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BAHAMAS: Campbell admonishes parents, guardians, communities to be more responsive to child protection efforts

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#Nassau, March 29, 2019 – Bahamas – Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell Wednesday admonished parents, guardians and communities across The Bahamas to do their part to ensure the safety of Bahamian children everywhere.

“The future of our nation depends on it,” Minister Campbell said.

Addressing a Press Conference held Wednesday (March 27) to announce plans for the observance of Child Protection Month – the Month has been observed annually in April in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas since 1992, marking 27 consecutive years, Minister Campbell said he subscribes to the African Proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. Mr. Campbell said the proverb has gained even greater significance in light of the recent spate of reported child abductions.

“In light of the recent spate of reported child abductions, it is very important for communities to re-subscribe to the philosophy that it takes a village to not just raise a child, but to keep all children safe,” Minister Campbell said.

“Sadly, child protection is not given the priority that it deserves by the community and too often, is minimized,” Minister Campbell added.

Minister Campbell extended a special challenge to parents.

“Parents need to accept that it is okay for family members, neighbours and persons in the community to admonish the children where necessary. To have the kind of relationship that will result in neighbours and extended family members feeling that they are duty-bound to look out for the interests of all of our children.”

Minister Campbell outlined areas where communities and neighbours can play key roles in the country’s child protection efforts.

“Communities need to be alert and aware of the presence of strangers and suspicious activities related to children and young persons. Neighbours and community members need to be prepared to report matters and be prepared to give evidence, where necessary.

“It is important to note that even in cases where abuse is suspected, reports should be made because it is better to err on the side of caution than for one case to go unreported. Each case is treated on its own merit and because there is broad networking with other stakeholder specialists, matters are referred based on the intervention required.”

The Child Protection Unit, Department of Social Services, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, in conjunction with the National Child Protection Council (NCPC) and the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Unit of the Ministry of Health, have aligned to stage a number of activities as part of the education and awareness campaign. The Month will be observed under the theme: “Every Child Safe, Every Community Aware: No Excuse for Child Abuse.” 

Minister Campbell said careful planning has gone into the activities scheduled for April. These include child abuse/child protection awareness campaigns in the Family Islands, distribution of flyers from major intersections in New Providence, the launch of the “Net Smart Campaign” by the National Child Protection Council (NCPC) that highlights the dangers associated with the improper use of the Internet.

The SCAN Unit will also host a Child Abuse Poem Competition and a series of Child Abuse/Child Protection Exhibitions scheduled for the Ministry of Health Headquarters, Meeting Street (April 1, 2019); the Princess Margaret Hospital (April 8) and the Mall at Marathon (April 15).

Additionally, officials are set to plant a Pinwheel Garden at Government House, Mount Fitzwilliam, and will host a Child Abuse/Child Protection Workshop for child minders in childcare facilities. An In-house poster competition will be held in all of the Departments/Divisions of the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development as a means of “generating even greater awareness amongst clientele.”

“Stop and Think” Campaigns, facilitated by the NCPC and designed to target 200 students each as a means of educating teachers and students on the dangers of internet use, are also among the activities scheduled for Child Protection Month.


Photo Caption: Minister Campbell addresses Child Protection Press Conference held Wednesday, March 27.  April will be observed as Child Protection Month under the theme, “Every Child Safe, Every Community Aware: No Excuse for Child Abuse.”

By Matt Maura

(BIS Photo/Derek Smith)

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Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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