Malou Morgan

A brief guide to a topic that is close to my heart: Caribbean Collaborative, Corporate Social Responsibility and the many meaningful ways in which you can give back to Barbados by way of time, talent and treasure. Barbados has over 1000 registered charities: Though there are over 1000 registered charities, we have also have additional community organizations and community campaigns, so there are literally thousands of ways to get involved in something that you are passionate about. Due to a number of factors, online fundraising is out of reach for many local charities and NGOs, but this also presents an opportunity for many of you to be able to assist. The principle of giving back by way of Time, Talent and Treasure was adopted from my work with Giving Tuesday International (Caribbean Collaborative hosts Giving Tuesday Barbados locally)

Many hotels and resorts all over the world are following in Barbados’ footsteps becoming plastic-free and managing to combine luxury with low-impact travel. Zero-waste and sustainability are core values and hotels are looking for ways to preserve the natural surroundings, by implementing new systems to lower their impact on the environment. If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly way to travel, here are some plastic-free travel tips and inspiring sustainable luxury resorts around the world, including two of my favourites in Barbados. The 10 guest rooms are designed with comfort and sustainability at the forefront; up-cycled mahogany furniture, an innovative farm and sea-to-table menu, zero single use plastic on site, recycling, composting, locally grown and sourced food, non toxic cleaning products and employing people from the local area.

Included are some Barbados blood donation FAQs, facts and a personal, step by step account of donating blood in Barbados. Why don’t more people donate blood in Barbados? The US National Library of Medicine published this paper on knowledge, attitudes and practices towards blood donation in Barbados, and discusses strategies for a voluntary blood donor mobilisation campaign in Barbados. My mind was been blown by the dire situation in Barbados, I’m writing this blog post in a bid to encourage more people to donate blood on a consistent basis.

I’ve highlighted a few things I think you should know, from a local and personal perspective, which give some insight in to how far we have come as a small island nation, as well as some credible resources and things you need to consider when visiting Barbados in the near future. The local Ministry of Health and Wellness is advocating for a cautious resumption of the tourism industry in a manner that is sustainable and doesn’t overburden the capacity of our local healthcare system. The “travel bubble” refers to Low risk CARICOM and Caribbean countries currently including: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Anguilla, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos). Now that Barbados has reopened, it’s time to support local in every way possible; explore local restaurants, stay in locally owned hotels, visit local attractions and spend your dollars locally.