BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 1^st November 2019)– As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the management of Cradles Nursery teamed up with Kare Nursing Agency to host a seminar and free screening for parents and teachers on the morning of Friday 25^th October 2019 which was conducted at the nursery’s premises located in Dorset Village in Basseterre.

Presentation topics included warning signs, food and nutrition as well as at home check-ups involving self, partner/spouse and as a group health activity.

Following the information sharing, screenings via the lying down and sit up methods were done at a designated room at the nursery which saw more than 15 individuals taking part, both males and females.

Owner of Cradles Nursery Beverly Ible-Frederick, affectionately known as Teacher Bev, in speaking, with this reporter shared: “The topic of breast cancer awareness is so passionate to me because I lost my mom exactly, two years ago on this day-the 25^th of October. It’s still hurting me to talk about it so I decided that after seeing mommy suffered so much to make sure nobody else suffer like that so I’ve decided to host a session.”

A pink “We Miss You” banner in tribute to her mom Bernadette Fyfield-Benjamin, in ‘Fight The Fight’ efforts, was displayed outside the nursery with the message: ‘Support Breast Cancer Awareness. Early Detection. Cure. Prevention.’

Owner of Kare Nursing Agency Keisha Rawlins, who is also a nurse on the surgical unit of the Joseph N. France General Hospital, highlighted: “I’m with the school already to help the children learn different techniques like hand washing and so forth but Teacher Bev asked me to come onboard because I actually was with her mom during the time when she had breast cancer; I was the one who did her dressings and since that she (Teacher Bev) wanted to take the initiative -as this is with breast cancer Awareness Month- to do something for the parents as well as the teachers of the school because this is the actual day that her mother died two years ago.”

She went on to explain the nature of her agency and spoke about the firsthand experiences she has had caring for breast cancer patients including Ible-Frederick’s mother.

“Kare Nursing Agency we are an in-home homecare provider for the elderly but we are still involved in any care at all so it doesn’t have to be the elderly and so that’s why we’re here to represent love and care and we’re because we want everybody to know that breast cancer is real; I’m a nurse and so I see it first hand; we have a lot of with amputation of the breasts and deaths. this month alone we had maybe four or five deaths from breast cancer and that’s just in hospital, and in the media you’ve seen that people are dying so we just want the parents both males and females- so yes fathers are included- to be included in today’s activities to know the importance of getting yourself checked because early detection saves lives.”

“Teacher Bev is very passionate about her mom. When her business started, her mom used to actually cook for the children so a lot of the children who have gone on to other schools actually dealt with her mom…that is her face right there on the banner; she was in the kitchen right inside the nursery (when that photo was taken). She was a big supporter of Cradles Nursery because she started it with her daughter…” nurse Keisha told the gathering during her opening remarks.

In touching on the hardship when it comes to the issue of the illness, she told: “It’s rough…Teacher Bev could tell you seeing her mom going through therapy overseas and coming back home… and she died at home peacefully.

This media house spoke with some of the attendees following the screening.

Kavel Desouza (Aunt of student)

It is good to have your breast checked for signs of early detection whatsoever. It is very beneficial and the information that was given today helped a lot because I learnt a few extra things that I didn’t know before so I would encourage anybody to have theirs checked…as it was said even the males do get breast cancer and children so it’s every important whether you do it yourself or have someone do it for you. I have a cousin that is a survivor from breast cancer and I have an aunt who is going through it-it is not breast cancer but it is cancer same way.

Geraldo Morton (father of student) speaking in the presence of his girlfriend Kanara Scarborough

Well it was motivational and inspirational. I was glad to be part of this. I will play an active role because it is important to keep healthy and always keep yourself in check.

Cherise Godwin (mother of student)

I learnt a lot and the presentations told a lot about breast cancer and to be careful what you eat and drink and so on; it was really interesting. I’ll be checking my breasts more often. I would encourage persons to monitor their breasts, get checked more often which is a step in preventing cancer from coming. My friend’s mother passed away from breast cancer and so I check on her almost every day.

 Owner of Cradles Nursery Beverly ‘Teacher Bev’ Ible-Frederick (left) interacts with Kavel Desouza (Aunt of a student) after she (Desouza) had her screening done (Spokesman Snap)

Attendees listen closely to the information being shared by nurse Jessica Clavier (Spokesman Snap)

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 1st November 2019)-Under the theme “All Hands On Deck In Securing Our Future’, delegates gathered at the 80th annual conference of the St.Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union on Sunday 27th October at Masses House on Church Street which saw the election of a new members to the executive body among other changes. 

Sydney Bridgewater-the immediate past First Vice President- has been elected as President with newcomer Larry Vaughan as First Vice President.

Second Vice President James Pemberton and Treasurer Frank Farrell have been returned to their positions.

Acting Editor of the Union’s media entity-The Labour Spokesman- Precious Mills- was voted General Secretary having previously held the position of Assistant General Secretary to Batumba L. O. Tak. Notably, she has made history as the first female to fill that position.

Another new comer, Curtis Francis, has been elected as the Assistant General Secretary.

Bridgewater, in giving opening remarks at the conference, outlined that: “In my presentation at the recent National Conference on Labour, I said 100 years is not 100 days as I saluted the milestone achievement and today I can express the same sentiments. As a union that has survived 80 years of service to the workers of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis, it sets an excellent tone and outlook for the future, and I would encourage us to look closely at this year’s theme ‘All Hands On Deck In Securing Our Future’ because it is going to take the collective efforts of us all in doing our part to ensure that the baton of progress is passed on for the continued safeguarding of the rights of workers.”

He had highlighted that regarding present and outgoing membership, there is a high percentage of the members are above the age of 62 which is the age grouping for pension packages.

