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Minister LaRoda: Disability inclusion is an ‘overarching goal’ of the Administration

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National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) Commissioners, group photo, from left: Craig Delancy, Geneva Cooper, Maxine Stubbs, Kendrick Rolle, Minister Myles LaRoda, Chairperson Nalini Bethel, Jerome Thompson, and Gillian Bethel. (BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Government of The Bahamas supports and embraces persons with disabilities and will continue to ensure that the requirements of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act (2014) are enforced through positive and continuous actions, inclusive of new amendments to the Act, Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles K. LaRoda said Thursday.

The year 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of the passage of the Act which was implemented to end discrimination against persons with disabilities as well as promote their rights and provide equal opportunities, amongst other provisions.

Mr. LaRoda said “disability inclusion” is an overarching goal of the Davis Administration. He was addressing the fifth in a series of ‘Let’s Talk Disability’ Town Hall Meetings hosted by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities – two each in Andros and Long Island, and one in New Providence.

The Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting expanded upon the significance of disability inclusion – in action.

“Inclusion, in action, is the demonstration that we, in The Bahamas, are an inclusive society and that we celebrate and encourage persons with disabilities in the same way as we do others,” Minister LaRoda said.

“We are no different than other countries with regard to the range of disabilities which include physical, behavioural, emotional, sensory, neurological and developmental. As a country, we must focus on the role that we, the community, must play as it relates to persons with disabilities, recognizing that there should never be a distinction between one member of society over another. Disability Inclusion is an overarching goal of countries across the globe.”

Mr. LaRoda said “unfortunately,” people living with disabilities are still often marginalized and are seen as outsiders in the communities.

“But my Ministry and its partners are making every effort through events such as these Town Halls to correct this gross misconception and stereotypical belief.”

He told Persons with Disabilities, their families, friends, and advocates attending Thursday evening’s Town Hall Meeting (held at the Cleveland Eneas Primary School) that they too have a role to play.

“This also means that you too have a responsibility to share with us and to let us know how we might improve the quality of your life; let us know instances of unfair treatment or discrimination; let us know when our service to you needs to be improved. After all, we are the Ministry of Social Services and we are here to serve you and to understand how we might serve you better.

“Today, we address the concerns of this community in New Providence and I urge you to take this opportunity to voice your concerns to those who work every day, promoting the rights of Persons with Disabilities and celebrating them.”

Minister LaRoda said embracing the needs of the community of persons with disabilities “shows that we are serving in very pragmatic ways.”

He pointed to the efforts undertaken by corporate entities such as ALIV, NAD, Rotary, the Chinese Embassy and others, whom he said demonstrate, by their actions, that there is a serious attempt at inclusion.

“ALIV for example worked with the Ministry of Public Personnel to employ some 20 persons with Disabilities; NAD initiated the Sunflower Lanyard for hidden disabilities and continues to initiate trailblazing programs to ease travel conditions on behalf of persons with disabilities. Rotary consistently provides wheelchairs to the physically disabled as does NCPD, and with donations from the Chinese Embassy, we were able to donate educational toys and devices, hearing aids and other items.

“We are so very grateful for such corporate partnerships as it is important that the community is embraced at both a public and private level so that persons with disabilities can feel valued, respected, and supported. We welcome with open arms other corporate entities that may wish to become partners in this cause to improve the lives of those who live with a disability,” Mr. LaRoda added.

 

 

 

 

 

Bahamas News

Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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Bahamas News

 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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Bahamas News

CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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