News
Revival, Rejuvenation, Reflection – the Kimcha Village Bird Sanctuary, a natural experience in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
By Shanieka Smith
Features Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 24, 2022 – The Wetlands of Wheeland in Providenciales used to have a more dubious reputation; known for what was not beautiful, healthy or attractive. It was once an illegal site for coal kilns, and a criminal hide-out. But that all changed about nine and a half years ago. Two nature loving individuals explored the area and found a dying natural flora; they resolved to revive it and now the Wheeland Wetlands is an eco-friendly, hiking, educational, adventure trail, boasting natural beauties and rejuvenating power.
At least that is what Charmaine Elliot tells us. The stunning 53-year-old woman, who is a picture of rejuvenation herself, hails from the Fishing Capital, the islands of South Caicos. Her partner, Kimmit Harvey, 47, is from Providenciales and together they have put in the kind of sweat equity, which has brought new life to the area.
It is fair to say that the Wetlands of Wheeland have been massively transformed and today, it is called Kimcha Village Bird Sanctuary.
The lush site, hugging the northwestern shoreline of Providenciales has been cleaned up about 65 per cent. Birds like ducks and flamingos have returned in large quantities, and now it’s like a little island on an island and a home for senior citizens.
“You arrive as visitors, you leave as family,” said Elliot, in speaking to us about her earth-friendly retreat. She said Kimcha’s long-term goal is to cultivate an official bird sanctuary for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
She added, “…there will be bird walks for you to walk and bird watch.” While explaining this vision, she made mention of Central Park in New York, where there is a bird-watching area. Her dream is similar to that.
“In the Wetlands of Wheeland, there are so many birds, and we have to preserve that. The fact is, this is the only area
right now within Providenciales that is actually a virgin wetland; untouched and unspoiled by the booming development in other pockets of the island and the country,” she added.
Elliot says now all the birds are coming in and the goal is to preserve this habitat. Besides the birds, Kimcha Village is also a haven for seniors.
Elliot reflects fondly on her mother, Roslin Louise Higgs-King, who died in 2018.
Her mother inspired the idea to do something for the seniors. As such, Kimcha Village has a Recreational Center, the Roslin’s Seniors Recreational Center, and it provides a wonderful escape.
“Life is not about settling, it’s about living,” she said, quoting the village’s motto as she highlighted that seniors are not old people who are done and to be discarded. She said the Roslin’s Seniors Recreation Center is proof that seniors who can take care of themselves and want to enjoy every moment of the life they still have left.
Charmaine smiled as she explained, “once you want to get active, and you want to walk and you want to get into eco-friendly and all those things, you come to Kimcha Village through the senior’s Center and you will be able to do knitting, and sewing, and plant trees and all these different things to keep you going.”
Elliot’s mother is certainly at peace given the effort being put into this noble and thoughtful retreat.
Elliot advises that on every fourth Saturday since April 2021, they host a seniors’ day. April 2022 will mark one year since starting this adventure for older residents. Motivation is found on the faces of the Seniors and their anticipation every time they visit Kimcha Village on their special day out.
“What we do is do a free day for them, they come down, we cook healthy food. We do everything off the grill, we
smoke all our meats for hours with cedar wood and we take all the preservatives out of it, we cook with only Cayenne pepper, sea salt, limes, coconut oil, olive oil, all our vegetables are fresh, all our peas are fresh.”
At Kimcha Village, it is all-natural, fresh, and healthy.
These are principals Charmaine have added to her own life and has seen unwanted pounds melt away due her peaceful environment and lifestyle change in diet.
In addition to the monthly seniors day held at Kimcha Village, Elliot shared that they will now be having a fun day for toddlers every third Sunday of each month. There is no doubt this initiative will take off and be a positive, fun, healthy, and educational space for our children.
Despite all of these clear-cut objectives, there are still misconceptions about the wetlands and the Village.
Elliot highlighted that people think Kimcha Village is a restaurant and bar but said she wants people to know that is not the case. She said they are far from a restaurant and bar. The food prepared is for her nature explorers, who she said, “arrive as visitors, but leave as family.”
When asked who or what Elliot and her partner is trying to help, Elliot said the environment, the birds, and people.
Simple.
“We want to help the environment because it’s necessary to protect the environment. Climate change and all the destruction that has happened in that area; we are trying to preserve the area and try to reconstruct that and resort our wetlands to a coastal wonderland where anyone visiting can feel safe,” she expressed.
