Through a joint initiative between the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League and NAGICO Insurances, one promising young Caribbean cricketer will benefit from a historic developmental scholarship programme for the 2026 tournament.
As part of the initiative, which falls under the League’s Super We platform, 21-year-old batting all-rounder Michael Palmer of St Maarten, home to the headquarters of NAGICO Insurances, will be attached to home franchise Guyana Amazon Warriors.
This initiative will provide the young player with valuable exposure to a high-performance professional cricket environment.
The scholarship programme, initiated by the Global Super League and fully supported by NAGICO Insurances, is a reflection of the company’s ongoing commitment to youth development and the growth of cricket across the Caribbean.
By investing in emerging talent, the company aims to help create meaningful opportunities for young players to enhance their skills and gain experience alongside elite regional and international cricketers.
NAGICO Group CEO Kyria Ali takes a photo opportunity with GSL Director Jamie Stewart
Kyria Ali, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NAGICO Group, said, “At NAGICO, we believe that one of the greatest investments we can make is in the potential of young people. This initiative is about more than giving talented youth a chance to watch elite cricket, it is about giving the opportunity to experience it from the inside, to share a dressing room with some of the world’s best players, observe the professionalism and discipline that define success, and return home inspired to pursue their own dreams.
“As a Caribbean company, we are proud to facilitate this first-of-its-kind programme and look forward to building it out further with the Global Super League in the future. We believe that this experience can ignite passion, build confidence, and help shape the next generation of Caribbean sporting talent. Sometimes, a single opportunity can change the course of a young person’s future, and we are honoured to work alongside the Global Super League team to help make that possible,” she added.
Chairman of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, Sir Clive Lloyd, welcomed the initiative, describing it as an investment in the future of Caribbean cricket.
Sir Clive shared, “One of the key objectives of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League is to create opportunities that extend beyond the matches themselves. We are delighted that NAGICO Insurances has partnered with us to provide this developmental scholarship, which will give one talented young cricketer invaluable exposure to a professional environment. Initiatives like this help ensure that the next generation of Caribbean players is equipped to carry our rich cricketing legacy forward.”
The initiative adds another important legacy component to the 2026 ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, reinforcing the tournament’s role in fostering the next generation of Caribbean cricket talent while delivering world-class competition.
The worried husband and father Nathaniel Matabheek, and his older brother Adam
Survivors of the capsized MV Barima vessel are thankful for a second chance at life, though many of them are devastated over missing relatives who are yet to be located followed the Saturday night tragedy. One such person is Nathaniel Matabheek, who recalls the moment the ferry vessel started to tilt to the side, going underwater and capsizing in less than a minute, resulting in his family going missing.
The Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice (WCB), man was at the time travelling with his wife, Rachel Welch, and their three children – eight-year-old Nathaniel Jr, five-year-old Nathalia and three-year-old Ezekiel. Nathaniel’s brother, Adam Matabheek, and his wife, Carlita also called “Rebecca”, were also on the vessel. They were on their way to Smith Creek in the North-West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), to visit Welch’s ailing mother when tragedy struck. An emotional Nathaniel recounted that the boat sank so fast that no one could have done anything. He could not even save his wife and children and they are still missing. “The boat cant over and me get cover up underneath… Me deh fight up fuh get out [under the water] and me nah know how me find one spot fuh come out. And when me come out, me search, search and watch, me nah see them [his wife and kids] back. Me nah know if the boat suck down them or the boat cover them or what. Me na know,” the grieving man recalled. Nathaniel, along with his brother and sister-in-law, managed to survive the ordeal. Though he thought about giving up after being unable to find his family, Nathaniel’s older brother and sister-in-law held onto him and the three managed to stay afloat until help arrived. After being rescued, they were taken to the Charity Hospital on the Essequibo Coast, where they received medical attention and were subsequently relocated to the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI), where a makeshift shelter was set up for survivors and family members, as they eagerly await news of the missing woman and three children.
The grieving grandparents, Bebi and Rahkumar Matabheek
“Bye-bye grandma. bye-bye grandpa”
Meanwhile, back at Bush Lot, the children’s grandmother, Bebi Matabheek, could only wait and pray. Speaking through tears, she recounted that although she understood why the trip had become necessary, she never wanted her family to make the journey by boat. Long before they left home on Saturday evening, Bebi pleaded with her sons and their spouses to reconsider. “I was telling them not to go… I was telling them to leave the grandchildren, but after the other grandmother said she wanted to see them, that is why they had to go,” the woman related.
She explained that the children were not accustomed to travelling by boat and even Rachel herself had not returned to the North-West District since getting married about nine years ago. According to Bebi, she learnt the news of the incident from a neighbour on Sunday morning. Since then, relatives began telephoning everyone they thought might know something, hoping someone – anyone, could give them some information. Hours later, they learnt that Nathaniel, his brother and sister-in-law survived. But with no word still about Rachel and her three children, relatives are clinging to hope. The grandmother said she refuses to believe that all hope is lost. “I hope them to come back safely. I love them. I love my grandchildren. I don’t want anything to happen to them.” She said that children were a constant presence in her life. They often spent nights with her and her husband. Bebi said she keeps replaying the family’s departure in her mind, wondering if there was anything more she could have said to persuade them not to make the trip. She recalled the children saying goodbye to her before leaving home. “Yesterday, when they were leaving, they came and gave me a kiss… [One of the grandsons] said, ‘Bye-bye Grandma. Bye-bye Grandpa’,” the woman recalled.
A devastated Eve Jerome after her two children went missing in Saturday night’s capsizing
Mother of two missing children
Meanwhile, Eve Jerome is in the same position, anxiously awaiting word on loved ones still unaccounted for following the capsizing of the MV Barima on Saturday night. For Jerome, the wait is for her two children, three-year-old Alliya Gonsalves and 12-year-old Jerome Jacobs. The mother survived the incident but was separated from both children during the chaos that followed the vessel’s capsizing.
Jerome, who was later taken to the Essequibo Technical Institute in Region Two, said the family had been travelling to Region One to reunite with relatives. She explained that her husband is visually impaired and that the family depends heavily on public assistance. The tragedy also resulted in the loss of her personal belongings, including important documents and records related to the assistance she receives. While recounting the ordeal, Jerome said passengers had begun expressing concern at around 21:00h after rough water was noticed entering the vessel. She claimed that concerns raised by passengers were met with assurances that the situation was under control. However, the situation deteriorated and fear spread among those on board resulting in life jackets being eventually distributed.
Jerome said she had never used a life jacket before and initially struggled to put it on properly. Nevertheless, she believes it played a vital role in helping her survive after the vessel overturned. Now, as search and rescue teams continue working to locate remaining passengers and crew members still missing, Jerome is left wanting for news about her children. “My children were everything to me. I keep praying and hoping that they can be found,” the distraught mother stated. Her story is one of several emerging from the MV Barima tragedy, as families across Guyana continue to wait anxiously for answers about their loved ones.
Orman Cox (in black) arriving in Mabaruma after being rescued from the capsized ferry
“We hollering but nobody can’t hear”
MV Barima departed Port Georgetown on Saturday afternoon with 116 passengers and 17 crew members, heading to Port Kaituma in Region One. However, just before midnight a distress call was received from the ferry, which eventually capsized due to the rough Atlantic waters, according to authorities.
Up to press time, 67 persons, 41 males, 11 females and 15 children (6 boys and 9 girls) – had been rescued. Among those rescued was Orman Cox. But for him, it was struggle to survive. He recalled being stranded in the waters for more than six hours, battling harsh waves, fatigue and cramps to stay alive. The Wauna, Region One, resident said he was travelling with three other persons when they boat made a sudden tilt, sending them sliding across before capsizing. “The bottom left up top and we went down in the water,” he recounted. Cox related that he was struggling to swim up to the surface and had to remove his boots to free himself. “I went deep down in the water. I had to drink water cause I can’t able to stop me breath no more. But I still end up reach up.” The man said he gathered up some plastic bottles that were floating around the wreckage and used his pants belt to tie them together making a make-shift float.
Nathaniel Matabheek (second), his wife Rachel Welch (to his left) and their three children. Also in the photo are Nathaniel’s brother (first) and his wife (in black at far right) who also survived. This photo was taken prior to the vessel’s departure on Saturday
“The swelling just coming all the time and ducking yuh head so you had to try keep your head out de water… Like five of we ended up holding onto together,” he recalled. According to the man, they were in the water for hours before the rescue team eventually get to their location. During that time, he said they could have seen the Coast Guards but the rough waters made it difficult to do anything. “How the swelling went, sometime you could see, sometimes you can’t see. We hollering but nobody can’t hear. We were hearing other [people from the vessel] hollering [from different directions in the water]… I done was getting cramps… As soon as you loose off [the make-shift float], the water done pushing you away. So, you gah hold on and we deh holding on,” the man related. After being rescued and receiving medical treatment on the Essequibo Coast, Cox was among a group of Region One residents who were flowing down to Mabaruma, where they reunited with anxious family members and relatives.
