Bahamas News
Dozens of eager farmers turn out for ADO, CCFG backyard farming kit distribution in Abaco
ADO, Church Commercial Farming Group distribute dozens of backyard farming kits, many to those trying to start over after Dorian
By Diane Phillips
#TheBahamas, December 14, 2022 – For Kathryn Cartwright, it was a very long journey to a church not far from the one-bedroom apartment she is renting in Marsh Harbour. It began decades earlier. Cartwright’s family had farmed as long as she could remember. In 1999, Hurricane Floyd took their well-known agricultural landmark, Carrollville, in Treasure Cay. She moved to Leisure Lee, and there, two decades later, Dorian swept away her home,
her smaller farm and everything she had.
On December 8, she showed up at the Friendship Tabernacle Church to collect a small starter kit in a carton, one of nearly a hundred who registered ahead. For Cartwright, the emotion of getting her hands back in the soil was even stronger than it was for most, though she was not deterred by the fact that she had to borrow a little plot of land to plant the seeds she was taking home because there is no yard where she is renting.
Many who filled the hall at the church where Abaco pillar Pastor Silbert Mills presides saw the farming kits as another step in the journey back to life after Dorian. There were those, too, like Etheridge Tinker who remembered when Abaconians were farmers and fishermen at heart. Tinker’s family grew crops where the only thing coming out of the ground now in Baker’s Bay is multimillion-dollar residences owned by celebrities, superstars and athletes like Tom Brady.
“Baker’s Bay was my playground,” he said. “I remember my family, we were growing potatoes, cassavas, peas, onion, mango. My grandfather was a fisherman and we gave food to our neighbours and they gave us food in return. I tell my children we went to the well pump for water and they wanna know what the pump is. If you can’t feed yourself, you in plenty trouble. Every seed I get, I plant.”
The distribution in Abaco was the first in a series of Family Island roll-outs of the initiative that got off the ground in a serious way less than six months ago, a program known as the Church Commercial Farming Group. Its formation incidentally coincided with the timing of the hurricane that devasted Grand Bahama and Abaco in 2019. It was
spearheaded by Assemblies of God of Prophecy Superintendent for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Rev. Pat Paul, a man who believes physical and spiritual health go hand-in-hand, on the pulpit and off, worrying about the rates of diabetes and heart disease in The Bahamas while personally living the example of healthy living.
In the beginning, he said, the farming program was running at “maybe 7.5 miles an hour.” Then in early 2021, along came Philip Smith and the Agricultural Development Organization. Two weeks later, Smith agreed to join forces and not long after, presented a whopping $200,000 donation that came with ambitious goals — we’ll fund you and together we will make farming the hottest new commodity in The Bahamas.”
“Ever since that moment,” said Rev. Paul, “we’ve been flying.”
Requests for kits have been pouring in non-stop – hundreds from Abaco and Grand Bahama, thousands in New Providence. Distribution is measured carefully to allow for each recipient of a kit to be paired with one of a number of field officers who assist, visit on a regular basis, create and document progress and problems, and help find solutions.
The hand-holding, says Abaco Neem farmer Daphne DeGregory, is essential. “It’s all about stickability. You have to be patient. But as a Bahamian farmer, you have a great advantage. You can control what you grow and you have access to some of the best water anywhere.”
There are some things you cannot control, she said, like a wild boar that destroyed a banana patch two nights earlier at the Abaco Neem farm, or the damage wreaked by feral cats and raccoons, but with the weather, you can build rock farms or do container farming with year-round easy access.
“We CAN feed ourselves in this country,” said the woman who, like Kathryn Cartwright, lost so much, including the retail shop and the home above it she and her husband occupied before Dorian, before they moved to the farm. But she also gained an even greater appreciation for all that nature provides and now living totally off the grid, and serving as president of the Abaco Chamber of Commerce, DeGregory applauds the initiative and believes whether you do a little or a lot there is no richer life than farming, no fresher taste than the berries you pick off the tree in the morning for breakfast or the coconut water you drink through a reusable straw seconds after it is pulled from the tree. “Farming is the root of self-sustainability.
“My husband gave up a very lucrative business to farm because he followed his soul. Farming,” she said, “is a prestigious profession.”
