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Clowns Without Borders For Theraphy Workshops

Published

12 years ago

September 10, 2014

KINGSTON, Sept. 8 (JIS):
BY: DOUGLAS McINTOSH
Two members of the internationally-acclaimed Spanish humanitarian organization, ‘Clowns without Borders’ (‘Payasos sin Fronteras’) are currently in Jamaica for a series of engagements between today (September 8) and Friday, September 12, involving over 600 children and close to 200 child care practitioners.

Their visit, which is being jointly facilitated by the Embassy of Spain in Jamaica, and the Spanish-Jamaican Foundation (SJF), will see them conducting master classes/workshops focusing on alternative grief and trauma interventions incorporating play and drama therapy, a relatively new concept to Jamaica.
These will be held at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, on September 9, and will target drama students of the institution, as well as social workers and psychologists from the Child Development Agency (CDA), and also current and future guidance counsellors from Teachers’ Colleges, and the Ministry of Education.

The members, Cristina Julia and Jordi Sabán, will also be giving special performances for children, aged four to 12 years, who are deemed to have been psychologically affected, primarily by incidents of violence, among other factors.

These will be held at the Edna Manley College on September 9, and Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in Montego Bay, St. James, on September 12.

A total of 600 youngsters, who have been identified in schools and children’s homes, will attend with each college accommodating approximately 300 children for the day’s activities.

The visitors will also perform for children who are patients at St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, St. Ann, on September 8; Bustamante Hospital for Children, Kingston, September 10; and Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), September 11.
Spanish-Jamaican Foundation (SJF) General Manager, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, tells JIS News that the Clowns without Borders first visit to Jamaica, forms part of the SJF’s contribution to assist in strengthening stakeholders’ response to challenges associated with trauma affecting children, as a result of their exposure to violence.

“We contacted them (Clowns without Borders) and told them a little about the situation in Jamaica, in terms of the effect of violence directly and indirectly on youngsters in schools and children’s homes, and the high level of interest their caregivers have shown in play/drama therapy techniques, and they readily agreed to come and do a series of sessions for the children, and counsellors,” she explains.

Deputy Head of Mission in charge of Cultural Affairs at the Spanish Embassy in Kingston, Victoria Tur Gomez, adds that they will interact with the children. “They will talk to them…and they will engage with them in ways that we hope will bring smiles to their faces, which is the main purpose of their visit,” she said.
Dr. Tortello tells JIS News that the decision to invite Clowns without Borders to Jamaica “is not something we just decided to do.”

“We saw the need, knowing the great necessity of different therapeutic interventions for our children, and the success that play therapy has had around the world,” she explains, adding that “this project is an intentional extension of the SJF’s emphasis on health and wellness over the last three years.”

“We have done a number of training workshops, particularly in relation to play therapy and child abuse awareness, both for stakeholders in government-run children’s homes, as well as the Community Safety and Security Officers in the police force islandwide,” Dr. Tortello outlines.
She points out that there has been a high level of interest in, and positive feedback from the participants, and also in planning the activities for the clowns.

“Our partners in the government ministries and agencies understand that these are trained professionals who go to countries all over the world, many of which are war-torn, where children have experienced unspeakable violence and trauma, and they will bring their own brand of child-centred therapy to our children in Jamaica,” Dr. Tortello tells JIS News.

Both women highlight the inputs of key stakeholders which made the week-long engagements possible.
“We are very glad to have the Ministries of Education, and Health, and the Child Development Agency (CDA), and hospitals partnering with us. I also want to say thanks to Edna Manley College and Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College which have allowed us to use their premises to host these activities,” Ms. Gomez says.
Dr. Tortello notes the significant support from private sector entities, both Spanish and Jamaican, for the engagements. These, she informs, include SJF member company, Grand Bahia Principe Hotel in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, which she says has a “very strong relationship” with St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, where they have long supported the paediatric maternity wards.

“Their team will be at the hospital on the day of the clowns visit,” she informs. In addition, Dr. Tortello says SJF member company, the Montego Bay-based Hospiten, will participate in activities involving Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH).

“We also have support from the Seprod Foundation, which is providing refreshments for the children,” she adds.
Both Dr. Tortello and Ms. Gomez express the hope that the visit will yield fruitful long term dividends for Jamaica.

“We are hopeful the children will enjoy the performances, that the practitioners will find the information useful, and be able to incorporate play intervention techniques and humour in the forms of therapy offered to our children,” Dr. Tortello says.

Clowns without Borders is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, and has branches in eight other countries. These include: Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the United States, Sweden, and South Africa.

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ANDY BURNHAM, NEW UK PM’S FIRST ORDER: LOWER THE COST OF LIVING

Published

12 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Britain’s new Prime Minister launches his administration with tax relief aimed at easing pressure on household budgets as affordability becomes a defining issue for governments worldwide.

