Black Immigrant Daily News

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 07, 2022 (SKNIS): Over 100 seniors from across St. Kitts participated in an empowerment session on Thursday, October 06, 2022, that featured important information on COVID-19 vaccine boosters, healthy eating habits, as well as exercise and physical activity.

The event was organized by the Department of Social Services and Community Development with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). It was held at the CUNA Conference Room at Fortlands. The discussion on vaccine boosters was facilitated by Dr. Dwayne Archibald, while Delwayne Delaney conducted the discussion on exercise.

Dr. Archibald said that although local cases of COVID-19 have significantly fallen off, there is still a need for vulnerable persons, such as the nation’s elderly, to protect themselves.

“As expected, there was some hesitancy from the crowd of the elderly. However, we still [are] on the COVID fight. It is not as rampant as it was before, but nevertheless, it’s still there and we are still trying, as much as possible, to decrease the numbers and to make it non-existent in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Dr. Archibald.

Exercise remains a key recommendation for overcoming COVID-19 infection as well as reducing the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes. Mr. Delaney led the group in an exercise session and expressed his desire for seniors to carry on in the days and weeks to come.

“I know that to get out into a gym may be difficult or even to join an exercise group but understanding that even [with] a little bit [of activity] something is better than nothing and what we will be doing today is a clear indication as to what can be done and fit into their routine,” he stated.

Mr. Delaney said that exercising up to 10 to 15 minutes per day can be extremely beneficial as it keeps the heart rate up.

Azilla Clarke, Director of Policy Planning and Projects within the Ministry of Social Development and Ageing et al said that the message shared at the empowerment session would be used in an awareness campaign.

“We will have informational billboards both in St. Kitts and in Nevis and the production of shirts to distribute to our senior citizens both for branding as well as to promote awareness to the general public about the way we treat and care for our seniors,” Ms. Clarke indicated.

St. Kitts and Nevis is celebrating October as the Month of Older Persons.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

By: Alva Solomon

At age 21, Mabel Hackett was attending bible school at Hauraruni on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway when she fell through a bunk bed, hitting her right breast in the process. She was painting a wall at the time.

It was a fall that would leave a significant impact on her daily life, since, some 14 years later, she observed swelling in her right breast and a searing pain started to become a regular occurrence.

Within a few months, the pain became unbearable and Hackett decided to seek medical attention since she observed several lumps within the breast. “I went to see a doctor at Eureka Lab and she advised me to do an ultrasound and after I take out my report she advised me it is very dangerous and I cannot waste no time with my life,” Hackett said.

It was August that year and following the doctor’s advice, she decided to undergo an X-ray in the form of a mammogram. Hackett was then referred to the St Joseph Mercy Hospital and medical staff there gave her some advice which came as a rude awakening. She said the doctors advised her that she would have to either remove the breast or undergo chemotherapy. They were options which she could not pursue at the time since the cost, which was in the vicinity of $1 million, was beyond her pockets.

Alternatively, the doctors decided to remove the lumps through a surgical procedure that September. Samples were taken from the breast and sent to Trinidad and Tobago for further analysis. The samples indicated that cancerous cells were within the breast. Hackett was shocked but she knew she had to follow the doctor’s advice.

In December that year, another surgical procedure was undertaken to remove any other infectious cell from the breast.

The following year, Hackett was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for the ailment and this saw her journeying from her home in the Moruca sub-region to the city for the check-ups.

“Every time I go I would take an ultrasound and an X-ray and the doctor would look at it and he wasn’t seeing anything,” she said. This saw her breathing a sigh of relief as she not only feared losing the breast but her life, to cancer.Hackett said after the surgery she noticed that her right hand was not the same as before. “My right hand, from the time I take the surgery, do not have the strength to do work as before, it became very weak,” she said. However, she said she could hoist any load, and being the larger-than-life character that she is, she still plays cricket and volleyball with her friends at Moruca. “After I finish playing it would affect me,” she said.

At her village, Hackett is known for her involvement in sports. She is also a youth leader at her church and many children as well as other villagers look up to her as a role model. On a lighter note, Hackett possess a unique trait; her voice is so powerful that whenever she speaks at one end of the playfield, she can be heard at its boundaries.

Within her family she is also seen as a pivotal figure and although she is the 9th of 11 children, she is seen as the most senior of the siblings. According to Hackett, it is now 11 years after surgery was performed on her breast and occasionally, she would feel minor pains around the area where the surgical procedures were done. “Maybe because of the fatigue of the hand I would feel the pain,” she said.

She said she would advise women who might be experiencing pains in their breast as well as noticeable lumps, not to waste any time in seeking treatment. “Go and see your doctor before it is too late,” she said.

