Candace Paul
- Aknowingspirit Authors
- March 26, 2023
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Marilyn Mitchell raising awareness about healthcare reform
Marilyn Mitchell sat down with Candace Paul, founder of Aknowingspirit, for an emotional interview about the failures of the healthcare system. Both Marilyn and Candace had to advocate for a parent while they received emergency medical care, and those moments were difficult to discuss. Marilyn’s book, “In the Hands of Her Caregivers” explains in detail what happened when her mom went to the emergency room, and the series of heart wrenching events that followed. Through it all, Marilyn protected and supported her mother when it felt like no one else would. Watch the interview below to understand exactly what happened. Purchase “In the Hands of Her Caregivers” HERE.
- Aknowingspirit Authors
- July 9, 2022
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Author Christine Young on Antigua Today!
Watch this clip of author Christine Young discussing Tatianna’s Ocean Adventures!
Christine A. Young
- Aknowingspirit Authors
- March 16, 2022
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My mini adventure at The White River Fish Sanctuary
I was honored to visit the White River Fish Sanctuary in Ocho Rios a few weeks ago. The White River Fish Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful marine protected areas east of White River, off the coast of Ocho Rios. This protected area is demarcated as a marine sanctuary in order to protect the marine ecosystems in this area. The Fish Sanctuary is a 150-hectare no-fishing area, protected by locally trained and empowered. The sanctuary operates under the mantra Protect – Restore – Engage and the goal of the community-led program is to bring back marine life and to rebuild the area for the benefit of the whole community. One of the main sponsors of the sanctuary is Jamaica Inn, a stunning boutique hotel nestled in Ocho Rios proper on one of the premier private beaches in Jamaica. The Inn is managed by conservationist and environmental champion Kyle Mais who along with his amazing Green Team Champion leader Leila Love has ushered the resort into a new level of environmental awareness – from composting to sea turtle monitoring the resort spares no effort in its green initiatives and ensuring that guests are aware and that they participate in all of their green activities.Other hotels in the region that contribute to sponsorship include Sandals Foundation, Couples Resorts and Hermosa Inn. As I entered the office I was greeted by the very friendly Reanne whose accent I recognized to be very familiar (Trini to d bone!!!) As I waited on the balcony, I was approached by the cutest little puppy, Ruby. Both Ruby and her mom have made the sanctuary office their home a few months ago. Ruby was small in stature but had a big personality as if she owned the place!!! While we waited to get on to the boat, I had the pleasure of speaking to one of the young volunteers. She explained to me that she sought out this trip specifically to assist with the cleaning of the marine sanctuary. After a quick conversation, we headed to the boat. Ruby looked at us longingly from the banks and we scooped her up for the boat ride. Her very first boat ride ….eeek!!!! Like Tatianna, she was heading towards the great unknown! The boat drivers ( Noel and Everton) greeted me in Jamaican patois with big smiles and nuff positivity. Noel, otherwise known as “Cooky”, Rastaman and Mr. Reliable, is currently the President of the White River fisherman association WRF, Warden supervisor, former secretary for the sanctuary, line fishing, and fishing pot enthusiast. Meet Ruby on board the sanctuary boat Our other sanctuary warden, Mr. Everton Simson is a 71-year young warden whose triple involvement with the ecosystem: as a warden, fisherman, and coral gardener, gives him a unique perspective on the activities of the sanctuary. Everton became a spear fisherman and free diver, managing an awesome 200 feet. But his life took a different turn when he discovered scuba diving in 1979 when working with a hotel and a whole new world was opened up for him. His love for this sport pushed him to further self-educate…
- Aknowingspirit Authors
- November 22, 2021
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Tatianna hits Jamrock!
