The ECHO is a community based service being undertaken by the Caribbean Child Support Initiative (CCSI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Environment, the United Nations Childrenâs Fund (UNICEF) and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). One of the main objectives of the programme is to promote and support parental/caregiver involvement in the assessment of and intervention in early childhood development for children birth to 3, who are at risk and without access to other early childhood development services.

This programme was launched in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Monday, June 7, 2010 at the Anglican Pastoral Centre in New Montrose. The programme targets pregnant women and families with children in the birth to three years cohort who are economically disadvantaged and geographically and/or socially isolated.

The programme integrates early stimulation and other aspects of the 6-year-old Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP), and complements the current Ministry of Health Strategic Plan, which provides for maternal and child health. Twenty (20) CHAs were trained in the core concepts of the Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP) in preparation for home-visits in the community. They were trained in all aspects of Early Childhood Development including physical, cognitive, behavioural, social and psychological development. Seven (7) of the twenty CHAs will conduct field activities in Calliaqua.

Calliaqua district was selected based on the high level of poverty that exists within the community coupled with the number of  children in the area. The programme is anticipated to be integrated nationally after two years of piloting.

Mrs. Kathleen Mandeville is the Coordinator for the ECHO Programme in St.
Vincent and the Grenadines.

Picture from fun fest

Saturday September 4th, 2010 saw the launch of an ingenious idea dubbed  STAR FM “SVG Fun Fest 2010” at the Chile playing field. The idea which was formulated by Mastermind Entertainment and Vincyhotspot managed by Mr. Colin ‘Hitman’ Graham and Mr. Garth Ryan, is quickly making a name for itself as it is the first event of its nature. The event will run for the next three months with a new show at a different location every weekend.

The duo sought to create a programmed event that would build a fun and more positive attitude towards our young generation and embrace the discovery and development of new local young talent all across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The event which takes the form of a tour made its first stop in Georgetown at the Chile Playing Field.

Described to be the perfect Three Course Meal, “SVG Fun Fest” began with an appetizer, where the children participated in a number of games to which they all received prizes, regardless of the outcome.

The entrée came second with two segments, the “Rockstar Vincy Star Search” and the “Number One Spot Dance Competition.” This gave persons the opportunity to audition doing their various talents to be a part of the grand finale to be held in December at the Victoria Park. Saturday September 4th, 2010 saw the launch of an ingenious idea dubbed  STAR FM “SVG Fun Fest 2010” at the Chile playing field. The idea which was formulated by Mastermind Entertainment and Vincyhotspot managed by Mr. Colin ‘Hitman’ Graham and Mr. Garth Ryan, is quickly making a name for itself as it is the first event of its nature. The event will run for the next three months with a new show at a different location every weekend.

The duo sought to create a programmed event that would build a fun and more positive attitude towards our young generation and embrace the discovery and development of new local young talent all across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The event which takes the form of a tour made its first stop in Georgetown at the Chile Playing Field.

Described to be the perfect Three Course Meal, “SVG Fun Fest” began with an appetizer, where the children participated in a number of games to which they all received prizes, regardless of the outcome.

The entrée came second with two segments, the “Rockstar Vincy Star Search” and the “Number One Spot Dance Competition.” This gave persons the opportunity to audition doing their various talents to be a part of the grand finale to be held in December at the Victoria Park.

Picture from fun fest

Winner of the “Rockstar Vincy Star Search” will receive a cash prize and a $5000.00 producer package deal with a major producer here, whilst the “Number One Spot Dance Competition” winner will also receive a cash prize and a music video feature package deal with a major artiste.

Finally, it was time for dessert, and the “SVG Carib Girl Search” 2010 proceeded. Each girl was given an opportunity to be in the grand finale where a team of girls will be selected to be featured in a series of promotion and promotional material, which includes Televisions Ads, Radio Ads, Newspaper and other marketing tools.
The event moves to a new location every weekend, this Saturday September 11th will see the Biabou Playing Field coming alive from 2:00pm which will then climax with an after party. Interested persons are urged to take advantage of the opportunity given and to register to be a part of the show.

SVG Fun Fest 2010 is being sponsored by STAR FM Digicel, Karibbean Tire,  Mastermind Entertainment, Vincyhotspot, Carib Beer, Rockstar Energy Drink.

Senior Education Officer, Mr. John “Zan” George, described the first week of activities to celebrate adult and continuing education as historic.   He also said that adult education in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is unique because it is democratic, voluntary and sustained.

George said that at the beginning of the literacy crusade Prime Minister Gonsalves had promised to grant a university scholarship to the first person who matriculated for such studies.  Therefore, George is confident that this will happen soon and will hold Prime Minister Gonsalves to his promise.

