CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — The Ministry of Human Resources in the Nevis Island Administration is pleased to announce that the Ministry of Health and Gender Affairs in collaboration with Earth University in Costa Rica is offering two scholarships.

These scholarships will be awarded to women who wish to study a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science at the Earth University in Costa Rica.

This initiative is part of the Ministry of Health and Gender Affairs Women’s Month celebration in March for which an element of our focus is “Women in Agriculture.” Earth University encourages women to continue to build their potential as leaders of change.

Individuals are urged to take advantage of this scholarship opportunity which covers full tuition, accommodation, food, and medical expenses. Interested persons must visit www.earth.ac.cr/apply to apply by February 28.

For additional information please utilize the information below or contact the individuals listed:

WhatsApp: +506 2713 0210
Website: www.earth.ac.cr/apply or ad********@******ac.cr

Contact persons:
Mrs. Shelisa Martin-Clarke, or Ms. Latoya Jeffers, Ministry of Health and Gender Affairs
Mrs. Shanola Murrey-Gill, or Ms. Ronice Williams, Ministry of Human Resources
Nevis Island Administration
Email: la************@****ov.com or sh******************@****ov.com
Tel. No.: 469-5521 Ext. 6490/1
Email: sh****************@****ov.com, or ro*************@****ov.com
Tel. No.: 469-5521 Ext. 5163/4

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Four volunteers from the Republic of China (Taiwan) are currently here in St. Kitts and Nevis assisting the Federation in several areas, while experiencing living and working outside of their home country.

The four volunteers are Lin Ya-Chen  (Chen or Ya Chen) whose specialised area is nutrition and public health, and will be placed in the Ministry of Health; Chiou Wen-Chi (Ivan) who specializes in Information Technology, and will be in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Wu Tzu-Han (Mavvis) will be placed in the Department of Agriculture, St. Kitts, and Tsay Pei-Hsuan (Wendy) who specialises in Nutrition, will be in the School Meals Programme, Ministry of Education, Nevis Island Administration.

Ambassador Tom Lee said that alongside the cordial relationship between the governments of Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis, they are working hard to further ties between people of the two countries.

“Hence we introduced the scholarships and volunteer programme. All four of the volunteers are coming to the Caribbean for the first time. Ya Chen is in her second year, and the others have just arrived for a couple of months. They are willing to spend time contributing to SKN here without a salary. They are like cultural ambassadors. In doing so, they also gain experience of living and working outside Taiwan.”

Lee explained the process of how the volunteers were chosen to serve in St. Kitts and Nevis.

“Every year there are two recruiting seasons. When it’s time, Taiwan ICDF (International Cooperation and Development Fund) informs our Embassies and overseas offices, and our embassy passes the message to MFA, who will gather all requests and applications from different ministries of SKN and relay to us.

“After we submit the applications from SKN to Taiwan ICDF, they process it and satisfy as much as possible. But not all demand can be met. For example, ICT workers are very demanded in Taiwan, so it’s not easy to find someone in the industry who will come abroad as a volunteer. This means that Ivan has made quite a sacrifice.”

Mavvis highlighted what inspired her to become a volunteer.

“I saw the opportunity on the website of ICDF, after some research, I become fascinated by the beauty of St Kitts and Nevis, so I applied right away.”

She also spoke of the experiences she has had in the Federation thus far.

“For example, in Taiwan chickens rarely fly, but here they do! And here I got to see the ocean every day. Back home I couldn’t because I live in the central part of Taiwan, which is farther away from the sea.”

Ivan said that during the pandemic, this opportunity offers a rare chance to leave the country and go work and live abroad.

“Being here surrounded by beautiful scenery and great and friendly people, I’m having a great time. Besides my IT job in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I also teach Mandarin to staff in the Ministry.”

He also discussed his time working thus far in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“I found people from Taiwan and SKN have a strong link. When I arrived in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I was greeted in Mandarin and surprised. It turned out some officers have studied in Taiwan before, and in the Ministry where I work, I’ve made a lot of good friends. Some invite me to local activities on weekends, like Hash.

He said he has enjoyed the hospitality thus far.

“On last Christmas Day, I was invited to an officer’s house. I was the only one from outside the family. People are all very friendly here. They smile at me. One time a young boy approached me in the street and wanted to have my phone number. Unfortunately, I was in a hurry and couldn’t talk for long.”

Wendy, explaining her decision to volunteer, said she was eager to experience a different culture.

“So when I saw the post I felt interested, and I wanted to apply what I learnt in university here in SKN. I am now working on Nevis’s school meal programme. We are doing a “Tour of Caribbean”, introducing different dishes from our neighbours such as Anguilla, Montserrat etc.”

