Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Mercy Corps & GBPA Bring RISE Initiative to a Successful Close
BAHAMAS, March 29, 2021 – It has been eighteen months since the passage of Hurricane Dorian and fifteen months since the Restoring Industries, Sustaining Employment (RISE) initiative journey began. While evidence of the catastrophic Category Five storm is still very much apparent, so too is the reemergence of more resilient pockets of economic activity throughout the length and breadth of Grand Bahama – a reemergence hundreds of business owners believe would have been considerably more challenging without the RISE program’s support.
The RISE initiative is a collaboration between implementing partners Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian organization, and The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), with the generous financial support of the American Red Cross and Bacardi Limited. As the initiative officially comes to a close, its impact can be seen and felt in the day-to-day operations of the businesses it has empowered and helped.
Mercy Corps Bahamas’ Country Director, Paula Miller, attributes the accomplishments of RISE to the generous financial support of its donors, GBPA as the implementing partner, and the adaptability and incredible resourcefulness of business owners. “This initiative would not have been possible for any single agency to do alone,” said Ms. Miller. “We have really enjoyed working together with GBPA, and it is inspiring to see Grand Bahama businesses re-opening despite a pandemic on top of a natural disaster. While this particular initiative is closing, we stand ready to support Grand Bahama in future initiatives if needed.”
The RISE pilot launched in December 2019, supporting local merchants in the run up to the business year’s most profitable shopping season. The program’s initial goal was to assist 100 local businesses that were impacted by Dorian with grants of up to $10,000 to support their recovery efforts. As the pilot program was monitored and its impact and success measured, the RISE team reevaluated its goals and revised its targets upward, aiming to provide $2.5 million in funding to nearly 300 micro and small businesses across Grand Bahama.
Derek Newbold, Sr. Manager of Business Development for GBPA and Invest Grand Bahama, expressed, “GBPA is profoundly appreciative of the partnership created through the RISE initiative, and its accomplishments on Grand Bahama. We are extremely proud of each participant’s progress within their respective businesses and what that means for the business community as a whole moving forward.
“Business owners across the island continue to manifest the tangible and meaningful impact of the RISE initiative,” Mr. Newbold continued. “For many, it helped them defy the odds of a post-Dorian recovery, while creating a bolstering effect to help soften the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Equally important, we are impressed to hear participants speak of the value of the business resiliency training and mentorship aspects of the program, which many asserts have helped them emerge stronger and much more prepared to face similar challenges moving forward.”
Comments such as “I started budgeting for the first time” and “I learned I’m actually really good at social media marketing” are common sentiments shared among business owners helped through the RISE initiative.
“A lot of work went into measuring the impact of RISE,” said Allison Dworschak, Program Quality and Partnerships Lead for Mercy Corps. “The data we gathered during the program tells us a lot about the strength and resilience of the small business community in Grand Bahama. For example, 87 per cent of participants reopened and were regularly transacting after they received the funding and training. More than a quarter said that, without RISE, they wouldn’t have reopened at all. Another 12 per cent said they likely would have reopened eventually, but wouldn’t have retained staff.
Others leveraged the program to expand and grow. “The RISE program did a lot of good, but we are especially excited to have saved at least 300 local jobs,” continued Ms. Dworschak. “And looking at how the $2.5 million in grant funds were spent, we know the majority – 75 per cent – was reinvested locally into reconstruction, large equipment repairs and other local purchases. These numbers would be good in any small business disaster recovery program, but I think the RISE team and the community should be extremely proud of what these business owners have achieved, especially considering everything they’ve been up against since September 2019.”
GBPA and Mercy Corps are considering future ways to collaborate in the event of a new crisis. GBPA Executive Director Henry St. George commented, “When a restaurant that had been damaged by Hurricane Dorian was able to reopen having received a RISE grant, and then partnered with another recipient who was able to provide delivery services, and together they collaborated to distribute meals to the aged and vulnerable during the summer lockdown last year, then the impact of the program and the significance of the small business community was really visible.
“We are highly aware of the work still to be done in rebuilding our small business economy, but we are extremely proud of the RISE program and even more so of the men and women who participated in it,” added Mr. St. George. “Our partnership with NGO Mercy Corps has been a crucial pillar of our response to Dorian, and we are grateful to them and to both the American Red Cross and Bacardi.”
Release: GBPA
Photo Captions:
Header:The RISE pilot launched in December 2019, supporting local merchants in the run up to the business year’s most profitable shopping season. The program’s initial goal was to assist 100 local businesses impacted by Dorian with grants of up to $10,000 to support their recovery efforts. Pictured from left to right are grant recipients of the RISE Initiative Pilot Cohort: Jonathan Campbell – 5S Maintenance Service; Virginia Cooper, Program Officer – Mercy Corps; Kristian Rahming – OnPoint Designs & Printing; Kelsey Lundgren, Project Officer – Mercy Corps; Nicole Pinder – Skyline Express; Derek Newbold, Sr. Manager of Business Development – GBPA Group; Pete Sweetnam, In-Country Director – Mercy Corps; Sophia Smith – Escante Boutique; and LaShawn Dames, Business Services Manager & RISE Program Coordinator – GBPA.
1st insert: Partners of the RISE economic recovery initiative have supported the post-Dorian recovery efforts of nearly 300 micro and small businesses across the Grand Bahama, with upwards of $2.5 million in grant and post-COVID assistance. Picture from left to right are the RISE Initiative executives; Al Panico, Field Representative – American Red Cross Society; Michael Bowers, VP Humanitarian Leadership – Mercy Corps; Henry St. George, Director – GBPA; Mahesh Madhavan, CEO – Bacardi Limited; and Ian Rolle, President – GBPA Group.