Dear Editor,
The Association For Democracy and Human Rights of Guyana supports the ongoing national search and rescue effort for the passengers of the MV Barima. We commend the authorities, emergency responders and all persons involved in the operation and urge every Guyanese to continue praying and hoping that all passengers are located and recovered safely. However, we have noticed that Azruddin Mohamed and the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party have already begun using this tragic accident to promote propaganda, misinformation and political opportunism. At a time when the country is grieving, searching for answers and standing together in solidarity, no responsible political leader should attempt to manufacture panic, distort the facts or exploit the pain and uncertainty being experienced by families for political attention. This is not the time for reckless speculation, sensationalism or self-promotion. It is a time for compassion, restraint, accuracy and national unity. Every public statement must respect the dignity of those affected and the sensitive work being undertaken by the authorities, emergency responders and other personnel engaged in the search and rescue operation. The Association urges all political actors to allow the competent authorities to conduct their work and communicate verified information to the public. Unsubstantiated claims and inflammatory commentary can cause unnecessary distress to families, create confusion, undermine public confidence and interfere with the responsible management of a national emergency. Guyanese must remain wary of the Mohameds’ persistent attempts to insert themselves into every national issue, even where their interventions lack competence, credibility and basic human sensitivity. Leadership is not about rushing towards the spotlight during moments of tragedy. It is about knowing when to speak, what to say and, most importantly, when the national interest demands compassion and responsibility over political opportunism. The Association For Democracy and Human Rights of Guyana calls on all Guyanese to reject misinformation, rely on verified official updates and continue supporting the affected families with dignity, empathy, solidarity and prayer.
Sincerely,
Association For
Democracy and
Human Rights of
Guyana
In our judicial system, every litigant’s entitled to hope – but while some hope for justice, others hope for a procedural miracle!! As July 29 approaches, your Eyewitness suspects Sanction Man is hoping the CCJ discovers a legal rabbit that neither our High Court nor our Court of Appeal could find in the hat. The latest source of optimism is T&T – where Jack Warner did a Jack Horner and pulled out a plum to have his decade-long, FIFA-origin extradition proceedings thrown out after the State couldn’t produce the very legal agreement it claimed justified sending him to the US!! That judgment must’ve set Sanction Man’s heart palpitating – if T&T’s Government can’t produce the legal key to unlock extradition, perhaps Guyana also cannot??
Well, there’s one hitch – Guyana’s already produced the key!! Unlike T&T, our case has never rested on some mysterious “bespoke agreement” hidden in a ministerial filing cabinet between the Christmas decorations and obsolete policy papers!! It relied on a much older, tested document: the UK-US Extradition Treaty of 1931, continued after our independence – together with the Fugitive Offenders Act that provides the domestic machinery for acting upon extradition requests!! That rather spoils the dramatic courtroom moment where counsel rises triumphantly and declares, “Produce the agreement!” – only to be met with sheepish silence!! In our case, the response would be, “Certainly. Here it is, budday!!!”
Which brings Sanction Man back right where he started!! His appeal ain’t really about whether Guyana got the legal power to extradite. It’s about whether the Home Affairs Minister exercised that power lawfully, independently and without bias. While he’s grasping at straws, questioning whether the legal foundation for extradition exists at all ain’t even a straw!! The danger in borrowing too much confidence from the Warner decision is mistaking similarity of subject for similarity of facts. Both cases involve extradition, the US and prominent political figures. But beyond those headlines, the legal roads quickly diverge!!
T&T’s road asks, “Where’s the agreement?” Guyana’s asks, “Did the Minister exercise her discretion properly?” They ain’t the same destination. The CCJ ain’t gonna confuse a missing document in Port of Spain with a produced treaty in Georgetown simply because both cases happen to involve OFAC and extradition. On July 29, Sanction Man’s gonna discover that hope ain’t a recognised ground of appeal!! The CCJ ain’t deciding whether he’s innocent or guilty of the charges made by the US. It’s deciding whether Guyana acted within the law when the Minister set the extradition process in motion!!
And the answer’s gonna be yes!! So dreaming about Jack’s plum would’ve served much the same purpose as bringing an umbrella to a cricket match played indoors.
Comforting, perhaps. Useful, not so much!!