As it relates to the birds, she said, “we want to bring them back (too) because, with the birds, it’s just more beautiful. It’s the most beautiful thing you want to see or hear in the morning when you wake up… the sound of the birds and the sound of the ocean and the waves and the wind.”
For people, and more specifically, the seniors, are one of the most important aspects of this project, not only because of Elliot’s mother’s dream when she was alive, but Elliot is passionate about changing the fact that there is nowhere for seniors to go. It’s as if because they are older, they are forgotten. Kimcha Village remedies that, she believes.
“This area and this project will give them a place to actually go and socialize and be safe and be healthy. And we want to be able to use this as an educational program for the schools, the island forest, for the Turks and Caicos to learn,” she said.
This passion was not birthed in the traditional classroom setting or college lecture hall. Now, like Kimcha Village Bird Sanctuary, this zeal is all natural.
Elliot reveals, when quizzed about whether formal training inspired her drive, that neither she nor Kimmit had gone through a formal system or training. The passion and education were passed down, it is a legacy of love for the natural heritage and incomparable beauties of every part of the Turks and Caicos Islands… and sharing that with everyone; young or old.
Kimcha Village Bird Sanctuary is located at 618 Quarry Road, Wheeland Wetlands, Wheeland, Providenciales.
Bahamas News
Freeport Business Expo to connect Grand Bahama businesses and entrepreneurs to expert resources
Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited
April 29, 2024 – Freeport, The Bahamas – In line with its mission to create a stronger, more connected Freeport economy, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) is pleased to share details of the upcoming Freeport Business Expo: Tourism Edition, taking place on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Grand Lucayan Convention Center in Grand Bahama.
“As the GBPA continues its work to attract investors to Freeport, we offer this showcase of local and international businesses offering services and opportunities to potential and existing licensees,” stated Ian Rolle, GBPA President. “This Expo will not only connect unique international service providers with Bahamian entrepreneurs aiming to introduce new tourist attractions, but also bring together financing institutions to support Bahamian-owned start-ups and existing businesses in the industry.”
The emphasis on tourism at the 2024 Expo ensures that those in tourism-focused businesses are certain to benefit. The event will offer opportunities to meet potential business partners, gain insight on financial opportunities, engage with leaders in workshops and one-
on-one sessions, and get answers on starting a Freeport business and obtaining a GBPA license.
“We regularly host community business expos,” said Glendia Sweeting, Manager of Quality Assurance and Special Projects. “But we recognize the significant benefit of an expo focused on enhancing tourism business offerings through connecting international service providers and Bahamian entrepreneurs. We have more than thirty local and national exhibitors taking part on May 2nd, along with several international service providers.”
Multiple investment projects currently in progress and planned in the city of Freeport is creating anticipation for existing and potential entrepreneurs and this expo is geared towards preparing them for these opportunities. “Grand Bahama is going to experience a significant growth spurt in the next one to three years. I would strongly encourage everybody who wants to get involved in business to look at Grand Bahama as one of the top choices, especially over the next three years,” said Mr. Rolle.
The Expo opens on Wednesday, May 1st with a welcome reception from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A full day of learning and networking opportunities follows on Thursday, May 2nd. GBPA’s partners in the Freeport Business Expo include:
- Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board
- Ministry for Grand Bahama
- Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce
- Ministry of Tourism
- Bahamas Immigration
- Bahamas Customs
- Five Star Shipping Company
- Viva Wyndham Fortuna
- Bahamas Air
- Grand Lucayan Hotel
Registration for access to the Expo’s exhibitors is free, and all-access passes are available for purchase. Event details and registration information may be found at freeportbusinessexpo.com.
Bahamas News
Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement Signed between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province
By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province.
The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama represented The Bahamas at the signing.
His Excellency Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; and Yang Peiran, Interpreter represented the People’s Republic of China.
Minister Moxey explained that in February 2022, she and the former Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dai Qingli began discussion on the establishment of a province-island relationship between Hunan Province and Grand Bahama Island because of their “immense synergy”.
“Hunan has a vibrant creative industry and its capital city, Changsha is known as the entertainment capital of China, whilst Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of entertainment in ‘Our Bluepoint for Change’.”
She said Hunan Province boasts 11 industrial sectors and Grand Bahama is the industrial capital of The Bahamas. Further, innovation driven development has been a new driving force for Hunan, while Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of innovation for The Bahamas.
Minister Moxey said she is confident that an exchange of knowledge, ideas and culture will happen between the residents of Hunan Province and Grand Bahama.