According to George, a major challenge facing the Adult and Continuing Education Unit is the misconception that adult and continuing education is for persons who are unable to read and write.  In light of this, George asserted that his department provides opportunities for persons to continue in the education system.

Head of the Adult and Continuing Education Unit, Mrs. Frances Clarke-Palmer, said that their Unit is the only one within the education sector that is demand driven.  She explained that they do not have set curricula and that they explore the prospective needs of persons through house-to-house consultations, town hall meetings, and one-on-one counsels.  Palmer added that it is usually a challenge to search for resources and assistance to fulfill individual needs.

Meanwhile, Zonal Coordinator with responsibilities for Zone 7, Ms. Rosmond Lorraine, stated that adult and continuing education provides fair opportunity for all Vincentians to access and join programmes.  Lorraine cautions interested persons not to “listen to anybody, get your own experience.”

Zone 5 Coordinator, Mr. Leroy Rock, disclosed the performance of adult learners who completed five (5) Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) subjects for 2009 and 2010.  Gail Glasgow was the most outstanding learner who completed 5 CCSLC subjects in 2009 and 2010.  The other achievers were Yvette Adams, Allison James Horne, Lynette Morris, and Amrell Williams.  According to Rock, the most outstanding adult learner for 2010 was Mary Jackson of Zone 2 (New grounds).

Rock gave the subjects that were written in 2010 and the number of persons passed: English 51, Maths 41, Social Studies 22, Spanish 9, and Integrated Science 7.

The Adult and Continuing Education Unit week of activities will culminate on Thursday in Bequia with a social gathering to bring learners and facilitators together.

On Saturday September 4th, the Nation Newspaper in Barbados reported that, “a fire believed to have been started by two men who robbed the Campus Trendz store in Tudor Street, The City, engulfed the two-storey building along the busy shopping street, trapping the hapless victims within the inferno”.

The newspaper went on to say that five other females perished, including a toddler, staff and customers while, “A female supervisor also had to be treated on the scene for several cutlass wounds, believed to have been inflicted by one of the robbers”.

The Nation also reported that according to police, “the two robbers, in view of shocked customers, threw an incendiary device into Campus Trendz just before 7 p.m., after taking an undisclosed amount of cash”.

DaSilva is the proud winner of Digicel’s Facebook Fan Page Treasure Hunt Promotion. During the promotion, clues led participants to various Digicel locations and well known land marks in and around Kingstown.

DaSilva recieving his new Blackberry

Da Silva won when he figured out the fifth and final clue which led him to call Digicel’s Office using one of three newly installed Digicel pay phone, this one located at Randy’s Supermarket on Lower Bay Street. On making the call, DaSilva had to say (when somebody answered), “I just won my Blackberry from Digicel”

“I am delighted to be a Blackberry owner”, said DaSilva who added, “the Digicel Facebook page is fun and I like interacting with the other fans and staff from Digicel”.

DaSilva received his Blackberry from Marketing Executive at Digicel Justin John last week.

The Trust, as part of their ongoing education assistance program presented bursary awards to Roslyn Ash, Rosmond Richardson and Roxanne Campbell. The bursaries amounted to some EC$30,000.

During the presentation, Trust Administrator Lavinia Gunn who presented the bursaries at the Open Campus at Richmond Hill said that she hopes that the money goes a long way in helping the students.

She revealed that the Trust was launched in February 2010 with one person, Samantha Browne being the lone recipient. Gunn added that the next selection process will begin when admissions take place in the middle of 2011. She said that application forms can be found at the Open Campus.

The Trust was set up in 2008 with the aim of  improving opportunities for children and vulnerable young people according to Gunn.

In deciding what to write about this week, my mind wandered onto a sweet old lady whom I diagnosed with this condition two weeks ago.  For all the world, one would have thought she had a stroke, because her face was drawn to one side.  But this was the clincher; only her face was involved, not a whole half of her body, as would be the case if it were a stroke.

So this is what Bell’s palsy is, a weakness or paralysis of the muscles that control expression on one side of your face.  It results from damage to the Facial Nerve (Cranial nerve 7), which runs beneath each ear to the muscles on the same side of your face.

It may result in a droopy appearance of your face, which can affect your self-esteem.  Usually it is not serious and clears up by itself in weeks or months for most people.

It is a condition which is actually relatively common in Dominica; many of you would have known someone who has had it.  Bell’s can occur at any age.  It is seen more often in pregnant women, diabetics, people with ailments of the upper respiratory tract, such as the cold or flu, and in people with compromised immune systems, such as in HIV/AIDS.