…American greenbacks
Your Eyewitness has often bemoaned the fact that while the US wants the Chinks outa our hemisphere in general and Guyana in particular – as far as business and strategic initiatives like the B&I are concerned – they haven’t been stepping to the plate with the necessary investments our development agenda demands!!
While the US Exim Bank had provided a US$2.5B Line of Credit…it was left for US firms to use that credit with concrete business projects – like the pioneering Wales GtE initiative!! Well, your Eyewitness was chuffed to see that last Friday, Guyana and the US held the first-ever Guyana Investment Enabling Forum in Washington, DC! In attendance were senior US Government officials and representatives of major American corporations.
Pipping China’s coyness on the subject, the Forum underscored the US’s “unwavering support and respect for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as a foundation for continued cooperation and investment”!!
While oil has made the US our largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and our leading trade partner, hopefully investments gonna now be more diversified!!
…investor identity
Canada’s First Bauxite restarted and retooled bauxite mining in Essequibo’s Bonasika area a while back – specialising in non-metallurgical ore. They’ve just been acquired by a “Strategic Bauxite” company – that’s provided no bona fides.
Not good enough!!
Marcher dans la bonne voie : tel est le souhait secret de nombreux parents. Le pasteur et chanteur évangélique Jean-Claude Derisier, connu sous le nom de scène Zoom, peut aujourd’hui se réjouir de voir son fils, Joy Clerf Derisier, suivre ses pas en choisissant la musique comme instrument d’évangélisation.
Animé par le désir de transmettre le message chrétien à travers sa voix, le jeune artiste vient de franchir une étape importante dans sa carrière avec la sortie de son premier album studio, « Pa Pale », lancé en avril 2026. Depuis, il multiplie les activités et prépare une série de prestations en Haïti, en République dominicaine, en Guyane française, au Canada et en Europe.
Le secteur protestant haïtien est reconnu comme un véritable vivier de talents musicaux, et Joy Clerf Derisier en est une illustration. Bien qu’il bénéficie des conseils et de l’expérience de son père, le jeune chanteur a progressivement construit son identité artistique sur la scène de la musique chrétienne, avec des compositions qui séduisent de plus en plus de mélomanes.
Le 19 avril 2026 restera une date marquante dans son parcours avec la publication de son premier album studio, « Pa Pale ». Le titre éponyme a rapidement gagné en popularité sur les réseaux sociaux, notamment sur TikTok, où plusieurs utilisateurs l’ont repris dans des tendances, tandis que des DJ l’ont intégré dans leurs sélections musicales.
Après le lancement de cet opus, Joy Clerf Derisier a entamé une tournée baptisée « Pa Pale Tour », tout en poursuivant ses études en Diplomatie et Relations internationales.
La tournée a débuté en Haïti avec des prestations à Port-au-Prince, le 19 avril, à Carrefour, le 26 avril, puis à Hinche, le 25 mai 2026.
À l’international, l’artiste est attendu à Paris, en France, le 31 juillet 2026, à la salle Étoile de Villiers, 95400. Au mois d’août, les fidèles pourront le retrouver en République dominicaine, notamment à La Romana et à San Cristóbal, pour des moments d’adoration et de louange autour de son nouvel album.
Le 15 août 2026, Joy Clerf Derisier poursuivra sa tournée en Guyane française, avec une prestation prévue à Cayenne, au Cercle de Lumière, sur la route de Madeleine. La tournée se poursuivra ensuite au Canada en septembre, où l’artiste prévoit de rencontrer la communauté chrétienne autour de son ministère musical.
Dans une interview exclusive accordée à notre rédaction, Joy-Clerf Derisier a indiqué que son équipe travaille activement à la finalisation du calendrier complet de la tournée afin de dévoiler prochainement les autres villes qui accueilleront ses concerts.
À travers son ministère musical, l’artiste affirme poursuivre une mission claire : annoncer l’Évangile de Jésus-Christ, conduire les cœurs dans la présence de Dieu et inspirer une génération à vivre une foi authentique.
Fort de l’expérience et de l’accompagnement de son père, Jean-Claude Derisier, Joy Clerf entend continuer à développer son talent afin de rendre gloire à Dieu et d’accompagner les chrétiens d’Haïti et d’ailleurs dans leur cheminement spirituel à travers la musique.