2nd insert: As the RISE initiative officially comes to a close, its impact can be seen and felt in the day-to-day operations of the businesses it has empowered and helped. Pictured are members of the RISE Team Kerline McPhee, GBPA Customer Relations Officer (top left) with Ashleigh Lockhart, MC Program Manager (top right), providing one-on-one support to East Grand Bahama residents during a site information session for the RISE Initiative (photo taken in early 2020 before the onset of COVID-19). The RISE team continued all program activities throughout 2020 despite the COVID-19 lockdowns, delivering greatly needed support to RISE program participants.
Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — Some of the most successful and accomplished professionals and business leaders in the country
recently shared their experiences and nuggets of wisdom with students at University of The Bahamas (UB) about thriving in a wide range of careers.
The University Centre for Counselling and Career Services and the Career and Job Placement Advisory Unit collaborated to host the 2024 Career Symposium which brought students face to face with leaders in the careers to which they aspire.
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, said the symposium was key to developing potential as university students strive to leave their mark on the world.
Ms. Rickell Curry
“In the spirit of collaboration and growth, let us engage in meaningful dialogue, cultivate relationships, and harness the power of collective wisdom to shape our futures,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “Together, let us embark on this journey of exploration and discovery, united in our commitment to realizing our fullest potential and making meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond.”
Promoting careers in psychology, Ms. Curry noted that psychologists are equipped with the ability to help others, troubleshoot areas of weakness within themselves, and become better people and professionals in the process.
“The floor is yours to be able to explore. There’s no job where you don’t have to deal with people, so learning, even if you get a bachelor’s in psychology, is a great grounding,” she said.
Dr. Darville, one of few interventional radiologists in The Bahamas, offered another nugget of advice on choosing an area of study.
Dr. Elizabeth Darville
“It is important to know enough about yourself in order to make the decisions you want to make,” said Dr. Darville. “You have to work on yourself first and know what you want to do. Radiology gives you a chance to have fun. It gives you a chance to mold your career closer to your personal life than other medical specialties might.”
Another growing field is project management which Mr. Hepburn called a life skill. He also urged a commitment to lifelong learning.
“Individuals that continue to learn become unstoppable, period,” said Mr. Hepburn. “It is so true. When you learn, you become unstoppable because nothing can stop you in your process of development.
Mr. Wellington Hepburn
“The more you know, the more valuable you are. We need individuals who are cross functional—that can operate in different capacities. So please understand that your learning should never stop.”
With small and medium-sized businesses helping to drive the economy at an incredible rate, Ms. Rolle affirmed the importance of entrepreneurship in any economy.
“When we talk about entrepreneurship, we usually look at it from a myopic standpoint,” she said. Ms. Rolle. “What do I mean by that? Small, but usually about self: ‘how do I make more money?’ And in some cases, some look at entrepreneurship as a way of survival. ‘I need to make a couple extra dollars, I have this bill to pay’. Those types of things.
Ms. Samantha Rolle
“But entrepreneurship really, in its truest form, is about innovation, whether it’s a new concept or any existing concept that you innovate new ways, or help expand the economy.”
The career symposium was held at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre and is held every academic year.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
- Career Symposium 1: UB Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, delivers the opening address at the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 2: Students and guest speakers enjoy a lighthearted moment during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 3: Ms. Rickell Curry speaks to students during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 4: Dr. Elizabeth Darville delivers remarks during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 5: Mr. Wellington Hepburn educates students on the importance of project management during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 6: Ms. Samantha Rolle talks about the role and importance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in any economy.
Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
Oakes Field Campus
P.O. Box N-4912
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, April 15, 2024 – After years of thorough maintenance, The Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in The Bahamas is finally getting a multi-million dollar makeover, readying the 10-year old facility ahead of the World Athletics Relays on May 5, 2024; it is being staged in Nassau for the fourth time.
This $36 million refurbishment is being funded by the Chinese Government, as part of a vision to enhance the country’s sport infrastructure to benefit youths in athletics. The stadium was gifted to The Bahamas in 2012 by the Chinese.
The relay is the qualifying event for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games and there will be 32 national teams, in each relay event, and 20 races on both days of competition, according to World Athletics.
Day 1, will have 20 heats across the five Olympic-calibre events (4 heats each for 4×100, 4×400, men, women and mixed) and will qualify 40 teams for the Summer Olympics.
Distinctly, the top two teams from each heat will directly qualify for the 2024 Games.
On day 2, 30 more national teams will be qualified through 15 heats and five finals, across those five events.
The upgrades which include new trusses, rooftops, seats, the lawn, score boards, LED displays and more, are expected to be complete at least two weeks before the relays, being held under the theme: ‘Chase the Sun’.
In a special ceremony on Monday April 8, The Bahamas Prime Minister, Philip Davis said:
In December 2023, our shared vision took shape, as the government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and the government of the People’s Republic of China, inked an implementation agreement for the renovation of the stadium. This gesture of goodwill and friendship, from the Chinese government to undertake the China Aid Maintenance and Renovation project of our national stadium, stands as a testament to the strong bonds that unite our countries. This project, executed by China Urban Construction Research Institute Company Limited, and the China Machinery Industry Construction Group Company Limited, reflects our shared commitment to excellence, innovation and mutual development.”
Additionally, H.E Dai Qingli, outgoing Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas who also attended that ceremony, spoke.
“At the end of the project, the Bahamian people will get a fully renewed and modern world class stadium because everything is going to be either renewed or repaired,” she said.
Some 1,600 athletes will be in The Bahamas for the World Athletics relays, with five events. The Bahamas won the bid over Lausanne, Rome in 2022.
Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture in reports, thanked China for their contribution to the redevelopment of the stadium.
“We thank them for their commitment to ensuring that they bring this facility back up to A1 standard so that we can continue holding international events and using these facilities as a development of our young people.”
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