“There is potential for robust trade in various sectors, opportunities for tourism promotion and intercultural appreciation, exchanges to support performing arts programs on our island, foster growth within the Orange Economy, and tap into China’s innovation, technology and vast expertise.”
She said that the formal signing aligns with the mission of Sister Cities International, which is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, one community at a time.
The Minister said, “Through collaborative programs and initiatives, this connection will support the government’s vision to diversity Grand Bahama’s economy to become the Home of Maritime and Logistics, Home of Events and Entertainment and Home of Innovation.”
She noted that in addition to signing the agreement, she looks forward to Grand Bahama residents benefitting from the signing of the Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding between Central South University and University of The Bahamas (UB), which will expand educational and technical cooperation between the two universities. The northern campus of UB is located in Grand Bahama.
His Excellency Mao Weiming said although geographically far apart, China and The Bahamas are friends with mutual respect and understanding as well as sincerity.
He explained that 27 years ago, both countries established diplomatic relations and China and The Bahamas have deepened their cooperation, strengthened their friendship and carried out many activities in the field of economy, trade and people-to-people exchange.
His Excellency recalled that in August 2022, he and Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis had a video conference where they both reached a consensus to cooperate in order to usher a new chapter in the relationship between Hunan and The Bahamas.
“Today, we are here to sign a sister-to-sister relationship between Hunan and Grand Bahama. It is [a] concrete move to implement
our consensus reached before and also to embark on a new journey of friendly exchanges.”
He added, “By establishing the relationship of sister cities, I believe the two sides will develop further in terms of economic and trade cooperation, people to people exchange, as well as friendship, and we will embrace new opportunities and deliver concrete benefits for the two peoples.”
He explained that Hunan, which is the home town of Chairman Mao, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, has developed very advanced industries of manufacturing, agriculture, education, culture as well as tourism.
His Excellency said he believes that Hunan and Grand Bahama enjoy very broad room for cooperation.
He said, “More efforts should be made to conduct cooperation in the fields of agriculture, tourism, culture, education and the film industry so as to realize a connectivity between our two sides in terms of logistics and the platform cooperation; so as to deliver concrete benefits for the people and to make our due contribution to the bilateral relationship between China and The Bahamas.”
PHOTO CAPTION
A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province. The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Shown from left: Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; Yang Peiran, Interpreter H.E. Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama.
(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)
Nassau, Bahamas: The Nassau Cruise Port has donated $1.95 million towards projects that will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources in its aim to increase food security for The Bahamas.
The donation officially occurred at the Ministry’s offices recently, where Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Hon. Jomo Campbell, Minister of Labour Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell and Nassau Cruise Port CEO Mike Maura listened to a number of presentations including one for a poultry programme for schools, a chicken broiler production programme, the redevelopment of the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market and an Authentic Bahamian Cultural Concept Store,
Mr. Maura said he was impressed by the presentations.
“I had the privilege to listen to the presentations and review presentations that touched on food security and the need for us to be self-sufficient, which as a Bahamian I support completely. At the Nassau Cruise Port, we get excited about the prospects of offering more authentic food to the millions of visitors that we have each year,” he said.
“And then, in addition to that, we had presentations around the further development of our artisans, which is so important to us as well. The guests visiting our shores are looking for something that really touches The Bahamas and can’t be found somewhere else. The Nassau Cruise Port has made a pledge to BAIC and its affiliates. We will be supporting the projects that were presented and we can’t wait to get started.”
Minister Glover-Rolle, who is also the Member of Parliament for Golden Gates, hailed Nassau Cruise Port as a “great community partner.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to not only present but agreeing to participate. Our Minister of Agriculture has a goal of reducing food imports by 25 percent by the year 2025 and our project in the Golden Gates Community speaks to that,” she said.
“We have a number of backyard farmers, farmers and fishers in our community in Golden Gates. Being able to use the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market, which is going to be dubbed the ‘Fish Fry of the South,’ as a hub for food security but also a hub where artisans and handicraft persons can come and sell their wares is wonderful. So, we are happy that you have agreed to partner with us and we look forward to a partnership and we hope to welcome some of your visitors when this amazing renovation is done.”
Minister Campbell also lauded the Nassau Cruise Port for its efforts.
“I would like to say thank you to the presenters for the presentations that are several steps in the right direction for our country, to Mr. Maura and his board at the Nassau Cruise Port and I would like to say thanks to God for this partnership and bringing us all together as we move forward, upward, together in building a better, brighter, future for The Bahamas,” he said.
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