Archive for April 9th, 2013
JOCC gives church $100k
(CNS): The removal of the former premier from office has not put an end to the controversial donations from the public purse to local churches. According to several members of the congregation from the Church of God Holiness in Red Bay, George Town, the new premier, Juliana O'Connor-Connolly, recently announced during a prayer meeting that the government was giving the church $100,000 from the Nation Building Fund, which was established by former premier McKeeva Bush. CNS attempted to confirm the details of the donation to the church, where O'Connor-Connolly sometimes attends when she is on Grand Cayman, but officials refused to comment on the issue.
In response to questions Monday, civil servants in the premier’s office dealing with the fund said they could not speak about any donations or recipients and informed CNS that we would need to make a freedom of information request to ascertain the most recent recipients of the cash. Although a request has been made for details on the most up to date allocations from the start of the 2012 financial year, it could be more than forty days, if the ministry follows the letter of the law, before the information is released and longer if the ministry requests an extension.
CNS has now submitted the request for details on church donations as it is understood that the new premier has also allocated around $50,000 from the fund to a church on Cayman Brac. It is not certain what the donations are for but neither church is believed to be using the cash to make their premises into hurricane shelters.
Since its establishment in 2010 by McKeeva Bush, the fund has remained controversial as a result of the ambiguity of the allocation of cash from the fund. What is actually defined as 'nation building' appears to be very broad without clearly established criteria.
Cash grants of significant variations have been given to individuals who failed to get scholarships through the regular channels via the education department and money has been given to assist people in a singing competition. Some churches have been given large donations to help them build new premises or convert existing buildings into hurricane shelters, while some have received very small sums for after-school clubs. Almost a half million dollars was given to 11 churches from the controversial fund during the 2011/12 financial year, despite government’s budget crisis.
The fund has politicised churches as a result of the uneven distribution of cash among the differing institutions, with critics describing the fund as vote buying. Bush has called criticism of the donations an attack on the churches and described critics of the fund as anti-Christian.
HSA invites public to discuss ethical dilemmas
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) Ethics Committee is inviting the public to discuss ethical issues at a seminar on 10 April. The aim of the committee is to provide support and advice to healthcare providers, as well as patients and their families when faced with an ethical dilemma. Speaking about the role of the Ethics Committee, Lizzette Yearwood, the HSA’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We come across many situations where we may be faced with very tough issues with no easy solutions. Where these issues lead to ethical dilemmas, it may be helpful to talk things through with the Ethics Committee."
She added, “We may not always be able to provide a solution but a healthy discussion with a group of people with experience may open up some avenues that lead to better solutions. Our focus is always on the best patient care and looking at any situation with an 360 degree viewpoint.”
The Ethics Committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:00pm in the Hibiscus Conference Room at the HSA offices in George Town. There is no charge for the event and refreshments will be provided.
DMS invites applications for scholarship programme
(CNS): DMS Organization is inviting applications for its Annual Scholarship Programme. The scholarship awards are presented annually to Caymanians who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education in the Cayman Islands or abroad. The deadline for applications is 3rd May. Over the past 4 years, DMS reports that it has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Last year, DMS awarded a total of $22,000 to three students, who were each awarded between $4,000 and $10,000 towards their studies. “We take great pride in recognizing these recipients for demonstrated academic achievement,” said Samantha Nehra, Vice President, People & Development at DMS.
Each of the scholarship recipients is given the opportunity to work at DMS to gain experience in a department related to their career path. “Our scholarship program gives priority to applicants, whose area of study is relevant to DMS and its business practices, enabling us to place the students as interns during their school breaks and provide them with valuable work experience to further support their futures, “ says Karen Kersey, Senior Vice President. She adds, “Work experience opportunities play an integral role in preparing them for their career.”
The programme’s 2012 scholarship recipients were, Asaph Scott, Danielle Martinez-Gibsonand Stephen Chin. Danielle Martinez-Gibson said, “Being awarded the DMS scholarship gave me the opportunity to travel abroad to further my education which also afforded me experiences that have greatly contributed to my growth and development as an individual. When I applied for the scholarship I was merely seeking funding to further my studies but was also generously awarded with career opportunities, and continual advancement. I am so grateful to be able to return to a full time role at DMS where every day is a learning experience.”
