For more than three decades, spreading Christmas cheer to the residents of the Robert Smith Child and Adolescent Complex and Special Education Unit at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre has been a favourite community service project of the Rotary Club of South East Nassau (RCSEN).

On Saturday, December 16, 2023, Santa Claus, Rotarians, guests Tracey Knowles, and his daughter Kasey assisted with the gift presentation, and there was a specially catered meal by long-time club partner Sonia Adderley.

"This is something we love doing, and the administration makes it easy for us,” said Past President and Community Service Director, RCSEN, Lionel Haven.

On hand for the presentation were Thelma Fernander, assistant hospital administrator; Lolita Colebrooke, administrative officer; Kayla Stubbs-Coleby, senior nursing officer; and Dr. Davone Rolle, Rotarian of the RCSEN. Most of the patients at the Robert Smith Ward, ages 18 to 65 years old, are diagnosed with cerebral palsy and intellectual disability and residents of the Child and Adolescent ward range from 7 years to 17 years old.

"I think it's good that we can share this event with Rotarians and community members,” said President of the RCSEN, Leah Lowe. “On a personal level, it reminds me to be grateful for what I have and to share blessings with others."

For more information on the South East Nassau Rotary Club, visit www.rcsen.org.

For more than three decades, spreading Christmas cheer to the residents of the Robert Smith Child and Adolescent Complex and Special Education Unit at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre has been a favourite community service project of the Rotary Club of South East Nassau (RCSEN). On Saturday, December 16, 2023, Santa Claus, Rotarians, guests Tracey Knowles, and his daughter Kasey assisted with the gift presentation, and there was a specially catered meal by long-time club partner Sonia Adderley. "This is something we love doing, and the administration makes it easy for us,” said Past President and Community Service Director, RCSEN, Lionel Haven. On hand for the presentation were Thelma Fernander, assistant hospital administrator; Lolita Colebrooke, administrative officer; Kayla Stubbs-Coleby, senior nursing officer; and Dr. Davone Rolle, Rotarian of the RCSEN. Most of the patients at the Robert Smith Ward, ages 18 to 65 years old, are diagnosed with cerebral palsy and intellectual disability and residents of the Child and Adolescent ward range from 7 years to 17 years old. "I think it's good that we can share this event with Rotarians and community members,” said President of the RCSEN, Leah Lowe. “On a personal level, it reminds me to be grateful for what I have and to share blessings with others." For more information on the South East Nassau Rotary Club, visit www.rcsen.org.

Governor General Her Excellency the Most Hon. Cynthia Pratt hosted over 400 children of the Urban Renewal Programmes throughout New Providence to 'Christmas in the Gardens' at Government House on Monday, December 18, 2023.

They enjoyed music performances by the National Children's Choir, Ms. Keisha Baisden's violin selection, and the ISBET Children's Choir.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force performed for the crowds; and special feature was -- the Shabach Gospel Choir.

Her Excellency Cynthia Pratt lit the Christmas Tree: distribution of gifts gave the children early Christmas delight!

Decor team was led by Mr. Gregory Wilkinson and logistics by Ms. Cynette Archer.  The national independence secretariat team planned and executed the event on behalf of the Governor General, with gifts donated by the Christmas Committee and generous support from StarApple.

Children were treated to popcorn, cotton candy, sweet treats, icecream, hot cocoa and cookies, delicious Christmas dinner, face painting, artistic performances, Photo Booth with Santa and hoopla! 

Governor General Her Excellency the Most Hon. Cynthia Pratt hosted over 400 children of the Urban Renewal Programmes throughout New Providence to 'Christmas in the Gardens' at Government House on Monday, December 18, 2023. They enjoyed music performances by the National Children's Choir, Ms. Keisha Baisden's violin selection, and the ISBET Children's Choir. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force performed for the crowds; and special feature was -- the Shabach Gospel Choir. Her Excellency Cynthia Pratt lit the Christmas Tree: distribution of gifts gave the children early Christmas delight! Decor team was led by Mr. Gregory Wilkinson and logistics by Ms. Cynette Archer.  The national independence secretariat team planned and executed the event on behalf of the Governor General, with gifts donated by the Christmas Committee and generous support from StarApple. Children were treated to popcorn, cotton candy, sweet treats, icecream, hot cocoa and cookies, delicious Christmas dinner, face painting, artistic performances, Photo Booth with Santa and hoopla! 

