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BAHAMAS: Campbell Promotes Public/Private Partnerships in Treatment of Autism

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#Nassau, April 4, 2019 – Bahamas – Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie Campbell Tuesday made an appeal for the country’s speech, behavioral and occupational therapy specialists to partner with the government in the treatment of Autism by offering their services “gratis” to REACH Bahamas as a way of giving back to the community.

“I also urge students who are passionate about helping others to pursue these areas of study, as they are much in demand in this country,” Minister Campbell added.

Minister Campbell said while there is no cure for Autism and the causes are unknown, treatment is available through therapy and behavioral interventions that address the core symptoms of Autism which are impaired social interaction, challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication, and obsessive or repetitive routines and interests.

The Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development is a “proud partner” of REACH Bahamas, providing an annual subvention.  Minister Campbell pledged that his ministry will “continue to do our part in this worthy effort.” REACH Bahamas is the country’s resource and educational source for Autism and other related challenges. A non-profit organization, its aim is to provide parents with comprehensive knowledge and tools in all areas of this neurological disorder.

Addressing the Annual World Autism Day Awareness “Light it up Blue” Ceremony hosted by REACH in Rawson Square Tuesday (April 2), Minister Campbell said speech, behavioral and occupational therapies are imperative for autistic children to progress.

“While the government offers these services, there is always a need for partnerships in this effort,” Minister Campbell said. “REACH offers these services during its summer camp, however, ongoing treatment is needed.”

Minister Campbell said private agencies offer help, but that the help is costly.

“As a result, the autistic child does not receive the imperative interventions necessary.” 

Minister Campbell said the Ministry of Education, through its Special Services Division, offers Placement, Assessment, and Speech Therapy to Autistic students in New Providence.  Additionally, they provide a three-phase programme: the Willard Patton Primary School caters to the preschool student; the Garvin Tynes and Palmdale Primary Schools, to elementary students, and The Stapledon School as well as Anatol Rodgers Pre-vocational Unit, offer services to older students.

Grand Bahama and Eleuthera are the only other islands that provide specialized services.

“In some instances, Autistic students attend both public and private schools.  Those students who are in the special units are mainstreamed for some of the subjects, based on their level of competence.”

Minister Campbell said while the exact number of Autistic children within the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is unknown, the Department of Statistics “has assured that this question will be included in its upcoming 2020 Census.”

“Once the results are tabulated, the government will have in its possession reliable data that will inform and drive policies and programmes that would be of even more assistance to this group. I invite the community to celebrate with REACH, as April is Autism Awareness Month.”

Among the activities planned for the month: an Easter Egg Hunt; T-Shirt Day (every Friday throughout the month); a Fun/Run/Walk at Montagu Beach; a Jazz Concert, and a Parent Support Group Meeting.

“I applaud REACH for the free services and ongoing training offered throughout the year to parents, teachers, and caregivers, in addition to the Parent Support group sessions that are held every fourth Wednesday of each month.  Continue to do your best.

“I am cognizant of the barriers as well as challenges that parents face: embarrassment; difficultly accessing services; an insensitive community; costly or unavailable services; long waiting lists; among so many others.  Thankfully, organizations such as REACH are slowly breaking down these barriers.  I therefore appeal to the community for your tangible and intangible support of this valuable non-profit organization.

“In conclusion, Lanita, a writer to Wyzant, an official tutoring online site, said it beautifully when she stated, “We must listen to these beautiful children and reach down into their world.  Providing them with special care such as occupational therapy, special diet considerations, and additional tutoring, enable autistic children to overcome many of their limitations and pursue a happy, fulfilled life, full of potential.”


By Matt Maura

Release: BIS

Photo Captions:

Header: World Autism Awareness Day Light It Up Blue.

1st Insert: Attending the Light It Up Blue ceremony in Rawson Square, April 2, 2019.  From left: Minister of Social Services and Urban Development the Hon. Frankie Campbell; Minister of Education the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Peter Turnquest; and Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis.

2nd Insert: REACH Chairman Dwayne Gibson and REACH Secretary to the Board Paula-Maria Hospedales-Bosland (right) present award to Volunteer Sandra Smith-Johnson.

3rd Insert: REACH Chairman Dwayne Gibson and REACH Secretary to the Board Paula-Maria Hospedales-Bosland (right) present award to Hopedale Centre Owner Arlene Davis.

BIS Photos/Kristaan Ingraham



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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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