Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Gonsalves to meet with workers as LIAT seeks debt forgiveness

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Gonsalves to meet with workers as LIAT seeks debt forgiveness admin Mon, 08/31/2020 - 05:20

Sunday, August 30, 2020

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Gonsalves to meet with workers as LIAT seeks debt forgiveness

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves says he will now meet with the Vincentian employees of bankrupt regional carrier LIAT, as he...

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Vincentian fashion designer lauds CDB, CEDA assistance

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Vincentian fashion designer lauds CDB, CEDA assistance

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Thursday, June 16, 2022

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Vincentian fashion designer lauds CDB, CEDA assistance

The award of a US$10,000 prize grant from the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) was exactly the stimulus Kimon Baptiste-St. Rose’s enterprise needed to help launch its expansion in the region.

The young Vincentian knew from an early age that fashion design held her passion. What she did not envision at the time, was that it could unlock the path to a satisfying career in which she provides full-time employment for six people, and delights women across the Caribbean and North America with quality, unique, clothing from her successful Kimmystic Clo brand.

Baptiste-St. Rose comes from a family of seamstresses in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Sewing machines, fabric, and thread were as commonplace in her home as cutlery and dishes. From age 10, she experimented with taking clothing apart and sewing them back together.

“I was extremely tiny – short and small, and it was difficult to find clothes that fit the way I wanted. My mom taught me how to sew and from there I started practising. . . . Then friends in high school wanted items made and that’s where the ‘business’ started,” she recalls.

And even when she left St Vincent to pursue a degree in Management and Psychology at the Cave Hill Campus of The University of the West Indies (UWI) in Barbados, she was not the typical jeans and T-shirt student. She wore her own designs and attracted the attention of other students who made several requests to her to give them that unique look too.

“It helped me pay for school as I was not there on a scholarship,” she remarked. After graduation and acceptance to pursue post-graduate studies, Baptiste-St. Rose had a decision to make; throw her energies into Kimmystic Clo or spend another year at university going after a master’s degree. She chose Kimmystic Clo and has not regretted the choice.

As a microbusiness operator, Baptiste-St. Rose admits she struggled with staffing for her fledgling enterprise. This resulted sometimes in inconsistency in the products, as finding employees who were proficient in sewing and construction was a challenge.

However, the entrepreneur praises the CDB and its Accelerator executing partner, the Barbados-based Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA), for establishing the fashion accelerator in which she and four others were grant awardees.

Baptiste-St. Rose’s success story, however, has been her determination not to be another casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic, as she watched businesses close their doors all around her.

“From the prize grant, I was able to launch the website which helped us tremendously during COVID because we could no longer rely on the local market or even reach the regional market. As a result of our website, we shipped products to Canada, Europe and the United States and it helped to propel the Kimmystic Clo brand to the international stage.

“I am in the process of trying to develop more content for the website kimmysticclo.com because it has been doing so well,” she disclosed.

“Even before winning the grant, the accelerator project was extremely beneficial. It helped me to be critical of the work we were initially producing as opposed to after I underwent the training.

“The CIIF project was a capacity building one, and the prize grant was used to train my employees and position Kimmystic Clo to become export-ready. It also helped me to acquire proper machinery that I needed. Prior to that, we were working with domestic sewing machines and after we acquired a few industrial sewing machines, irons, and industrial overlock machines, the quality of the finished product was to a higher standard,” Baptiste-St.Rose observed.

Following the capacity building project, Baptiste-St. Rose recalled how Kimmystic Clo started “getting noticed” and retail stores in the region started reaching out to her. She moved from just two workers to six.

Kimmystic Clo apparel is now retailed in high-end boutiques in Jamaica, Anguilla, St Lucia and Antigua. She proudly acknowledges: “These were persons and storeowners who saw what I was producing and approached me to carry the brand. I am particularly proud of being in that space in Jamaica.”

The businesswoman, wife, and mother who also incredibly finds time to “moonlight as a flight attendant” because she “leaves nothing to chance with this pandemic”, said the cabin crew side hustle was one of the best decisions she made.

“Prior to COVID, I relied heavily on the United States to source my fabric. However, after COVID hit and I started flying, I found other places where I could source my fabrics.

