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REACH Grenada's International Tourism Partnerships Putting Grenada in the Spotlight
20 August 2010On June 2nd 2010, in partnership with REACH Grenada, a group of Tourism Management students from the forward-thinking Humber College in Toronto, Canada, visited Grenada as part of their ‘Study at Sea’ program. The visit was organized by REACH Grenada to help cultivate strategic relationships with international partners to raise Grenada’s profile as a leading socially responsible tourist destination.
Humber College’s ‘Study at Sea’, operated in partnership with the Institute for Shipboard Education, enables students to research, study and assess the individual tourism credentials of selected destinations. The College’s choice of Grenada reflects a recent shift in international tourism trends towards a growing demand for beautiful destinations that offer more socially conscious, eco-oriented travel experiences with opportunities to volunteer help to local communities. Chris Thompson, Responsible Tourism Coordinator for the Federation of Tour Operators says:
“At least two thirds of the people walking into a travel agency are looking for authenticity, they are looking for something being put back into the local destination, and that we are actually enhancing livelihoods.”
With its unique culture, pristine beaches, and REACH Grenada’s wide range of charitable projects, Grenada was identified by the Humber College students as an island extremely well poised to fulfill these requirements.
Docking at Grenada’s exclusive luxury hotel Laluna, one of REACH Grenada’s partners, the 24 students and 3 faculty followed an itinerary that included a tour of the hotel, a visit to a spice market and a chance to sample locally-sourced seafood at BB’s Crabback Caribbean Restaurant. In addition, an interview with Laluna owner Bernardo Bertucci increased their knowledge about the running of a hotel, aspects of Grenadian tourism and Laluna’s involvement with REACH Grenada’s Parent-Child Voluntourism trip, a working model of socially responsible tourism in Grenada, which took place in June 2010.
The students were also given a special opportunity to volunteer at the Queen Elizabeth Home (QEH) for Children, in Tempe, where REACH Grenada has funded a number of rehabilitative programs aimed at enhancing the lives of the children through yoga, meditation, psycho-social counseling and care-giver training. The students carried out various renovations including priming a storage container and painting furniture, as well as enjoying yoga and other fun activities with the children at the Home. Lukas Rosinski, Tourism Management Student at Humber College commented on his experience:
"Many times when I travel I feel like I only take from the destination - in Grenada, our day was amazing - Reach Grenada provided a structured opportunity for volunteering where not only did I feel like I was actually helping but feeling really good about doing it! I left with a more understanding heart and feeling like I made a difference!"
Mary Lendway, MBA, Professor and Program Coordinator of the Tourism Management program at Humber College comments on the positive impact of this element of the students’ visit:
“It was an honor to participate in the service project at the Queen Elizabeth Home - the children were wonderful and it was our privilege to be a part of their lives - even for a few hours - a transformational experience for our students and the beginning of a long lasting relationship.”
Marion G. Pierre, Executive Chairman of QEH, also expressed her gratitude to REACH Grenada:
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the staff and children of the Queen Elizabeth Home, I thank you most sincerely for the visit and work done by the students of Humber College. It was heart-warming to see the tears of joy shed by some of the students and supervisors. The short time they spent either working or being with the children was a blessing to us all.”
REACH Grenada looks forward to developing more tourism partnerships and building on the great success of their Parent-Child Voluntourism trip which has raised funds for ongoing projects aimed at helping the children of Grenada.
A special Thanksgiving Parent-Child Voluntourism trip is scheduled to take place 23rd-27th November 2010.
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REACH Grenada Honours its Promise with Continued Provision of Vital Resources to Schools
28 July 2010REACH Grenada has funded a second annual supply of printing paper and ink cartridges for St Andrew’s Parish schools to help maintain the good use being made of the state-of-the-art laptops, printer and photocopiers already purchased and successfully installed in eighteen schools by REACH Grenada in February 2009.
