Rotary Club of Barbados South Donates $95,000 in Equipment to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Paediatric Unit!!!
The Rotary Club of Barbados South, in collaboration with its network of generous corporate and individual sponsors, officially handed over specialized infant care equipment valued at $95,000 to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Paediatric Ward. The project, conceptualized by the family of the club’s Past President Michael Trotman, was executed to provide the hospital’s pediatric team with immediate needs to improve infant care and create lasting community impact.
The donation included bassinets for premature newborns, reclining chairs for mothers to provide ‘kangaroo care’ (skin-to-skin) to low birth-weight babies, medical grade cribs and mattresses for infants and young children, triad treatment chairs for children requiring dialysis and cancer treatment, and bedside cabinets for the comfort of in-patient children and their parents. These items were acquired after strategic consultation with the Shaw Centre for Paediatric Excellence. The Rotary Project Committee worked closely with Dr. Clyde Cave, Dr. Gillian Birchwood, Dr. Angela Jennings, Dr. Erin Trotman, and Ms. Nicole Inabinet of the QEH to determine the specific needs and specifications for the ward.
Speaking at the handover on October 21, 2025, Past President of the Rotary Club of Barbados South, Marcell Murrell, underscored the value of enhancing healthcare delivery for Barbados’ youngest citizens. “Every baby deserves a sound and safe start to be the best version of themselves. This donation reflects our deep commitment to community wellbeing and to ensuring every child in Barbados has access to quality healthcare,” Murrell said. PP Murrell also highlighted that the donation was a testament of how partnerships between the private sector and civil society are a viable pathway to transforming paediatric care in Barbados.
He expressed gratitude to the project’s major sponsors including: CIBC Caribbean, Sagicor Life, and the Trotman family of Michael Trotman, Maria Trotman, and Dr. Erin Trotman - and to the contributors including TD Reinsurance (Barbados) Ltd, Young Estates Ltd, Invest Barbados, The Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union, Trident Insurance, Cidel Bank and Trust, Courtesy Garage and Harris Paints.
“We thank you for sharing our vision of caring for the community, particularly our youth, and for believing in the importance of leaving the world better than we found it.”
Chief Country Manager for CIBC Kemar Polius, who was also present, expressed that the bank was happy to support the project, as it fits nicely with the pillars on which their ComTrust Foundation operates, these pillars being health, wellness, youth and education.
On October 1st 2025, the Rotary Club of Barbados South hosted a meeting in which the focus was on BimPay; the newly proposed electronic instant payment system that is expected to be activated in Barbados in 2026.
Our Honorary Rotarian and Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados Dr Kevin Greenidge was invited to address the club on this payment system. Given the significance of this topic, Rotarians from the other Rotary clubs in Barbados were invited to participate.
Rotarians present were given an outline of the structure of the system and how it is expected to work. It was a lively evening of information sharing, exchange and feedback that should serve to assist with the further refining of the platform before it goes live.
Special thank you to Dr Greenidge and his team for taking the time to engage with us and to all the Rotarians who participated in this very informative session that was chaired by VP Stephen.
Images of Rotarians who attended the BimPay meeting
Wednesday October 15th 12:30pm Zoom Business Meeting
This meeting was a business meeting. The meeting featured presentations by PDG Sonya on the Club's Learning Plan and PP Vivian-Anne on polio activities and peace initiatives.
PDG Sonya indicated that the club's learning plan for the 2025-2026 Rotary year, is intended to achieve district and Rotary International goals while focusing on the "Breaking Barriers" theme. The plan includes orientation sessions for new members, historical club information, and training on Rotary.org, the Learning Center, and Rotary Foundation. Key areas of focus include leadership development, project management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, professional growth, and service delivery. Due to technical difficulties, the presentation will be repeated at a later date to ensure clear communication of the plan's details.
PP Vivian-Anne presented on Rotary International's concept of positive peace, which goes beyond the absence of violence to include eight core approaches: low corruption, rights acceptance, information flow, business environment, human capital, resource distribution, neighbor relations, and government functionality. She explained how Rotary's commitment to peace is reflected in its areas of focus, which evolved from these positive peace principles, and demonstrated how their service projects and initiatives like Peace911 in the Philippines and the polio eradication program align with these pillars.
Wednesday October 22nd- 6:30pm Zoom
Our guest speaker for the evening was Honorary Rotarian Janelle Skinner. Rotarian Janelle who is a licensed counselor and Managing Director of Insight Counselling Service, presented on accessibility and inclusive design, emphasizing the importance of creating systems, products, and environments that work for all persons and abilities. She discussed the broader concept of disability, beyond visible impairments, and explained the differences between accessibility and inclusive design. Rotarian Janelle highlighted the need for proactive, inclusive design practices, using several examples to illustrate how consultations with the disability community in the planning phases of projects can facilitate improved accessibility upon completion.
She discussed the importance of accessibility and inclusive design in technology, using the BimPay app as an example. She explained that accessibility ensures all users, regardless of ability, can use a product or service, while inclusive design involves planning for a variety of users from the start. She emphasized that inclusive design focuses on people's needs, unlike accessibility, which is compliance-driven. She highlighted the benefits of inclusive design, such as making products more meaningful and ensuring dignity for all users. She also stressed the importance of designing technology that is accessible to everyone, as it can empower a wide range of users, from teenagers to retirees.
She further highlighted how many products and services benefit people with disabilities even if not specifically designed for them. She presented the seven principles of inclusive design, including equitable use, flexibility, simplicity, perceivable information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and appropriate size and space. She emphasized that inclusive design should be intentional and go beyond legal requirements, urging consultation with diverse users and regular audits of spaces and products to ensure accessibility. The discussion concluded with a call to action for everyone to advocate for inclusion, learn from feedback, and work towards making accessibility a meaningful standard in both personal and professional spaces.
Wednesday October 29th- 6:30pm In-person
This meeting was a joint club meeting in recognition of the Rotary effort to end polio. 60 Rotarians, Rotaractors and guests got together for our annual fellowship meeting to commemorate World Polio Day.
Director of Foundation PP Vivian-Anne, reminded us that the eradication of polio is the top philanthropic priority of the Rotary Foundation. She encouraged us to contribute to the Polio Plus Fund and to join the Polio Plus Society. She reminded us that the funds we contribute support immunization against, surveillance of and community education on polio. She emphasized that even though we are close to eradication "polio anywhere is a risk everywhere."
PDG David traced for us, the story of the Rotary journey from "vision to victory." He highlighted how a simple idea in 1979 became a global movement and how the dedication of ordinary people has brought the world to the threshold of extraordinary victory. Not only did he review for us the history of the movement to end polio and the statistics as they currently stand, he highlighted the experiences of polio survivors and the significance of resources to their quality of life.
We saw the story of Rotarian Ramesh Ferris, a Canadian polio survivor who was born in India. Ramesh has undergone numerous surgeries and therapies. Through perseverance, he now walks with the aid of prosthetic braces and travels the world as a passionate advocate for Rotary's "End Polio Now" campaign.
Images of our local polio vaccination champion PP Hiranand were run in an on-screen reel while we ate. President Andre from Rotary Club of Barbados West gave a recap of the Pints and Pizza for Polio fundraiser that was held on World Polio Day; the proceeds of which will go to the Rotary Foundation's Polio Plus Fund.
By far the most fun part of the evening was the mentimeter that was conducted by Director Graham. All in all, we had an excellent evening of fellowship as we paused to recognize the work of the Rotary Foundation and the role we play in continuing the push toward eradicating polio and making it the second disease to be completely eradicated by vaccination.
Images of Rotarians, Rotaractors and guests at the joint club meeting to commemorate World Polio Day
Upcoming Meeting Details
Wednesday November 5th-In-person 6:30pm - Club Forum and Nomination Day
Wednesday November 12th-Lunchtime Zoom 12:30pm - Business Meeting
Wednesday November 19th -Evening Zoom 6:30pm
Wednesday November 26th- In-person Lunchtime 12:30pm
Upcoming Events
November is Rotary Foundation Month
November 7th - Charter Ceremony for the Interact Club of Princess Margaret Secondary School and planting of a peace pole at the venue.
November 22nd - 2nd installation of disability sensitivity training at the Barbados Council for the Disabled - to learn how to handle and assist persons with disabilities.
December 6th - President's Christmas lime
December 13th - Annual Hamper packing activity
December 14th - Annual Children's Christmas Party - Nightingale Children's Home
December 19th and 20th - "Favourite Things" - 12th annual Best of Youth concert at Frank Collymore Hall
Director Club Administration: Morexa Martin-Gardiner
Director Rotary Foundation: PP Vivian-Ann Gittens
Director Public Image: Graham Belle
Director of Membership: Carrie-Ann Morris-Searle
Director of Youth: Kemi Brewster
Sergeant-at-Arms: PP Brian Lashley
Rotary International Officers
President - Francesco Arezzo
President Elect - Olayinka Hakeem Babalola
General Secretary/CEO - John Hewko
District Officers
District Governor - Soraya Warner-Gustave (St Lucia)
District Governor Elect - Maurice Saad (Pointe-a-Pitre)
Assistant Governor - Paul Ashby (Barbados)
Let's Celebrate
Belated Birthdays
4th October - Linette Mapp PIS Malcolm Mapp
5th October - Marcel Murell
6th October - Brian Lashley
11th October - Jacklyn Broomes
29th October - Ann-Marie Elcock-Connolly PIS George Connolly
Birthdays
3rd November - Damian Branford
5th November - Ayodele Burrowes PIS Irvine Burrowes
8th November - Claire Haynes PIS Cleviston Haynes
10th November - Michael Forde
13th November - Nigel Adams
15th November - Susanna Corbin
16th November - Lana Adams PIS Nigel Adams
19th November - Vivian-Anne Gittens
19th November - Kimberley Ramsay PIS Courtney Ramsay
29th November - Glyne Husbands
Anniversaries
4th November - Hiranand Thani and PIS Nisha
7th November - Peter Thompson and PIS Andrea
11th November - George Connolly and PIS Anne-Marie
Rotary Club of Barbados South - Spotlight
Agrokids Turns 5!!!
Five years ago, on World Food Day- 16th October, 2020, the Rotary Club of Barbados South planted a seed - one that has since grown into a movement for education, health, and sustainability. The Agrokids Project was launched in honour of the late Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur. It set out to reconnect our children with the land, inspire healthier eating habits, and nurture a deeper appreciation for where our food comes from. The project was inspired by the Rotary District 7030 Childhood Obesity Prevention Program.
Since its launch, the project has:
✅ Established school gardens and shade houses across multiple primary schools, including George Lamming Primary, Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary, Arthur Smith Primary, Luther Thorne Primary, Bay Primary, St Paul's Primary and West Terrace Primary School.
✅ Given hundreds of students hands-on agricultural experience, teaching them to plant, care for, and harvest their own crops.
✅ Promoted nutrition education and healthy living as part of the fight against childhood obesity.
The journey has been made possible through partnerships between Rotary Club of Barbados South, The Rotaract Club of South Barbados, the Barbados Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Barbados Defence Force, generous corporate sponsorship from Sagicor General, Guardian General, First Citizens, and grants from the GEF Small Grants Programme, The New Zealand High Commission, Rotary District 7030 and District 5280 among many others.
This World Food Day 2025, we proudly celebrated five impactful years of Agrokids and officially handed over two shade houses along with hand tools, hoses, seedling trays, fertilizer, soil and seeds that were sponsored by First Citizens, to the George Lamming and Grantley Prescod Primary Schools. These shade houses symbolize more than just structures, they represent growth, collaboration, and sustainability in action. Chief Executive Officer of First Citizens Bank Mrs. Claire Jordan was present for the handover and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to assist with such a worthwhile initiative.
