Minister of Education the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, and Principal of Hugh Campbell Primary School Mrs. Lily Strachan-Moxey on Friday thanked Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. for its $50,000 donation to assist with repairs to the school after Hurricane Dorian. Representing Royal Caribbean was Vice-President of Government Relations/Americas Mr. Russell Benford. (Photos/Alfred Anderson for DP&A)
#FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – February 4, 2020 — Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. made a donation of $50,000 worth of supplies and equipment to Hugh Campbell Primary School to assist with repair of extensive damage caused by recent Hurricane Dorian. Minister of Education, the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd accepted the donation on behalf of the school, January 31, 2020. Representing Royal Caribbean was Vice-President, Government Relations/Americas Russell Benford.
As Royal Caribbean celebrates its 50th anniversary, Minister Lloyd stated the company has been a partner of The Bahamas for many years: “Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is today continuing its great gift of generosity to our school and to our country. When we were born as a nation, you came into being as a company – 50 years ago – so we have grown together. As you’ve indicated, we have been more than just partners, we are the deepest of friends, and you and your company have demonstrated that in a most profound and significant way.
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“The winds had not yet subsided when your boats were offshore. Prepping, preparing and serving food, the most vital resource in that time of desperate need for our people. Not only that sir, you also, through your very considerable resources, built a kitchen so that that feeding could continue.”
While the country is a resilient one, said the Minister, “we would be nothing without friends like Royal Caribbean.”
Over 700 pieces of equipment and supplies were a part of the donation, including 234 student desks, 88 Billy bookcases, 60 teachers’ desks, 59 swivel chairs for teachers’ desks and 18 TVs (32-inch).
Mr. Benford, in making the donation on behalf of the company, said, “It is with great pleasure that I present to the Ministry of Education and the students, educators and administrators of Hugh Campbell Primary School this gift of furniture and equipment that we at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. hope will help all of you who were so greatly impacted by Hurricane Dorian return to a greater sense of normalcy.”
Royal Caribbean provided some 400,000 meals in Grand Bahama following the storm, along with millions of dollars in supplies, equipment, canned goods, clothing, bedding linens, school books, lumber and other provisions totaling more than $4.6 million.
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Mr. Benford said, “For five decades The Bahamas has been far more than a destination. You have been our neighbor and our friend. We remain committed to the revitalization of tourism in Grand Bahama, and right now we are laser-focused on finalizing the agreement to purchase Grand Lucayan.
“We hope, as I am sure many of you do, to bring it to a close as soon as possible.”
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#TheBahamas, September 19, 2023 – Royal Caribbean is working on a major project, announcing plans to open a new adults-only “escape” Hideaway Beach at its CocoCay private-island destination in The Bahamas, come January 2024.
The “beachfront paradise,” set to be situated at the western side of Perfect Day at CocoCay, behind Thrill Waterpark, will have a private beach and multiple pools with DJ music, 20 private cabanas and several spots for “drinks and bites,” the company says.
Not only that, it will include a “hidden VIP experience.”
Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO is of the impression that this will bring a compelling, sought after new way to enjoy a day at its private island.
He said, “Hideaway Beach is a completely new vibe and experience that vacationers are looking for on Perfect Day at CocoCay.”
It is going to be a getaway spot for adults, only 18 or older allowed to enter.
“Everything from its hidden-like location to the exclusive beach and pools to the private cabanas is designed for adults who want a day just for them,” the CEO said.
The space, according to Claudia Diaz-Gonzalez, Royal Caribbean Associate Vice President of Private Destination Development, will be able to host between 1,500 and 2,000 guests.
#Eleuthera, The Bahamas, September 19, 2023 – A Family Island clinic that started with a vision to serve the community with the best in private medical care and wellness regardless of a patient’s financial standing celebrated its fifth anniversary this month, announcing new services it said were those most strongly requested by patients.