Les mirebalaisiens sont divisés autour d’une éventuelle cohabitation avec les gangs. Une tentative de plusieurs habitants de revenir dans leurs quartiers, suite à une entente avec le chef de gang de Canaan, s’est soldée par un échec. Les déplacés, qui voulaient évaluer l’état de leurs maisons, ont été dispersés par les forces de l’ordre. Les autorités locales, dont le Maire et le Délégué, n’avaient pas approuvé la démarche de plusieurs leaders de la société civile. L’entente conclue avec le chef de gang de Canaan faciliterait le retour des habitants qui avaient fui la zone lors de l’invasion des bandits.
Le Maire rejette toute forme de cohabitation
Le Maire Lochard s’oppose à toute possibilité de cohabitation avec les gangs. Il assure que la majorité de la population, ayant été chassé de leurs maisons, veulent revenir en bénéficiant d’un climat sécuritaire instauré par les forces de l’ordre. M. Lochard a laissé entendre qu’il n’avait joué aucun rôle dans le processus dénommé retour de la paix et qui devait être concrétisé par une cohabitation avec les criminels. Il révèle avoir reçu hier dimanche 19 juillet 2026, une correspondance des initiateurs du mouvement sollicitant pour la première fois une réunion de travail.
Les déplacés sont exaspérés
Le Maire comprend l’exaspération des déplacés qui n’aperçoivent aucune lueur d’espoir. Depuis 18 mois les gens vivent dans des conditions précaires et sont confrontées à la faim et à la promiscuité. Les citoyens veulent retrouver une vie normale, reconnaît le Maire évoquant la décapitalisation de nombreux entrepreneurs et la paupérisation d’une partie de la population. La ville est réduite en un tas de ruines, indique le Maire confirmant l’incendie de sa résidence quelques heures avant le début de l’hypothétique programme de retour des déplacés.
Le Maire a fait valoir que le départ des bandits est la seule condition du retour des habitants. Plus de 85 % des habitants ont été chassés de leurs résidences et ont trouvé refuge dans les villes avoisinantes. De nombreux citoyens ne disposent plus de ressources pour louer une résidence. Le prix du loyer a connu une hausse exponentielle dans toute la région depuis la perte de Mirebalais et Saut d’eau. Il faut débourser plus de 4 000 dollars américains pour louer une maison modeste. Épuisés par des conditions de vies atroces de nombreux citoyens sont prêts à consentir des sacrifices afin de revenir dans leur quartier.
Des leaders de la société civile avaient récemment entrepris un dialogue avec le chef de gang en vue d’une trêve. Ils justifient leur démarche par le laxisme des autorités gouvernementales qui n’ont jamais mobilisé les ressources financières, matérielles et humaines suffisantes pour rétablir la sécurité. Preuve que les gangs maintiennent leur emprise sur Mirebalais et toute la région, la semaine écoulée les bandits ont commémoré la fête patronale de Saut d’eau. Pour la deuxième année consécutive les pèlerins n’ont pas pu prendre part à ces festivités.
After ending her collegiate career ranked among the top female clay target shooters in the United States, Neesa DaCosta returned home and added a national title to her growing list of achievements.
DaCosta was crowned E Class national champion at the 2026 Jamaica Skeet Club National Sporting Clays Championship at Worthy Park in St. Catherine. She hit 136 targets during the demanding 200-bird competition, winning her class and earning promotion to D Class.
The victory came shortly after DaCosta finished the academic year ranked fourth among female collegiate clay target shooters in the United States. Competing for Jacksonville University in Florida on a full athletic scholarship, she finished less than one point behind the third-ranked athlete.
DaCosta competed against more than 150 shooters during the two-day National Sporting Clays Championship, one of four events on Jamaica’s National Shotgun Championship calendar.
Competitors faced 200 targets amid challenging conditions that included intense heat, high winds and rain. DaCosta finished with 136 targets to claim the E Class national title and earn promotion to D Class.
The championship marked an important homecoming for DaCosta, who developed her shooting skills at the Jamaica Skeet Club before moving to the United States.
Her victory came during a historic championship in which Aliana McMaster became the first woman to finish as the highest overall winner of the 200-bird event.
DaCosta represented Jacksonville University in skeet, trap and sporting clays throughout her college career. Her fourth-place national ranking placed her among the leading female collegiate clay target shooters in the United States.
She also earned selection to the 2026 National Skeet Shooting Association-Scholastic Clay Target Program All-America Team after completing her final collegiate season.
In 2025, DaCosta claimed the Florida Collegiate Lady Champion titles in skeet, trap and sporting clays at the Scholastic Clay Target Program Florida State Championships.
