Connect with us

Caribbean News

JAMAICA: SDC helping to change the lives of disabled persons

Published

on

#Kingston, January 16, 2019 – Jamaica – Persons with disabilities (PwDs) often have difficulty integrating into society to contribute to the economy, while providing for themselves.  The Social Development Commission (SDC), through its Local Economic Development Support Programme, is helping to change that reality for PwDs in Linstead and surrounding communities in St. Catherine, through the Linstead Disabled Group Ltd.

Rehabilitation Officer with Community-Based Rehabilitation Jamaica (CBRJ) and Supervisor of the Linstead Area, Mary Cobourne, tells JIS News that persons with disabilities are excited.

“They just want to come out, and they are going around and telling persons about what they do and they are bringing in orders. They have something to do and they feel like [they have] a purpose,” she says.

Ms. Cobourne, who is the parent of a PwD, is also Treasurer of the Linstead Disabled Group Ltd., which makes pillows.

The Linstead Disabled Group Ltd. is a branch of the CBRJ and was formed in 2014 out of the Enos Barrett Disabled Group Centre. The group was created for adults and adolescents with a range of disabilities, to socialise outside of their homes, while being productive, motivated and reassured.

“We thought one day, instead of us coming and just talking, we could do something, and we named a couple things we could do. Then they said, let us make some pillows… and we decided to do the pillows,” Ms. Cobourne adds.

The group needed assistance to get the initiative off the ground and reached out to the SDC through their Local Community Development Officer.

“I contacted Food For the Poor and got a sewing machine, and then we asked for assistance from different persons and churches to teach them (PwDs) how to do the soft furnishings and to do the pillows,” says Community Development Officer with the SDC, Minnett Anderson-Myers.

Through the SDC’s Local Economic Development Support Programme, Mrs. Anderson-Myers was able to secure funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the group to further their economic initiative.

“We got funding of over $1 million, and we stocked up on materials and sponge, and we got new equipment – an industrial machine and a new serger. We are refurbishing a space now to operate from. Now that we have expanded the business, they started to get an income in December 2018,” Mrs. Anderson-Myers says.

The Linstead Disabled Group Ltd. creates and sells pillows and cushions ranging from $600 to $1,500 to customers who come from communities, churches, and nursing homes in and round Linstead.

“Being a part of the group over the years has been a wonderful thing. It is a dream that has come true for us, because we have waited so long, and now that it has come to fruition, I am really elated,” shares Clovis Reid, a PwD who makes and sells pillows and cushions with the group.

Although the present focus is on pillows and cushions, there are discussions about expanding the product line to include pillow cases, cushion cases, sheets and pot holders.

As it relates to the SDC’s involvement, which not only includes creating project proposals for funding but also facilitating capacity building, networking and direct support, Mr. Reid says “it is a good idea that they have come on board to help us”.

“We appreciate it. They must continue to keep up the good work because they have been doing a lot for persons.  They have been a tower of strength,” he tells JIS News.

 

By: Charnele Henry (JIS)

Release: JIS

Photo Captions: 

Header: Member of the Linstead Disabled Group Ltd., Efredo Sinclair (right),  displays the Group’s pillows and cushions to customers from the St. Catherine business community, at the Linstead ‘Business In Di Streets’ Economic Fair recently.

Insert: Pillows and cushions made by persons with disabilities from the Linstead Disabled Group Ltd.

 

Photographer: Contributed, SDC

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

Published

on

Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

Published

on

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Adam Stewart named CNW’s Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025

Published

on

Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, Adam Stewart, has been named Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025 by the regional news publication, Caribbean National Weekly (CNW).

The publication recognised Stewart for his leadership in hospitality, his ongoing investments in regional tourism, his steady crisis response and his philanthropic work throughout what it described as a year filled with both remarkable achievements and significant challenges.

CNW highlighted how 2025 saw industry recognition for Stewart, major announcements of multimillion‑dollar developments across his all‑inclusive luxury resort brands and an invitation to join the prestigious Wall Street Journal CEO Council.

But the publication said his impact extended well beyond business milestones.

“In 2025, the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts didn’t just guide his iconic hospitality empire through crisis – he used its scale and influence to help shape Jamaica’s rebound and lay groundwork for future regional growth,” CNW wrote.

The defining moment, it said, came in late October when Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to parts of Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure. Stewart responded by leading transparent communication with global travel advisors, partners and team members, and made a landmark pledge, that 100 per cent of Sandals and Beaches employees would remain on payroll and receive Christmas bonuses, even at resorts temporarily closed for extensive restoration and upgrades. The company also committed more than US$3 million in staff recovery aid, providing direct support to families affected by the storm.

CNW further highlighted the work of the Sandals Foundation under Stewart’s guidance, noting record levels of community engagement and targeted disaster‑recovery support in healthcare, livelihoods and the environment.

In response to the honour, Stewart said he was “deeply humbled” to receive the Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year recognition and expressed his gratitude to his teams and partners for their dedication during an extraordinary year.

“This award reflects far more than any one individual. It is a direct result of people showing up every day for their communities and believing business is a force for good. It belongs to the extraordinary teams who carry our shared vision forward – especially the Sandals Foundation, whose work continues to create lasting change across education, health care, disaster relief and environmental stewardship,” Stewart stated.

“To every colleague and partner who helps bring this mission to life – thank you for your commitment, heart and belief.”

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING