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Grand Turk Mother’s Plea for help goes unanswered, hours later her son, 32 is dead

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, June 27, 2022 –  A video posted to Facebook over the weekend is raising concerns not only about the promptness but the thoroughness with which concerns about possibly mentally ill persons are investigated and dealt with in the Turks and Caicos.

Blinding in its love and sincerity, Sharon Prospere’s video is almost hard to watch, with tears in her eyes she pleads “please all who hear me, I’m crying out for help for my child”. In the video posted on Saturday morning, the mother tearfully explains that she needs assistance because her son Garrick ‘is not himself’.

Soon the Turks and Caicos would grieve Garrick’s death along with her, as the news came that in the early hours of Saturday morning when many would likely have been asleep, a car crash took his life before her earnest plea could be answered.

“No one will help me?  y’all don’t know, I cannot sleep… I have people but they’re not here to help me. Hear my cry Lord, please help Garrick.  He’s not the same… help me before he hurts himself or he hurts me and he doesn’t know what he’s doing until it’s too late ” Sharon pleaded.

According to the police, Garrick passed away at 2:27 Saturday morning from injuries he received when a stolen vehicle he was travelling in crashed on Pond Street in Grand Turk but Sharon had been requesting help long before his death or the emotional video.

Sharon had noticed her son was exhibiting behaviour that concerned her and brought the issue to those she thought could help.

“I went to the mental people and asked for help. They told me that they were coming to assist me…they never came.”

An investigation is now launched into why the Mental Health Unit failed to respond to this family, said Jamell Robinson, Minister of Health and Human Services on Sunday.  He has also agreed to provide the protocol established when a situation like Ms. Prospere’s arises, as it appears the ball was dropped with a most devastating outcome.

Before her visit, Garrick had been exhibiting threatening behaviour and she was concerned he would hurt himself or her. When the persons she had sought help from did not come and Garrick continued to get worse she sought help elsewhere.

“I went to the police. I asked the police to help me with Garrick, the police told me they would help me but the mental health people have to come there and assist them.”

From there things only got more complicated for Sharon, her son burnt her bible which prompted even more concern. When she requested aid again she was sent back and forth between the police and the mental health authorities.

“The mental people say the police gotta come to them, I  wonder who has to come to who? What are you gonna do? wait until you all see dead bodies? Please I’m crying out for help for my child because he is not the same.”

Sharon is not the only islander to complain. Earlier this year a business owner reached out to Magnetic Media complaining of a re-offender who kept breaking into his premises to steal. The resident stressed that instead of jail the young man needed to be cared for in an institution that knew how to handle him.

The situation is a tragedy, exacerbated by the fact that Sharon earnestly and repeatedly sought help from the relevant authorities to no avail.

There must be more ardent investigation of claims of all kinds in the Turks and Caicos. The incident raises questions regarding the proper protocol for dealing with these situations and whether that protocol was followed, and if it was whether it is effective enough to protect islanders.

Bahamas News

Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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Bahamas News

Schweppes ‘the Art of Mixology’ Dazzles at Paradise Plates with Nemiroff Vodka

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Schweppes, in collaboration with Nemiroff Vodka dazzled guests with handcrafted cocktails during Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger’s annual fundraiser held at Atlantis’ Imperial Ballroom.

The evenings’ theme, 70’s: Paradise Disco, inspired bold and delicious sips from Schweppes and Nemiroff.  The beautiful disco themed Schweppes booth, adorned with LED signs, lush greenery and hanging black and gold metallic orbs shined throughout the room.

Schweppes’ brand representatives and mixologists dressed in chic 70’s speakeasy attire engaged attendees throughout the night. Guests enjoyed receiving knowledge of each product and experiencing the vibrant energy of brand representatives.

Nemiroff Vodka, which is locally distributed by Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor; offered a unique variety of vodkas which made the perfect blend with Schweppes. Guests enjoyed, Nemiroff’s Honey Pepper, De Luxe, Burning Pear, Wild Cranberry, and Bold Orange vodkas throughout the night.

Fan favorite cocktails of the night were: the Wild Cranberry Tonic and the Bold Orange Fizz.

Following a positive response at Paradise Plates, CWS is offering Nemiroff and Schweppes specials at local liquor stores for the entire month. With the purchase of any 1-liter Nemiroff vodka, enjoy a complimentary three-pack of Schweppes mixers, to recreate the magic of Schweppes and Nemiroff.

Cara Douglas-Adderley, Senior Marketing Director for Caribbean Bottling (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products and CWS shared the inspiration behind the Schweppes and Nemiroff promotion.

“We are thrilled to have paired Schweppes and Nemiroff for Paradise Plates this year, creating a premium cocktail experience for guests. After receiving such positive feedback, we wanted to extend that experience to consumers at home. Throughout October, consumers can visit their favorite watering hole, buy any 1-liter Nemiroff bottle and receive a free three-pack of Schweppes.”

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to offer Schweppes, Coca-Cola’s premier mixer in collaboration with Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Nemiroff Vodka at Paradise Plates in support of Hands for Hunger’s mission.

For more information on CBC’s philanthropic work, new products and specials, visits www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Beaches Turks & Caicos gives Enid Capron Primary a pre-term facelift

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has refreshed the grounds of Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays, Providenciales, ahead of the new school year, with a landscaping team from the resort, pruning and cutting back overgrown branches to give the campus a cleaner, safer look.

The project focused on the school’s exterior plantings, where tangled growth had begun to encroach on walkways and outdoor learning areas. The team spent time trimming hedges, thinning dense shrubs and removing deadwood to improve sightlines and airflow around the buildings.

Assistant Landscaping Manager, Kemar Jones said the work at Enid Capron is a regular priority for the department, which views community giving as a core part of its mandate. He noted that supporting local schools, particularly through hands-on environmental work, has long been a focus area for his team.

Jones, said the effort reflects the group’s wider commitment to the islands. “As a team, our goal is to give back to our communities and especially providing support for the environment and education,” Jones noted. “The team is always ready to share our skills with making the school environment more comfortable for our students and teachers.”

General Manager Deryk Meany framed the project as part of Beaches’ broader approach to working alongside the community beyond the resort gates. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, we operate as a team not only within the confines of the resort but also with our communities,” Meany added. “Being able to share our varied skills is always our main focus. Providing a comfortable learning environment allows for a greater relationship with our educational collaborators.”

He added that the resort seeks opportunities to support range of school-based initiatives, from environmental and leadership clubs to creative programmes.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Hon. Rachel Taylor described the landscaping mission as a continuation of a long-standing relationship between the Ministry and Beaches Turks and Caicos. “This mission from our major private sector supporter, Beaches Turks and Caicos is a long standing activity,” Taylor said. “At Enid Capron Primary School, we are treated as family. Once we reach out to the resort, they have always responded in a positive way.”

Hon. Taylor said the support is particularly valuable in the areas of education and community development, where consistent private-sector engagement can amplify government efforts.

Nelene Swann, vice principal at Enid Capron Primary welcomed the refreshed grounds as a boost to morale before classes resume. “This is what true collaboration looks like,” she noted. “This is more than a facelift for the school. The team from Beaches Turks and Caicos has shown true commitment in adding to this learning environment for our students and teachers.”

She said the improved landscaping contributes to a more comfortable and inviting campus for all stakeholders. “This is a good way to start the new school year. This facelift will certainly make the facilities here at the school more appealing to our students, teachers and parents.

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