Release: ADO Bahamas
Photo Captions:
Header: Farmer and Abaco Chamber of Commerce President Daphne DeGregory, left, gives a backyard farming kit to a recipient in Abaco during the launch of the Agricultural Development Organization and Church Commercial Farming Group initiative in Marsh Harbour December 8.
1st insert: Reverend Clyde Bain, Church Commercial Farming Group administrator, helps to distribute dozens of backyard farming kits to residents of Abaco who registered online for the program operated in conjunction with the Agricultural Development Organization. ADO is headed by Philip Smith (below), who spent 17 years feeding the hungry before turning to a way to end hunger and live healthier through growing what you eat and eating what you grow.
2nd insert: Philip Smith founded Agricultural Development Organization to help end hunger by growing what you eat and eating what you grow. He was driven to find a better way to fight hunger after spending 17 years feeding the hungry, the last nine as head of Bahamas Feeding Network where he continues to serve on the board.
3rd insert: Reason to smile – Reverend Pat Paul, General Superintendent Assemblies of God Church in The Bahamas including Turks and Caicos, tells the crowd gathered at the church in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, for a backyard farming kit distribution that if we grew only 25% of our nutritional needs, we would save more than $250 million a year in food import costs.
Nassau, Bahamas, 22 September 2026 – Six Bahamians whose service is making a difference in communities across the country were recently celebrated by CIBC Caribbean as the bank brought together its top 2026 Unsung Heroes finalists for a special recognition event.
The 2026 finalists were Kristin Butler-Beneby, Dinola Williamson, Amanda Knowles, Tamara Clarke, Ruth Fawkes, and Jaquay Adderley.
During the event, CIBC Caribbean also announced Dinola Williamson as the first runner-up in this year’s program. Williamson is an educator and community activist who has spent more than two decades in education and leads the Family Better Together Kabbalistic Kids Club. Her community work has reached children in Englerston, Fox Hill, Acklins, Crooked Island, and Grand Bahama through mentorship and activities designed to support their holistic development.
CIBC Caribbean Head of Country Terrance Gibson said the gathering was intentionally focused on celebrating the collective impact of the finalists.
“Unsung Heroes is about recognizing the people who may not always receive the spotlight, but whose commitment is felt every day in the lives of the people and communities they serve,” he said.
“While Kristin emerged as our 2026 Unsung Hero, and Dinola as our runner-up, each nominee represents the spirit of this program. They
saw needs in their communities and made the decision to act, to serve, and to keep showing up. CIBC Caribbean is proud to recognize them and to help bring greater attention to the work they are doing.”
The recognition event also brought together members of the judging panel who reviewed this year’s nominations and selected the program’s honorees. The panel comprised Olympic gold medalist Tonique Williams, Bahamas Red Cross President Edison Sumner, Guardian Lifestyles Editor Shavaughn Moss, and Organization for Responsible Governance Executive Director Matt Aubry.
During the event, each finalist spoke about the community work that led to their nomination. The judges were also recognized for lending their time and expertise to the selection process.
Gibson added, “Recognition is important, but we also hope that sharing these stories encourages others to look around their own communities, see where they can make a difference, and act.
“Our Unsung Heroes remind us that meaningful change often begins with an individual who simply decides to help.”
Bahamas News
Public Hospitals Authority Foundation Donates Dialysis Machines to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH)
The Bahamas, September 21, 2026 – The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Foundation, a philanthropic organization launched in January 2024 to support public hospitals and healthcare clinics, donated eight additional dialysis machines for the PMH Renal Services unit.
Director of Foundations, Corporate and Community Relations for the Public Hospitals Authority and Executive Director of the foundation,
Alana Major, said this initiative is a part of the foundation’s “Sun, Sea and Second Chances” campaign. PHA Foundation aims to secure 30 machines for Princess Margaret Hospital.
“As of today, with this donation, we are now up to 15 machines, so we are very excited about that,” Ms. Major said.
Other members of the foundation were present, including PHA Foundation Chairman Mr. Selvin Basden, who said the foundation is committed to doing its part in fulfilling the mandate of the Government of the Bahamas.
“One of the tenets of the Government is to ensure that access to healthcare is a human right. We are committed to ensuring that, at least from our part, we can deliver on that principle,” Mr. Basden said.
