News

Clowns Without Borders For Theraphy Workshops

Published

10 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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News

InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.

Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.

Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.

Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.

The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.

Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”

He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”

Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion

Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

One Count: Robbery
One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged

Published

5 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05^th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

One Count: Robbery;
One Count: Gang Membership
One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02^nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.