She was also named Women’s High Overall runner-up at the 2025 Spring Southeast Collegiate Regional Championships after winning the women’s skeet title and placing second in sporting clays.
At the 2025 ACUI Fall Lower East Coast Championships, she finished third in Women’s High Overall, Women’s Sporting Clays and Women’s American Trap. Those results helped strengthen her national ranking heading into the end of the academic year.
DaCosta arrived at Jacksonville University in 2020 on a full athletic scholarship, pursuing a double major in Business Management and Marketing while competing for the university’s shooting team.
After completing her undergraduate degree, she was recognised as one of the top 25 students in the university’s Davis College of Business and Technology.
She continued her studies and graduated with a Master of Business Administration in 2026, earning recognition as a Distinguished Graduate Business Scholar.
Reflecting on her six years at Jacksonville University, DaCosta wrote in an Instagram post that the institution gave her far more than two degrees.
“I’m so grateful for my coach, my team, and the past six years of memories, lessons and friendships that shaped such a big part of my life. JU gave me so much more than two degrees, and I’ll always be thankful for this chapter of my life.”
Throughout those years, she balanced academics and competition with leadership, coaching and mentorship roles within the university’s shooting programme.
During her sophomore year, DaCosta was elected board secretary of the Jacksonville University shooting team. She later became Chief of Staff and Chief Graduate Assistant, helping with team operations and athlete development.
After earning her National Sporting Clays Association Level 1 Instructor Certification, she joined the coaching staff as an assistant coach. In that role, she worked with university team members and junior athletes from Jacksonville-area high schools, teaching shooting techniques and firearm safety.
She also volunteered with Jacksonville Clay Target Sports through its Shooting Stars programme, supporting female shooters from the club and surrounding community. Her service earned her the Head Coach’s Award every year from 2020 through 2026.
DaCosta’s development received another boost in 2025 when Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing began sponsoring her. The partnership allowed her to compete with a custom-fitted Beretta 694 ACS shotgun with a 30-inch barrel.
The support coincided with several of the strongest performances of her collegiate career, including multiple regional podium finishes and her rise to fourth in the national rankings.
Before moving to the United States, DaCosta attended Hillel Academy in Jamaica. She developed her shooting skills at the Jamaica Skeet Club under the guidance of Khaleel Azan.
Her move to Jacksonville University allowed her to compete regularly at the collegiate level while continuing her education. Over six years, she developed into an accomplished athlete, student leader, coach and mentor.
Now, her E Class national title in Jamaica adds another achievement to a career that has already placed her among the leading female collegiate clay target shooters in the United States. With her promotion to D Class, DaCosta is entering the next stage of her competitive career while continuing to represent Jamaican talent in the sport.
Police officer and youth advocate Corporal Moesha Allen has been named the Caribbean Regional Winner at the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work.
Allen received the award at Marlborough House in London in June. The competition attracted 977 entries from across the Commonwealth’s 56 member states, which were narrowed to 20 finalists through a two-stage judging process involving 57 adjudicators.
Allen was selected as the Caribbean’s top recipient for her work addressing school violence and creating opportunities for vulnerable young Jamaicans, in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goal 16, which focuses on reducing violence, protecting human rights and promoting access to justice and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.
Regional awards were also presented to young leaders from Africa, Asia, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific.
Born in the inner-city community of Rockfort, St Andrew, and raised in Bethel Town, Westmoreland, Allen has said that her upbringing exposed her to both the challenges facing Jamaica’s youth and their potential when given the right support.
Those experiences inspired more than a decade of voluntary service focused on youth empowerment, literacy, mentorship and community safety. She founded the Moesha’s Empowerment and Guidance Programme, which supports parents and guardians in creating healthier family environments for young people.
Allen later established Helping Youths Pursue Excellence, better known as HYPE, after seeing too many young people without the guidance, opportunities and safe spaces they needed.
The initiative has since reached more than 10,000 young people through reading camps, police youth clubs, safe-school programmes and ongoing mentorship focused on literacy and leadership.
“I saw too many young people lacking guidance, safe spaces, and opportunities. I knew I had to act,” Allen said in an interview with The Gleaner following her Commonwealth award.
“HYPE is community-driven, sustainable, and creates lasting impact. We don’t just mentor, we transform lives,” she added.
Tackling Crime at Its Roots
Allen’s youth advocacy is closely connected to her work with the Jamaica Constabulary Force. As the sub-officer in charge of the St Andrew South Community Safety and Security Unit, she works to strengthen public safety, support youth development and build trust between residents and law enforcement.
