Connect with us

TCI News

TCI: Int’l National Literacy Day marked by local Soroptimist with donation of text books

Published

on

#Providenciales, September 9, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – One little girl gazed lovingly at the handful of new school text books presented to her by the Soroptimist’s International Club of Providenciales; her reaction is the ultimate reward for a gesture which supports education and remembers the value of books and reading.

“As we celebrate International Literacy Day that was celebrated on September 8, but because it fell on a weekend, we decided to come here today – Monday – to donate text books to nine students from two government primary schools.  The Oseta Jolly Primary School of which we always partner, the Ianthe Pratt Primary School and this year, we decided to partner with Shining Stars,” said Rachel Taylor, Program Action for Soroptimist International of Providenciales. 

Mrs. Taylor reminded that literacy is a human right and informed that Soroptimist has a three-pronged commitment: “To Educate, Enable and Empower.”

All text books for the nine students were purchased to support learning for the entire 2019-2020 academic year and the Soroptimists had help, very generous help from Peta-gay Blake-Thomas of NAGICO Insurance company; yearly sponsors and contributor to the mentorship program of the club.

“We know that text books are extremely expensive, so we want to say thank you to our corporate sponsor NAGICO Insurance who donated a large sum of money toward this project.”

The presentation, made today at the Oseta Jolly Primary School was to beaming students of OJPS, Ianthe Pratt and Shining Stars Preparatory; the children were selected for the assistance with the support of school guidance counsellors. 

Barbard Smith-Handfield, Soroptimist Providenciales president believes having the books enable the children to focus on doing well at school.

“It is our pleasure to present you with these books. We know that education is a priority and we would like to see all of you succeed,”  said President of the club, Barbara Smith-Henfield, “So we are happy to give these books to you on your journey as you learn and as you apply these values.”

The students will no longer have to find some $200, which is the cost for all of the text books.  A robust thank you was delivered to NAGICO and a plea for more support came from Blythe Clare, Membership Officer: “Kindly give us a call so that we can help other children.  We are an NGO and we rely basically on sponsorship and fundraising.  We are only able to help nine children; it would be great if we could round it off to a dozen (children).  Come on board with the Soroptimist; we are here to education, enable and empower our young people because you are the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The young students were encouraged to take care of their books, pay attention in classes and to make the TCI proud.

“I want to say thanks to the Soroptimist for this wonderful opportunity, said Dave Morgan, Principal of Shining Stars Preparatory, who spoke on behalf of the schools, “I guarantee that the students will make good use of the books, the parents will be happy to have them and that at the end of the year, they are going to be really, really successful. Thank you and continue to do this great job.”  

Students also expressed gratitude for the text books.

#magneticmedianews

#internationalliteracyday

Continue Reading

TCI News

TCI Boat Club Donates $7,000 to TCI SNAP Centre from 11th Annual Poker Run

Published

on

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 10 September 2025: The TCI Boat Club has once again demonstrated its commitment to community support by donating $7,000 to the SNAP Centre, raised through its highly successful 11th Annual Poker Run.

This generous contribution highlights the club’s dedication to supporting the vital services the SNAP Centre provides to children with special needs and their families in Providenciales. Last year’s donation assisted with much-needed upgrades at the Centre, and this year’s contribution will further strengthen the delivery of critical programmes and services for students.

“Our Annual Poker Run is more than just a fun event on the water; it’s a way for our community to come together and make a tangible difference. The SNAP Centre does invaluable work, and we are honoured to contribute and partner with their mission,” said Ms. Jenekah Stubbs of the TCI Boat Club.

Director of the Special Education Needs Services (SENS) Department, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs expressed gratitude on behalf of the centre: “We are truly thankful for the TCI Boat Club’s continued generosity. This donation will directly support our efforts to provide a safe, supportive, and empowering learning environment for our students. Partnerships like these remind us that when the community comes together, children with special needs are given the opportunity to thrive.”

The Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, also commended the donation, stating: “The SNAP Centre plays a crucial role in our education system, offering specialised services that make a real difference in the lives of children and families. I applaud the TCI Boat Club for their ongoing commitment to education and inclusion, and for demonstrating the power of community in supporting our nation’s future.”

The SNAP Centre remains dedicated to providing essential support, education, and resources for children with special needs.

Donations such as this ensure the Centre can continue to expand services and create meaningful opportunities for students and their families.

Continue Reading

Government

Tamica Prospere Appointed Director of Learning and Development

Published

on

Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Tamica Prospere as the Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

Mrs. Prospere holds a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development (RQF Level 5), a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and an Associate Degree in Education, also from UWI. She has further enhanced her credentials with certifications and coursework in content delivery, human resource management, talent management, and training and development from esteemed institutions, including Mico University College and CIPD.