“If there is any women out there who is suffering and having any symptoms, whether you are not feeling too good with, may be experiencing what I went through, I would like to encourage you to keep the faith and pray to God Almighty and don’t give up,” Hackett said.

In addition, she said persons in such positions should eat healthy meals and “live a healthy life and believe in God”.

According to Hackett, “I am cured 100 per cent because I trust in Jesus, my faith is in him, I pray and I speak to him every day, I’m cured and I am healed”.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

Lashings Hotel in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth has acquired a beach club as a permanent addition to its tourism operation.

The boutique resort took over the operations of the villa suites on the beach at Old Wharf in August 2020, but a recently bought the property — with ambitious plans to refurbish and extend it.

A new restaurant and bar opened on the site last month and the owner David Folb (Folby) has planted hundreds of trees and plants, giving the property a lush tropical feel.

Each of the rooms is being decorated and updated, with a rustic Caribbean coastal theme.

Lashings Beach Club will be for members and guests only, with direct access to a private pool and a sandy cove for swimming and cookouts by the beach.

“We are in the process of totally redesigning the beach club, to make it a VIP experience but at a fraction of the cost, you would expect to pay for such a beautiful location. Renovating the property will ultimately offer a high-end exclusive beach club feel,” Folby said.

“It’s very exciting to also now be able to offer our guests a restaurant and bar on this stunning spot, alongside our already well-established and popular treetop bar in the hills.

He added that anyone staying in local villas has an automatic Lashings membership so it means this is another tourist destination to eat out in Treasure Beach.

“The Beach Club has a whole new vibe now, it’s got the classic Treasure Beach relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I’m so pleased we have been able to complete it in time for the busy winter season, we are thrilled to now have a lovely spot for guests to chill in the day and relax with a few drinks in the evening. Being so close to the Caribbean Sea is just delightful, my family and I have moved nearby and are really enjoying all the fun and atmosphere that beach life brings. We are expecting to be really busy over the coming months.”

Formerly known as Marblue, the property was built by German architect and chef Axel Wichterich and was the winner of TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award in 2019/20, having been in operation for more than 16 years.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

Sandals Foundation Awards Cosmetology Scholarship  Valued at XCD$18,000

 Under its new three-year scholarship initiative, the Sandals Foundation has partnered with the Caribbean Academy of Cosmetology and Trichology (CACT) to award its first scholarship in the beauty and wellness sector.

This scholarship initiative is part of the Foundation’s Women Helping Others Achieve (WHOA) programme, and is one of 40 sustainable projects being implemented throughout the region as part of Sandals Resorts’ 40th anniversary celebrations, in which tourism is being used to drive positive change.

Following an islandwide call for applications in August, the scholarship committee received over a dozen applications, reviewed and conducted interviews, and on September 28th, named 19 years old Jenique Pascal its inaugural recipient.

“At the Sandals Foundation, we believe that an empowered individual has the ability to shape their own destiny. As a result, across the Caribbean, we are engaging community members in capacity building exercises and training to ensure that they have the skills and tools needed to create and plan for secure and sustainable futures,” said Natasha Burnett, Public Relations Officer at Sandals Foundation, during her address at the announcement ceremony on September 28 at Sandals Grande Antigua.

“Through this scholarship, Jenique will receive the requisite training and certification that will strengthen her position to gain employment in the field—curating an element of the special day for guests who choose to take their martial vows on this beautiful island,” Burnett added.

Kafi Samuels, Spa Manager at Sandals Grande Antigua, agreed, emphasizing the importance of formal training in the field in order to advance talent and diversify one’s portfolio.

“Because resorts cater to people with different hair textures, knowing how to treat, care for, and style those hair types, especially for their wedding day, will definitely allow you to expand your services and be more employable.”

Now, with the finances of her academic studies covered, Pascal, will this month begin a one-year intensive training certification curriculum from the globally recognized educational organization, Pivot Point, through the CACT.

She expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity.

“I am ecstatic to have been chosen as the recipient of this scholarship. I’ve been interested in hairstyling since I was a child, and as a self-taught hairstylist, I’ll finally have the opportunity to hone my skills and broaden my knowledge, adding to the joy and memorable occasion for my clients on their wedding day.”

Through the Sandals Foundation’s Women Helping Others Achieve (WHOA) programme, women and girls across the Caribbean have received educational opportunities, including skills training in agriculture and information communication technology. Ladies also benefit from counselling, and mentorship enabling them to transition out of difficult, dependent and sometimes abusive situations to become independent and confidently live wholesome lives.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP

NewsAmericasNow.com