For the 26th year, Mario Carey and friends delivered holiday happiness to students at the Centre for the Deaf with a party that included Santa, rides on an eco-glide scooter and gaily wrapped gifts.
 
This year’s event took a special turn when students surprised Carey and members of Better Homes & Gardens MCR Bahamas with their present to them – a song called The Sign of Love, thanking them for all they have done and wishing Cole Carey, who played Santa Claus, a happy birthday – all performed in sign language.
 
“It was really touching,” said Chalecia Rolle, MCR Bahamas staff member. “We were all moved, but the best part was seeing the smiles on all the kids faces and when they saw that eco-glide come in, their faces lit up. They were so excited.”
 
Centre for the Deaf Principal Michaela Smith lavished praise on Carey, calling it “an awesome and tremendous thing that Mr. Carey has been doing for the kids for the last 26 years.”
 
“He makes it a point to get to know each child,” she said. “He remembers their names, speaks to them and checks on them ever year. It’s a blessing and Mr. Carey and his team are wonderful. Our staff look forward to this event every year.”   
 
With one in 10 residents of The Bahamas projected to suffer a disabling hearing loss by the year 2050, Carey said more attention needs to be focused on the hearing challenged.
 
“Many of the lives of these students and others can be improved with as little as a new or better set of hearing aids,” said Carey, who has learned to compensate for his hearing impediment. “We are a wealthy nation, we should not allow a simple solution like hearing aids to stand in the way of the life of someone who wants to be a productive and engaged contributor to society and lead a full, rich life.”

For the 26th year, Mario Carey and friends delivered holiday happiness to students at the Centre for the Deaf with a party that included Santa, rides on an eco-glide scooter and gaily wrapped gifts.   This year’s event took a special turn when students surprised Carey and members of Better Homes & Gardens MCR Bahamas with their present to them – a song called The Sign of Love, thanking them for all they have done and wishing Cole Carey, who played Santa Claus, a happy birthday – all performed in sign language.   “It was really touching,” said Chalecia Rolle, MCR Bahamas staff member. “We were all moved, but the best part was seeing the smiles on all the kids faces and when they saw that eco-glide come in, their faces lit up. They were so excited.”   Centre for the Deaf Principal Michaela Smith lavished praise on Carey, calling it “an awesome and tremendous thing that Mr. Carey has been doing for the kids for the last 26 years.”   “He makes it a point to get to know each child,” she said. “He remembers their names, speaks to them and checks on them ever year. It’s a blessing and Mr. Carey and his team are wonderful. Our staff look forward to this event every year.”      With one in 10 residents of The Bahamas projected to suffer a disabling hearing loss by the year 2050, Carey said more attention needs to be focused on the hearing challenged.   “Many of the lives of these students and others can be improved with as little as a new or better set of hearing aids,” said Carey, who has learned to compensate for his hearing impediment. “We are a wealthy nation, we should not allow a simple solution like hearing aids to stand in the way of the life of someone who wants to be a productive and engaged contributor to society and lead a full, rich life.”

The XX Meeting of the Committee of Experts (CEVI) was held on November 28 and 29, 2023 at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington DC, it came on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Belem Do Para Convention. The meeting was chaired by the President of MESECVI Ms. Marcela Huaita and The Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), Ms. Alejandra Mora Mora gave the opening remarks.  The Experts urged States Parties to fulfill their commitments towards the MESECVI, to guarantee its role as the body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Convention and promoting the protection of women and girl’s human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Throughout the two days of work, the Experts reviewed persistent issues such as gender stereotypes that hinder women's access to justice, violence against Afro-descendant women, and progress in addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The Committee confirmed its commitment to developing a Model Law to prevent, punish, and eradicate technology-facilitated violence against women, meant to serve as a guide for the region

The Belém do Pará Convention (1994), is the “Inter-American Convention to Prevent, Punish and Eradicate Violence against Women.” It was the first treaty, at a global level, to establish women’s right to live in a world free of violence, in both the private and public sphere, as a human right. The Convention establishes positive obligations for States to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women, and is an inspiration to countries in the region to effect change and protection through its legislative framework.

The Conference of States Party, consist of the 32 Member States to the OAS that have signed, ratified or acceded the Belém do Pará Convention. Its main functions include:

i) formulate guidelines for CEVI’s work;
ii) receive, analyze and evaluate the reports and recommendations issued by CEVI;  
iii) publish and disseminate the MESECVI Hemispheric Report.

The Bahamas signed onto the Belem do Para Convention on 16th May, 1995.

Mrs. Elaine Sands, Gender Expert in the Department of Gender and Family Affairs under the remit of the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting represented the Bahamas at the meeting.  She apprised the body on the positive steps taken by the Bahamas to protect women and girls, including the “Protection Against Violence” legislation which was passed in the Senate on 2nd August, 2023.  The act not only fulfill international obligations of the Government, it provides an established framework to address violence, raise awareness and provide victims with the necessary tools and support to overcome trauma.

The committee was also advised about the “Gender-Based Violence Family Island Coordination Councils” that are being rolled out in the rural communities of the Bahamas.  Councils have already been set-up in Abaco, Grand Bahama, Exuma and Ragged Island.  The purpose of the Council is to focus on community-based partnership to prevent Gender-Based Violence in their communities; survivor centered, changing norms, fostering collective power and focusing on root causes.

At the end of the second day of the meeting, the Experts voted to renew the leadership of the Committee. The Expert from Ecuador, Gloria Camacho Zambrano, was elected as President of the Committee of Experts. 

President Zambrano commended The Bahamas on the recent passage of the Protection Against Violence Act. The Experts from Trinidad and Tobago, Sherna Alexander Benjamin, and Mexico, Teresa Incháustegui, were elected as Vice Presidents.

The XX Meeting of the Committee of Experts (CEVI) was held on November 28 and 29, 2023 at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington DC, it came on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Belem Do Para Convention. The meeting was chaired by the President of MESECVI Ms. Marcela Huaita and The Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), Ms. Alejandra Mora Mora gave the opening remarks.  The Experts urged States Parties to fulfill their commitments towards the MESECVI, to guarantee its role as the body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Convention and promoting the protection of women and girl’s human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean. Throughout the two days of work, the Experts reviewed persistent issues such as gender stereotypes that hinder women's access to justice, violence against Afro-descendant women, and progress in addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The Committee confirmed its commitment to developing a Model Law to prevent, punish, and eradicate technology-facilitated violence against women, meant to serve as a guide for the region The Belém do Pará Convention (1994), is the “Inter-American Convention to Prevent, Punish and Eradicate Violence against Women.” It was the first treaty, at a global level, to establish women’s right to live in a world free of violence, in both the private and public sphere, as a human right. The Convention establishes positive obligations for States to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women, and is an inspiration to countries in the region to effect change and protection through its legislative framework. The Conference of States Party, consist of the 32 Member States to the OAS that have signed, ratified or acceded the Belém do Pará Convention. Its main functions include: i) formulate guidelines for CEVI’s work; ii) receive, analyze and evaluate the reports and recommendations issued by CEVI;   iii) publish and disseminate the MESECVI Hemispheric Report. The Bahamas signed onto the Belem do Para Convention on 16th May, 1995. Mrs. Elaine Sands, Gender Expert in the Department of Gender and Family Affairs under the remit of the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting represented the Bahamas at the meeting.  She apprised the body on the positive steps taken by the Bahamas to protect women and girls, including the “Protection Against Violence” legislation which was passed in the Senate on 2nd August, 2023.  The act not only fulfill international obligations of the Government, it provides an established framework to address violence, raise awareness and provide victims with the necessary tools and support to overcome trauma. The committee was also advised about the “Gender-Based Violence Family Island Coordination Councils” that are being rolled out in the rural communities of the Bahamas.  Councils have already been set-up in Abaco, Grand Bahama, Exuma and Ragged Island.  The purpose of the Council is to focus on community-based partnership to prevent Gender-Based Violence in their communities; survivor centered, changing norms, fostering collective power and focusing on root causes. At the end of the second day of the meeting, the Experts voted to renew the leadership of the Committee. The Expert from Ecuador, Gloria Camacho Zambrano, was elected as President of the Committee of Experts.  President Zambrano commended The Bahamas on the recent passage of the Protection Against Violence Act. The Experts from Trinidad and Tobago, Sherna Alexander Benjamin, and Mexico, Teresa Incháustegui, were elected as Vice Presidents.