“In addition, it allowed me to meet some of the store owners in person and they really appreciated that. Prior to going to Jamaica with the airline, I attended and showcased my work at a major expo in Jamaica before COVID-19 through funding from Caribbean Export. The reception was just fantastic.

It was so great, I sold about 80 per cent of the |items I took to Jamaica. When the buyers approached me after, it just blew me away. Having a presence in Jamaica at that level, I felt that was a real accomplishment,” she gushed.

Baptiste-St Rose said of the CDB’s CIIF programme: “I feel like I owe all this to my exposure to the accelerator programme and the additional prize grant funding gave me the start and the push I really needed to be able to accomplish all this.

“It helped in informing my thought processes, not just on the financial side but being able to assess my goals and what I want to accomplish.” (IMC1)

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SVG Coast Guard Youth Development 2022 Summer Programme to begin July 11

admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 20:00:01 +0000

SVG Coast Guard Youth Development 2022 Summer Programme to begin July 11

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Wednesday, June 15, 2022

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SVG Coast Guard Youth Development 2022 Summer Programme to begin July 11

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard Service (SVGCGS), in collaboration with the Bank of St. Vincent and Grenadines, Sagicor Life Incorporated, and Wind and Sea Tours Ltd., will be conducting its Annual Youth Development Summer Programme from Monday, July 11, 2022.

“The programme is geared towards uplifting our youths and caters for participants between the ages of 14 and 18. This year’s programme will be held under the theme “Shaping our youths for life’s high seas” and will cover a wide variety of topics,” a release from the SVGCGS said.

The SVGCGS informed that forms for this year’s Youth Development Summer Programme will be available from Thursday, June 16, 2022 at the Coast Guard Base in Calliaqua. Forms can be collected between 09:00 am and 4:00 pm by parents or guardians of persons wishing to attend this year’s programme. Forms are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

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Cases of hand, foot and mouth disease confirmed in SVG schools – Ministry of Health

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Cases of hand, foot and mouth disease confirmed in SVG schools – Ministry of Health

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Wednesday, June 15, 2022

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Cases of hand, foot and mouth disease confirmed in SVG schools – Ministry of He…

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment is closely monitoring the current situation of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)as there have been confirmed cases in educational institutions in the country. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is a common viral illness among infants and children under the age of five years, but can also occur in adults.

The disease is caused by a group of viruses known as Enterovirus. The virus can spread from person to person through:

close personal contact, such as hugging an infected person
the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, contact with feces, such as changing diapers of an infected person or touching contaminated surfaces like door knobs, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing your hands

HFMD usually starts with fever, sore throat, reduced appetite and a feeling of being unwell. One or two days after the fever starts, painful sores can develop in the mouth. They usually begin as small red spots, often in the back of the mouth that blister and can become painful. A skin rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet may also develop over one or two days as flat, red spots, sometimes with blisters. It may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks or genital area. Generally, a person with hand, foot, and mouth disease is most contagious during the first week of illness. People can sometimes be contagious for days or weeks after symptoms go away. It is important to drink enough liquids to prevent dehydration.

The Ministry is advising persons to take the following precautionary measures:

- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after changing diapers or using the toilet, before feeding children, preparing or eating food
- Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- Thoroughly clean contaminated surfaces and soiled items first, with soap and water and then with disinfectant.
- Avoid sending children to daycare and school if they are suffering from HFMD
- Follow safe food hygiene and water practices
Avoid close contact such as kissing and hugging infected people. Monitor children for early detection and symptoms and take those who have persistent fever and blisters on hands and feet to your healthcare provider for treatment.

Contact your doctor if mouth sores or a sore throat keep your child from drinking fluids. And contact your doctor if after a few days, your child’s signs and symptoms worsen.

