Connect with us

News

Prestige Volunteers and Sandals Foundation Give Ianthe Pratt Primary School a Face Lift  

Published

on

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: September 21, 2023— Prestige Nominees from Beaches Turks and Caicos (BTC) who serve as volunteers of the Sandals Foundation recently got down and dirty for a worthy cause as they transformed the Ianthe Pratt Primary School for the new academic year.

The team of volunteers repainted murals and walls, pruned trees, removed the rotting monkey bars in preparation for the installation of new ones, and provided well needed electrical repairs in the kitchen. Swings were also replaced and see – saws installed in the kindergarten and special needs playground.

One parent, Rosny Benjamin, who is also a team member of Beaches Turks and Caicos, expressed a sense of relief in knowing that his child would be learning and playing in a more comfortable and safer space. “The school has been providing a safe learning environment for hundreds of children here in Providenciales over the many years. To see my colleagues teaming up with the school administrators and the Sandals Foundation, to provide this well needed face lift is good. Children will now be able to enjoy a more comfortable play area for this school year,” Benjamin shared.

Neekimo King, Principal of the institution, highlighted her satisfaction with the work that was done. She also expressed gratitude for the long-standing relationship that the Sandals Foundation, through Beaches Turks and Caicos, has had with the institution. Said King: “Sandals Foundation and the Beaches Turks and Caicos have been our partners for many years. It was a joy to see the leaders from the resort helping to brighten the murals, preparing the play areas by repairing and replacing items for our children. This will undoubtedly help to improve the teaching and learning environment for our children and teachers for this new academic year.”

General Manager, James McAnally, saluted the volunteers for providing well needed resources for the school. “The annual prestige project serves as a platform for the nominees to find a project each year to work as a team to accomplish. Since the pandemic had put a pause of this event for the company, this project serves as a special restart for the school community and the resort at large. While we continue to give back as a resort, this teamwork is one of the major factors for us as a resort as we continue to maintain our mission of building better communities and leaders here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan noted: “As the Sandals Foundation continues to give back to our communities through the support for the environment, community development and education, we are pleased to have helped in providing a facelift for this school. These leaders were deliberate in selecting this project as this has provided a motivational factor for the company in allowing our leaders to give back to the local communities. While they all worked as a team, each participant was motivated in sharing their collective expertise to improve the education environment for the students.”

 

Captions:

Header: The team of volunteers from the Beaches Turks and Caicos resort gather for the prestige nominees Sandals Foundation community project at the Ianthe Pratt Primary school

1st insert: Chef Alwayne Spence, replaces his culinary tools with that of a paint brush as he shows off his painting skills on one of the play structures at the Ianthe Pratt Primary school by the Beaches Turks and Caicos prestige nominees Sandals Foundation community project.

 2nd insert: Audie Johnson, housekeeping supervisor shows her creativity as she clears shrubs from an area at the Ianthe Pratt Primary school during the Beaches Turks and Caicos prestige Sandals Foundation community project

 3r insert: Learning and Development Manager Phildreka Mayham (left) and Bernard Florvil, Tiler in the Maintenance department team up to share the responsibility of painting the murals within the kindergarten and special education play area at the Ianthe Pratt Primary school during the Beaches Turks and Caicos prestige awards Sandals Foundation community project

Continue Reading

News

CIBC Caribbean Hosts Career Day Experience  

Published

on

CIBC Caribbean proudly welcomed students from Shining Stars Preparatory School for an engaging and educational visit in celebration of the school’s annual Career Day.

Turks and Caicos Islands, June 19, 2025 –Shining Stars Preparatory School students got an inspiring introduction to the world of finance during a recent visit to CIBC Caribbean. Adorned in costumes, the future professionals were welcomed by the bank in recognition of the school’s annual career day.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The visit formed part of CIBC Caribbean’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and education. With bright eyes and inquisitive minds, the students met with members of the Digital Banking, Personal and Business Banking (PBB) Sales, and Corporate Banking Support teams to learn more about the many career opportunities available within the financial services sector.

CIBC Caribbean Head of Country, Terrance Gibson, said, “At CIBC, we firmly believe that investing in our youth is investing in the future of TCI. Welcoming the students of Shining Stars Preparatory School into our space was not only a privilege, but a powerful reminder of why community engagement matters.”                                                                                                                                                                                                              The students were enthusiastic throughout the visit, eagerly asking questions and expressing keen interest in the daily operations of the bank. Their curiosity was met with thoughtful insights from CIBC Caribbean team members, who shared their personal journeys and professional experiences in banking.

As part of its broader community outreach, CIBC Caribbean has adopted Shining Stars Preparatory School. The bank has collaborated on a number of initiatives that promote learning, growth, and opportunity for young people.

Gibson added, “These bright young minds are full of potential, and our hope is that by opening our doors and sharing our knowledge, we have helped to spark interest in careers in banking, finance, and beyond. This relationship with Shining Stars speaks to our long-standing commitment to youth development and supporting the communities we serve.”

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Bahamas Signs Major Agreements at Brazil–Caribbean Summit to Boost Food Security, Climate Resilience, and Regional Development

Published

on

Brasília, Brazil – Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis has announced the signing of a landmark cooperation agreement with Brazil and the country’s entry into the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, following his participation in the Brazil–Caribbean Summit held in Brasília on June 14. The summit brought together leaders from CARICOM, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and key regional bodies to address pressing development challenges and renew economic and diplomatic ties with South America’s largest economy.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Saturday, Prime Minister Davis highlighted the significance of these developments for the Bahamian people: “We signed a key agreement with Brazil to work together on food security, education, disaster management, and climate resilience. The Bahamas also joined the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty — unlocking new resources to fight poverty and tackle inequality.”

The Brazil–Caribbean Summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marks a revitalization of Brazil’s engagement with the Caribbean after years of declining trade and limited collaboration. Trade between Brazil and the Caribbean region has dropped from $6 billion in 2010 to $4 billion in 2024, with most economic activity concentrated in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. This summit aimed to reverse that trend by fostering stronger cooperation on sustainable development goals, energy transitions, and disaster preparedness.

A key communique issued at the close of the summit underscored the joint commitment of participating nations to clean and inclusive energy transitions. “We recognize the urgent need to promote clean, sustainable, fair, affordable and inclusive energy transitions…with a view to contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century,” the statement read. The leaders also called for increased financing mechanisms and international support to ensure developing nations can pursue these goals effectively.

The Bahamas’ inclusion in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty represents a significant step forward in its efforts to build resilience and reduce socio-economic disparities. The Alliance, launched under Brazil’s G20 presidency and officially adopted by G20 nations in July 2024, is focused on achieving the first two Sustainable Development Goals — the eradication of poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2) — while also addressing inequalities (SDG 10). Since its inception, the Alliance has expanded successful national programs and fostered international cooperation through high-level summits and a champions council to guide its implementation.

Brazil has seen notable benefits from spearheading the initiative, including increased global recognition and strong support from leaders such as World Bank President Ajay Banga. The country has also used the platform to scale up its own social programs and promote the human right to nutritious food and dignified living conditions.

For The Bahamas, Davis emphasized that these partnerships will bring practical advantages: “For us, partnerships like these mean greater access to expertise and innovation — lowering costs for families, strengthening our resilience, and driving national development.”

The summit also addressed wider regional concerns, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti. Leaders expressed “deep concern” over the multidimensional challenges facing the Haitian people and affirmed their commitment to supporting the country’s path to stability.                                                                                                                                                                        The participation of CARICOM leaders such as Guyanese President Irfaan Ali further underscored the importance of regional collaboration in meeting shared challenges. Discussions included scaling up investment for energy transition and disaster management infrastructure, areas of increasing urgency for climate-vulnerable Caribbean nations.

With its new commitments, The Bahamas joins a growing coalition of nations aligning development efforts with global best practices and collaborative frameworks. As climate risks intensify and inequality persists, these initiatives mark a shift toward proactive, cooperative strategies designed to safeguard the well-being of future generations.

Continue Reading

News

Border Force Reports: Repeat Immigration Offender Sentenced for Unlawful Entry & Breach of Deportation Order

Published

on

The Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force confirms that Haitian national Richardson Cherefaere has been sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment by the Magistrates Court on 3 June 2025, following charges of Attempted Unlawful Entry and Returning to the Islands Contrary to a Deportation Order.

Cherefaere is a repeat immigration offender with a history of attempting to unlawfully re-enter the Turks and Caicos Islands. His first illegal entry occurred in 2019, and he was subsequently convicted and deported in January 2025 following his most recent attempt to re-enter the country. His continued disregard for immigration laws and deportation directives has resulted in a substantially longer custodial sentence.

In response, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Border Services, states, “This significant sentence sends an unequivocal message: the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force will relentlessly pursue and prosecute anyone who deliberately defies our immigration laws and ignores deportation orders. We are unwavering in our commitment to secure our borders and uphold the rule of law with the full force it demands, ensuring justice is served every time.”

The public is strongly reminded that harbouring or facilitating the illegal entry of migrants is a serious criminal offense punishable by fines up to $20,000 and imprisonment for up to four years under the Immigration Ordinance. Anyone found in breach of these laws will face firm and immediate legal action.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING