Honourary Barbados Consul
Ms. Juliette Gooding, Honourary Consul for Barbados since 1995.
Unknown to many, there are members of the resident community who also serve as Honourary Consulates or Wardens, on a volunteer basis, to the countries of their origin.
These individuals offer much needed assistance with passport applications, renewals, general inquiries and resident registration.
They give tremendous efforts to serve their homelands, while at the same time serving as valuable members of the Cayman Islands community.
This is the final in a series of four articles which were published this week.
Other countries with honourary offices include the United States, Canada and Jamaica.
Back in 1992, Mr. Erskine Sandiford, the Prime Minister of Barbados at that time, during a visit to the Cayman Islands, asked Ms. Juliette Gooding if she would be interested in serving as the Honourary Consul to assist Barbadians residing in the Cayman Islands.
It took her another three years before she would accept that offer and through the encouragement of relatives, the community and, and approval of the new government of Barbados, Ms. Gooding agreed and was appointed in July 1995.
There are approximately 300 Barbadians living in the Cayman Islands. However, since they are not all registered with the Consulate, that number could be different.
Ms. Gooding processes passport inquiries, applications, renewals and revisions.
She also assists with processing VISAs for Bajans visiting other foreign countries, or for individuals whose home country requires a VISA for travel to Barbados.
Further, Ms. Gooding encourages all Barbadians living here to register with the Consulate, providing their name, mailing address and an emergency contact, either here or in Barbados.
This is true for each individual member of a family. In the case of emergency, death or legal consequences, she is then able to enlist support of family or friends as needed. Additionally, the birth of any children of at least one Bajan parent should be registered with Ms. Gooding to ensure appropriate paperwork representing the child's citizenship.
One of the most frequent requests of her services is for people who are vacationing or returning home and realize, at the airport, that they are traveling with an expired passport or visa.
She stressed the importance of reviewing all travel documents at the time of planning a trip. In some cases, it is not possible to correct the paperwork before travel commences.
Also, any Barbadian who is arrested by the Police can request that their Honorary Consul be notified.
Their Consul may facilitate legal support and advice, as well as offer to contact a spouse or other family members. Ms Gooding did emphasize that the laws and policies of the Cayman Islands always take precedent, even in reference to citizens of other countries, such as Barbados.
Serving as the Honorary Consul is but one aspect of the responsibilities of Ms Gooding. She is also the Manager of 911 Emergency Communications, a job with enormous responsibility. However, she enjoys her duties as she sees it as her way of serving others.
The small number of Bajans residing here often maintain their link to Barbados. Each year, Ms. Gooding rallies others from Barbados in a community drive to send gifts and needed items for charitable organizations back home, usually focusing on the needs of the children.
At Christmas toys or clothing would normally be sent ensuring that the needy children receive a gift at that time. This is one of the ways Barbadians in Cayman make their contribution to their country of birth.
However, many Bajans here have integrated themselves well into Caymanian society and make their contribution in a significant way to this community.
Mr. Eric Spooner was a Maths teacher at George Hicks High School for several years and with his passing the Eric Spooner Award was established by the School, in his memory. The Barbados Overseas Association of which Ms. Gooding and most other Bajans registered here are members, sponsored the trophy which was awarded to the House scoring the highest points during the annual Maths Quiz at the school.
Also in Mr. Spooner's memory, the school created a garden. The Barbados Association has been obtaining cost estimates from Plant Nurseries with a view to expanding the garden and adding to its beautification, not only in Mr Spooner's memory, but also as the Bajan contribution to the school.
Through her Honorary consulate services, Ms. Gooding enjoys serving other Bajans, and also keeping a community connection related to both Barbados and her home of the Cayman Islands where she has lived for the last 17 years.
Ms. Gooding admits to a busy life; however, her fiancé, Marvin, makes sure she takes time for herself by encouraging her to balance her work life and volunteer services with recreational activities, often along with her son Jonathan.
Contact Information:
Ms. Juliette Gooding
Phone: 947-2072
Fax: 947-2072
Email: ebony@candw.ky
Ms. Gooding is available 9am-5pm, emergencies only after hours.