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VINLEC to offer some relief on June’s electricity bills

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VINLEC to offer some relief on June’s electricity bills

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Wednesday, June 15, 2022

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VINLEC to offer some relief on June’s electricity bills

FUEL SURCHARGE RATE APPLICABLE ON JUNE’S BILL

For immediate release

14th June 2022

KINGSTOWN: St. Vincent Electricity Services Limited (VINLEC) released a statement approximately three weeks ago, addressing the increasing cost of fuel and its impact on the Fuel Surcharge Rates on customers’ electricity bills. At the time, it was indicated that further increases in the cost of fuel would lead to an even larger increase in the Fuel Surcharge Rate. Regrettably, over the past month this trend has continued and it has resulted in the company paying approximately Nine Million dollars ($9,000,000.) for the fuel used to generate electricity during the period. This figure represents the highest cost that VINLEC has ever paid in a single month for fuel used in the generation of electricity. The result of this is a calculated Fuel Surcharge Rate of 72.52 cents per kWh.

The Board of Directors of the Company and the Government have come together to offer some relief to customers by an injection of funds that will result in customers having to pay less than the actual cost of the fuel used during the month. This injection will reduce the Fuel Surcharge Rate applicable on June’s electricity bills to 65.79 cents per kWh down from the calculated 72.52 cents per kWh.

We are mindful that while this effort does bring some relief to customers, the fuel surcharge rate is still higher than the previous month. Like all countries worldwide the company is negatively impacted by the high cost of petroleum products. We are aware that it is not possible for many of our customers to reduce their electricity consumption, but encourage those that can conserve electricity to do so as it will assist in mitigating the impact of a high monthly fuel cost.

Customers are reminded that this decision is applicable only to electricity bills for June 2022. VINLEC will continue to monitor fuel prices and the likely impact on our customers and update you as this situation develops.

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Arrowroot farmers to get $800,000 payout from Government

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Arrowroot farmers to get $800,000 payout from Government

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Wednesday, June 15, 2022

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Arrowroot farmers to get $800,000 payout from Government

Government is expected to pay out over $800,000 to Arrowroot Farmers. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves made the announcement today in an interview with the Agency for Public Information.

Dr. Gonsalves said the arrangement is being made and should be finalised “within the next few days, maybe as early as tomorrow…”.

The decision was made as arrowroot farmers were unable to reap their last crop because of eruptions of La Soufriere and the Arrowroot factory also suffered immense damage.

The Prime Minister said “they had arrowroot in the ground” and the amount of support given would be decided based on the sales they made the previous year and Government will give “… 50 per cent of what they would have made and what they would have sold …had they been able to reap and sell.” (API)

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PM Gonsalves tests positive for COVID-19

admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 19:50:01 +0000

PM Gonsalves tests positive for COVID-19

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Thursday, June 16, 2022

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PM Gonsalves tests positive for COVID-19

Earlier today Prime Minister, Dr. The Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves tested positive for Covid–19, a release from his office said.

He will be in quarantine until Monday June 20, 2022.

“As a consequence of this, he will not be able to leave on Sunday June 19, 2022 to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which is scheduled to be held in Kigali, Rwanda,” the release said.

According to the release, the Prime Minister has no adverse health reaction, and is working at home.

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In Memoriam – REYNOLD ‘RENZI’ ROSE and ANTONIA ‘TONI’ ROSE

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In Memoriam – REYNOLD ‘RENZI’ ROSE and ANTONIA ‘TONI’ ROSE

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Friday, June 17, 2022

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In Memoriam – REYNOLD ‘RENZI’ ROSE and ANTONIA ‘TONI’ ROSE

Remembering the lives and times of :

REYNOLD ‘RENZI’ ROSE
(departed June 14, 1993)

And

ANTONIA ‘TONI’ ROSE
(brutally torn from our lives, June 15, 2018)

Fond memories, sad departures
-The Rose families
Still awaiting answers

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In Memoriam – Ruth Prunella O’Garro

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In Memoriam – Ruth Prunella O’Garro

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Friday, June 17, 2022

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In Memoriam – Ruth Prunella O’Garro

In loving memory of
Ruth Prunella O’Garro
of Buccament

Sunrise: 27th June 1926
Sunset: 19th June 2016

Six years have passes since you left us.
Although we are apart your spirit lives within us, forever in our hearts.
Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure
You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

Lovingly remembered by your children, sister, brother, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, members of the Mother’s Union of the St. Mary’s Anglican church at Pembroke,
other relatives and friends.
May your soul continue to sleep in peace.