Black Immigrant Daily News

Kay’s life got flipped turned upside down in a matter of months, but her support network is strong and has held her up from the day she got her breast cancer diagnosis.

from the time, we got this diagnosis, everybody was onboard

Loop spotted the Team Kay shirts in the sea of pink shirts during the recent FCIB CIBC Walk for the Cure and got to chatting with participant Dawn, but it was Carol, the organiser, who told the full story.

Carol said that about 45 persons turned up for the walk to show that they are in this fight and on this journey with their beloved Kay, who is in her late 30s.

She said that Kay got her diagnosis within the last couple of months and everything moved quickly from there. Kay got a double mastectomy and “it was difficult for her”. So Carol said that their group of “older sisters” decided that they have to find ways to rally around her and show her they care and are here.

Kay got the surgery recently so she was not present at the walk, but for her Team, each and every one of them meant they had to complete it for their Kay. The hot sun at first and pouring rain in between did not dampen them their resolve. Carol said, “soaking wet, no one complained. It was all about Kay.” She said the walk was “symbolic. We are doing this one step at a time.”

She’s like a baby sister. It was a shock to everyone’s system

In their group chat it is about eight women and “from the time, we got this diagnosis, everybody was onboard.” And in that statement, Loop understood that Kay truly is not alone, her diagnosis was theirs in the most important sense.

Carol said, “Kay is the youngest in our group. She’s like a baby sister. It was a shock to everyone’s system.” She explained that it is understood that cancer does not pick and choose and age does not matter, but this happening to their baby K showed that “life is precious and fragile and you have to celebrate every moment, and having a support system is key”.

Since Kay’s diagnosis, Carol said that something has stood out even more for her and their group – “Checking-in is most important.”

In addition to helping Kay in this current chapter of her life, Carol said that the group of “sisters” have now learned so much more about cancer and through the Cancer Support Services (CSS), they are becoming part of a wider network of supporters for persons diagnosed with various forms of cancer.

Carol said CSS has introduced Kay to a lot of people and now, “we get involved in these fundraisers to help others on this journey.”

Good News Day on Loop News is November 10, 2022.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Five cases of tuberculosis have been confirmed among inmates at one of the island’s correctional facilities.

The Department of Correctional Services, in a release Tuesday, said the Ministry of Health and Wellness is now conducting tuberculosis (TB) screening for inmates at the correctional facility, however, it did not name the facility.

The five inmates have been hospitalised and are said to be responding well to treatment.

“No staff member has tested positive for TB,” the Department of Correctional Services said.

The contacts of the hospitalised inmates have since been identified and are being screened, the release said.

“Already, close to 100 inmates have been administered the Mantoux skin test, which, together with screening for symptoms – including coughing, weight loss and fever – is done as part of the first level of evaluation for TB.

“The next level of evaluation involves a chest X-ray and a sputum test for which inmates are currently being scheduled,” the Department of Correctional Services said.

TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually attacks the lungs, though it can attack any part of the body, including the kidneys, spine, and brain, the release said.

Pointing out that not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick as two TB conditions exist: latent TB infection, which is where the bacteria live in the body without getting you sick, and TB disease, which is where the bacteria are active in the body.

“If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal,” the release said.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

St. John’s Development Corporation announces the Christmas Vending 2022 which will run from December 10, 2022 to January 7, 2023.

Applications are now available at the Head Office at Vendors Mall Thames Street and at the Craft Market at the Public Market Complex.

An application fee of EC$10.00 is required and forms can be obtained between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from Monday to Fridays.

The fees for the types of items to be sold are listed on the application forms and the Corporation advises that there is limited space available.

Vending will be allowed on-street and also in enclosed areas.

The off-street locations are Judgement Square, PDO Building (Flea Market area aka Ben Dung) and the area outside of the King George V Grounds on Valley Road.

The on -street locations are Market Street in the vicinity of the FisheriesBuilding, outside the Hero’s Park, Upper Redeliffe Street, LowerRedcliffe Street downstairs thePigottMal, St. Mary’s Street, Upper Nevis Street in the vicinity of Judgement Square, Upper Church Street, and Corn Alley.

Market Street outside Judgement Square, Market Street outside the Museum for Christmas week only 19th- 2 4 December 2022.

Vendors are advised that the all COVID 19 protocols established are to be adhered to and the Corporation will be vigilant in the administration of the vending during the period.

