TCI News
Donated paint and volunteers as Sandals Foundation & TCI Paint & Supply beautify The Bight school
#Providenciales, August 12, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – A couple of weeks of sweat equity and over $10,000 in donated paint and professional painters will ensure the new school year is more aesthetically appealing and conducive for learning for the 585 students of the Ianthe Pratt Primary School (IPPS) in the Bight.
“We thank Sandals Foundation for all that they are doing because we know that when the children return to school in September, they’re going to be excited and happy, because they are going to be basically in a new school. Outside is painted, inside is painted, doors will be painted and I know the teachers will be so grateful. So thank you!”
The Sandals Foundation volunteers of Beaches Resort, which sits next to the school, began the work on Friday with tremendous help from TCI Paint & Supply.
Wendy-Faye Rodriquez, project manager from Beaches Resort explained the mission of the 35 volunteers from Beaches and 15 volunteers from ER Construction.
“Sandals Foundation is in a joint venture with TCI Paint which supplied us with the necessary paint materials and supply of the different paint brushes, rollers and the tools required to do this job. We are very happy to have TCI Paint and ER Construction, not only did TCI Paint donate the paint and supplies but ER Construction to actually have professional painters, painting here with us.”
Minister of Education, Karen Malcolm was joined by her Director of Education, Edgar Howell in the announcement of the big donation for the Ianthe Pratt Primary School family.
“I am elated for the work that Sandals Foundation and TCI Paint along with their partners are doing here at the school. At the Ministry of Education, we are always grateful for those in our community, our corporate partners who come on board and assist us during the summer holidays. This is not the first project that Sandals has done, I can recall them helping us with Enid Capron as well as Clement Howell High School.”
TCI Paint & Supply owner Brenton Berry’s wife is a former teacher at IPPS and that is admittedly a part of the inspiration for his company ‘jumping at the chance’ to support the project.
“Ianthe Pratt holds a very special place in my heart because my wife actually taught here for quite some time, so its nice to be able to give back to the community. It’s nice to be a part of good things going on.”
Eleven-year-old TCI Paint & Supply was asked to come on board by the Sandals Foundation.
“I think it is a testament of Sandals Foundation and all of the other people that are here working, volunteering their time to take care of the future of the country; they are the leaders and the future of the country. We are proud to be a part of it.”
The school grounds and classrooms have by now been cleaned-up in preparation for the new coats of paint, aimed at beautifying the buildings and classrooms.
“We also have volunteers who are here to help clean the areas, the doors, the windows, the ceilings the fans, the light fixtures; whatever is needed for us to apply the quality paint we received to these areas,” said Mrs. Rodriquez, who added that, “We are grateful that the Ministry of Education has allowed us and opened arms to us to be here to make this venture, a successful venture for us and our future leaders, our kids of this school.”
A message of care for the facilities which came from the Minister was not merely for IPPS children, but for students at public schools across the country, said Minister Malcolm.
“There is a lot that is going into ensuring you have comfortable environments, so I would ask that you take care of it, just like you would take care of your homes. You spend most of your time during the day here at Iathe Pratt and I would encourage you to do your best to ensure that your surroundings are kept clean, your classrooms are kept clean, put your garbage in the bins and just help your teachers by behaving and learning because you are here in school to learn.”
It will mean Ianthe Pratt Primary teachers return in August to fresh looking classrooms and it will mean, the same for students in September – all agreed this is imperative for a successful education.
Mr. Berry concluded: ‘It’s gonna be a brand-new school once Sandals Foundation is done with it.”
#magneticmedianews
#iantheprattbeautificationproject
#sandalsandtcipaintsupply
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
