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Bahamas Still Lighting it Up Blue for Autism Awareness

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By Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

 

#TheBahamas, April 13, 2023 – The Centre of Disease Control now places autism at 1 in every 36 children down from 1 in every 56, according to Dwayne Gibson, the Chairman of R.E.A.C.H, who spoke at the 11th annual commemoration of World Autism Day “Light it up Blue” at Rawson Square on April 1, themed “It’s ok to be a little different;” an event to keep this challenge in the spotlight.

While the US is citing a downward trend of children diagnosed to be on the autism spectrum, for The Bahamas the report is starkly different.

Last year R.E.A.C.H organized and launched an online public survey to ascertain the number of families affected by autism in The Bahamas, unfortunately, the participation in the survey was not satisfactory. Still, Gibson went on to say that they were able to gather information from their office that revealed and increase in the number of children are being diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe autism.

Gibson, on April 2, rolled out recent initiatives of R.E.A.C.H  including a free respite care service which is offered every Saturday and Sunday, supervised by Special Education teachers from the Ministry of Education.  This allows parents of autistic children to take a break on weekends which is a big help, he said.

Also, R.E.A.C.H is in talks with the Ministry of Education to connect with a well-trained foreign speech therapists to meet later this month with special needs teachers. This is to keep them up to date with the latest and most effective practices and protocols, in order to yield better results with the children.

They are also in collaboration to fly the therapist to Eleuthera to rendezvous and conduct screenings and assessments with special needs kids from Spanish Wells and Harbour Island who would not have the opportunity to access professional help.

Gibson made another important point, noting that the Government’s “continued” annual grant to the non-profit organization, through the Ministry of Social Services, has allowed them to hire a resident Speech Pathologist which has taken some of the weight off of parents’ shoulders to find and pay for private speech therapy services. He expressed that they are able to provide quality speech therapy services to those who are most in need.

While the chairman aptly laid out the progresses and needs, the Light it Up Blue ceremony also made room for the talents of children and teens on the Autism Spectrum to display their talents in singing, music and speaking.  A period of the event was also dedicated to the honoring of a number of special needs children as 2023 R.E.A.C.H  Star Students for their continued development and excellence at their schools.

Needless to say, the children were visibly happy and excited to be have been recognised to an audience which included both the Prime Minister, Philip Davis and the Minister of Education, Glenys Hanna-Martin.

The Prime Minster gave the official countdown to the lighting up of Rawson Square.  The country’s democratic center, located on Bay Street in Nassau, continues to be illuminated by blue lights this month, which best seen during the evening hours.

Bahamas News

Nassau Cruise Port Expands Waste Management Program to Champion Sustainability

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Solange Carter, Guest Experience Concierge, disposes of plastic bottles in new recycle bins at Nassau Cruise Port. The bins are a part of the new sustainable waste management program that was recently implemented at NCP to reduce waste and promote environmental sustainability to protect marine life.

[Nassau, Bahamas, March 18, 2025] – Today, Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) is excited to celebrate Global Recycling Day by announcing the launch of its new ‘Cruisin’ Green’ sustainable waste management program. This timely initiative focuses on promoting sustainable practices and reducing waste throughout the port in alignment with our broader commitment to environmental sustainability and protecting our marine ecosystems.  Through this highly anticipated initiative, NCP will engage tenants, vendors, employees, cruise lines, cruise passengers, and local visitors in creating a cleaner, greener environment by collecting and sorting cardboard, aluminum cans, glass, and paper products.

This significant initiative also signifies the growth of our partnerships with key local organizations, including the New Providence Ecology Park (NPEP), the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), and the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS).

“Cruisin’ Green is not just a recycling program; it represents a significant part of our ongoing dedication to sustainability and sets a benchmark within the cruise and maritime industry,” said Mike Maura, CEO and Director of Nassau Cruise Port. “Our mission is to lead by example and inspire the industry to adopt similar green initiatives, By collaborating with our partners, tenants, and community, we intend to create lasting changes that benefit the environment and future generations of Bahamians for many years.”

Yeshantai Thompson, Health, Safety, & Environment Manager at Nassau Cruise Port, explained how the program will be implemented and emphasized its importance. “By integrating strategically placed recycling bins, clear signage, comprehensive training, and community-driven initiatives, we are fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. Through collaboration with our partners, we aim to engage as many stakeholders as possible in this movement toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

Nassau Cruise Port is committed to minimizing its environmental impact and playing a key role in promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly future within the cruise industry and throughout The Bahamas.  For more information about the Cruisin’ Green initiative and details about how to get involved, follow Nassau Cruise Port online or visit nassaucruiseport.com.

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GBPA LAUNCHES TECH EDGE 2.0 – INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR BAHAMIANS

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PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE GRAND BAHAMA PORT AUTHORITY, LIMITED

 

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – Grand Bahama, The Bahamas – The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is proud to announce the launch of Tech Edge 2.0, a paid remote internship program, connecting eligible Bahamian candidates—both locally and abroad—with global career-building opportunities in the fields of cybersecurity, mobile app development, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI). According to GBPA executives, this initiative is a significant step in positioning Grand Bahama as a leader in the digital economy while providing Bahamians with valuable experience in high-demand tech fields.