This continued provision bears testament to REACH Grenada’s long-term commitment to help raise standards in St Andrew’s Parish Primary schools. REACH Grenada works in close partnership with the schools to provide equipment and resources (all locally sourced to support the economy) that will help to improve the quality of school management, teaching and learning.
REACH Grenada’s generous contribution and continued support is helping to develop leadership in the St Andrew’s Parish schools by enabling Principals to more easily store data, correspond with the Ministry of Education, keep records, print materials for staff meetings and produce good quality lesson plans and resources. Bernadette Christopher, Principal at St Andrew’s Methodist School, says: “Teachers who were computer illiterate are now confident users and teaching other staff to use the ICT resources.”
In addition, the students greatly benefit from the resources and printed worksheets produced for individual use in the classroom and are encouraged to carry out tasks using the laptops independently, as Father Edward Mark, Principal at St Andrew’s Anglican School, comments: “We are introducing all our children to the computers and giving them the opportunity to use them.”
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Second Year of Chicken Projects funded by REACH Grenada
13 July 2010Building on the successful implementation of its educational chicken projects in four of St Andrew’s Parish schools, REACH Grenada is continuing its support by generously funding a second year’s supply of 325 broiler chicks, 20 bags of starter feed, 60 bags of finisher feed and 5 packets of antibiotics to keep the chicks healthy!
REACH Grenada’s strong commitment to working in close partnership with the schools in St Andrew’s Parish, using their existing infrastructure, to deliver the best results has helped produce a successful enterprise with students and educators reaping the benefits of REACH Grenada’s generous contribution. REACH Grenada’s aim, that the chicken project would be a self sustaining, ongoing scheme for schools that could also enhance the quality of their students’ learning experience is being realised and fulfilled in schools throughout St Andrew’s Parish.
Linked with the Grenadian Government School Feeding Program, the REACH Grenada chicken project provides ‘real’ learning opportunities for students by supporting schools’ mini business enterprise, i.e. breeding and selling chickens. Some schools, such as Belair Government School who have run successful chicken projects are using their experience and knowledge to embark on projects involving different poultry: “We have decided to use some of the profit to try some turkeys and the manure from the pens is used in the school gardens.”
Schools have been extremely successful, demonstrating good business acumen in supporting the Government’s School Feeding Programme and putting some of their profit back into the chicken project. In addition, some schools have used some of their profits to purchase valuable school resources; a fine example of this is St Michael’s RC School: “The students show great interest in the poultry project and the profit has contributed towards the funding of a much needed school photocopier.”
REACH Grenada has seen that the chicken project helps to offer a promising start to learning agricultural practice and is helping children to see firsthand that farming can be very satisfying, yielding tangible results based on good practice. It is also teaching the children that productive farming is for the community and not merely the individual.
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Work, Rest and Play! REACH Grenada gives a Welcome Boost to Student Recreation Areas
06 July 2010REACH Grenada’s delivery of 14 benches, expertly made by a local carpenter, and 28 palm trees to 8 of St Andrew’s Parish schools is having a positive impact on children’s school environments. The provision is part of REACH Grenada’s Partnership with Schools investment in improving standards in children’s recreation, healthy living and educational experience.
Widespread hurricane devastation of foliage on the island in 2004 and 2005 left many schools’ recreation areas bare and without shade. Building close working relationships with the schools and Ministry of Education in order to regenerate school environments is an important aspect of REACH Grenada’s work as Executive Director Mr Neo Moreton says:
“REACH Grenada aims to help improve school recreation areas by creating positive spaces for students to learn, rest amidst the busy school day and develop social and communication skills with their peers – all vital elements of a student’s school experience and personal development.”
The provision of comfortable seating for the students has enabled schools to extend their teaching space and create outdoor classrooms in addition to improving the quality of children’s playtime, providing opportunities for quiet time and enhancing the school environment.
The benches were welcomed by teachers and pupils alike and the slogan “REACH REACHES OUT” added to the back of each bench in one school says it all! In another school they were also put to good use for parents to sit to watch their children perform in an outdoor assembly!
