Grenada VAC Newsletter
A. VAC Spotlight
This month Grenada PCVs recognize Allie Armstrong for her outstanding contribution in her secondary project with White Cane Industries. Located in the capital of Grenada, St. Georges, White Cane is supported by the Grenada National Council of the Disabled (GNCD) and manufactures arts and crafts produced by individuals with special needs. White Cane is known for its high quality cane baskets, and aims to provide individuals with disabilities and special needs with skills and vocational training that enables them to generate incomes. GNCD is a non-governmental, non-profit organization which coordinates development and advocacy activities benefiting thecitizens of Grenada with disabilities and special needs.
As Allie began her primary assignment with the Grenada School for Special Education located in the Limes, St. George's, she recognized an opportunity to support a school-wide art show that was already in the making. Allie came up with the idea of teaching her students to paint recycled glass rum and wine bottles to place on sale in support of the school. The bottles and their artists received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and sparked the interest of PCVL Stephanie Rouch and counterpart Hillary Gabriel, Coordinator of GNCD. During the summer academic holiday Allie began teaching painting and bottle art at White Cane.
Allie continued her collaboration with White Cane into the new school term and currently instructs five individuals(counterparts) with varying special needs and strengths. Bottles are collected from local restaurants and privatedonations. Allie has taught her counterparts the entire process of bottle art creation, from cleaning and priming the bottles, to painting a variety of designs and figures, and finally applying a brilliant clear coat and product tag whichleaves the bottles gleaming and ready for sale. Finished bottles are sold at White Cane headquarters and at a newly founded booth in the Esplanade Mall. Proceeds support individuals with special needs and disabilities in Grenada.
Allie’s success stems from her patience and phased instructional techniques. She started by teaching basic skills such as mixing colors and various brush strokes. As her counterparts improved over time, she has taught them to paint more exact symbols and images such as nutmegs, the sunset, and the outline of Grenada. She supplies each of her counterparts with one bottle a week which is completed in two days of work.
Allie has had enormous individual success with her counterparts since starting at White Cane. Rudy is 23 and lives with cerebral palsy, leaving him with the full use of only one hand. Prior to Allie’s arrival his main job was to sanddown components of cane baskets. Allie noticed that on certain days he had little to do, and asked him if he wouldlike to help create bottles. At first he was hesitant and uncertain of his ability to paint. However, Allie encouraged him to start by simply priming bottles, and as time when on he learned the entire process of bottle art production.Rudy is now completing his second bottle and professes his newfound love to paint. Allie has had similar success with Kimani, a 19 year old counterpart with Down syndrome, who was previously unaware of his abilities and now loves to paint nutmegs and jellyfish.
Allie hopes to continue her support of White Cane and looks forward to training a new set of young counterparts in bottle art creation throughout the remainder of her service. Allie’s artistic talent and innovation have created both an immediate and sustainable impact in Grenada. Please join the Grenada PCVs in congratulating Allie on her exemplary achievements!
B. Grenada Fun Facts
1.
It is estimated that Grenada was formed 2 million years ago by a submarine volcano.
2.
Grenada is the world’s second largest producer of nutmeg, accounting for nearly 20% of the global market share.
3.
Grenada is the only home to the Grenada Dove (Leptotila wellsi), the island-nation’s national bird. It is considered to be one of the most critically endangered doves in the world.
4.
The Rivers Rum Distillery, located in St. Patrick, has been in operation since 1785, and is the only distillery in the Western Hemisphere that is still powered by wooden waterwheel.
C. Holiday Tidings
As the Michealmas Term on the Grenada Academic Calendar comes to a close, school-based volunteers have a much needed respite from December 16th until January 3rd. In this period many volunteers have family visiting Grenada or will be returning home to celebrate the holidays. The Grenada PCVs wish all volunteers and staff members in the Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean a happy holidays. We look forward to a safe, joyful, productive, and successful 2014 in the EC.