Images from the official handover of the shade house and hand tools at George Lamming Primary school
Here’s to the next five years of growing minds, nurturing health, and planting the seeds of a more sustainable Barbados!
Dining in the Dark
On October 9th, World sight day, the Rotary Club of Barbados South hosted its second installment of Dining in the Dark; a unique and unforgettable evening that blended fine dining with meaningful awareness.
Guests enjoyed a specially prepared 3-course dinner by National Award-Winning Chef Dane Saddler while blindfolded. This immersive dining experience was designed to heighten our senses of taste, touch, and sound, while deepening our appreciation for the daily realities faced by persons living with visual impairments.
Upon arrival, guests were treated to a signature cocktail prepared by Award-Winning Mixologist Dameain Williams before being blindfolded and escorted to their seats to participate in this unique experience.
Eye-opening, life changing, emotional, unforgettable and humbling were among the many views expressed by they participants as they described how they felt about the experience. The proceeds of this event will purchase advanced wearable technology for the visually impaired.
Pints and Pizza for Polio
On October 24th 2025 the Rotary and Rotaract clubs of Barbados got together at Carlisle Brewing for a unique fundraiser in recognition of World Polio Day. This event was intended to foster fellowship while raising funds for the Rotary Foundation's Polio Plus Fund. Each ticket sale brought us closer to ending polio as all the proceeds from the event will go to the Polio Plus Fund. A total of 160 tickets were sold raising a total of $8000BDS. These funds will be shared equally among the clubs and will form part of their contribution to the fund.
Pints and pizza for polio turned out to be an evening of fun, fellowship and food. Thank you to all who contributed to making this event the tremendous success that it was.
Images of Rotarians in fellowship at the pints and pizza for polio event
Bridgetown Feeding
Another successful installation of Bridgetown feeding was completed on October 27th 2025. VP Stephen, PP Trevor and Rtn Anthony provided the meals on behalf of RCBS. A total of 90 meals were distributed as we were short one batch from RCBW.
Thank you to everyone who came out to assist. This project makes a significant impact on the lives of needy Barbadians and none of this will be possible without you.
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever.
As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.
Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.
Most people don't know that polio still affects children around the world. Help spread the word.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
More than 30,000 set to gather in Taipei for Rotary International Convention in June 2026
TAIPEI (17 Sept. 2025) – While in Taipei this week, Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo announced that more than 30,000 Rotary members and participants from over 120 countries will gather in Taipei, Taiwan 13-17 June 2026 for the membership service organization’s annual international convention.
The Rotary convention is expected to inject US$50-55 million into the local economy, and drive significant business for Taipei’s hotels, restaurants, retailers, and tourism attractions. Taipei was selected as the site of the 2021 Rotary convention, but the event was cancelled because of the COVID pandemic.
Held in a different city each year, Rotary’s international conventions serve as a hub for members and participants to connect and learn from each other and a range of experts on how to take action to address issues in their communities and promote health, peace, and prosperity in communities across the globe.
“Rotary conventions are powerful moments of unity, where people from every corner of the world come together to connect, celebrate service, and spark new ideas for creating a healthier and more peaceful future,” said Arezzo. “We’re honored to welcome the global Rotary family to Taipei in June 2026, and I look forward to reconnecting with old friends and making new ones as we share in the joy of our collective work to uplift communities around the world.”
In June, convention attendees will transform the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center and the Taipei Dome into an energized hub and cultural mosaic as the global network of volunteers gain inspiration from more than 100 humanitarian projects on exhibit and from world class speakers.
“Taipei City is very happy to welcome over 30,000 Rotary members from all over the world to the Rotary convention next year,” said City Mayor Wan-An Chiang. “Taipei is ready, and will extend our warmest hospitality to all the Rotary members to ensure that they have an unforgettable and fruitful visit in our city.”
