News
Return Guests Make Significant Donation to the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) and the Enid Capron Primary School
Donation of school supplies with returned guests Amaro Pereira
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, April 4, 2024 — Beaches Turks and Caicos resort team members and guests celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Sandals Foundation with the largest donation of football gear to the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) and school supplies to the Enid Capron Primary School. The presentation by returned guests Amaro Pereira and family was made at the national stadium to the Technical Director, Dane Ritchie and the head of the referees association, Patrice Senior. The school supplies were presented to the administrators and students of the Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays.
These gear will provide much needed motivation for the football association and the grassroots programme for young girls and boys. Over one hundred pairs of football cleats, shin guards, jerseys, and referee gear were presented to the association to bolster the growth of the largest sporting discipline within the TCI.
Patrice Senior Head of Referees
Technical Director, Dane Ritchie, while acknowledging the valuable partnership that guests who visit the Islands and fall in love with the work that the football association is doing, expressed satisfaction with the gifts. “The number of players are increasing each week here in our grassroots programme as we have qualified coaches teaching both boys and girls the basics of football. The children are loving the exposure and the ability to compete against their peers in a safe and comfortable playing space. These gears will go a far way in providing for those who are not able to afford a quality pair of cleats. More than a hundred youth will benefit from this gift,” Ritchie shared.
The Enid Capron Primary School, the first institution to be adopted by the Sandals Foundation, was in for a treat as well as all their athletes preparing for the inter-primary championships were provided with backpacks to tote their track and field gear. The administrators received additional backpacks, note books, story books, pencils, pens, crayons, rulers, erasers, sharpeners, and calculators to support the wider educational programme.
Grade six student, Harph Saincus, was in awe of the items presented to the track athletes just in time for the upcoming championships. “We all have our bags to carry our gear and our juice and water for the different sporting activities now. The Sandals Foundation team always make us feel special when they bring things that help us to become better students,” Saincus beamed.
Dane Ritchie and Amaro Pereira
School principal, Sophia Garland noted, “the 15th anniversary of the Sandals Foundation is a major milestone and Enid Capron celebrates with you. The Sandals Foundation and Beaches Turks and Caicos resort have been fundamental to the development of our teachers and students. These gifts will go a far way in helping some of our students who are most in need. We are grateful for this support and partnership.”
Mr. James McAnally, Managing Director, seized the opportunity to congratulate all the Sandals Foundation ambassadors for their years of service, acknowledging that together we have accomplished great feats throughout the past 15 years. “As we reflect on what we have accomplished through our collective effort, let us be inspired to band together for many more years to come. By spreading love we will inspire hope,” McAnally shared.
The Sandals Foundation remains committed, through the dedication of guests and team members, to the continued transformation of lives through community outreach.
Edwin Garland and Amaro Pereira
Header: Dane Ritchie, Patrice Senior, Eddie Dias and Amaro Pereira
Caribbean News
Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.
The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.
“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital
policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.
“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”
Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.
Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.
Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.
Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.
Photo Caption:
TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key
government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.
The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.
The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and
posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.
The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.
February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.
“Sometimes I look at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like there would be a red flashing light that tells you that
there’s something wrong with a car and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the same thing. It gives you warning signs to look into that symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.
Dr. Hanicak said self-checks are going to be a little different for everyone.
However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such as unexplained weight loss, blood in your urine, bumps and bruises that won’t heal, and changes in bowel habits.
For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could be a sign of something more serious.
He also suggests doing regular skin checks and documenting any moles or spots that start to look different.
“Realize that you are your own person. There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you. You’ve got your own set of ideas, your own family history and your own genetics. Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing that we would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak.
Dr. Hanicak notes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with.
Press Release: Cleveland Clinic