HOW DO WE KNOW IT’S BELL’S?

Signs and symptoms may include:

•    Acute paralysis or weakness on one side of your face, making it difficult to close one eye (on the affected side)
•    Drooping of the face and difficulty with facial expressions
•    Pain behind or in front of your ear on the affected side
•    Headache
•    Sounds that seem louder on the affected side
•    Loss of taste on the front potion of your tongue
•    Facial stiffness or a feeling that your face is being pulled to one side.  Actually,in   effect, your strong side does pull the weak side toward it.  In other words, if your right side is affected, it will appear that your face is drawn to the left side.
•    Changes in the amount of tears and saliva you produce

The severity of Bell’s palsy can range from mild weakness to total paralysis on one side of the face.  Onset is usually abrupt, developing to become apparent within several hours to a day or two.  Symptoms may be noticed when you awaken.  The palsy may follow pain in the region of the ear by a day or two.  Weakness or paralysis usually peaks within 48 hours after onset of signs and symptoms, and the faster these signs and symptoms progress, the more serious the palsy you’ll experience.

WHAT CAUSES THIS THING?

Honestly, we don’t know.  And its development is still not well understood.  The theory we most believe is that the facial nerve becomes swollen and injured perhaps by a viral infection.  And the virus that has been implicated most often is of the herpes class.  Yes, Herpes virus again.  Remember chicken pox, shingles, cold sores?

Each facial nerve controls all muscles on one side of your face, except those involved in chewing.  The trigeminal (Cranial nerve 5), motor aspect, is responsible for this. That’s why you can still chew just fine when you have Bell’s.  When electrical impulses cannot be properly conducted along the damaged facial nerve, the muscles which it supplies cannot be stimulated, leading to weakness or paralysis of these muscles.

WHEN TO CHECK OUT THE DOC

Most people recover completely within weeks to months, with or without medical treatment.  But not all cases of facial paralysis or weakness are due to Bell’s palsy.

For a few people, the palsy can be severe or give rise to complications.  So see a doc if you have facial weakness, drooping or paralysis, to determine the severity and the underlying cause of your illness.

HOW IS BELL’S DIAGNOSED?

By looking at your face and asking you to try to move you facial muscles, the doctor can make a diagnosis.  He will bear in mind, though, that stroke, infections and tumors can also cause muscle weakness, so he’ll want to do a full examination and do tests to rule out other possible causes.

If the diagnosis is still in doubt after a few days, a test called electromyography (EMG) can confirm the presence of nerve damage and give us information about severity.  This is an out-patient procedure which can measure:

•    The electrical activity of a muscle in response to stimulation.
•    The nature and speed of the conduction of electrical impulses along a nerve.

To measure electrical currents in your facial muscles, tiny needles are inserted into a muscle to be tested.  The needles are connected to an electronic recording device by a wire.  Recordings of electrical activity are made when your muscle is at rest, and as you voluntarily tighten it.  The patterns of activity appear on a screen and may be recorded on film for further analysis.

To study your nerves, two small recording electrodes are taped on to your skin above the nerve to be tested.  We can’t see them, but we know where they are or should be.  Then a little instrument applies a mild shock over the nerve.  The electrical signal moves down the nerve, passing under the electrode.  We can compare the recording of the signal at each electrode site, and we can calculate the time it takes to travel between them.  The speed of conduction along the nerve is thus determined.

By these tests on your facial nerves, we can determine whether and how much they are damaged, and by testing your facial muscle, we can tell how well they are receiving electrical impulses from these same nerves.  Electricians and technical people should have no trouble understanding this bit.  If you don’t, don’t worry about it.  The doctors will have it under control.

COMPLICATIONS

If damage to your facial nerve is unusually severe, nerve fibers may be irreversibly damaged, leaving you with a permanent paralysis.

Sometimes misdirected re-growth of nerve fibers can occur, leading to involuntary contractions of certain muscles when you’re trying to move others.  For example, you may be smiling, only to find your eye on the affected side may close.

HOW BELL’S TREATED?

Well, we don’t really know the cause, so we can’t treat what we don’t know.  It’s not like when we know, for example, the bacteria that infects your tonsils and can easily treat that.  Besides, most cases are not going to last very long, and yet still we are not sure that what we do makes a difference.

But we may try:
Anti-inflammatory medication: These may reduce inflammation and swelling in the bony channel that the facial nerve travels through.

If we feel strongly that a virus is causative, such as the herpes virus, we may give an antiviral drug which can control, not cure it.  Remember.

Massage: Facial massage may help prevent disfigurements (contractures) of the paralysed muscles before recovery takes place.

CAN YOU HELP YOURSELF?

Yes, you can.  Because you cannot blink on the weak side of your face, damage to the outer layer (cornea) of your eye can occur due to it drying out.  It can become cloudy and even develop an ulcer; which can interfere with vision.  You will need to protect your eye using artificial tears, an eye patch, or a transparent eye shield attached to your face with tape.

See you next week.

Dr. Victor Emanuel has been an educator of medical professionals in training, and the public, for over 20 years in Dominica. The contents of his articles are based on facts and research conducted, and not of his opinion.

Oh, put the darn phone away. Asking for whereabouts and “who, when, why, what” will not stop anything. People can have sex while talking to someone else on the phone, saying they’re cleaning the house or walking on the street or sleeping.

Take my advice: go home without notice, then let me know what takes place.

“It’s not what it seems,” is what he or she would tell you.

Anyway, have any of you people ever had that experience by the way? Catch your lover having sex with someone else – the whole action? I am not talking about kissing or hugging. I am talking about raw, raw, sweaty, overtime sex.

I guess not because if you did, you would not be reading this column. Most likely you would either be in prison, the mad house or dead (by suicide).

I had a similar experience though.

One day, I forgot a very important document home, and I needed it for work. I tried calling my ex, just to make sure it is home so I won’t waste my time driving two miles home for it. Unfortunately, I had to drive two miles because I could not reach her. Her phone was off. Well, I gave her the benefit of the doubt. I thought probably the battery died or she turned it off to get some sleep because it was her day off.

Well, to me, it would mean surprising her so I bought lunch for both of us, and headed down the country path.

When I arrived, I noticed a car pull up like 200 feet from our gate, which was weird because no other house existed within a mile of us. But I gave “the scenery” the benefit of the doubt.

“Aww maybe someone went into the forest to sh***… naughty peeps,” I thought.

When I reached the door it was locked. I knocked three times but got no answer. No surprise. Maybe she was sleeping, I thought. I went on to open the door to my two-bedroom apartment. As I entered quietly, I was shocked to hear the bed squeaking and faint moaning and kissing (quite loud I may add). First thought is that she is watching porn because both of us are freaks.

I am even freakier so I decided not to say anything. I wanted to peep to see what she was doing because no girl watches porn by herself at that time of the day and is not doing something to herself.

But as I got closer to the door, the squeaking, moaning and kissing got louder. By then, I knew that was no porn movie. That was reality porn!

Alas! My girlfriend was having sex with another man.

OK, immediately I felt a mixture of emotions: my heart was beating fast, I was sweating, I got nervous and then red-hot angry. My knees were shaking, I felt my hands trembling. I pushed the door suddenly.

In front my eyes, I saw something I never saw before: my girlfriend making out with another woman.

I did not faint. I simply joined in the action.

But that was a dream – a dream I still wish could be repeated. When I woke up that early morning, I was sweating and shaking like I was actually there. I wish it was real. But it was a good suspense-thriller-turned-porn-movie. I am not sure if I ended up being the star of the movie – or the dream – but I sure know it would’ve been a lot of fun.

Well unfortunately, not a lot of people are that lucky. Some have experienced the real deal. Catching your man with another man; catching your woman with another man; or catching your man with another woman. And I am sure it is devastating.

The woman-on-woman episode is hardly ever heart-breaking but the suspense can kill.

I have been asking a few peeps what they would do if they caught their lover with another person. Some say they would kill, others say they would walk away or just join in.

But we can say anything when it is not happening to us. When reality hits home we may react totally opposite to what we thought.

Personally, I believe someone’s reaction is dependent on how much you loved the person. If it is someone you wanted off your back then that is a perfect scenario to take off from the sour relationship. If you were in love or loved deeply, chances are you would evoke deadly rage.

Here are some reactions from a few peeps I spoke to (names changed to protect identity):

FF: I would probably faint but it would be quite devastating though.  I would be very angry and I would feel betrayed.

DG: Beat both of them.

SNAPPER: If she lives with me… I will make sure she knows I caught her… and I will continue to live with her and never talk about it. I will continue to be myself in the house but I will never sleep with her. Basically I will fraustrate her a** so much she will go crazy. The hardest thing is to not know what I am thinking, then when she cannot take it no more she will leave and I will blog her a** away pictures and all. If she does not leave with me, same ting but I will just go straight to blogging her a** away. She will never have another man again because the whole world will know. Boss doh worry with me na. I will just shoot her. End of story.

Alana: At first I will laugh. I am at my calmest when I am most angry.  Then somebody would be badly beaten.

