News
Three Generations Bring Books to Life at Oseta Jolly Primary School
MEDIA RELEASE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, June 12, 2024 — What could be better than a Reading Road Trip experience where vacationers get to visit a local school to read to children? A Reading Road Trip featuring three generations of family members! This unique experience recently unfolded when travel agent and Chairman’s Royal Club (CRC) member Renee Rice and her family
vacationed at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
A key highlight of their vacation was the highly anticipated visit to Oseta Jolly Primary School. In honour of the school’s 50-year anniversary, the family donated approximately fifty (50) pounds of school supplies. Renee was joined by her husband Bruce, daughters Cheyenne, Brigitte, and Marily, and grandchildren Kyla, Kinsley, Banks, Jackson, and Evey. The group was also accompanied by a team of Sandals Foundation ambassadors.
This is just one of many contributions Rice and her family have made to schools in the Turks and Caicos, their home away from home. These generous donations have been facilitated through the partnership between the Sandals Foundation and the U.S.-based nonprofit Pack for a Purpose initiative. This partnership allows guests staying at Beaches or Sandals resorts to bring educational supplies for local communities, making a meaningful impact.
The donated items included pencils, folders, crayons, markers, washable paint, and activity pads. Vice Principal Sharonica Grant
accepted the items on behalf of the school, expressing her gratitude. “We thank you for visiting us to help us celebrate our golden year. Your time with us is invaluable. Our students had a blast during the reading sessions, and they will continue to benefit from the school supplies after you’re gone,” she shared.
Marilyn Burke, one of Rice’s daughters and a Special Education Coordinator for the Oxford City Schools in Alabama, chose to read to the Special Needs class with her daughter Kinsley. In line with the Sandals Foundation’s theme of promoting food security and healthy nutrition, they spent time teaching the children about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. Special Education teacher, Tevynn Lewis remarked, “my children always enjoy having visitors, and we are always happy to welcome people from our community who are willing to share with our children. It was evident that they enjoyed the stories that were shared.”
A heartwarming moment occurred when eight-year-old Evey James took charge of a group of six kindergarteners, reading to them, explaining concepts, and guiding them through their worksheet and colouring activity.
Orville Morgan, Public Relations Manager, was thrilled with the success of the event. “I am happy we were able to make this Reading Road Trip a reality despite the unfavourable weather earlier in the day. The students enjoyed the visit, and the family has already formed bonds with the children, promising to return next year. These are the moments that I live for. I was particularly impressed by how well the teens and grandkids handled themselves. They were very much in control of things while being patient and comical in their interactions,” he noted.
For 15 years, the Sandals Foundation has positively impacted communities across the Caribbean through the pillars of education, community development, and environmental conservation. The Rice family’s visit to Oseta Jolly Primary School is a testament to the lasting and meaningful connections that can be formed through such initiatives.
Photo Captions:
Header: Oseta Jolly vice principal Sharonica Grant (3rd right) accepts the gifts from Renee Rice
1st insert: These boys share a keen moment with their work sheet
2nd insert: Evey James, grand daughter of Renee Rice goes through the paces with students during one of the activities at the Oseta Jolly Primary School
3rd insert: One of the students at the Oseta Jolly Primary shares his creative skills with one of Renee’s granddaughter
#TurksandCaicos, June 25, 2024 – The Department of Social Development and Welfare conducted several recruitment drives across the Turks and Caicos Islands, engaging stakeholders, potential foster carers, and advocates to highlight the urgent need for
foster carers. These events raised awareness of the importance of foster care, highlighting the role it plays in providing safe and nurturing environments for children in need and emphasising the overall impact it has on the lives of these children.
The Department of Social Development and Welfare is issuing a heartfelt call to the community to continue to support its foster care recruitment initiative, as the demand for loving, stable foster homes has never been greater. The department urges compassionate individuals and families to consider opening their hearts and homes to children in need.
The Turks and Caicos Islands can pave the path for a brighter future by forging a stronger, more supportive community for children in need.
The Department of Social Development and Welfare is calling the public to come together and support this vital cause by:
- Spreading the Word: Help the Department of Social Development and Welfare reach a wider audience by sharing information about foster care with friends, family, and community groups.
- Volunteer: There are many ways to support foster children and foster families through volunteer efforts.
- Donate: Financial contributions can help provide essential resources and support services for foster children and families.