“Our dear comrades Ronnie Wigley and Lorinston Jenkins-who are dealing with some medical issues-have humbly asked to retire from their years of service as they have come to the conclusion that wish to see someone else fill the gap in replacing them. As many of you can appreciate, there are some members whose age factor hinders their ability to function like in the youthful and productive years gone by,” he told.

“These are our realities that we face currently as a Union but we are optimistic that our experienced and longstanding members have set a solid foundation for generations to come,” Bridgewater added.

The newly-elected president had expressed his anticipation in seeing a new executive committee being installed to carry on the work of the Union in light of challenges.

“Delegates, well-wishers and friends of the conference, presently the future of the Union is at a cross road and I would like the focus of the conference during our deliberations that seek to use this period at the working sessions of the 80th to 81st conference to transform our Union, putting in place an interim Executive Committee.”

Bridgewater continued: “The passing of the president (Joseph O’Flaherty Jr.) and the medical situation of the General Secretary has seen the Union functioning with a skeleton crew, and again I emphasize that this needs to be addressed as soon as possible. I am looking forward to a replacement or a successful pool- first to answer the call of being committed and ready to continue the work of this great union in carrying out its mandate in seeing to the rights of workers in this Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. I pray God’s assistance in this undertaking.”

More coverage to follow in future articles.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Monday 28th October 2019) – A pedestrian left hurt after being hit by a police vehicle in the White Gate area yesterday morning (Sunday) remains hospitalised while the officer involved has been treated and discharged for injuries sustained.

 The incident occurred close to 8 a.m. on Sunday and involved pedestrian Tyrique Browne of St. Paul’s and motor jeep G150 which is owned by The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and was being driven by Officer Marlon Raymond. 

This media house has gathered that Browne is 22 years old.

Police say the circumstances are that G150 was travelling from St. Paul’s to Dieppe Bay along the road running through the White Gate area when the vehicle in front stopped suddenly.

 Reportedly, the officer then lost control of the motor jeep and collided with Browne who was walking along the grass on the side of the road, then collided with a tree.

Officer Raymond and Browne were taken to the Pogson Medical Centre and the JNF Hospital respectively.

Browne sustained a number of injuries including a broken arm. He is warded in a stable condition. Officer Raymond was treated for his injuries and discharged.

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 29, 2019 (SKNIS): The Republic of the Marshall Islands became the latest country to sign a visa waiver agreement with the Federation during a signing ceremony on Saturday October 26, 2019 in the Republic of China (Taiwan). The agreement was signed between the Honorable John Silk, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Ms. Jasmine Huggins, Ambassador of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the Republic of China (Taiwan).

In his remarks, Foreign Minister Silk stated “through this arrangement more opportunities will open up for both of our countries to work together through increased people to people exchanges with a view of cultivating enhanced diplomatic relations” In a similar vein, Ambassador Huggins mentioned that although separated by distance Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Marshall islands are brought closer together with the signing of the agreement.

Ambassador Huggins further stated, “We are aware that the privilege of traveling to new and distant places provides an opportunity for personal growth and development and today we are making it that much easier for our citizens”.

Minister Silk also expressed the hope that both countries would speak for Taiwan in the International fora including the specialized agencies of the United Nations such as ICAO and WHO. An island state with many coral atolls located in the Central Pacific Ocean, The Republic of the Marshall Islands has also been at the forefront of bringing the world’s attention to the negative impact of climate change and has raised its profile with the election of the country to the UN Human Rights Council, (UNHRC) on October 18, 2019.

Having signed this most recent visa waiver agreement, the Federation has further expanded its diplomatic footprint in the international arena.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 25th October 2019) – A total of at least 49 nationals of Haiti (including a child) are currently in police custody after one boat carrying 15 individuals allegedly overturned in St.Kitts waters while another vessel reportedly had an emergency, within four (4) days this week.

The Chief Immigration Officer Merclyn Hughes has confirmed that MV Ocean King was escorted to the pier at the Coast Guard base at about 9 pm on Wednesday 23^rd October 2019 with 35 persons – 34 of them are believed to be nationals of Haiti and one a national of Dominica.

Reportedly, Four (4) persons were taken to the J.N.F. Hospital for treatment and observation. However, two of them have since been discharged and have joined the others who are currently in custody. 

Cellphone images circulated via social media show the non-nationals at an area believed to be the coast guard base in the presence of officers attached to that unit as well as members of the Defence Force as well as the vessel allegedly used.

According to the Immigration Department received yesterday (Thursday): “ The French Coast Guard rescued the M.V. Ocean King which sent an emergency distress signal on October 23, 2019 and handed the vessel over to the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard as the closest port to the boat.” 

Furthermore, the department “is in the process of conducting interviews with the individuals to ascertain the details of their circumstances and to verify their port of embarkation, as well as the intended port of disembarkation.”

Reportedly, among the 34 individuals, one “is a juvenile.”

Police reported three days earlier that a group of Haitians found in the Bird Rock area on Sunday 20^th October 2019 said that the boat they were travelling on overturned.

According to the Public Relations Department, police responded to the report sometime after 6 p.m. that a group of persons had been found in the Bird Rock area claiming that their boat had capsized.

It is said that as a result, fifteen (15) nationals of Haiti – thirteen (13) men and two (2) women – were taken into custody, and that police handed the persons and their documents over to the Immigration Department the next day (Monday 21^st October).

Each individual was expected to receive a medical checkup.

The police and coast guard unit The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts-Nevis Coast Guard continue to look into this matter; a subject which has been widely debated by members of the public with many individuals voicing speculations and demanding answers.