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REACH Grenada attends Mental Health Screening and Assessment Training
25 May 2010Representing REACH Grenada, Mr. Neo Moreton LL.B.(Hons), Hazel Da Breo, Ph.D., Dr. Richard Honigman, M.D. and Jared Goodman Esq. attended a training seminar on Mental Health Screening and Assessment Training run by The REACH Institute on April 12th 2010. The training was in preparation for REACH Grenada’s psycho-social counseling program due to start in June, 2010 at The Queen Elizabeth Home (QEH) for children in Tempe, Grenada.
The Queen Elizabeth Home is the oldest home in Grenada and cares for children, some of whom have experienced trauma in their lives such as abandonment, neglect or abuse. Some suffer from Post-traumatic stress disorder which can cause symptoms such as anxiety, social withdrawal, disturbed sleep patterns, poor self esteem and attention deficit.
The training seminar, led by Clinical Psychologist and Director of Programs at The REACH Institute, Lisa Hunter Romanelli, Ph.D., identified two key screening and assessment methods: the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire and the UCLA Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Index which will be used to assess the children’s mental health and/or levels of Post-traumatic stress at the beginning of the REACH Grenada program, and to monitor changes at regular intervals as the program progresses.
Executive Director of REACH Grenada Mr. Neo Moreton comments on the value of the assessments: “These initial baseline assessments will determine and inform the planning of appropriate therapies, specifically tailored to meet the children’s individual needs. Importantly, the screening and assessment methods will also enable REACH Grenada to measure and evaluate evidence of progress to thereby inform the choice and application of further therapy and optimize improvement in the children’s mental and emotional health and wellbeing.”
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REACH Grenada Receives Consul General's Humanitarian Award
06 April 2010On 6th February 2010, REACH Grenada was awarded the prestigious Consul General’s Humanitarian Award at the annual Grenada Consulate’s Independence Gala and Awards Ceremony in New York. Founder of REACH Grenada Dr. Karen Lawson received the award and commented: “I created this charity in memory of my husband Bart who would be extremely proud to receive this award that recognizes the positive impact made to children in Grenada. The Bartholomew J. Lawson Foundation for Children supports REACH Grenada in the spirit of continuing his good work.”
Executive Director of REACH Grenada Mr. Neo Moreton is also proud that the charity has been commended for its meaningful contributions and says:”This award bears testament to REACH Grenada’s continued support of numerous projects which are achieving tangible results and significantly benefiting some of Grenada’s underprivileged children.”
The event was attended by a wide cross-section of Grenadian nationals in New York including: Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Dessima Williams, Consul General Honorable Derrick James, members of the Caribbean Consular Corps in New York, former Ambassador Dr. Lamuel Stanisclaus, Chairman of the Independence Anniversary Committee, Derek Ventour and Minister for Finance, Planning, Economic Development and Foreign Trade, Honorable Nazim Burke who spoke on behalf of Prime Minister of Grenada, Honorable Tillman Thomas.
Six awards were presented to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the community, including former Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Lamuel Stanisclaus who was presented with a Medal of Honor and Diamond Award from the Independence Committee. The former diplomat also received a proclamation from US Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
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REACH Grenada and WINDREF work together to improve children's health
06 March 2010REACH Grenada's recent decision to fund a project led by the Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation (WINDREF) will significantly improve the health of children in St Andrew’s Parish schools in Grenada.
Having already delivered many successful educational and agricultural projects which have benefited children in St Andrew’s Parish schools in 2009, REACH Grenada have extended their program and are proud to partner with the internationally esteemed WINDREF. The project will until run until the end of 2010 and aims first to measure and then to reduce the incidence of Rheumatic Fever infections and Intestinal Helminthes (worms) among children aged 5-15 years in St. Andrew’s Parish schools.
Neglected Tropical Diseases such as intestinal Helminths affect rural areas of Grenada and can seriously impede children’s physical growth and cognitive development with time spent away from education and developmental activities. Dr. Karen Lawson, Co-Founder of REACH Grenada comments:
“This special partnership combining WINDREF’s wealth of scientific expertise and local knowledge and REACH Grenada’s provision of appropriate funding and resources will reduce children’s unnecessary suffering, improve health and increase educational achievement.”
Assistant Director of WINDREF Mr. Trevor Noël is leading the project and explains what it involves: “After informed parental consent is obtained 750 students from 14 schools in St Andrew’s Parish will be screened, evaluated and if necessary treated for Helminthic and Streptococcal infections. Depending on the incidence of these problems in the population, the project will also include a mass de-worming component for approximately 4,000 children. The educational component is aimed at future disease prevention and health promotion in St Andrew’s Parish schools which will have long-term benefits for the children and their community.”
REACH Grenada is committed to improving the lives of children in Grenada and establishing partnerships with highly acclaimed organizations such as WINDREF, so that it can build upon and expand its programs to benefit even more children in the future.
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Team REACH Grenada's great strides raise significant funds in NYC Marathon
11 November 2009Team REACH Grenada successfully completed the world famous ING New York City Marathon on November 1st 2009 raising over $65,000 USD in sponsorship money from over 580 international donors for REACH Grenada. With a cheering crowd, electric atmosphere and strong individual commitment to a shared goal, all 25 members of the team demonstrated determination to reach the finishing line and raise vital funds for REACH Grenada.
Honorable Derrick James, Consul General of Grenada, attended the pre-Marathon party hosted by REACH and praised the team’s participation and the charity’s ongoing commitment to helping the children of Grenada: "This is a commendable gesture which will long be remembered. The government will continue to partner with organisations like REACH Grenada which has provided significant assistance to charity on the island.”
The marathon marks an important milestone for REACH Grenada and the team’s outstanding success in raising funds and achieving projected targets clearly illustrates the charity’s strength of conviction, care and commitment. REACH Grenada’s aim is to establish a longstanding tradition of marathon participation to provide an ongoing source of sponsorship funding. As Neo Moreton explains: “We hope to increase the number of team members and the levels of sponsorship money each member raises in 2010. REACH Grenada is particularly keen to recruit more Grenadian runners and we call upon any Grenadian, Caribbean and West Indian communities to join the team in running next year’s NYC Marathon.”
This year’s Team REACH Grenada consisted of representatives from six nations. Three team members were Grenadian runners including New York-based Alister Renwick who comments: “As a born Grenadian I am most grateful for the opportunity to run ING NYC MARATHON to raise funds for the children of Grenada” and Grenada-based runners Marc De Caul and Marilyn Renwick who says: “I am thrilled to be participating in such a prestigious race and what could be more fulfilling than to complete it on behalf of the children of my home, Grenada.”
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REACH Grenada's grow box initiative plants strong roots in St Andrew's Parish Schools
30 October 2009Committed to improving children’s health and well being through education about the benefits of home-grown produce, REACH Grenada has recently provided 13 wooden grow boxes, made by local Grenville craftsmen, to St Andrew’s Parish schools.
The Grow Box project, set up by REACH Grenada in partnership with schools, supports the Government of Grenada’s National School’s Feeding Program and National Agriculture ‘Short Crop’ Competition. Closely linked to the Science curriculum the project aims to teach students how to cultivate soil and produce ‘in-season’ fruit and root vegetables rich in nutritional value, through fun, creative, ‘hands-on’ approaches to teaching and learning. Neo Moreton, Executive Director of REACH Grenada, explains the long-term benefits of the project:
“The recent economic downturn has caused a necessary global shift away from importing fresh produce where possible. With its fertile soil Grenada is very well-placed agriculturally to produce its own home-grown fruits and vegetables and cultivating knowledge and interest in growing and harvesting crops at a grass roots level, in schools, can help to create an ongoing culture of self-sufficiency. This will help to provide a sustainable, healthy diet for children, reduce dependency on other countries and keep Grenada’s economy strong, now and in the future.”
REACH Grenada’s grow box project supports schools’ local business enterprise projects and vegetable seeds and tools have been provided by a local hardware shop. All schools with successful crop harvests will be awarded a REACH certificate.
We are looking forward to seeing some great crop harvests next year!
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Painted murals fit for a Queen!
29 September 2009REACH Grenada’s mural painting project has been successfully completed and gratefully received by children and staff at the Queen Elizabeth Children’s Home, Grenada.
The project involved REACH Grenada volunteers, including six children from New York, U.S.A, who painted the colorful, nature-inspired mural for two mornings alongside children and care workers from Queen Elizabeth Children’s Home in a shared aim to enhance the interior environment and inspire, calm and motivate the children. Marion Pierre, Executive Chairperson of Queen Elizabeth Home comments: “I am seeing the mural in my dreams and every where even when I am away from the Home. It has not only brightened up the room but the hearts of us all. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the staff and children I thank you and ask God's blessings on all of you to continue the work you are doing.”
The mural painting project is one of many examples of REACH Grenada’s successful collaborative partnership with Grenadian people, a philosophy at the core of REACH Grenada’s work and successes. Neo Moreton, Executive Director of REACH Grenada took part in the painting and says: “This was a relatively simple task but one that has made an instant and effective improvement to the children’s environment. It was great to be a part of something that has really made a difference.”
It is also part of REACH Grenada’s wider aim to provide ongoing support to the children of Queen Elizabeth Home with additional funding going towards providing psycho-social counseling training for care workers and intern medical students as well as social emotional support through discussion groups and guidance in relaxation, breathing and meditation.
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Prizewinners running for REACH!
23 September 2009REACH Grenada are excited to announce two lucky prizewinners of their special New York City Marathon competition. Grenadian runners Marilyn Renwick and Marc de Caul have each won a place to join 21 other runners as part of ‘Team REACH Grenada’ and run in the world famous ING NYC Marathon, taking place on November 1st 2009, in order to raise money for REACH Grenada. The generous prize includes return flights to JFK New York City airport and guaranteed entry into the marathon race.
One of the competition’s conditions was that the entrants had to commit to raising sponsorship money, most of which will go directly towards funding the numerous ongoing initiatives and projects that REACH Grenada has implemented over the past two years.
Another requirement for successful entrants was the submission of a detailed outline of ideas for future REACH Grenada initiatives and projects that would directly benefit children in Grenada. This reflects REACH Grenada’s tradition of close collaboration with, and personal involvement of, the people of Grenada in its aim to create and develop projects that generate long term, sustainable funding and results. As Dr Karen Lawson, Director of The Bartholomew J. Lawson Foundation and Founder of REACH Grenada says:
“We are really excited to welcome Marilyn Renwick and Marc de Caul as part of ‘Team REACH Grenada’. Partnership is at the core of REACH Grenada’s work and is vital to its successes which continue to benefit the children of Grenada.”
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REACH Grenada provides touch-screen technology for children with Special Educational Needs
15 August 2009
REACH Grenada has generously provided $2,065 for a new computer to greatly improve the quality of learning for children with diverse Special Educational Needs (SEN) at St Andrew’s Special School, Grenada.
The funding of this much-needed SEN resource is part of REACH Grenada’s Partnership with Schools Program which aims to develop educational resources in some of Grenada’s schools.
Provision for Grenadian students with SEN is an area that has been largely under-funded due to the allocation of limited educational resources to mainstream students. The special computer’s touch screen technology, keyboard and range of educational software provide equal access to the curriculum for SEN students and enable a more personalized approach to their learning. By encouraging students to become independent learners, whilst recognising some of their individual challenges and needs, REACH Grenada hopes to enable all children to reach their full potential, thereby increasing their levels of confidence, self esteem and enjoyment of learning. The computer is a very welcome addition to St Andrew’s Special School as Principal Mirthlyn V.M Leid-Raymond comments:
"The students with Cerebral Palsy are finding it easier to use the equipment since it only requires a touch to access programs. We have language and maths programs with which the students have fun learning to read, spell and just using the computer in general. Basically, this computer is one of the most beneficial pieces of equipment the school possesses. THANK YOU REACH!!"
