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‘We stand together with our Guyanese brothers & sisters’- VI Premier

- VI leaders support ‘Adrianna inspired’ candlelight vigil against child abuse
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) speaks at the candlelight vigil to end Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month on April 30, 2025. Photo: Facebook
A candlelight vigil held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park brought together elected officials, community members, and members of the Guyanese Association in the BVI in a poignant act of remembrance. The event, timed to coincide with the final day of Child Abuse Prevention Month, was organised by WINBVI and supported by various civic groups. Photo: Facebook
A candlelight vigil held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park brought together elected officials, community members, and members of the Guyanese Association in the BVI in a poignant act of remembrance. The event, timed to coincide with the final day of Child Abuse Prevention Month, was organised by WINBVI and supported by various civic groups. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), left, and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) at the candlelight vigil at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on April 30, 2025. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), left, and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) at the candlelight vigil at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on April 30, 2025. Photo: Facebook
Leaders of the Virgin Islands have joined with the Guyanese Diaspora and the wider Caribbean community in expressing sorrow and solidarity following the death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge in Guyana. Photo: Facebook
Leaders of the Virgin Islands have joined with the Guyanese Diaspora and the wider Caribbean community in expressing sorrow and solidarity following the death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge in Guyana. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI— Leaders of the Virgin Islands have joined with the Guyanese Diaspora and the wider Caribbean community in expressing sorrow and solidarity following the death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge in Guyana.

The young girl’s body was discovered on April 24, 2025, in a swimming pool at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, a day after she was reported missing. Her death has ignited national outrage and protests in Guyana, with growing calls for justice and accountability.

A candlelight vigil held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park brought together elected officials, community members, and members of the Guyanese Association in the BVI in a poignant act of remembrance. The event, timed to coincide with the final day of Child Abuse Prevention Month, was organised by WINBVI and supported by various civic groups.

Among the elected representatives who attended were Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7); Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9); Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL); Junior Minister for Financial Services, Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Lorna G. Smith (AL); Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), First District Representative Dr the Honourable Karl Dawson; and Opposition Leader Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6).

Also in attendance was Governor Daniel Pruce.

Premier Wheatley, addressing the Territory on the Virgin Islands Voice, offered condolences and described the incident as one that has deeply affected both Guyana and the wider Caribbean.

'We Stand Together'

“I want to take this opportunity to express my sympathies to the family of Adriana Younge in Guyana, an 11-year-old girl who lost her life in tragic circumstances; We see Guyana as a country that is angered and they are also in anguish and of course Guyana is haunted.”

According to Premier Wheatley, “We stand together with our Guyanese brothers and sisters, whether they live here in the Virgin Islands or whether they are in Guyana or wherever they might be. We are one Caribbean people and we stand together and we join hands and hearts in this time of grief.”

The Premier described the vigil as “comforting” despite the painful circumstances, acknowledging the gathering’s symbolic importance stating, “even though we have these difficult circumstances, we have to be there for each other.”

The Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Wheatley, also spoke about his participation at the vigil, echoing the sentiment of solidarity.

“It’s very unfortunate. I'm happy we could join together with the Guyanese diaspora and just join with them in sympathy and show our togetherness.”

Meanwhile, Junior Minister for Financial Services, Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Lorna G. Smith (AL), also shared emotional reflections on the occasion.

Organised by WINBVI

“I was also happy and sad to be with the people of Guyana. In fact, the people of the BVI and the Guyanese diaspora... at that sad occasion with the passing of Miss Younge, an 11-year-old.”

Hon Smith used the occasion on Virgin Islands Voice to highlight the timing of the event, marking the close of Child Abuse Prevention Month, and spoke to the broader hope for change. “We certainly hope that we will see a reduction or an end to this kind of sadness. When parents have to see their child buried... nothing could be sadder.”

The event was organised by WINBVI, together with the Guyanese diaspora as a vigil, “for us to send love and light to the families who would have lost a child to abuse, children living with mental and physical scars as a result of abuse, and (to send) a strong message to perpetrators of such acts that we join hearts and hands to call for justice and the cessation of abuse of any form.”

20 Responses to “‘We stand together with our Guyanese brothers & sisters’- VI Premier”

  • lodger (01/05/2025, 09:18) Like (6) Dislike (39) Reply
    VIP is the only party that can bring the people together
  • Nice (01/05/2025, 11:07) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    But we should not forget our own local children.
    • smh (01/05/2025, 11:32) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Nice I am lamenting on the same. We need transparency and updated information on the investigation on the murder of the young child( Charity- remember her name)killed down west. Let us ensure that justice is being pursued on her behalf and the Territory.
      • My thought exactly (01/05/2025, 15:09) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
        wish justice in her case would be as vigorously pursued and demanded by those in positions of power here.
        • @My thought exactly (01/05/2025, 16:49) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
          Where was the outrage when they riddled that vehicle without knowing who was inside?? We had our own tragedy here in the BVI, but do you hear the police and politicians calling for Justice?? Seems like law enforcement have forgotten about the victims.
      • @SMH (01/05/2025, 15:12) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
        I would like to add, that it seems like the police have forgotten both victims because I have never heard them mention that case on the anniversary of their MURDER!! Where is justice???? The police may forget, but many of us will continue to pray for justice.
  • I screamed (01/05/2025, 11:17) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
    The Minister of Health posted a picture at the event eating ice cream and said: "Having a lil ice cream at PP is always so refreshing". These people are tone deaf. You are at a serious event such as this and you post nothing about the topic but you post about ice cream?!
    • Not surprised (01/05/2025, 19:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      It was just a regular, smegular day for him. He was probably counting down the minutes for him to take the photos and fo home. #clueless.
    • @I scream (01/05/2025, 22:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      That was so low class and unprofessional. Was it rocky road ice cream?
  • ESHS (01/05/2025, 11:50) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    if yall serious get a sex offender list... yall got people employed at schools with incidents with students only delt intenrally and still working at the schools and other occupations that encounters young girls and collect kids like taxi. if yall get that list in place then i know yall serious but keep proctecting yall friends and families smh
    • Tired Youngster (02/05/2025, 10:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Everybody likes to point fingers at the youth these days, but then protect all the predators and abusers in the community. I don't understand it cuz
  • Citizen (01/05/2025, 13:24) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am here wondering when you are going to stand with the BVI people.
  • WOW (01/05/2025, 13:45) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    My condolences to all the Gayanese people , im sorry for your loss, a few weeks ago a tragedy occurred in the Dominican Republic , where over 200 persons lost their lives and I didn’t hear this man saying anything to the Dominicanos , This man is fake and have no regard towards the people of DR ,,the Honorable Rymer was the only one sending condolences to the dominicanos , specially those living in the BVI . But don’t you worry, God don’t sleep ..
  • @SMH (01/05/2025, 15:08) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Her name was TRINITY and let's not forget her.
  • My say (01/05/2025, 18:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    My heart goes out for the little girl that was killed in Guyana. However, please don’t forget little innocent Tiffany that was gunned down in West End. Look how the people of Guyana took it to the streets demanding justice for the little girl that was killed and tossed in a swimming pool with cotton stuffed up her nose.Little Tiffany killer is still walking around the streets of the BVI free as a bird.
  • WHY? (01/05/2025, 19:55) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why is Natalio speaking on this issue? Is he serious? Dude look at our backyard. You stand in solidarity with whom? It amazes me how you manage to keep a straight face when talking about certain things. CLEAN UP YOUR DAMN COUNTRY before you poke your nose in other people's affairs. And we better NOT hear that our monies were sent to Guyana for you to put on airs, trying to impress people. Use your own personal money for that!!!
    • Tired Youngster (02/05/2025, 10:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      So much predators and abusers running amok in the community and they turn a blind eye. I myself have been a victim of abuse and those who knew chose to mock me or turn a blind eye
  • @My say (02/05/2025, 06:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Trust me, when God ready for the killers , justice will be served for Trinity & Mr.Penn!


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