US dollars in developing the services it already provides, and creating new ones for its customers.

“Specifically here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, we would be investing within the coming 12 months six million US dollars, aimed at bringing a fantastic smart phone experience to a 4G mobile network which is already up and running, and we have a few more L-R: Senior Marketing and Corporate sites to add; and as Vincentians would Communications Executive of LIME, know, already we have a far better Nikala Williams; Chief Executive coverage in the island, and we aim to Officer of LIME, Martin Roos and replicate that in our 4G experience.”

General Manager of LIME St. Vincent, According to Roos, another three Leslie Jack. million US dollars would be invested in upping broadband speeds, with the intentions of delivering up to 50 LIME’S NEWLY APPOINTED Chief Executive Officer, Martin Roos visited St megabits of speeds to customers by Vincent earlier this week to outline plans Christmas this year.

When this is accomplished, Roos that head company Cable and Wireless pointed out that the long awaited has in store for St Vincent and the LIME High Definition television over Grenadines, as well as the other broadband would then be a reality, territories where LIME operates.

Roos, speaking at a press conference and should be introduced to Vincentians by early to middle 2015. on Monday in Kingstown, told the Other initiatives that have been media that the local LIME team has introduced include the formation of a been doing quite well, and that head office has been “struggling” to keep up new communications unit called Cable and Wireless Business Solutions, and with the Vincentian team in terms of the strengthening of portions of the investments. network, aimed at withstanding “I have to tell you that, since we launched our 4G network just a couple disasters.

Future initiatives include taking the of months ago, we have seen one necessary steps forward in hundred per cent growth…. We continue to deal with a strong demand provisioning health and security systems, and bringing data solutions to for broadband services, which I think the corporate community, Roos said. is testimonial to the great work that Leslie Jack, LIME Country has been done here on the island.

“That further underscores the need Manager, said that the CEO’s visit to St Vincent shows the level of to give the local team here the extra confidence placed in the local company, toolbox to continue to provide great and sends a clear signal of the parent service, and that takes millions of body’s commitment to the people of St dollars... and we are looking for the Vincent and the Grenadines. team to continue to grow, to create “We have been investing heavily, networks that are resilient and robust, along with partnering with the and can grow in the same pace that government of St Vincent and the people have appetite for advanced Grenadines, to ensure that we meet telecom services here on the island,” the many needs of our customers,” Roos said.

Jack noted.

He pointed out that Cable and Wireless has made the conscious

Digicel supports Luke’s Kids Club?

TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY Digicel says that the company was glad to be a contributor to Luke’s Kids Club, a 2014 Summer programme that yearly caters to approximately 1,000 children between the ages of four and 16.

Marketing Executive at Digicel Danielle Cupid said that when approached by Luke’s Kids Club representatives, Digicel was glad to assist, as the company believes in nurturing the youths.

“We see the youth as the future, so we were glad to help with this venture”, said Cupid.

The annual summer programme which also received the support of Invest SVG, was opened on Tuesday, July 19th in Cane Garden (Old

L-R: Danielle Cupid, Digicel’s Operations Manager Justin John, Invest SVG Director Bernadette Ambrose-Black and Luke Browne of Luke’s Kids Club.

Judge’s Residence) and closed last Saturday August 23rd.

This year, the theme for the fouryear-old summer programme was “Sports and Entrepreneurship.”

26. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 27.

Sports

SVG names PaceBiased Squad squad. He got heads turning in his direction a few years ST. VINCENT AND THE ago when he bowled the West GRENADINES cricket selectors Indies A team to a series win have named a pace-biased against their Indian twenty-man squad to continue counterparts on their tour of training for the upcoming senior the Caribbean. He also Windward Islands cricket showed his class in the shorter tournament slated for October in version when he stunned the St. Lucia.

Kensington Oval in picking up The squad includes five 5/5 against the hosts in a T20 pacers, four of whom have match there. However injuries worn the West Indies colours and a loss of form have seen at either the youth or A team him falling down the pecking levels or both. order in the eyes of the Leading the pack is Kenroy regional selectors.

Peters, who was the leading Dawnley Grant, who like wickettaker in the 2014 Johnson in his high twenties, regional four day tournament has been recovering from a with 40 scalps. Peters, a leftfew injuries as well as what arm seamer, represented the appeared to be a loss of form West Indies Youth Team in and confidence, was part of 2000 and was called up in the the West Indies team to the twenty-man training squad for U19 World Cup in New the New Zealand tour of the Zealand in 2008.

Caribbean earlier this year, His forceful pace and silkbut the 33-year-old failed to like savagery with the bat make the final cut. have seen him rated highly by Another left-arm pacer analysts as one with the Delorn Johnson is part of the potential to be a full-fledged

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

allrounder, once he can shrug off what some say is a laid back and at times disinterested attitude.

Ray Jordan, possibly the quickest, is the most recent to have paraded in the maroon colours-doing so in the U19 World Cup in Malaysia earlier this year. Bowling with some pace, Jordan was highly spoken about by commentators. However, he suffered a setback when his action was found to be in breach of the regulations. A trip to Australia for biochemical tests and plans for subsequent remedial could see him taking his rightful place in future teams if all goes well.

The pacey Kesrick Williams is the only one of the group who never wore West Indies colours officially. He was however able to represent the CCC at

SVG PACERS: Delorn Johnson, Ray Jordan, Kenroy Peters, Dawnley Grant the regional level.

Reports say that Williams, a right arm pacer, had been side lined with some niggles but is well on the road to full recovery.

The squad was named by chairman Lance John and his panel after a series of trial matches.

Former West Indies seamer Deighton Butler is the team’s coach, with Ortis Jack as the manager.

The full squad: Lindon James (Captain), Sunil Ambris, Casmond Walters, Gideon Pope, Keron Cottoy, Donwell Hector, Kenneth Dembar, Dawnley Grant, Marvin Small, Kenroy Peters, Rodney Lawrence, Miles Bascombe, Alston Bobb, Desron Maloney, Asif Hooper, Kesrick Williams, Romel Currency, Delorn Johnson, Atticus Browne, and Ray Jordan.

Cupid, Walker hit centuries in Marriaqua T20

Marriaqua Tape-ball T20 Competition opens CRICKETERS OF ALL AGES in and around the Marriaqua area were in an exciting mood as they welcomed the opening of yet another sporting event.

This when the inaugural Prime Consulting Casper Davis Tape-ball T20 Competition bowled off at the Richland Park playing field last weekend.

Six teams are registered for the Competition, namely Riverside Warriors, Shanty Town Ballblazers , Kelipar Hillsiders, Limehill Knightriders, Cotton Ground Smashers and Oval Wanderers. Each team represents a village from the Richland Park community, and each team will feature two (2) national players from outside the Marriaqua constituency.

All other members of teams are home grown Marriaqua players.

Some of the players on show are expected to include Windward Islands players Kenroy Peters, Rommel Currency, Sunil Ambris, Donwell Hector, Keron Cottoy and Seon Sween from Marriaqua. Also registered are Windward Islands youth player Alistair

Shallow and former national U15 players Jeremy Layne, Vic Toney and Etano Trimimgham.

Some of the outside players are Salvan Brown, Lindon James, Kesrick Williams, Deighton Butler, Olanzo Jackson and Gosnel Cupid.

Kenroy Peters, one of the principal organizers of the Competition, told THE VINCENTIAN that, among the reasons for this competition are, “to bring back the community spirit, …and to help in the development of young players.”

He noted the idea of having two players from outside Marriaqua as being aimed at helping to guide the young cricketers.

“The Masters players are used as mentors to help everyone in their team,” Peters said.

As far as the naming of the Competition was concerned, Peters explained, “We decided to name the tournament after Casper Davis, a Windward Islands right arm fast bowler before he migrated to the United States, because he did a lot of work with young cricketers like myself,

Action in the opening match in the tournament between Kellipar Hillsiders and Oval Wanderers

Kenroy Peters, one of the Competition’s organizers.

Romel Currency, Keron Cottoy, Donwell Hector and a little bit with Sunil Ambris. All have since gone on to play for the Windward Islands.”

In addition to Peters, Keron Cottoy, Seon Sween and Kendal Malla Henderson are also part of the Competition’s Organizing Committee.

And while major sponsorship comes from Prime Consulting owned by Dougal James, assistance is also assured from Mrs. N. Browne of Rainbow Palace Bar & Restaurant, Golan Greaves of G and T Enterprises, and Elroy John, former Branch Manager of First Caribbean Bank.

I.B.A.ALLEN

FORMER WINDWARD Islands batsman Gosnel Cupid and Rickford Walker stole the spotlight when they recorded the first centuries at the opening match of the inaugural Prime Consulting Casper Davis Tape-ball T20 competition, at the Richland Park playing field last weekend.

Cupid stroked 127, with 10 sixes and 11 fours, as he teamed up with Rickford Walker, 116 with 13 sixes and 9 fours to lead Limehill Knight Riders to a mammoth 286 for 6 from 20 overs against Riverside Warriors.

Dougal James turned in an outstanding bowling performace amidst the onslaught, taking 5 for 36. Riverside Warriors’ reply closed at 157, Kevin Samuel topscoring with 46. Norlan Williams bagged 4 for 22. Man of the Match was Dougal James.

Also on Sunday, Kellipar Hillsiders beat Oval Wanderers by 7 wickets. Oval Wanderers batted first and were restricted to 110 for 7 from their allotted 20 overs. Las Haywood rescued the innings with a fighting 39 not out, while Captain Mc Cleon contributed 26.

Bowling for Hillsiders, Captain Kenroy Peters took 3 for 11. At their turn at the crease, Kellipar Hillsiders only needed 10 overs to achieve their target, reaching 111

for 3. Sunil Ambris led with 38 not out. Las Haywood was adjudged Man of the Match.

In Gosnel Cupid Sunday’s stroked 127. third match, Shanty Town beat Cotton Ground by 6 wickets. Batting first, Cotton Ground posted 130 from 13.2 overs. Captain Nickie Antoine topscored with 38, and Vibert King hit 26. Desron Maloney and Calty Phillips had two wickets each for Shanty Town, who eased to victory in 12.2 overs after losing 4 wickets. Desron Maloney topscored with 37 not out and was adjudged Man of the Match.

This weekend, Riverside Warriors take on Cotton Ground Smashers from 2.30pm on Saturday. On Sunday, Limehill Knight Riders face Oval Wanderers from 11:00am, and from 2.30 pm Kelipar Hill Siders take on Cotton Ground Smashers.

All matches are being played at the Richland Park playing field.

I.B.A.ALLEN

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28. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

Sports

Females Grassroots Programme successful, London

programme, and I can say it was an overwhelming THE ST. VINCENT and the success….even though we Grenadines Football Federation were affected on some days by –SVGFF-is terming its recent the rain, we got in a lot, and grassroots female coaching as you can see here today, the programme as a fait accompli, females are motivated to get according to coordinator of the into the game”, she said. programme Yolande London.

Over the last few weeks, the London, speaking to THE SVGFF conducted VINCENTIAN at the programmes in Barrouallie, culmination of the programme Campden Park and Calliaqua, at the Arnos Vale Playing with a festival at the Arnos Field, said that she was happy Vale TWO Playing Field, with at what had been done over Technical Director Keith the last few weeks since the Ollivierre and head coach holding of the inaugural FIFA Corneilus Huggins in sponsored coaching attendance. programme for women football SVGFF General Secretary coaches. said that the organisation will “We had this Grassroots be looking to cover other

by E. GLENFORD PRESCOTT

areas, including the Grenadines, at the next round, since it is their intention to get a lot of females involved in learning and playing the game.

London sees the spin offs from the FIFA Course as immeasurable, and believes that female football has a place on the local scene.

“Our goal is to keep the momentum going from what we had coming out of the FIFA programme, and my role is to keep it at a certain level where people, where females and girls in particular, will be hungry to want to play”.

London said that, following the first part of the

Participants at the Female Grassroots Festival.

programme which ended last Twenty-two local female week, they would engage in coaches received certificates the organising of caravans to after attending the travel across the islands with FIFA/CONCACAF four-day the help of the recently course at the Arnos Vale certified female coaches.

Sports Complex Media Centre She said that financing will last month. be a challenging issue because The course, which was the money which FIFA conducted by FIFA Instructor stipulates must go to Womens Andrea Rodebaugh, covered a football development is but a number of areas, including the drop in the bucket. demands of football, fitness for “That money, football, analysis of fitness which is about one testing, planning sessions, hundred thousand marketing women’s football, dollars or so, has to developing an annual do so many things, programme, strength that we would have development, and the to find other means importance of nutrition, three hours 20 minutes cyclist to have his wheels cross to finance our among other things.

20.457 seconds. Gordon the tape. programmes, and Rodebaugh told the was fourth overall.

The other Vincentian podium hope that participants back then, that But it was another finish was in the veterans’ CONCACAF will opportunities to play womens Antiguan, the 2013 category, as Peter Durrant was chip in in some way football at the professional to help along the level are limited, since only winner- Andre Simon second to Marsh. Durrant‘s time way”. two countries, the USA and who completed the route was three hours 48 minutes 54 London said she the UK actually have as he was third in three .180 seconds. professional leagues. She hours 16 minutes 17.216 St Vincent and the Grenadines’ is very confident seconds. best placing in the open category and optimistic that explained that some openings are there in the collegiate and Bridges said at the was attained by Randy Wilkinson, Womens football will take root here, Universities system, but it end of the race, “That is who was seventh and ninth requires a sound academic since there are what we came to do; we overall. Wilkinson clocked three came with a hours 27 minutes 11.240 seconds some opportunities background, complemented by a better than average skill for young players plan, and it over the distance. level, to break through in that they may not worked out”.

St Kitts/ Nevis, Anguilla and these areas. get from netball-the Bridges, who the British Virgin Islands were once dominant established a the other territories which female sport. healthy lead from contested the race. the second lap of Sprinting home are the eight and a Antiguans - Jyme half lap race, Bridges, Robert Marsh which took and Andre Simon A VINCENTIAN TABLE tennis cyclists from squad is looking to reach the Colonarie to ANTIGUA AND Central American and Caribbean Georgetown then BARBUDA cyclists Games scheduled for Vera Cruz, to Mt Grenan, rode off with the three Mexico from November 14 to 30. waited on Marsh major titles that were But they have to go through a and Simon, to are stake at the qualification process in El ensure hosting of the National dominance of the Salvador, September 1.

Zefal Bailey Lotteries Authority The five-member contingent, three top places.

OECS Championships managed

by Marlon Gibson, left Riding in fourth position was held here in the north central here last Tuesday for the St Lucian- Kurt Maraj, as he windward area last Sunday. championship. Jose Carrington clocked three minutes 20 minutes The trio of Jyme Bridges, doubles as coach, with the other 19.473 seconds.

Robert Marsh and Tasheed Vincentian Zefal Bailey was the players being: Kamal Hunte, Gordon all mounted the podium to host country’s first cyclist to cross Damion Dublin and Deighton lift their categories’ titles.

King. the finish line.