By Deandrea Hamilton | Magnetic Media

LONDON, England — Andy Burnham has wasted little time signaling a new direction for the United Kingdom, making the cost of living the first priority of his administration with a plan to reduce household electricity bills through tax relief.

The newly elected Prime Minister announced that Value Added Tax (VAT) will be removed from domestic electricity bills beginning October 1, describing the measure as part of a broader effort to make everyday life more affordable for working families. The move fulfills a key campaign promise and marks an early shift in the government’s economic agenda.

Burnham inherits a nation still grappling with stubborn inflation, rising household expenses and years of political turnover. His opening policy signals an intention to focus on practical measures that deliver immediate financial relief while restoring confidence in government.

The announcement also resonates across the Caribbean, where affordability remains a pressing concern. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Government has just concluded its one-time cost-of-living assistance programme for qualifying residents. While the approaches differ, both reflect a growing recognition that easing financial pressure on households has become one of the defining challenges facing governments today.

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Six Unauthorised Structures Demolished During Multi-Agency Planning Enforcement Operation

Published

5 days ago

July 17, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Before demolition

After demolition

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 17 July 2026: The Planning Department, with support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), and the Crown Land Unit conducted a coordinated enforcement operation on Thursday, 2 July 2026, resulting in the demolition of six unauthorised structures on private property at Block and Parcel 60502/48. Security for the operation was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

The enforcement action followed the issuance of an Enforcement Notice by the Planning Department on 29 January 2026, advising the persons responsible for the structures that they had been erected without the necessary planning approval and were required to be removed. Following the expiration of the compliance period, a multi-agency operation was organised to carry out the demolition.

Before demolition activities commenced, personnel conducted a comprehensive inspection of the site to confirm that all structures were unoccupied and free of gas cylinders or other hazardous materials. These precautionary measures were undertaken to safeguard the welfare of both the enforcement teams and the public while ensuring the operation was carried out safely and efficiently.

Upon completion of the exercise, participating agencies returned to Police Tactical Headquarters for a debrief, marking the successful conclusion of another coordinated enforcement effort.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds members of the public that all construction activities must receive the appropriate planning approvals before work begins. The Planning Department will continue to work alongside its partner agencies to enforce the Planning Ordinance, promote orderly development and ensure that construction throughout the Islands complies with the applicable laws and regulations.

Members of the public are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the planning approval process and to seek guidance from the Planning Department before undertaking any development to avoid enforcement action and loss of money invested.

News

DDME’s Hurricane Hunt Scavenger Hunt Sparks Community Spirit and Storm Preparedness in Providenciales

Published

6 days ago

July 16, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — Fifteen teams raced across Providenciales on Saturday July 4th for the inaugural DDME Hurricane Hunt, a community scavenger hunt designed to combine friendly competition with hurricane preparedness education.

Teams were given a bag of supplies and 15 cryptic clues, participants had less than two hours to pinpoint locations and collect hurricane must-haves; including water jugs, shovels, flashlights and other supplies that every household should have on hand ahead of a storm.

The challenge tested not only participants’ local knowledge and navigation skills, but also their teamwork under time pressure; all while reinforcing practical lessons about what it takes to stay ready when a storm approaches.

Beyond the hunt itself, the event drew a lively crowd of families and supporters who turned out to enjoy a full day of festivities. Attendees took part in games, received free gifts, face painting, canvas painting, bounce houses and visited vendor booths; while enjoying fresh food off the grill throughout the afternoon.

“This event brought together the best of both worlds; a fun, high-energy competition and a meaningful reminder of how important it is for our community to be prepared,” Mr. Aaron Ballantyne, Community Preparedness Officer for Providenciales. “Seeing 15 teams fully engaged, racing to landmarks across the island while learning what belongs in a hurricane kit, was exactly the outcome we hoped for.”

DDME extends their sincere gratitude to the stakeholders that partnered with the event and generously donated their time, resources and efforts to make it a success: The Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross, The Oseta Jolly Primary School, The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Do It Center (Building Materials), KB Homes, Digicel TCI, Frost Cay and Clint Grilling and Catering Services, along with all other vendors who were solicited.

The event’s success was also made possible by the private organizations and government departments that opened their locations to serve as scavenger hunt sites, allowing the hunt to unfold across the island; from Chalk Sound to Long Bay.

The quick thinking first place team consisted of; Neekimo King, Keturah Miller-Brown, Lashaunda Dickenson and Kebba Thomas who all walked away with exciting prizes.

Ms. Bernadya Smith, Public Information and Media Manager stated; “With hurricane season underway, this event, along with our recent Hurricane Expo held in Grand Turk and community pop-ups throughout the country, is a testament to DDME’s commitment to blending community engagement with year-round storm readiness. We look forward to making this event an annual staple that brings families together while keeping preparedness at the forefront of every community we serve.

Follow DDME social media pages to stay up to date with upcoming events and to join their weekly quizzes for a chance to win exciting prizes all hurricane season long.