The PMH Renal Services Unit dialyzes about 150 to 170 patients annually. The unit provides care for patients who have been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and now need renal support. Patients who receive dialysis typically come to the unit three times a week, either on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule or a Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule.
Head of Department for Renal Services, Dr. Thurston Carroll, said she and the unit are excited to receive the donation, as it will replace
machines that are not operating optimally.
“We are particularly excited about today’s donation because, although we have 20 stations within the dialysis unit, we have an aging fleet. These new machines and new water-treatment equipment will allow us to replace some of our aging equipment so that we can continue providing services to our patients.”
Foundation representatives noted that one or two organizations are already considering making bulk donations and if it happens, the foundation may be able to secure another 10 machines or another five machines in the very near future.
PMH Deputy Hospital Administrator Angelica Lockhart-Bastian and Hospital Administrator Mr. Tevard Bastian thanked the PHA Foundation for its donation to Princess Margaret Hospital.
Also in attendance were PHA Foundation Deputy Chairman Dr. Erecia Hepburn; Foundation guest Dr. Maria Oriakhi; Chief Biomedical Engineer Mr. Theodore Nottage; Administrative Officer Ms. Appapisa Neely; and Senior Assistant Hospital Administrator Mr. Valdez Bowe.
By Christina Williams
Bahamas Information Services
BIS Photos/Mark Ford
PHOTO CAPTION:
Group Photo, from left:
– Dr. Rhea Thurston Carroll, Director, Renal Services, PMH
– Nurse Kim Harris, Dialysis Nurse, Dialysis Unit, PMH
– Sister Darnell Roker, Nurse Manager, Dialysis Unit, PMH
– Mrs. Angelica Lockhart-Bastian, Deputy Hospital Administrator PMH
– Mr. Tevard Bastian, Hospital Administrator PMH
– Mrs. Alana Major, Director, Foundations, Community and Corporate Relations, PHA
– Mr. Selvin Basden, Chairman, PHA Foundation
– Dr. Erecia Hepburn, PHA Foundation Board
– Ms. Donette Danvers, Executive Assistant, Foundations, Community and Corporate Relations, PHA
Miami, Florida – Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism, Dr. Kenneth Romer was presented with The 2025-2026 Infrastructure Leadership MVP Award, during the 10th Annual Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) held in Miami September 15-16, 2026.
According to event organizers, New Energy Events, the MVP Leadership Award is the highest individual honor in the industry and is
presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional, strategic and visionary leadership in advancing infrastructure in the Caribbean. Chosen by an independent jury of regional industry leaders, “The recipient is recognized for their sustained impact, influence across sectors, and dedication to driving meaningful progress in policy, investment, or project delivery”, said Event Organizers.
Romer becomes only the third person from the Region, and the first from The Bahamas to receive the Leadership MVP Award, joining last year’s winner The Honourable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.
Represented among the Conference Speakers and present at the Award Ceremony was Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, who said that, “This award amplifies The Bahamas Government’s commitment to executing a vision that sets the benchmark for infrastructural investments opportunities across our archipelago while supporting exemplary Bahamian leaders like Dr. Romer, who are steering the Caribbean toward more resilient, investable, and innovative infrastructure”.
“While this award is deemed an individual honor, it is a recognition of the Bahamas’ position as a respected regional leader and more so, a
reflection of the incredible talent that resides within our small, but indomitable nation that continues to punch above its weight class as the world marks the manner of our bearing”, said Dr. Romer.
Dr. Romer has been instrumental in driving post-pandemic tourism recovery alongside the transformation of airports across the Family Islands through the Government’s landmark Family Islands Renaissance initiative. Under his leadership as Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism, the sector has embraced a strategic, forward-looking approach focused on modernizing over 19 runways and terminals, strengthening safety and resilience, expanding international and regional connectivity, and leveraging public-private partnerships to deliver world-class facilities.
Dr. Romer’s work has helped translate the National Aviation Strategic Plan into tangible infrastructure projects that are creating new opportunities for tourism, investment, entrepreneurship and economic growth across the archipelago.
In 2025, he became the first person from the Caribbean and LATAM Region to be appointed to the Board of the International Association of Airports Executives.
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