Tatianna has finally arrived in Montego Bay Jamaica y’all!!! Today I met up with my dear friend and ambassador of Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN) Villages as Businesses (VAB) Diana Mc Intyre-Pike to have a bite at the famous Pelican Inn on Bottom Road which serves a variety of local dishes to both Jamaicans and tourists. The CCTN was established in the 90’s because of a love for local communities and a deep desire to create avenues for them to create sustainable livelihoods through basic hospitality skills, community tourism entrepreneurship hospitality training, environmental awareness, and demonstrating how to manage their communities with the establishment of Steering Committees. Diana received a copy of Tatianna’s Ocean Adventures – Onto the Reef as a love offering for all that this network has done and continues to do within the region. Diana has spearheaded several projects within the communities of Jamaica and the Caribbean region. One of the organization’s latest projects include Community Tourism Entrepreneurship training from the Academy for Community Tourism (ACT) in partnership with the UWI Open Campus sponsored by the US Embassy for 130 persons from several communities. As a strong proponent of sustainability and saving the environment, Diana’s organizations support strengthening communities and empowering locals to take charge of their environment while ensuring financial and social sustainability. “It was indeed a pleasure to be in the presence of this trailblazer and we are looking forward to planning book readings within the communities in the near future. This book can be included in the entrepreneurship training to make communities more aware of the environment with the ocean.” Mc Intyre-Pike commented. I had the privilege of conducting virtual book readings in the month of October in commemoration of World Reptile Day with a little over fifty eager grade three students of the Wynnebrook Elementary School located in West Palm Beach, one of the top title schools in Palm Beach Florida with a high minority population. The students watched a short video on the characteristics of reptiles and then delved right into Tatianna’ first adventure where she and her brothers and sisters are born on the island of Tobago Cays in the Caribbean. Their mom returns to the deep blue ocean and they begin exploring their very first coral reef home. Although Tatianna and her siblings are separated from their mother, the students are also encouraged to have hope of reconnection to family members and loved ones and to be courageous in all of life’s endeavours. The students also discussed ways to protect sea turtles with waste management and elimination of single use plastics as one of the main actions to be taken. Young also donated a Tatianna inspired Reptile Awareness Day colouring page to the grade three students in commemoration of this special event. For more information on how you can support Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN) Villages as Businesses – please visit www.visitcommunities.com/jamaica email: countrystyletourism@yahoo.com tel: 876-507-6326 Tatianna’s Ocean Adventures: Onto the Reef is about a lovable and curious hawksbill sea turtle who explores our beautiful oceans. The book teaches children about the marine environment, the life cycle of hawksbill sea turtles as…
- Aknowingspirit Authors
- October 21, 2021
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Reptile Awareness Day and Tatianna’s Ocean Avdentures
October 21st is Reptile Awareness Day! It is also the perfect time to share Tatianna’s Ocean Adventures: Onto the Reef with students ready to learn about the importance of environmental conservation. I held a virtual book reading session with over fifty eager third grade students of the prestigious Wynnebrook Elementary School located in West Palm Beach – one of the top title schools in Palm Beach Florida. The students watched a short video on the characteristics of reptiles and then delved right into Tatianna’ first adventure where she and her brothers and sisters are born on the island of Tobago Cays in the Caribbean. Their mom returns to the deep blue ocean and they begin exploring their very first coral reef home. Although Tatianna and her siblings are separated from their mother, the students were encouraged to have hope of reconnection to family members and loved ones and to be courageous in all of life’s obstacles. The students also discussed ways to protect sea turtles by using waste management techniques and eliminating single use plastics. As part of my virtual session, I also donated a Tatianna inspired Reptile Awareness Day coloring page to the third grade students in commemoration of this special event. More about the book Tatianna is a tenacious little turtle who explores various islands in the region making friends along the way and enjoying several adventures. I acknowledge that God is my first love and I am a firm believer that we must all walk in our purpose. As a first time writer, the mother of a lovely teenage daughter, and a Sustainability Professional for the last 13 years, writing this book was the next part of my legacy. I wanted to marry my love for the Lord, travel and tourism, the environment, and children, into a fun-filled book. I believe that all of us have an important part to play in this journey called life and in my book, Tatianna not only goes to various territories in the Caribbean, but she also has many experiences and encounters along the way that teach her valuable life lessons. I’ve enjoyed working with children on environmental awareness for many years and fondly remember being an Environmental Manager at some of the most popular resorts in the Caribbean. My particular love for sea turtles grew when I worked along side several sea turtle projects, such as the “Barbados Sea Turtle Project” and “The Antigua Sea Turtle Project” spreading sea turtle awareness within the hospitality sector. Tatianna’s Ocean Adventures has been endorsed by the WIDECAST (Wider Sea Turtle Caribbean Sea Turtle Project) the region’s largest non profit which seeks to advance turtle conservation within the region. The proceeds from the book will go the various sea turtle projects in the Caribbean. Through the eyes of a little sea turtle called Tatianna, children can tour the Caribbean region – exploring new things in the environment, see tourism sites and partake in the lasting friendships she makes along the way. My first book was, “a labour of love” unto the Lord, and is dedicated to my family and friends who have given tremendous…
- Aknowingspirit Authors , Understanding Your Faith
- July 17, 2021
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Kindle Vella is here! Aknowingspirit authors already have stories!
You may have heard of Kindle Vella, a new publishing option offered by Amazon Kindle. On Vella, stories can be told one short episode at a time. Aknowingspirit author and founder, Candace Paul, has already started a series on the platform called, Time’s Up. The concept behind the work is that we always assume there will be more time – another year, another month, another week, another day. We simply believe there will be more time to “get it right” or “figure it out” – despite numerous chances we’ve already been given. But, the truth is, we never really know when time is up. What if there’s no second chance…this time? What if…this is it? In this short fiction series, Candace shares the beautiful redeeming power of God’s grace, and what happens when it is taken away. Click HERE to read now!