Bahamas News
Israeli Government Partners with NEMA to Provide Portable Drinking Water for Grand Bahama
#Freeport, GB, October 9, 2019 – Bahamas – The Israeli Government, in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has donated water purification equipment to the island of Grand Bahama, which will provide residents with potable drinking water, following the passing of Hurricane Dorian.
During an official handing over ceremony at the C. A. Smith Complex on Sunday, October 6, 2019, Senate President and Coordinator of NEMA in Grand Bahama, Senator Kay Forbes-Smith thanked the State of Israel and the Israeli National Water Authority for their generous gift to the people of Grand Bahama.
“On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Government and the people of The Bahamas, we are grateful for the generosity of the Government of the State of Israel and of MASHAV, Israel’s Aid Agency (Government body) of international development and cooperation,” said Senator Smith.
“We are also thankful for the efforts of IsraAID for their tireless work in Grand Bahama to set up this unique water storage and distribution system. Today, we are opening the first system to go on line at the Pineridge Urban Renewal Center, which will serve the Pineridge neighbourhood and the surrounding areas.”
Senator Smith noted that by next week, IsraAID, Israel’s implementing partner for the project will work with NEMA to launch two other water stations on Grand Bahama, specifically at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Pinder’s Point and at the Central Zion Baptist Church in Eight Mile Rock.
Experts from the Israeli Water Authority are also providing detailed training for NEMA staff, to ensure that the three systems will provide clean drinking water to thousands of Grand Bahama residents now and if needed, for any future water outage or emergencies.
“Let me just say that this is such a wonderful effort from the Israeli Government, because not only are they installing the water systems for now, they plan to leave the equipment here for us,” added Senator Smith.
“That is an important aspect of all of this. What it means is that we have to take care of it. We have to store it properly and continue to train people on how to use it. We should not vandalize it and we should really accept it as a gift and a blessing.
“We are also very appreciative of the support that will be provided by the experts from Israeli’s National Water Authority, who have arrived on Grand Bahama to assist with the immediate needs. Soon, other experts from Israel will arrive on the island to assist with the long-term processes.”
Political Counsellor at the Embassy of Israel, Nadav Goren says the Government of the State of Israel, through its Agency for International Development Cooperation, MASHAV, aims to carry its humanitarian responsibilities wherever and whenever disaster strikes.
“When Hurricane Dorian hit The Bahamas in unprecedented strength, we felt obliged to take action for the well-being of its citizens,” Mr. Goren told those gathered for the handing over ceremony.
“As you all know, the hurricane led to the contamination of existing water reservoirs with salt water, which has caused severe water shortages throughout the country. The assistance program which we are inaugurating today is aimed at bridging that gap and providing potable water to Grand Bahama for those in need, up until the relevant authorities can restore the necessary water services.”
The Israeli Political Counsellor explained that their humanitarian assistance model is based upon the National Emergency plan of the Israeli Water Authority and draws upon Israel’s accumulated experience in dealing with emergency situations.
“Therefore, we are setting up an emergency water distribution operation that will reach a maximum amount of people in minimal time,” Mr. Goren added.
“In order to achieve this goal, we have shipped special Israeli designed equipment, which includes: water containment tanks, mobile distribution tanks and approximately 20,000 reusable personal water containers.
“This project is based on a true partnership. Hand in hand with NEMA, we will promote skill building, which in turn will ensure sustainability. This emergency relief operation would not be effective without the close cooperation of the Government of The Bahamas, in particular, the National Emergency Management Agency, under the leadership of Senator Kay Forbes-Smith.
“This is just another manifestation of the close friendship between our two nations. I would like to express the commitment of the State of Israel to the people of the Bahamas – we empathize with your suffering and commend your resilience. We will strive to improve your current water shortages through immediate relief efforts and hope this will also be used for contingency planning if, God forbid, disaster should ever strike again.”
Senator Smith thanked IsraAID for its tireless work in installing the systems and ensuring that local volunteers were trained to operate the water system. She said it was invaluable to have the additional expertise on the ground to help expedite the recovery of the island’s water system.
“Let me personally thank you Mr. Goren for coming to our island and please extend my gratitude to the State of Israel on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Government of The Bahamas and certainly the people of The Bahamas, for the kindness and generosity shown to the people of Grand Bahama and to all our residents and citizens of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” concluded Senator Smith.
By: Andrew Coakley
Release: BIS
Photo Captions:
Header: National Emergency Management Agency Coordinator in Grand Bahama, Senator Kay Forbes-Smith (left) accepts one of the containers of drinking water from Nadav Goren, Political Counsellor at the Embassy of Israel at the handover ceremony of the Israeli Water Assistance Mission to The Bahamas’ project at the C.A. Smith headquarters in Freeport Grand Bahama, Sunday, October 6, 2019. The Israeli Government, in partnership with NEMA, is donating water purification equipment to be setup in Grand Bahama providing residents with potable drinking water after the passing of Hurricane Dorian which contaminated the island’s water table.
Insert: Senator Kay Forbes-Smith, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Grand Bahama coordinator, speaks at the handover ceremony of the Israeli Water Assistance Mission to The Bahamas’ project at the C.A. Smith headquarters in Freeport Grand Bahama, Sunday, October 6, 2019. The Israeli Government, in partnership with NEMA, is donating water purification equipment to be setup in Grand Bahama providing residents with potable drinking water after the passing of Hurricane Dorian which contaminated the island’s water table.
(Photos by Tim Aylen)
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.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
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!
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.