Tan: Seriously, I would not let them see me, and go and get some boiling water and douse the two of them. That would be my first reaction.

Ven: Of course after I collect myself and recover from shock I would start throwing things at him. If I don’t have a gun in my hand then he should consider himself lucky, and leave him of course.

AN: Nothing out of the ordinary. Take my immediate needs and find somewhere to go and free myself; would not even want to discuss it.

Dwayne: Not sure.

Georgi: I’d take a pic and walk away. I would need the pic for proof.

Kev: Depends on whose bed it is. Mine? Probably go on the attack because das just disrespectful. Hers? Walk out and leave.

Laden: Beat he den walk out den probably mash up he house.

Helen: I would walk away and never look back.

Lish: Would just walk away
Someone else said would beat them both

Lish: If it is in my bed lol trust me they will be dead.

Lil Pimp: Mmm that’s a hard one.  Wow, I don’t know.

Sherl: I probably would just burst out in tears and then look for the closest weapon in my reach.

Nicky: Shoot em.

Sabby: I would get angry at first but ultimately just let it go. Every person free to do as they please … if my man chooses to cheat on me then that is him. I just have to get rid of him and say screw that. It has other fish – bigger, better fish in the sea.

Teo: Make their lives a living hell.

Jose: I’m gonna kill her! lol

Terry: If it’s a man, it’s pretty much over. If it’s a woman, the question is do you want me to join, watch or go away. If the latter, I’m gone for good.
My conclusion is that if something like that happens to you, it makes no sense being violent because at the end of the day, you’re getting yourself into lots of trouble. And what’s more heartbreaking than being imprisoned and allowed to pay for your lover’s crime? And while you’re there languishing in jail, he or she will be having much more booty calls – possibly with the same person.

I covered a story once where a dude beat up another dude because he allegedly touched his girlfriend’s vagina in a crowded place. Without concrete proof, and basing his actions only on his girlfriend’s words, he went on a punching spree – almost killing the young man. He got several years in prison. When he was released he was killed shortly after (not sure if it was related to his imprisonment). And where is the girl now? She has another man. He is now like a dust in the wind.

Violence is not the answer. Just walk away and vent your frustration on something else.

See ya next week.

Talking to the BBC this week, Eustace dismissed claims that the United States and British consultants’ sole purpose is to destabilize the country. He added that a few of the same consultants work for the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves commented that for the past 11 months, “we have had elements out of the USA and out of Britain spreading a lot of falsehoods about this country defaming it and in the process seeking to destabilize the legitimate Government of SVG”.

The PM added, “notice I am very careful I’m not talking about the American Government or the British Government I’m talking about elements who have taken positions of self interest and ideological positions for instance they are looking at our international foreign policy”.

Dr. Gonsalves added that SVG has relations with Cuba and Venezuela, “but we have excellent relations with the USA, Canada, Europe, Taiwan, Mexico, Brazil and India; I am not addressing the question of professional consultants; I am addressing the issue of people with separate agendas of their own I’m not going to tolerate it that’s what I’m bringing the Caribbean people into it”.

The PM said that he has written a letter of the heads of CARICOM outlining the situation.

The designers are being given the opportunity to showcase their creations during an event dubbed ‘Caribbean Fashion Extravaganza’ which is being organized by Vincentian Donna Weekes of  Ethel Fashion.

The list of local designers reads, Kimon Baptiste of Kimmystic.Clo, Karen DeFreitas of Soka, Celeste Johnny, Shernicia Mayers,Marlon DeCaul and accessory designer Alicia Dewar. Weekes will also use the opportunity to launch her Fall line dubbed, ‘Red’. The Fashion Extravaganza will also feature Vincentian models Jodine Jackson, Saflana John, Aziza Williams and Orissa Lavia.

Scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. sharp, Caribbean Fashion Extravaganza will see couture from Caribbean countries including Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados and Guyana. Overseas designers from Trinidad and Tobago are Mel Duncan, Sean Bartholomew and Patrice Goodluck.  Antigua will be represented by Calvin Southwell while Jamaica will be represented by Imanilia Whyte.  Monica Caleb and Jewelry Designer Shanti Vincent will represent Guyana while Sunglasses Designer Mo’nique Barbour will represent Barbados.

Weekes who is a Vincentian that resides in New York launched her clothing line Ethel Fashions on September 5, 2009.  Her second show was on May 8th 2010. This is her third fashion event.

“I am so excited about this upcoming show”, said Weekes on Tuesday while adding, “the audience should expect a fast paced show with lots of flare and extravagant designs from all designers”.