Bridges was first in the open The Table Tennis contingent hopes to qualify for Carrington anticipates that Bailey’s time was three hours category of the 70- mile event, Mexico in November. the team will make a positive while Marsh copped the veterans,’ 24 minutes 18.749 seconds, to be of the view that exposure such as this showing, so that they can move on to the seventh among the twenty who and Gordon — the juniors. tournament will serve as valuable training more advanced level of competition in endured to the end in the broiling Bridges took three hours 16 field for future players.

Mexico. minutes 16.628 seconds, ahead of midday sun.

A table tennis party was also part of He is realistic about his country’s Bailey also took the second Marsh who was second overall. this country’s representation at the chance of progressing.

He contends that place in the juniors, with Marsh’s time was three hours 16 Grenadian- Hudson Dowden third the outfit is improving, and that they have Commonwealth Games held in Scotland minutes 16.978 seconds. earlier this year. the capacity to cope with any opponents.

Gordon, in retaining the junior in three hours 54 minutes 59.294 Carrington is hoping that lessons learnt He noted that the level of intensity in the seconds. segment which he won last year sport has not sufficiently revived, but he is will be inspirational for the Vincentians.

Dowden was the sixteenth in St Lucia, stopped the clock at

Antiguan cyclists rule the Vincentian road in OECS Championships

Table Tennis squad looking to qualify

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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. 29.

Sports

Repression THIS SEEMS to be the era of oppression, as witnessed by a turn of recent events. Not that actions of this nature are new. They have been taking place over a prolonged period in South Africa before the conscience of the world weighed down on the forces of evil, and the apartheid system ended.

Racial suppression has been a hallmark of the American society, with the indiscriminate killings of black people.

The trend has spilled over in the Caribbean.

But, whereas acts of the police brutality have been perpetuated by white Police officers in the US, those in the Caribbean delight in getting rid of those of their own ilk.

What has been taking place in Palestine over the past two months is enough to force persons with a balanced outlook, to take a close view at Israel and their actions.

Caricom has issued a statement on the Palestinian situation; but there is the feeling that regional leaders will not be as vocal in their condemnation of Israel as it would have been if it had been some other African nation, or Venezuela.

Whatever it costs, Caricom leaders have a responsibility to speak about human rights abuses wherever they occur.

It is surprising that Israel enjoys normal relations with the rest of the world, in the wake of their ongoing violation of international laws and their treatment of the Palestinian people.

Some persons are disgusted with the Israeli action and are demanding that something be done to show our disapproval. But the authorities may not be inclined to pay any heed to minority voices.

Or they might be too timid, overawed by Israeli power. Israel will be contained, for justice must prevail.

I must salute the Palestinian people for their resilience in the face of brutal oppression waged against them. They need no insistence on continuing their struggle, and all we could do is to give them whatever act of solidarity we can.

It is time that the Palestinian issue be settled, and that means a return of the Palestinian lands to their original owners.

Whatever agreements are made must acknowledge the Palestinians rights.

Oppression on racial grounds has become too common place. It harps back to the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela for a period of 27 years before he went from prisoner to President.

The Palestinians have no such figure to symbolise their cause. Yasser Arafat has departed, and no personality with his appeal has emerged to claim an international profile on behalf of the Palestinians.

No Arab nation appears willing to stand in support of the Palestinians, so they have no choice than to wage their battle.

Sports and politics have long been a basis of controversy. Indeed, sports have served as a platform of diplomacy.

It is time that the Palestinians take part in international sporting activities. But as long as the siege continues on Gaza, Palestinians will be left with no other choice but to engage in legitimate resistance of occupying forces. And when that goes on, persons will continue a tirade of terrorism.

What they won’t acknowledge is the hypocrisy with which the world has become immune to with their defence of the Israeli occupation.

SVG swimmers, champions and record breakers in St. Lucia year group, with 15 medals — 9 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze, breaking 10 Meet records.

Shane Cadogan, for the 11-12 year boys, also won the Championship, with 12 gold and 1 silver and bronze each, breaking 3 Meet records.

Alexander Joachim, for the Boys’ 9-10 group, was champ, gaining all 11 gold medals in his group.

Shne Joachim, Champion in the Girls 13-14, brought L-R: Nikolas Sylvester, Shne Joachim home 10 Gold medals, setting a new record for the and Alexander Joachim. female Sprint Challenge.

Other medal winners seen over the last two years”. representing Black Sands Blue Marlins Swim Club, led included:

by Head Coach, Neisha Alexander Justin Sylvester, 11-12 Boys, 1 was also pleased with her Silver and 1 Bronze. swimmers performances. Blue Paige Cadogan, Girls 9-10, 4 Marlins swimmers included: Bronze.

Dorien Antrobus, Boys 15-17, Jamie Joachim, 6 years and won 4 Silver and 3 Bronze. under, 1 Gold and 3 Silver.

Bryson George, 9-10 Boys, 1 Gerard Geowarsingh, 15-17 Silver and 2 Bronze. group, won 1 Silver and 3.

Kenale Alleyne, also in that Head coach of Black Sands, group, 1 Bronze.

Kyle Dougan, was The SVG Swimming Federation extremely pleased with in partnership with the Bank of the performances of his Nova Scotia and LIME, extends young athletes. He congratulations to all swimmers said, “the progress of who participated in the Meet, and our swimmers notes that all swimmers continues as our continued to show improvements preparations for the in their swim times.

OECS Championships Congratulations to the coaches in November and the who do an outstanding job with CARIFTA Swimming our young athletes.

Championships next Please contact us at April begin in earnest svgasa@gmail.com with any and where we expect to queries, comments or suggestions The Vincentian representatives from both continue the you may have in regard to teams at Summer Festival 2014. improvements we have swimming.

VINCENTIAN swimmers dominated the annual Summer Festival Swim Meet in St Lucia held August 21st to 24th, 2014. Nikolas Sylvester, Shane Cadogan, Shne Joachim and Alexander Joachim were all overall champions in their respective age groups. Nikolas, Shne and Alexander won their respective Sprint Championships (and won three of the four Sprint categories) and both Shne and Alex broke the Sprint Challenge records.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Swimming was represented by two clubs, Black Sands Swim Squad (BSSS) and Blue Marlins (BM) at the Summer Festival Swim Meet which featured swimmers representing eight swim clubs from three Caribbean countries.

Black Sands Swim Squad, led

by Shane Cadogan, Nikolas Sylvester, Shne Joachim and Alexander Joachim, won the Boys Overall Championships, and their swimmers produced dominant performances.

Nikolas Sylvester, was the overall Champion in the 13-14

Grassroot Tennis shines in St. Lucia The ITF/GSDF English Caribbean Wilson Under 12 Cotecc Team Championship 2014, runs from August 24th - 30th in St Lucia at the St Lucia National Tennis Centre. The St Vincent and the Grenadines team comprising of Grassroot Tennis Club members: Akeil Deroche and Anthonio Cain, along with coach Khir Huggins,

left the state on Sunday 23rd to participate in the event.

The team was sponsored by The Mustique Company, Mustique Tennis Club and SVG General Services Ltd. Director of Grassroot Tennis Club Grant Connell said the club is indeed grateful for the kind support from the sponsors, Team Vincy .....Khir Huggins, Anthonio Cain, Akeil Deroche and and thanked Mr Grant Connell.

Stephen Joachim, Mr Leroy ‘Fly’ Edwards and Mr Richard Schaffer D: St Lucia Team 1, Curacao, Barbados and Antigua. for their continued The tournament played in a support for the round robin format, will result in development of tennis in two teams advancing from each St Vincent. group. Up to press time, St The competition Vincent played Suriname, with includes 11 countries, including hosts St Lucia. Anthonio Cain playing as number one seed for his team defeating Group A includes: Juwell Ritveld 4 0, 4 0 and Akeil Bahamas, Trinidad and Grenada; St Vincent and Deroche defeating Giordi Sampson 4 0,4 1. They then the Grenadines are in combined to defeat the Suriname Group B with Jamaica and Suriname; Group C: team in doubles. The competition Bermuda, Guyana and St would end on Saturday 30th Team Vincy with team from Suriname Lucia Team 2, and Group August, and the team is scheduled after match. to return home on Sunday.

30. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014. THE VINCENTIAN

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A LIVING MATHS TEACHING LEGEND IT IS COMMON knowledge that Gillis “Git” Francis of Cane End, Mesopotamia in the fertile Marriaqua Valley, is a man on a mission. This maths teaching superstar is driven by positive energy which flows through the classroom, and whose style, values, and principles have inspired generations of students to high levels of achievement. In fact, he has found a niche which has made him for the last 40 years or so, a titan in his chosen profession. Not surprisingly, at the beginning of his teaching career, Cynthia Lucas, a senior teaching supervisor, predicted after hearing Gillis’ practice teaching session, “You are destined to be a great teacher, keep at it!” Her words now ring loud and clear as the unvarnished truth.

Gillis’ outstanding record speaks for itself. Throughout his teaching career, his average success rate at the GCE, CXC, CSEC exams is above 90%.

While teaching at the Marriaqua Secondary School, students flocked to his maths classes to “slay the ghost” of inability or incapacity which has become a mind-set among students from way back when. Student after student has paid tribute to Francis’ outstanding feats in his teaching career. Teddy James, one of his former students, claims to speak for his students everywhere when he opined “Mr Francis has made maths the simplest subject I know. Not only is he a most brilliant maths teacher, but on a whole, his teaching generally is second to none. It is his method, delivery and substance which will awaken and uplift any mind from deep slumber. Had he taught me Dutch, I would’ve been a Dutchman today.”

Another of his students, now working at a world famous institution, testifies “He has pushed the boundaries of teaching to a point where there is a

widespread clamour to sit at his feet at any class he teaches, but more so the once feared maths. He has become a brand, a pioneer and a force for progressive change through his amazing gift as a teacher.”

For those of us who know him well from early secondary school days, the center of his interest was his quest for excellence in mastering “the dreaded maths”. For him, science and technology were and are the essential tools behind most of the wonderful discoveries which were and are helpful to mankind. Maths for him was the mother of all sciences, and hence, in this scientific world, one has to understand the importance of maths in everyday life. This is not only desirable but possible. His profound accomplishments in the classroom bear testimony.

Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves, in the Hansard (Parliamentary reports) of 11th Oct, 2005 paid tribute to Gillis’ maths teaching excellence among other things. The Prime Minister’s view is shared by everybody who is familiar with Gillis’ mastery and virtuosity as a teacher.

His signature laurels are just too many to list here, but it must be mentioned that at St. Clair Dacon Secondary School where he taught maths for roughly 5-6 years, the pass rate was 4% when he started out. By the time he left, it had attained an 87% pass rate. His devotion and will in this effort tell us of his ground level perspective through social inclusion among his other proven ways. Indeed, he is a man who would spare no effort in giving yeoman teaching service to all, irrespective of class, colour or creed. His 98% pass-rate in maths

with a ton of distinctions in the recently concluded CSEC exams, is nothing but a just reward for years of productive service with honour and not for honour.

In reflecting on the career so far of this teaching icon, it is safe to conclude that, mathematically speaking, his is like “a tree planted by the water which yields its fruit in season and its leaves do not whither…”.

“Git” continues to ply his trade with

Published by The VINCENTIAN Publishing Co. Ltd, St. Vincent and the Grenadines;

Gillis “Git” Francis the same devotion, dedication and humility of yesterday for the benefit of the nation’s youth and for the further development of his homeland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. His teaching legacy will forever be etched in the minds of his students and a thankful society.

Contributed by Andrew Cummings.

Printed by the SVG Publishers Inc., Campden Park.