Health, empowerment focus for St Joseph celebrations

Plans are taking shape for this year’s Independence celebrations in St Joseph, with organisers placing a strong focus on health, community care and empowerment initiatives across the parish.

Members of the St Joseph Parish Independence Committee on Sunday carried out their first community walk-through in Dark Hole, where residents were introduced to several programmes planned for the year ahead.

Parish attendant Anjela Holloway said the outreach formed part of the committee’s efforts to reconnect with residents under the theme: Rekindling our spirit and reclaiming our pride in Saint Joseph.

“Today we went to the area that we knew as Dark Hole to visit the residents in the area to sensitise them about the community independence celebrations that are happening this year and what the parish Independence Committee for St Joseph will be doing for 2026,” Holloway told Barbados TODAY.

“We wanted to meet with our Josephines to feel how they are feeling about their parish and what we can do to help this year in 2026.”

She said residents were initially cautious but gradually became more receptive as discussions progressed.

“At first they were a little hesitant because you see people come in and you don’t know what they’re coming for, but when we started to talk to them and interact, they were very interactive, very happy to see us,” Holloway said.

“They felt like they would have been forgotten and to see that we chose Dark Hole as our first place, they were very excited.”

Among the initiatives planned this year is a programme called Soothing Soul, which will focus on elderly care and emotional support for seniors.

“We’ll be teaching persons how to care for our elderly population,” Holloway explained. “Not only health-wise, but even if it’s just to sit and talk to them, listen to them, because everybody needs a listening ear.”

The committee is also planning an empowerment series focused on financial literacy and personal development.

During the walk-through, residents also raised concerns about road conditions and water-related issues affecting the district. Holloway said while the committee could not directly resolve those matters, the concerns would be relayed to the relevant authorities.

She added that one of the major events on the calendar will be the Sugar Experience, an all-white garden party scheduled for June 27 at Andrews Sugar Factory.

According to Holloway, the event will feature sugar cane-infused cocktails and food-inclusive offerings as part of the parish’s celebrations.

(LG)