Her approach to community policing is rooted in prevention and early intervention. “If you’re going to tackle crime, you have to do that from the root,” Allen said.
In 2024, she was named first runner-up in the LASCO/JCF Saluting Our Heroes Police Officer of the Year competition. The recognition gave her a platform to expand her youth outreach and access training in strategic leadership, capacity building and emotional intelligence.
One of the major projects completed during her tenure was a three-week reading camp organised with support from LASCO, trained reading specialists, the St Andrew South management team and the Community Safety and Security Unit.
Allen later recalled receiving a call from a parent who had seen significant improvement in her child after the camp. The experience reinforced her belief that policing, education and community partnerships can work together to change young lives.
Allen, who aspires to serve in the JCF’s senior management, said the experience also deepened her understanding of leadership and the importance of vision, adaptability and public trust.
The Caribbean Regional Award adds to Allen’s growing list of honours.
In May 2026, the 27-year-old topped the nation-building category of the Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence. She was recognised for more than 10 years of voluntary service and her work empowering young Jamaicans.
As the Caribbean Regional Winner, Allen will receive £3,000, approximately J$640,000, to expand HYPE’s literacy, peacebuilding and mentorship programmes. She hopes the recognition will attract greater investment in Jamaica’s youth and help the initiative reach more communities across Jamaica and the Caribbean.
“This recognition shows girls that leadership has no limits. Your background should never define your future,” Allen told The Gleaner after receiving the Caribbean Regional Award.
What Are the Commonwealth Youth Awards?
The Commonwealth Youth Awards recognise young people between the ages of 15 and 29 whose projects are creating measurable change and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Managed by the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the awards recognise regional winners from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific. One regional recipient is then named the overall Commonwealth Young Person of the Year.
Each of the 20 finalists receives a trophy, certificate and £1,000 grant. Regional winners receive an additional £2,000, bringing their total award to £3,000. The Commonwealth Young Person of the Year receives a further £2,000, bringing the overall prize to £5,000.
Since their inception, the awards have invested more than £400,000 in grassroots youth-led initiatives. According to the Commonwealth Secretariat, these projects have reached more than 12 million people, created more than 4,250 jobs and contributed to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Approximately 40 per cent of the funding has supported women-led initiatives.
The 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards finalists with Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon. Shirley Botchwey. Photo courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Five Regional Winners Recognised
The overall 2026 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year award went to Shifra Ainomugisha of Uganda, who was first selected as the Africa Regional Winner for her climate-smart agricultural projects.
The other regional winners were Bushra Mahnoor of Pakistan for Asia, Justin Huang of Canada for Europe and Canada, and Aileen Zuhukepe of Papua New Guinea for the Pacific.
Allen’s selection as the Caribbean Regional Winner placed Jamaica among the regions represented at this year’s awards while giving her a global platform for the work she has been doing in communities at home.
For Allen, the award represents more than personal recognition. It is an opportunity to advocate for safer communities, stronger educational support and greater investment in Jamaica’s young people.
“Jamaica’s youth are our greatest hope and our greatest investment,” she told The Gleaner.
Today's forecast: • Temps chaud, légèrement brumeux et venteux par endroits avec un
ciel progressivement nuageux en après-midi et en soirée.
Valable jusqu'au 22 juillet 2026
Valable jusqu'au 22 juillet 2026
Situation synoptique dans la Caraïbe et sur l'Atlantique
Malgré le passage d'une onde tropicale sur l'Ile d'Haïti, la masse
d'air demeure toujours très peu humide. Cette situation est due à
des obstacles érigés par le système anticyclonique de l'Atlantique
combinés à ceux de la brume de sable saharienne. Certaines averses
de pluies isolées localement soutenues et parfois orageuses restent
toutefois possibles sur certains départements du pays en soirée.
Par ailleurs, la dépression tropicale n° 2 continue cet après-midi
de dévier de façon erratique vers le nord-ouest et se situe
actuellement à environ 165 km au sud de Panama City, en Floride
avec des vents soutenus maximum de 55 km/h et se déplace vers le
nord-ouest à environ 6 km/h. Un renforcement progressif est prévu
pour les deux prochains jours et la dépression devrait se
transformer en tempête tropicale plus tard cet après-midi ou cette
nuit. Selon les prévisions de trajectoire, cette dépression ne
représente aucune menace pour Haïti.