To qualify, applicants must produce proof of acceptance to an accredited college or university, community college or recognized technical or trade school at the time the award is issued. If they are already enrolled at an institution, they must produce proof of academic good standing. In addition to demonstrated academic ability, applicants must submit a resume and cover letter describing their career goals and why they are deserving of the DMS scholarship. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, in good health, of good character and be able to demonstrate financial need.
More information is available at www.dmsorganization.ky.
UK Paralympian joins Camana Bay swim meet
(CBAC): 95 swimmers, including one very special international guest, turned out on Saturday 23 March for the final event in the Camana Bay Aquatic Club Open Water Swim Series. This is the second year the competitive swim club has hosted the popular open water event. Open to swimmers of all ages and abilities, the Saturday afternoon races took place over the last two months on Governor’s Beach, with competitors swimming north towards Public Beach. Each event started with a 200m Lollipop Dash, designed for swimmers 10 and under, followed by a Sea Swim and Water Walk, which increased in distance throughout the series from 400m to 800m.
For the final event, Sea Swim participants were joined by 21 year-old Great Britain Paralympic swimmer Emma Hollis, who was on-island to encourage women’s and youth sports in the Cayman Islands. Hollis finished in 7th Place in the 800m Sea Swim – and was the first female swimmer to cross the finish line. “Not only did I survive the Camana Bay [Aquatic Club] sea swim yesterday, I actually was the first female to finish!” she tweeted after her swim.
Event organisers were impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of both the swimmers and volunteers despite the sometimes challenging conditions. “The series has been great for everyone,” CBAC Assistant Coach Jessica Siegele says of the beginner-focused events. “Although there was a slight chop, we had a great turn out and all the swimmers were excited to get out into the water, and especially to swim with such a well-known athlete like Emma. This is what the Open Water Series is all about – encouraging the community to come out and have fun, experience a new sport and gain confidence in the water.”
Hollis also visited the Camana Bay Aquatic Club at the Camana Bay Pool for a special training and Q&A session with the young swimmers. After joining the team for relay practice, Hollis sat down with the Club to talk about Paralympic swimming, as well as the importance of having a good balance between academics and athletics. Both Hollis and her younger brother, James, have osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition more commonly known as ‘brittle bone disease’. Both swimmers represented Great Britain in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London – Emma competed in the S8 class and James in S9. Hollis is also the current World Record Holder for S8 800m Freestyle and S8 400m Individual Medley.
Hollis is in her final year of studies at Loughborough University in the UK and cites good time management as one of the keys to her success, both as a professional athlete and a university student. Hollis explained how she takes her books with her on away training sessions and keeps in constant contact with her university tutors while travelling for international meets.
“We were honoured to host such an inspiring, top athlete at the Camana Bay Pool,” says CBAC President Jeffrey Wight. “Emma’s dedication and drive has enabled her to succeed in both her swimming and her studies and she is a role model to all young athletes in the Cayman Islands. Her visit was a great final morale boost for the eight CBAC swimmers who attended the CARIFTA Swimming Championships over the Easter weekend.”
Seven CBAC swimmers travelled to Kingston, Jamaica as part of the Cayman Islands CARIFTA Swim Team. CBAC swimmer Danielle Boothe also headed to Jamaica to join the Jamaica CARIFTA Swim Team. All CBAC swimmers raised their rankings in at least one event, many in all of their events, and in total took home 5 medals for Cayman and 5 for Jamaica. Medal winners were Kavanagh Lambert (1 gold, 2 bronze), Lauren Hew (1 gold), Coral Tomascik (1 bronze), and Danielle Boothe (1 individual bronze, 4 relay medals). “The team’s hard work really paid off and I’m proud of each and every one of our swimmers,” says Wight. “I’d also like to thank CBAC’s platinum sponsor, MaplesFS, whose generous support helped to send our swimmers to CARIFTA.”
Next up for the busy Club is the Highlander Aquatics Long Course Invitational Swim Meet in Orlando, Florida. “Twenty swimmers from the Maples FS travel team will attend the Orlando meet,” explains Siegele. “This is a great event for our Age Group Development and Sprats Gold members, who haven’t yet reached CARIFTA level swimming. An event like this not only allows our swimmers to meet other competitive swimmers of similar ages and make new friendships – but gives them a further taste of competitive swimming and an opportunity gain international meet experience.”