Organized by Rotary International in conjunction with local Rotary members, the convention presents an opportunity to showcase Taipei’s culture, food, and attractions. “Rotary in Taipei and across Taiwan is thrilled to welcome Rotary members and participants from around the world back to Taiwan since we last hosted the Rotary international convention in 1994,” said Rotary Host Organizing Committee Chair, Jackson Hsieh. “I’m excited to share Taipei’s vibrant culture, innovative cuisine, creative and friendly spirit and highlight the positive and lasting change Rotary brings globally and locally.”
Rotary’s members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, help mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. Over the last 100 years, US$5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service.
In Taiwan, Rotary members are engaged in a wide range of community service projects that bring science education programs to rural schools, support Indigenous communities through environment and vocational training, tackle e-waste through computer refurbishing and donation programs, provide meals and companionship to senior citizens, and much more.
A great way for you to remain vigilant and demonstrate your commitment to the fight to #EndPolioNow is to become a member of the PolioPlus Society.
What is the PolioPlus Society?
The PolioPlus Society was created to encourage sustained, recurring contributions to Rotary’s #1 priority - eradicating polio. It is designed to promote individual giving to The Rotary Foundation's PolioPlus Fund where members of the Rotary family, partners-in-service and friends of Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs are invited to join Rotary's efforts to raise funds to #EndPolioNow.
Modeled after how the Paul Harris Society program began, the PolioPlus Society is a district-led and district-managed initiative which is formally recognized by The Rotary Foundation's Board of Trustees.
Why Join the PolioPlus Society?
✅ Your recurring contribution directly supports the Global Polio Eradication Initiative
✅ Every dollar is matched 2-to-1 by the Gates Foundation, tripling your impact
✅ Contributions earn Foundation Recognition Points, which count toward Paul Harris Fellow status and are transferrable to help other members or your club earn recognitions
✅ Member contributions count towards club goals and help clubs achieve annual giving goals to PolioPlus
✅ Membership is open to Rotarians, Rotaractors, family, friends, and partners-in-service making it a great way to share Rotary’s mission with your wider networks
Why PolioPlus Society Membership Matters?
The PolioPlus Society has proven to be a powerful way to raise funds, engage members, and sustain giving over time. Additionally, with more members from a club joining the PolioPlus Society, your club is closer to achieving its annual contribution goal and earning club recognitions. Your commitment helps Rotary thank and recognize its most generous supporters — and most importantly, brings us closer to making polio only the second human disease ever to be eradicated. So make sure that all members of your club know about the PolioPlus Society.
Remember that our advocacy, vigilance, commitment and support are required to ensure that the polio vaccine reaches every child and that everyone is aware of and supports Rotary's promise to the children of world to eradicate polio forever.
Please share this post across your Rotary member, club and district networks
Registration is open for the 2026 District Conference in St Lucia
Rotary District 7030 Conference 2026 – St. Lucia Awaits!
Save the Date: 22nd to 25th April 2026 Location: Stunning Saint Lucia
Get ready to Experience Rotary in Paradise at the 2026 District Conference!
From vibrant culture to breathtaking views, this conference will be a celebration of Service, Fellowship, and Impact. Don’t miss your chance to connect, collaborate, and create lasting memories with Rotarians from across our District.
Please click the images below to find out more about our club members
Past Presidents
Paul Harris Fellow
Honorary Rotarians
THE OBJECT OF ROTARY
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and in particular, to encourage and foster:
First: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
Second: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
Third: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and Community life.
Fourth: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service
THE FOUR WAY TEST
ROTARY GRACE
RCBS Banking Information
Club Account: CIBC Rendezvous 09616-1625923
Charitable Trust Inc. Account: CIBC Bridgetown 09606– 1001168072
Mailing Address: Club Secretary, G.P.O Box #995, Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies.
The Agrokids Project was launched in honour of the late Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur. It set out to reconnect our children with the land, inspire healthier eating habits, and nurture a deeper appreciation for where our food comes from. The project was inspired by the Rotary District 7030 Childhood Obesity Prevention Program.
Rotary Club of Barbados South Charter Banner