Prévision pour Haïti
• Temps chaud, légèrement brumeux et venteux par endroits, avec
un ciel peu nuageux à nuageux par endroits en fin d'après-midi
et en soirée ;
• Température maximale prévue : 34 à 38 °C ; température minimale
prévue : 20 à 24 °C ;
• Certaines averses isolées parfois soutenues et orageuses sont
prévues en fin d'après-midi et en soirée sur plusieurs zones du
Sud, de la Grand 'Anse, de l'Ouest, des Nippes, du Centre et de
l'Artibonite.
Note
En raison de la persistance d'une forte sensation de chaleur liée à
la saison estivale, à la brume de poussière saharienne et au
dérèglement climatique , l'UHM, en concertation avec les autorités
concernées, appelle la population à la vigilance et recommande
d'adopter les mesures suivantes pour limiter les effets de la
chaleur :
• Boire régulièrement de l'eau, même sans sensation de soif, afin
d'éviter la déshydratation;
• Éviter les expositions prolongées au soleil, surtout entre 10 h
et 16 h ;
• Porter des vêtements légers, amples et de couleur claire ;
• Réduire les activités physiques intenses durant les heures les
plus chaudes de la journée ;
• Surveiller les enfants, les personnes âgées et celles souffrant
de maladies chroniques ;
Tendance pour les deux prochains jours :
Mardi et mercredi : Temps toujours sec ou moins humide avec
toutefois le risque des averses très isolées, notamment sur
l'Ouest, la Grande Anse et le Nord en après-midi et en soirée.
Prévision pour Port-au-Prince et ses environs
• Temps chaud, légèrement brumeux et venteux par endroits avec un
ciel progressivement nuageux en après-midi et en soirée.
Today's forecast: • Temps chaud, légèrement brumeux et venteux par endroits avec un
ciel progressivement nuageux en après-midi et en soirée.
Valable jusqu'au 22 juillet 2026
Valable jusqu'au 22 juillet 2026
Situation synoptique dans la Caraïbe et sur l'Atlantique
Le temps demeure encore sec ou moins humide avec des températures
élevées sur l'Ile d'Haïti en lien avec le système anticyclonique de
l'Atlantique. Certaines averses de pluies isolées localement
soutenues et orageuses liées au passage prévu d'une onde tropicale
risque toutefois de se développer sur certains départements du pays
en fin d'après-midi et en soirée.
Par ailleurs, la dépression tropicale n° 2 se situe actuellement à
environ 190 km au sud de Panama City, en Floride avec des vents
soutenus maximum de 55 km/h et se déplace vers le nord-ouest à
environ 6 km/h. Elle risque de se transformer en tempête tropicale
durant la journée d'aujourd'hui. Selon les prévisions de
trajectoire, cette dépression ne représente aucune menace pour
Haïti.
Prévision pour Haïti
• Temps chaud, légèrement brumeux et venteux par endroits, avec
un ciel progressivement nuageux en après-midi et en soirée ;
• Température maximale prévue : 34 à 38 °C ; température minimale
prévue : 20 à 24 °C ;
• Certaines averses isolées parfois soutenues et orageuses sont
prévues en fin d'après-midi et en soirée sur plusieurs zones du
Sud, de la Grand 'Anse, de l'Ouest, des Nippes, du Centre et de
l'Artibonite.
Note
En raison de la persistance d'une forte sensation de chaleur liée à
la saison estivale, à la brume de poussière saharienne et au
dérèglement climatique , l'UHM, en concertation avec les autorités
concernées, appelle la population à la vigilance et recommande
d'adopter les mesures suivantes pour limiter les effets de la
chaleur :
• Boire régulièrement de l'eau, même sans sensation de soif, afin
d'éviter la déshydratation;
• Éviter les expositions prolongées au soleil, surtout entre 10 h
et 16 h ;
• Porter des vêtements légers, amples et de couleur claire ;
• Réduire les activités physiques intenses durant les heures les
plus chaudes de la journée ;
• Surveiller les enfants, les personnes âgées et celles souffrant
de maladies chroniques ;
Tendance pour les deux prochains jours :
Mardi et mercredi : Temps toujours sec ou moins humide avec
toutefois le risque des averses isolées, notamment sur l'Ouest, la
Grande Anse et le Nord en après-midi et en soirée.
Prévision pour Port-au-Prince et ses environs
• Temps chaud, légèrement brumeux et venteux par endroits avec un
ciel progressivement nuageux en après-midi et en soirée.