Eleuthera Medical Center (EMC), the flagship of Bahamas Wellness Health Systems, marked its anniversary adding dental and dermatology to its growing list of medical specialties that includes primary wellness, vision, gynecology and pediatrics. Some services are offered on an ongoing daily basis provided by physicians at one of Bahamas Wellness Health Systems (BWHS) four clinics, others are offered on a rotating basis by visiting medical specialists and associates on a regularly scheduled rotating basis.
“When we opened our doors to this clinic in 2018, we knew there was a need for full-time medical care and especially attention to wellness in Eleuthera,” said EMC and Bahamas Wellness Health Systems founder Dr. Arlington Lightbourne. “But we underestimated how appreciative the community would be that there were always physicians on call, that in the case of an emergency we could respond, that we provided an ambulance and emergency care saving patients from having to be airlifted to Nassau or beyond.”
Lightbourne said the years have not been without challenges.
“For nearly 18 months, we endured COVID, conducting testing outdoors, trying to keep our spirits strong and staff well so they could care for others and yet in a small community like Eleuthera where you know someone in everyone’s family it’s hard not to feel the pain and suffering others feel,” said Dr. Lightbourne. “But we doubled down and said we are here for the long haul and whatever the path is to provide the best in care, to make that care affordable and to improve the wellness of the community overall, that is the journey we are on, and it has been an incredibly rewarding one.”
To support that emphasis on wellness, the clinic located in the settlement of Palmetto Point adjacent to Governors Harbour in the heart of central Eleuthera, offers regularly scheduled lectures and town meetings with a nutritionist and wellness expert who is part of the team. Lightbourne’s interest in well-being stems from his work in Emergency Care at both PMH and Doctors Hospital where the vast number of cases he treated were the result of non-communicable diseases and conditions including heart attacks, high blood pressure and cancer related to lifestyle – poor diet high in fats and low in nutrition and lack of proper physical exercise.
Today, he said he is seeing more interest in preventative care, a sign that Bahamians learned from Covid and its aftermath that wellness matters.
“We have a brighter future ahead of us and I am proud of what we are doing in Eleuthera and our other clinics to make a difference in The Bahamas with careful diagnoses and individual attention to how people conduct their daily lives when it comes to their overall wellness,” said Lightbourne, now the deputy director of the Bahamas Medical Association and an authorized NHI provider.
BHWS also operates clinics in Nassau, Spanish Wells and Lower Bogue.
Photo Caption: The Hon. Clay Sweeting, MP, Central and South Eleuthera, welcomes the Bahamas Wellness Medical Center’s ambulance. He is pictured with Dr. Jessica Moss, Emergency Medicine Specialist and Vice President & Medical Director at Eleuthera Medical Center, and Dr. Arlington Lightbourne, founder of the expanding clinic, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary serving the community by adding dental and dermatology to its growing list of specializations.
Coral Harbour Base, 18 September. ‘23 (RBDF): The Royal Bahamas Defence Force was honoured to attend a Day of Celebration at the Mall at Marathon on the occasion of Brazil’s 201st Day of Independence (7th September, 2023). The occasion also marked a celebration of friendship and unity.
In a remarkable display of cultural exchange and diplomatic ties, Young Officers led by Lieutenant Blair Bethel, joined in the celebration. Against the backdrop of cultural exchange, Brazilian Singer Ellen Oléria held a special musical performance bringing a taste of Brazil’s vibrant culture to The Bahamas. Her performance showcased the infectious rhythms of Portuguese music commemorating their rich history and vibrant culture.
The RBDF, under the leadership of Commander Defence Force, Commodore Raymond E. King, is dedicated to the meaningful involvement and development of service members as we share the responsibility for accomplishing the Defence Force’s Mandate. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force extends its congratulations to the people of Brazil during this momentous occasion as we look forward to fostering mutual understanding and building a brighter future between The Bahamas and Brazil.
For additional information, kindly reach out to the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our official website at www.rbdf.gov.bs. Connected with us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates, and explore our engaging content on our YouTube channel.