Bahamas News
Ready or Not, African and Caribbean Artists set the stage on Fire at AfreximFest in Nassau
Danae Dennie and Deandrea Hamilton
Editorial Staff
#TheBahamas, June 25, 2024 – ‘Ready or Not’ AfreximFest is sizzling finale, capping of concert spectacular with Haitian superstar, Wyclef Jean.
This year, AFREXIMFEST 2024 was held for the first time in the Caribbean region, The Bahamas hosting the three days of meeting in Nassau at the Baha Mar resort.
It is a rich tradition for the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to celebrate the rich cultural contributions throughout the various industries and the orange economy is a major highlight.
The concert was MC’d by Nigerian radio personality and television presenter IK Osakioduwa and featured artists from The Bahamas, the continent of Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.
Nigerian Artiste, Flavour brought spunky afro beats, Fanshawn delivered on the down home Bahamian rake n scrape sound with impeccable showmanship; Oudun drummers from Brazil were a pulsating show stopper and Trinidad and Tobago’s KES the Band thrilled the audience with performances of its wildly popular soca hits including ‘Savanah Grass’.
Making a dramatic entrance with his Fugees hit, ‘Ready or Not’ was Grammy Award winning Wyclef Jean. The Haitian rapper, singer,
producer and songwriter, set the audience in a frenzy with his rendition of Fugees version of the Roberta Flack remake of ‘Killing me Softly’; Bob Marley’s ‘No Woman, No Cry’ and hits he authored for Carlos Santana and Shakira, namely: ‘Maria Maria’ and ‘Hips don’t Lie’. However, it was arguably, ‘911’ his chart topping duet with Mary J. Blige that set the audience ablaze, joining in singing of the song as he wowed onlookers with his salacious guitar solo which showed off Wyclef’s enviable skills on the instrument.
The event and its amazing line up of singers, dancers, comedians and master DJs forged further, the message of solidarity and partnership which became recurring pitch phrases at the meetings. Music proved an ultimate unifier yet again, as AAM2024 wrapped up with stellar reviews from those who packed the concert hall.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 25 June 2024: The Electoral Boundaries Commission has released a report that provides crucial insights into the voter population in the electoral districts across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The commission, in its commitment to democratic processes, earnestly invites the public to participate actively by submitting their valuable comments on our draft report before 12 p.m. Friday, 5 July 2024.
Section 60 states: “60. For the purpose of the discharge of its functions, a Commission—
(a) may invite views from members of the public;
(b) shall consult the public about a draft of its report; and
(c) may seek such advice as it considers appropriate.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission has completed the draft report and, as per Section 60 (6), seeks to send it to the public for
consultation.
The Commission’s activities and responsibilities are set out in Section 61 of the Constitution, which provides:
- (1) A Commission shall, as soon as practicable after its appointment, review the Boundaries of the electoral districts into which the Islands are divided; and submit to the Governor and the House of Assembly a report either—
(a) stating that, in the opinion of the Commission, no change in those boundaries is required; or
(b) recommending the changes in those boundaries specified in the report.
(2) In determining its recommendations under subsection (1) (b), and in determining whether or not to recommend any changes in the electoral district boundaries, a Commission shall ensure that the electoral districts contain, so far as is reasonably practicable, approximately equal numbers of persons qualified to be registered as electors.
Summary of the Report
As a first simplistic estimation, the total voter population of 9381 was divided by ten, representing the ten electoral districts. That resulted in the target quota of 938 voters (“target quota”) for each electoral district.
The overall trend saw increased voter population data in Providenciales and Grand Turk, with a minimum population increase in South Caicos, North and Middle Caicos. The increase in voter population in Providenciales is noted in all districts.
Because of the disproportionate growth of voters in these areas the Commission is of the opinion that a more equal distribution can only be achieved by significant adjustments of the boundaries and these can only be effected in certain contiguous districts. However, the technical professionals in the Crown Land and Surveying Departments have advised the Commission of the danger of arbitrarily adjusting the boundaries, as the maps do indicate where few electors may live in a large geographic area, while smaller areas may contain large numbers of electors. The Commission understands that this can only be obtained through a RE-REGISTRATION process, in which all voters will re-register.
The Commission, therefore, agreed that, except for Grand Turk, all electoral boundaries in Providenciales should remain the same until information is available to determine the number of electors on the ground.
Therefore, the Commission will visit all islands in the Turks and Caicos Islands during the week of July 8th to 12th, 2024, to consult the public on the report’s findings.
All submissions must be sent via email to williamsjuliae@gmail.com
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12kVorjoivMhD9aqPKoaYY0_zvsLYUmdz/view?usp=sharing
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