“Tech Edge 2.0 is more than an internship program—it is a pipeline to professional success”, commented Derek Newbold, Chief Investment Officer for GBPA and Invest Grand Bahama. “With nearly 200 Bahamians already registered, including Bahamians residing in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and across the islands of The Bahamas, this program is bridging the gap between education and employment, equipping participants with job-ready skills and fostering a new generation of innovators ready to contribute to the advancement of technology and innovation in The Bahamas.”                                                                                                                                                                                                          Currently, there are 10 internship placements available, with additional spaces being added as more companies join the program. GBPA, through its Tech Edge 2.0 program, has partnered with four leading international technology firms, including Prophaze (California, USA), Cognetik Labs, Cybermindr, and Digital5 Solutions, to provide paid remote internship training and employment opportunities. All are start-up companies and emerging titans across cybersecurity, API security, and AI-driven threat detection fields. They also cover software development, IT infrastructure, and cloud computing.

Pleased with the evolution of the Tech Edge Program, which initially launched in 2023, President of GBPA, Ian Rolle, noted that he is highly optimistic about the program’s success to date and its proven potential to help drive Grand Bahama as the Tech and Innovation Hub of the nation. “These partnerships are unlocking global opportunities for Bahamians and proving that Grand Bahama is serious about technology. Further, it offers Bahamians direct access to the international job market—without having to leave home.” Rolle stated. “This program is about ensuring that our people are equipped with top-tier training to develop the requisite skills and career pathways to thrive in the digital economy,” Rolle continued.

The Tech Edge 2.0 Internship Program is open to eligible Bahamians worldwide who hold a college degree or are currently pursuing one in a technology-related field, have a strong interest in cybersecurity, AI, mobile app development, data science, or IT infrastructure, and are eager to gain real-world experience and work remotely with cutting-edge tech companies.

Ian Rolle

Applications for Tech Edge 2.0 are now open and will close on March 21, 2025. Interested candidates can apply online at www.techedgebahamas.com, where they will find step-by-step guidance on the application process.                                                                                                                                            GBPA’s project coordinator for Tech Edge 2.0, Jecholiah Braynen, described the initiative as a long-term investment in The Bahamas’ tech workforce and economic growth. “Through our partnership with Quess Corp, a multinational business service provider, based in India, GBPA is building the requisite skills within the Bahamian workforce and equipping them with job-ready skills and experience. This program creates opportunities to drive economic growth, establish new career opportunities, and attract tech companies to the Bahamas by creating a sustainable ecosystem where Bahamians can thrive in the tech industry,” she emphasized. “This is just the beginning. As Tech Edge grows, so will the number of available opportunities.”

Bahamians interested in expanding their career opportunities are encouraged to apply today and become part of The Bahamas’ digital transformation.

For more information, visit www.techedgebahamas.com for updates, success stories, and insights into the tech industry.

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Beyond the Mainsail: The Sailors of Sassie Sue and Patton Pride

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On the High Seas: Action shot of Sassie Sue racing. Photo credit: Phillip Figdore

Nassau, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup has garnered a lot of chatter for the year, with many have sharing their strong opinions on the limited-edition Bahamas Goombay Punch cans, which highlight the six sloops competing in the 3rd Annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.

The limited time designs was created to display the fine details and unique features of each sloop, while giving the sailors the recognition they deserve for their contribution to the country’s national sport, Sailing.

While the cans shine beautifully in the stores, at your desks at work or on your dinner table Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola products want to give the consumers a deeper look into each boat and its team.

The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup was created to amplify the sport of sailing through monetary and social support. In upholding that, captain Leander Pinder of ‘Patton Pride’ and Stefan Knowles of ‘Sassie Sue’ shed intimate details about their sloops.

How did your sloop’s name come to be?

Both men shared how the name for their sloops is rooted deeply in honoring their family. Sailing and Regattas are synonymous with family life and all members young and old, men and women can be seen participating.

Pinder: “I want to carry on my family name on Patton – my grandparents, my uncle, aunt and of course my mother.”

Knowles: “My mother’s name is Sue, and she is considered to be a sassy woman, hence the name.”

Who are the members of your sloop?

Sailors of ‘Patton Pride’: Dwight Fly Rolle, Prince Patton, Keshone Rolle, Shannon Rolle Leander, Magic Pinder.

Sailors of ‘Sassie Sue’: Stefan Knowles Captain and Owner, Vardo Turnquest Bowman, Anthony Knowles Pryman, Garret Knowles Main Sheet Man, Meko Knowles Pryman, Donnie Bastian Pryman, Kahden Huyler Pryman and Roger Fox Pryman.

What’s the history of your sloop?

Pinder: “For my love of the sport of sailing, five years ago Mr. Mark Knowles built this boat. I told him I wanted a fast boat, one that could beat the best of the best and that’s what he created.”

Knowles: “I previously sailed Whitty K for over 10 years and decided it was time to build my own C class. I had a boat in the original E class (14ft long) that my Dad built for me in 1998. The class was discontinued around 2003. Fast forward to July 2022, Sassie Sue was born”

What are some structural features that make your boat special?

Pinder: “She’s special by way of her width and depth and the slick entrance.”

Knowles: “It is built from some of the strongest, most durable and lightest wood available.”

What does the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup mean to you?

Pinder: “I think the Goombay Punch Cup is a good promotion for the Patton Pride to be known worldwide and of course I am in the tourism business and whenever I take my guests out on a tour the number one beverage, they request is Goombay Punch.”

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