There are also rules and regulations which are specific to the vending operation and the Corporation will be diligent in policing these rules.

For more information contact: / Mrs. Carolyn Thomas-Parker, City Manager Tel: (268) 481-7515

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The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) earlier today inked its first Collective Labour Agreement (CLA).

The 16-page agreement addresses 33 clauses on a range of matters. Some 36 workers are expected to benefit.

Among the issues considered by the CLA are the payment of overtime, annual leave, subsistence allowance, meals allowance, hazard allowance, the mechanism for promotion, sickness leave, occupational safety and health (OSH), among a host of other conditions.

A new feature in the CLA regards the provision of Paternity Leave where fathers would receive one month’s leave with pay on the birth of their child. It is the first time the GAWU has been able to negotiate such condition.

During a simple signing activity at the Ministry of Labour, GAWU’s General Secretary Aslim Singh expressed the satisfaction that the agreement was reached at the bilateral level.

He noted that through frank and full discourses, issues were fully ventilated and each side had the opportunity to make their points-of-view known. This, he held, augured well for the relationship between the parties as the General Secretary indicated the Union looked forward to fruitful relations with the GGB.

GGB’s General Manager, Eondrene Thompson who offered remarks expressed the Board’s delight in reaching the point of signing the agreement. She said the Board recognised the importance of ensuring employees were comfortable and that the discussions took place in a manner which lend to mutually satisfactory outcomes.

Chief Labour Officer, Dhaneshwar Deonarine congratulated the parties on behalf of the Ministry. He noted that the Ministry was pleased to have the parties being able to settle the agreement bilaterally as he expressed best wishes to both parties.

The GAWU in latter 2021 secured bargaining rights on behalf of the employees of the Board. Since our recognition, GAWU has been working with the workers in developing and negotiating the CLA.

Apart from that, the Union has been able to address a few other issues in the interest of the workers. The GAWU is pleased that it has been able to continue to advance the interest of workers.

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Basseterre: St. Kitts, Monday, November 07, 2022:​ Officials from the Ministry of Education engaged members of the Estridge and Tabernacle communities in formal discussions surrounding the decision to merge both the Estridge and Edgar T Morris Primary Schools into one institution. The community sensitization endeavours were held on Tuesday, November 01 and Thursday, November 03 at the Estridge and the Edgar T. Morris Primary Schools respectively. 

Addressing members of the Tabernacle community, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, and Chairperson for the proceedings Mrs. Lisa R. Pistana stated, “We know sometimes when things are new and they are different, they are often difficult to accept. But we can assure you as we think through the process and as we made this decision, we believe and we continue to believe it’s in the best interest of your children.”

Dr. Tricia Esdaille, Senior Assistant Secretary informed the gatherings of some of the factors which influenced the decision to merge the two educational institutions. Dr. Esdaille explained

“What’s happening on the Eastern Zone however, is that we have an increasing ageing population and a low birth rate for this area of the island. We don’t have a lot of [students] coming in our Kindergarten classes and essentially keeping the enrollment of schools on the Eastern Zone at a fairly high level. Small schools are by no means new for St. Kitts and Nevis; we have small schools all over the island, but on the eastern side of the island you [the schools] are particularly small. Among small schools, Estridge Primary and also Edgar T. Morris Primary are both exceptionally small. I believe Estridge Primary has for its population 25 students enrolled and at Edgar T. Morris Primary they have 65 students. What I want you to understand is, both schools are small.”

 Dr. Esdaille addressed the issue of the optimal class size in the area, 

“Within St. Kitts and Nevis, when we look at class sizes and we look at what we consider a large class or the ideal or the maximum number students we would want in a classroom, the number is 25. The entire population of the Estridge Primary school is equivalent to what we have determined is the ideal class size or the maximum class size that we think is best for teaching and learning in the classroom that would allow for really good students engagement.”

Minister of Education Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley reassured parents and guardians that the merger will pave the way forward for the students.

“I know change is always a problem; how you manage it makes the difference. This [school merger] should not be looked at as a bad change, but rather as an opportunity for something new that will happen. Education is forever changing! The merger of the Estridge and Edgar T. Morris Primary Schools will be no difficult challenge; it will be an exciting time for the children.”

Minister Hanley encouraged parents to have a positive outlook for the merger.

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