Commission chair Suleiman Bulbulia announced at Wednesday’s prize-giving ceremony that over 40 schools, both private and public, took part in the contest. 

“We were overwhelmed with the number of responses that we got,” Bulbulia said. “We were overwhelmed by the designs that were submitted. So it was a little bit tough in coming up with the final winners, but we felt really great because it was important for us that the young people are engaged in this discussion.”

The competition is part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to combat the influence of unhealthy foods targeted at children. 

Bulbulia highlighted the gravity of the situation: “We have a major issue in Barbados [where] 80 per cent of our deaths are related to NCDs, so it’s a struggle we have to fight and numbers we have to bring down.”

The commission is working to remove unhealthy influences from school environments and hopes to extend these efforts beyond the classroom, he said, acknowledging the challenges faced by young people: “We know it’s a struggle; young people are being bombarded day in and day out with messages of unhealthy foods, snacks and beverages, and we are working on making sure that when they get to school, it’s not there and not within their environment. When they get out of school we are hoping we can work on that as well.” 

The overall winner of the competition was University of the West Indies student Akebulan Thuo, whose design was inspired by his personal health journey. 

He explained: “The idea of how to actually properly lose that weight and become healthy is what I want to promote with what I did today.”

Describing his winning design, Thuo added: “When I heard a ‘Healthier Barbados’, the first thing I thought about was running, because [cardio] is one of the first steps into becoming healthier.” 

He incorporated a tropical setting, featuring people running on a beach.  

“I decided to deal with the beach as the backdrop behind the people running, so people were actually running into the sea. The idea behind that was me thinking Barbados has a brighter future. It’s basically me saying [there] is better health for Barbados,” the university student added.

The NCD Commission has touted the competition’s success as demonstrating progress in engaging youth in the fight against NCDs, which now account for eight of ten deaths in Barbados. (SB)

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“The money was allocated to 10 students for flights, accommodation, and transportation during their stay at Cardiff University in Wales, UK”

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During the presentation of the awards at the Barbados Community College (BCC), Director of Corporate Banking, Barbados & OECS,CIBC Caribbean, Jeffrey Newton commended first-year student Rashawn Gibson, second-year student Kayli Jordan and third-year student Shannon Yarde for pursuing a career in nursing.

“It has to be a calling and a commitment to want to care for others the way nurses are called upon to do, and I commend the three of you, because in this fast-paced, technologically driven world today, it’s easy for young people to get caught up in the glitz and want to get in professions that are considered glamorous, and shun those that are not. That’s what we call nursing a calling… – you are there for people at their most vulnerable,” he said.

“Few people would see you on those nights when you are on duty and can’t sleep like the rest of us because you are taking care of sick people in your care, or dealing sometimes with an unpleasant side effect of people being ill, and worried. By enrolling in the Barbados Community College, you are giving a commitment to help others when they cannot help themselves, and that is a noble commitment.”

Director of Corporate Banking, Barbados & OECS, CIBC Caribbean, Jeffrey Newton. (HG)

The scholarships are each worth $2 000, and cover registration fees, books, and uniforms.

Newton said: “We are pleased to hear that all of the students that have been awarded to date, continue to maintain good GPAs and excellent overall performances, with the first group awarded in 2021 due to graduate this year. This is pleasing news for a sponsor.”

“This year, on advice from the college, the scholarships are distributed across the years of the programme. So we have a first-year, second-year, and third-year student; whereas in previous years they were awarded to all first-year students.”

Meanwhile, Head of the Nursing Department at BCC Dr Sonia Watson-Miller said she was pleased to see the scholarships continue.

“I am proud that this opportunity has continued since 2021. Our selection of the students was based on three categories, not only the academic performance but also their personality and any financial [assistance] that was needed. Our pass rate has been improving for the last five years, and last year we had the highest of 91 per cent. So our pass rate has been improving,” she said.

Gibson expressed gratitude that she was selected.

“I am truly honoured and never thought that I would be given this opportunity. It truly shows that hard work and dedication pays off, and it motivates me to continue to work harder and to make a difference in the field of nursing,” she said. 

“This scholarship will not only help to ease the financial burden, allowing students to focus mainly on their studies but also not to worry about the cost. I want to end my speech by encouraging more young persons, especially males, to get involved in the profession, as we need more persons in the field.” (SB)

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