With a strong foundation in public service and education in St. Lucia, Mrs. Prospere dedicated over a decade to classroom teaching at the secondary school level, beginning in 2002. During her tenure, she educated a diverse student body across various subjects, including Mathematics, Information Technology, and Life Skills, all aimed at fostering students’ personal and social well-being. She also facilitated community adult learning programs, showcasing her enduring commitment to promoting inclusive and varied educational opportunities.

Her career in public service in the Turks and Caicos Islands began in 2014 as a teacher at Marjorie Basden High School. From 2019, she served as the Learning and Development Manager for the legacy Customs Department and later for the TCI Border Force. In this role, she made significant contributions to improvements and championed a culture of professional growth.

Mrs. Prospere has been a strong advocate for leadership development through several key programmes. She conceptualised and introduced the Leading Effectively through Accountability and Development (LEAD) programme for the management team, which has successfully run for three consecutive years, with its most recent leadership reinforcement event held in 2025. Additionally, she implemented several programmes in partnership with educational institutions, resulting in 27 Border Force officers earning continuing professional development (CPD) certifications in supervisory management from UWI and 10 managers completing the Dynamic Leadership course with the Caribbean Maritime University.

She played a pivotal role in developing operational strategic plans and frameworks for both the Customs Department and the TCI Border Force. Mrs. Prospere spearheaded the creation and delivery of professional programmes, such as the Customs Broker Certification Programme. She introduced a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate scalable learning for aspiring Customs Brokers.

Moreover, she led the implementation of several significant projects, most notably the Regional Clearance System in the TCI and a comprehensive revamp of customs procedures at Howard Hamilton International Airport, which greatly enhanced operational efficiency. She also facilitated key engagements that strengthened partnerships with leading regional bodies, including the Caribbean Customs Legislation and Enforcement Council (CCLEC), the border security team within CARICOM IMPACS, and the customs advisory arm of CARTAC. These collaborations were instrumental in securing vital technical assistance for training.

Speaking on the appointment, Mrs. Prospere said, “I am honoured to step into this role and lead the Learning and Development Directorate. I believe that a world-class public service is built together. I’m dedicated to partnering with civil servants at all levels to foster a dynamic learning environment where we can collectively develop the skills needed to be adaptable, exceed standards, and deliver truly exceptional service to the public.”

In congratulating Mrs. Prospere, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams stated, “We are pleased to extend congratulations to Mrs. Tamica Prospere on her appointment as the new Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

With over a decade of dedicated service in the field of training and development, Mrs. Prospere has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to building capacity and strengthening the public service workforce in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Her innovative and strategic approach to learning has transformed teams and empowered individuals, ensuring the public service is well-equipped to meet the demands of a constantly evolving landscape.

As the government continues its efforts to enhance service delivery through robust and comprehensive training initiatives, we are confident that Mrs. Prospere’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous growth across the public sector.

Congratulations Mrs. Prospere, on your well-deserved promotion. We look forward to working with you to shape the future of learning and development in the Public Service in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Continue Reading

TCI News

Purchasing Stolen Items Online

Published

on

***PUBLIC ADVISORY***

10th September 2025

 

The Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force has taken notice of stolen items being advertised for sale on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Members of the public are reminded to exercise extreme caution when purchasing items online and to always verify the legitimacy of such transactions.

For 2025, the RT&CIPF detected FIVE incidents involving the online sale of stolen goods.

We strongly urge individuals to verify the seller’s identity and reputation, and request proof of ownership. Persons are also asked to be cautious of unusually low prices of items and sellers who pressure you to complete the sale quickly.

Whenever possible, meet the seller in person at a safe location to inspect items before payment.

Please be advised that ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse and due diligence should be conducted when purchasing items.

Persons found purchasing or acquiring stolen goods may be charged with:

  • Handling Stolen Goods, contrary to Section 17(1) of the Theft Act states: “A person handles stolen goods if (otherwise than in the course of stealing) knowingly or believing them to be stolen goods he dishonestly undertakes or assists in their retention, renewal, disposal or realization by or for the benefit of another person, or if he arranges to do so”
  • 17(2) A person guilty of handling stolen goods shall on conviction on indictment be liable to a term of imprisonment of fourteen years.
  1. acquires criminal property;
  2. use criminal property; or
  3. has possession of criminal property.

Additionally, Section 126(1)(c) of the Proceeds of Crime Act, Chap. 3:15, sub-heading: Acquisition, use and possession states: A person is guilty of an offence if he—

PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Police Headquarters, Airport Road

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Tel: 649-941-4448|Email: media@tcipolice.tc

If found guilty on summary conviction, he faces imprisonment for a term of two years or a fine of $200,000 or both; or

(b) On conviction in indictment, to imprisonment for a term of fourteen years or a fine without limit or to both.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING