Caribbean News
School’s Music Programme and Families’ Back-to-School Efforts Bolstered with Donation from BTC & the Sandals Foundation
KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 6, 2023 — The sound of music will be more melodic as the Wesley Methodist High school music department recently received a donation of more than 50 recorders from a guest at the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort (BTC). A retired music teacher, who stayed at the resort, took time to share with the eager students, teachers and administrators on the Reading Road Trip the value and benefits of music.
“These instruments were donated by colleagues and friends who have interest in the Pack for a Purpose programme with the Sandals and Beaches resorts. Being able to share with the students was a nostalgic feeling as the traditional musical appreciation is becoming a fading memory. The recorder is one of the most dynamic musical instruments that can be added to an orchestra or group or be done in solo,” Judith Coniglio shared.
Performing Arts Director at the institution, Lavern Ferreira admitted that the donation will go a far way in improving
the quality of their programme. Said Ferreira: “For us to be considered a worthy recipient by the Sandals Foundation team is remarkable. Our students are passionate about delivering quality music and with this gift, we will be able to have more practice sessions and this will help in the quality of music that we deliver and what our students are exposed to.”
Lesha Lightbourne, a second form student shared, “We are grateful for these instruments. As a small group, the creative activities that we are involved in will certainly be bolstered as we seek to create a positive impact on the performing arts here in Turks and Caicos Islands. This is the commitment from the student group along with our teachers to ensure that these instruments will help in improving the educational component of the students here at Wesley Methodist High school.”
Additionally, with the resort’s continued drive to support families in the communities that they serve, the Holy Family Academy also received a wide assortment of educational supplies donated by guests through the Pack for a Purpose initiative.
James McAnally, general manager said supporting parents in their preparation for the upcoming school year is a deliberate effort of the resort team. “As a resort, we are always conscious of ensuring that we give back to our communities. The opportunity to give back to families at this time of the year is a deliberate initiative as this will enable parents to meet some of their needs and lessen the expenses that characterize the back-to-school shopping.”
Sister Maria Ellena Vasquez in sharing her appreciation for the educational item noted: “As an institution we are grateful. These items will definitely allow for the teaching and learning at this noble institution to improve especially for the new academic year. We appreciate the partnership from Beaches Turks and Caicos in looking out for the wellbeing of every student here in Providenciales and the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
KINGSTON, April 29 (JIS):
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, says the outcome of discussions arising from the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) will assist in guiding the Government’s planning for climate change.
This, he points out, is important for climate mitigation as well as building Jamaica’s resilience.
“We look forward to the discussions that will, no doubt, take place. We look forward to the basis of planning for the Government to streamline its investments to ensure you have the tools that you need to better advise us, that the WRA (Water Resources Authority) has the tools to digitise its monitoring network, and that all of the agencies that touch our planning mechanisms have the tools. But we need to know what we are facing, and we’re guided by your expertise,” Minister Samuda said.
He was addressing the opening ceremony for the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in New Kingston on Monday (April 29).
Senator Samuda said given the fact that the climate has changed and continues to do so, investments in and collaborations on building Jamaica’s predictive and scientific capacity must be prioritised.
“Ultimately, we need to be able to assess our current climatic realities if we are to better plan, if we’re to insist and ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs that we need it to. I’m very happy that this event is happening… because this is a critical issue.
“Jamaica, last year, faced its worst and most severe drought… and this year, we’re already seeing the impacts of not quite as severe a drought but, certainly, a drought with severe impacts, especially in the western part of the country,” he said.
Principal Director, Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, explained that the forum aims to, among other things, establish a collaboration platform for climate services providers and users to understand risks and opportunities of past, present and future climate developments, as well as improve inter-agency coordination of policies, plans and programmes.
Among the other presenters were Ambassador, European Union to Jamaica, Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen; Chief Scientist/Climatologist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, Adrian Trotman; and Head, Regional Climate Prediction Services, World Meteorological Organization, Wilfran Moufouma-Okia.
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica hosted the Jamaica National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate Services and the 1st National Climate Forum (NCF-1) in partnership with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology and the World Meteorological Organization.
The National Stakeholder Consultation is a governance mechanism that guides how different sectors or actors work together to create products that contribute to adaptation and resilience-building. It seeks to create a road map for the development and implementation of climate services to inform decision-making.
NCF-1 aims to bridge the gap between climate providers and users. It increases the use of science-based information in decision-making and operations with the aim of generating and delivering co-produced and co-designed products and services.
CONTACT: CHRIS PATTERSON
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