She noted that it was a blessing to see the ocean every day and was one of her favourite aspects of being in the Federation.

Ya Chen, who is a retired nurse, said that since her retirement three years ago, she wanted to find something to do.

“I found this volunteer job. It has been a great time. I already renewed the contract, and enter the second year of service. In my work, I found that a lot of food is wasted here, so I have been trying to change that, working with the Health Promotion Unit to promote healthy cuisine using many local ingredients.”

She said that in Taiwan, organic food is costly, but not so much here, so people should be encouraged to eat organic.

“I have hosted two episodes of a cooking show, but they are not yet released. The show teaches people how to cook using simple but tasty local ingredients, such as Chinese Violet, a very common plant here. It can be used in fried eggs. In my experience, it’s a surprising delight to many locals when they learn that this plant is edible.”

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CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — Today is World Cancer Day, a global initiative under which nations unite to target misinformation, raise awareness, encourage support, action, and advocate for funding for the prevention, detection, and treatment of this malignancy.

The following is an address by Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, Junior Minister of Health in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA):

“Today is World Cancer Day, as we are aware, cancer remains a major universal concern, as millions of persons would have lost their lives to this dreaded disease,” said Hon. Brandy-Williams. “It has been reported that breast and prostate cancer are the most prevalent in women and men, while colorectal and lung cancer are common in both genders.

“This year, marks the culmination of the three year ‘I Am and I Will’ campaign. The theme for this year is ‘Together, all our Actions Matter.’ This theme suggests an approach of collaboration, cooperation, and collective action. It also encourages a shared responsibility of individuals, communities, governments and the whole of society to work together to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with cancer.

“In 2019 and 2020, the Federation’s Public Health Laboratory recorded an alarming 77 and 67 new cases of cancers respectively. This is a major cause for concern, as we must bear in mind that besides human suffering and death, the financial cost incurred for the treatment of cancer, can be astronomical for families, the health care system, and the economy. Direct costs include expenditures for treatment, as well as the cost of care and rehabilitation. Indirect costs include the loss of economic output due to absenteeism from work due to illness and premature death. “A country’s Health is the Nation’s Wealth. Therefore, we must all work together in the war against cancer.

“For that reason, the Ministry of Health and Gender Affairs remains committed to programmes that focus on prevention care and treatment of cancer. In fact, cancer has taken much prominence on our Non-Communicable Disease portfolio. However, I am happy to report that there is hope, as studies would have shown, that primary prevention offers the greatest public health potential and the most cost-effective, long-term cancer control.

“Through collaboration with the Pink Lily Foundation and the Health Promotion Unit, the Ministry will continue to promote awareness and educate the general public about the risk factors related to cancer. We are fully committed to providing screening opportunities such as breast examination and pap smear screening which can be accessed at all of our community health centres, free of charge.

“It is necessary to note, that the recent Community Health Nursing Services Annual Pap smear drive, done in recognition of cervical cancer month saw 146 Women screened in 2021, in comparison to 113 women screened in 2020. We sincerely applaud the effort made by the community to safeguard itself against this disease, and encourage everyone to take advantage of the services offered by the ministry in this regard.

“We have also implemented the HPV vaccine to primary school children, which will help protect them against HPV infection and the six types of cancer it can cause. Screening is also available for cancers such as prostate and colon.

“Although there are no sure ways to prevent cancer, there are measures that can be taken to help reduce one’s risk. As individuals we can help to reduce our risk of cancer by making healthy choices. In support of the “I Am, I Will Campaign” you can Make the pledge:
• “I Am: An Advocate, a Supporter, a Survivor I Will: – Eat right (which includes consuming a healthy portion of fruits and vegetables, and by reducing salt, fat and sugar intake);
• Stay active (at least 30 mins of moderate exercise);
• Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol; and
• Get screened.

“Regular screening increases the chances of an early detection of cancers such as breast, colon, cervix, and skin cancer. If cancer is found early, it can be easier to treat and the survival rate increases.

“Finally, in observance of Cancer Day, the Ministry of Health and Gender through the Health Promotion Unit would like to engage individuals, businesses, and institutions to take part in their initiative dubbed ‘The Cancer Code’. We encourage persons and businesses to acknowledge one type of cancer, be it cervical, breast, and colon, prostate or skin and wear the colour that represents that particular cancer.

“We are forever reminded of the old adage, “Early detection Saves lives,” concluded Hon. Brandy-Williams. “The impetus is for us to work robustly with our stakeholders to support existing policies aimed at promoting health and wellness. In doing so, our efforts, no doubt, will translate into a healthier population, and a healthier country as a whole.”

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