Nevis Island News and Notes

Changes To UK Visa Application Process

British Passport

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been advised by the British High Commission of changes regarding the logistical arrangements for issuing visas for the United Kingdom. These changes are part of a move to concentrate decision-making on visa applications in a number of hub posts around the world, to ensure quality and improve efficiency in the face of rising demands.

The Ministry has been advised that from 2nd June 2008, the British Consulate in New York will be responsible for making decisions regarding the issuance of visas. Applicants will continue to apply to the British High Commission in Barbados, which will in turn forward the relevant documents to the British Consulate in New York.

Online applicants will be required to pay for the Visa with an internationally recognized credit card at the time of completing the visa application form. Applicants will still be required to pre-book appointments. However, applicants must also make a personal appearance at the British High Commission in Barbados to submit documents and provide the necessary biometric data.

When the British Consulate in New York would have made a decision, which may be arrived at approximately three weeks, applicants will be alerted via email. Subsequently, the British High Commission in Barbados will notify the applicant that the documents are available for collection. Alternatively, the documents could be forwarded directly to the applicant (living outside of Barbados) by courier, a service which would have been paid for during the online application process.

Ms. Christina Stoney – Peace Corp Volunteer

Charlestown, Nevis
May 21, 2008

The Youth Division in the Department of Social Development on Nevis, announced that registration had began for its sixth annual Summer Job Attachment Programme 2008 and urged secondary school students from the 4th to 6th forms to apply.

Ms. Christina Stoney, Youth Officer and Peace Corps Volunteer who heads the programme, told the Department of Information on May 16, 2008, that there were a restricted number of spaces available and students should apply early. Application forms must be filled at the Departments office on Government Road.

“We will take up to 60 entrants this year. It’s the sixth year of the programme and applications can be picked up here at the Department of Social Services, Government Road. We will only consider the first 60 applicants so come on in and apply early.

“It provides pre job training provided in collaboration with Helping Our People Excel Organization (HOPE) Nevis this year, work experience and a stipend of $200 a week, 100 of which is provided by the Department of Social Services and 100 of which will be provided by the employer,” she said.

The Programme which was designed for an eight week period will run for six weeks this year from July to August to accommodate a shorter summer. Under the programme, students with limited or no employment experience are introduced to a variety of career opportunities where they develop practical skills and professional ethics and learn more about seeking and obtaining work.

Dentists Sees Patient For Free

Charlestown, Nevis
May 21, 2008

Minister of Health in the Nevis Island Administration Hon. Hensley Daniel expressed gratitude to the organisers of an ongoing five-day free health care services at the Villa in Charlestown and described Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and Friend Ships as a partners in the delivery of health care on the island.

Mr. Daniel made the statement at an opening ceremony on May 20, 2008, to signal the start of the health care programme, which offered care free of charge in a number of areas that included dentistry and eye care.

“If it is that health is a state of mental, physical, spiritual and emotional well-being, then the presence of the organisation with its considerable human and financial resources must be seen as a vital partner in the delivery of health care here on Nevis. We believe that you agree with us that health is wealth.

“The Ministry’s Health policy is anchored on prevention, treatment, care and support. We have begun discussion on the introduction of a National Health Insurance Plan in order to secure the required financing to provide the prevention, treatment, care and support programmes,” he said.

The Health Minister pointed to the health records of Nevis and said there was a heavy debt burden on the financial resources of the island.

Elvis Newton and Ian Richards (L-R)
Photo By SKNIS

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
May 21, 2008 (SKNIS)

HIV/AIDS awareness in St. Kitts and Nevis was injected with new energies as the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors unveiled the latest initiative designed to encourage behavioural change through informed decision making.

A media launch for the project called “The More You Know” was held at Government Headquarters on Tuesday, and was attended by representatives from the Ministries of Health and Youth as well as an official from the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana.

St. Kitts and Nevis’ male CARICOM Youth Ambassador Ian Richards gave an outline of the project which is divided into two phases. Phase I is dubbed “Get Tested.” This features the use of a televised Public Service Announcement (PSA) designed to encourage persons to find out their HIV status by having a test done. It uses a creative and up-tempo mix of local photo images and video footage of HIV/AIDS related activities to draw and maintain viewer interest. The declaration of a diverse number of persons from the local community who state “I did it” and ends with “So you can do it too” conveys an effective message as much of the imagery is taken from an HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing event.

Richards indicated that the PSA has tested well with audiences during private screenings “We have received a lot of positive feedback for this PSA and we are excited by the possibilities,” he revealed.

The PSA will be aired on ZIZ Television and the Cable in St. Kitts and on the Information Channel and GIS in Nevis for a minimum of six months.

Basseterre, Saint Kitts- Nevis
May 21, 2008 (CUOPM)

The St. Kitts and Nevis Cabinet has announced a number of diplomatic appointments.

Cabinet, which met Monday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, approved the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister of State for Information, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty said Dr. Caroline Lawrence is the new Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Norway to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Dr Lawrence is a medical doctor who practices in Internal Medicine and Cardiology and replaces Mr. Collin Mallalieu.

“The Government wishes to thank Mr. Mallalieu for having made significant contributions to the development of the Federation as Honorary Consul of Norway over the last several years,” said Minister Carty.

Changes To UK Visa Application Process

Registration For Nevis’ Summer Job Programme Opens

Nevis Health Minister Welcomes Free Health Care

Saint Kitts – Nevis Has New AIDS/HIV Awareness Policy

St. Kitts – Nevis New Diplomatic & Consular Appointments