Tropical Shipping gives to Ashley Lashley Foundation as youth programmes end

The Ashley Lashley Foundation received a $5 000 donation from Tropical Shipping on Friday as two youth-focused summer programmes, the Safe Coast BIM youth disaster and emergency preparedness and Cook Caribbean, came to a close at the Barbados Defence Force Main Guard in the Garrison.

The contribution capped four weeks of training for the participants who gained hands-on experience in disaster preparedness, emergency response and culinary arts, while organisers announced internship opportunities and recognised campers for their achievements.

Executive director of the Ashley Lashley Foundation, Ashley Lashley, said the success of the programmes was only possible because of strong partnerships:

“As NGOs and even entrepreneurs, it’s really hard to get the necessary support, and I would say that the support from our partners and sponsors this year to pull off both activities has been tremendous.”

This was the first time the Safe Coast BIM and Cook Caribbean programmes had been combined:

“We all often heard about networking and the power of networking and getting young persons out there. And I think that that was the relationship that we forged between the two summer programmes.”

Safe Coast BIM was created in 2024 to prepare young people for emergencies in an era of increasing climate threats:

“We have often been hearing about climate change and the increase in extreme weather events such as hurricanes, flooding, coastal erosion. And we really wanted young persons to understand what it means to prepare before a disaster, during a disaster, and after.”

Campers spent the past month learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, fire safety, emergency response, drone operations and mass casualty management through partnerships with the Defence Force and Barbados Fire Service.

Lashley said: “Young people must become our first responders. And that itself was the premise behind creating the Safe Coast BIM programme.”

The foundation also announced that several participants would receive internships with the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Barbados Blue and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, saying mentorship remains a central part of its mission.

Deputy Director of the Department of Emergency Management Major Robert Harewood said programmes such as Safe Coast BIM are becoming increasingly important because of the Caribbean’s vulnerability to disasters.

“The Caribbean is known to be the second most prone region in the world… Barbados in particular has to be constantly aware of the hazards which could affect our beautiful country.”

He told campers disaster resilience must become a way of life rather than an occasional consideration.

“This Safe Coast BIM Youth Disaster Preparedness Programme aligns very nicely with the Department of Emergency Management country work programme… allowing the youth to prepare not only for their own safety but for that and the well-being of their families and communities as well.”

Major Harewood praised the participants for their enthusiasm throughout the programme.

“We are all extremely pleased and heartened by your energy and thirst for knowledge, from being continually engaged, asking lots of questions and keeping us on our toes.”

He also revealed that graduates of this year’s programme would once again be eligible for the DEM’s 2027 summer internship programme.

“Although the programme is over, actually your journey does not end here… The DEM… has agreed to accept Safe Coast BIM participants… in our 2027 summer internship programme.”

Founder and coordinator of Cook Caribbean, Chef Adrian Cumberbatch, said the collaboration reflected years of working alongside the Ashley Lashley Foundation to develop young people.

“I have known Ashley over eight years, and anything we do with youth, we always work together and collab through all those years.”

He thanked the programme’s sponsors for supporting the camp and encouraged participants to continue pursuing careers in hospitality and entrepreneurship.

The audience at the closing ceremony. (Photo credit: Lauryn Escamilla / Barbados TODAY)

“We do it for the youths. We do it for the children in Barbados and throughout the Caribbean. Our mission is to educate, entertain, and to elevate the Caribbean and the Caribbean cuisine.”

Cumberbatch also assured campers that the support would continue after the programme ended.

“Just because we’re finished today doesn’t mean it ends today… If you want a direction in career, whatever it is, you can just reach out to me anytime.”

Camper Kemara Husbands said the programme gave participants practical skills they could use for the future.

Camper Kemara Husbands. (Photo credit: Lauryn Escamilla / Barbados TODAY)

“We learned about hazards and risk and what you should do in emergency situations.”

Reflecting on the final simulation exercise, she said: “Today’s simulation was very fun. We did an exercise that took all of our knowledge from over the past month.”

She added that the experience had boosted her confidence: “I feel in the future I would be very prepared.”

Husbands said she also hopes to encourage other young people to join future editions of the programme.

“Me personally I will continue to post… to let people know about disasters and the stuff that I learned at camp this month.”

At the ceremony, campers were recognised for their achievements. Group four, comprising Chinue Skeet, Ella Briggo-Seale, Samara Telford and Nathaniel Browne-Kirton, won the Most Outstanding Group Award. Leadership Awards went to Merkan Skeet and Kemara Husbands, while Kodan Simpson received the Most Helpful Camper Award, Samara Telford the Most Engaged Camper Award, Turel Hurelley the Rising Star Award, Phoenix Ramsay the Initiative Award, Briana Hurdle the Resilience Award, and Major Robert Harewood received the Facilitator Excellence Award.

Camper receiving his certificate from Ashley Lashley Executive Director of the Ashley Lashley Foundation. (Photo credit: Lauryn Escamilla / Barbados TODAY)

(LE)