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Poultry project hatching far-reaching results!
27 July 2009Working in collaboration with the Government of Grenada’s Ministry of Education, REACH Grenada has provided substantial funding to develop chicken projects to help support Grenada’s National School Feeding Program.
As part of our Partnership with Schools Program, REACH Grenada’s chicken project aims to provide ‘real’ learning opportunities for students in some of St Andrew’s Parish primary schools, by supporting schools’ mini business social enterprise, i.e. breeding and selling chickens and providing a supplementary source of meat for the National School Feeding Program.
REACH Grenada’s aim is that the chicken project will be a self sustaining, ongoing scheme for schools that will generate funds to improve schools’ resources, enhance the quality of students’ learning experience and teach children that productive farming benefits the community as well as the individual.
The enterprise is proving to be very successful, with students, schools and the community reaping the benefits of REACH Grenada’s generous contribution as some of the teachers’ comments confirm:
- “The project provides first hand experience for students who may want to go into a small business operation”
- “[The chickens] were sold mainly to the school feeding project and a few to the neighbors and teachers”
- “It is our hope to continue this project with the aim of purchasing a photocopier at a cost of $5000 by year end.”
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REACH Grenada to run in ING's NYC Marathon, November 1, 2009
29 May 2009REACH Grenada has been accepted as a charity in this year’s ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1st, having been awarded a team size of 25 people. Each runner must pledge to raise $2,500, which will directly benefit Grenada’s orphanages, hospitals, and schools, and improve the lives of Grenada’s children. To learn more or to become a part of this inspiring and motivated team, please click here.
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REACH Grenada believes that 'literacy changes lives'...
19 April 2009REACH Grenada recently provided $5,358 US dollars worth of Jolly Phonics Learning Resources for the Primary Partnership with Schools to support early learning. This substantial order was placed with local supplier Michael Philbert of Grenada Teachers’ School Suppliers Ltd thus giving a boost to the local economy.
The recent contribution is part of a wider REACH Grenada literacy program, aiming to support schools to help improve child reading and writing skills. REACH Grenada Partnership with Schools Program got off to a great start in December 2008 with a two day Literacy Training event for school teachers of St Andrew Parish, led by UK literacy expert and consultant advisor to REACH Grenada, Elaine Moreton M.Ed. B.A.(Hons)
Training covered reading, spelling and writing and included interactive activities based on the latest research in brain learning. During day two teachers worked together to produce a booklet of activity sheets to develop pupils’ writing with subjects ranging from healthy eating, living things, growing seeds, spelling and basic literacy. Teacher’s evaluation comments show that the training days were highly valued and 100% of teachers said they would try suggested strategies in their classroom and that they would recommend the training to other teachers. Here are some of the teacher’s comments:
1]“Enlightening, enjoyable and educational.”
2] “Please ensure that this training reaches all the other teachers in our island.” 3]“I really enjoyed the day and found the workshop activity rewarding and interesting”.
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REACH Grenada equips St. Andrew schools with state-of-the art computer equipment
14 February 2009REACH Grenada recently purchased $23,670 US dollars worth of computer equipment from local supplier D & S Stationary and Computer Services in Grenville, St. Andrew. The brand new lap top computers and printers along with a years supply of paper and ink have now been successfully installed in eighteen of St. Andrew primary and secondary schools. As well as giving a boost to the local economy, this generous donation improves the provision of quality computer equipment and it is hoped to encourage open dialogue between teachers to share successful teaching and learning strategies across schools.
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A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words
26 November 2008Motivated originally simply to ‘document’ the project’s progress, REACH Grenada decided to capture activities on film. The filming was pioneered in early 2008 by a group of volunteer film school students from London who traveled to Grenada at their own expense to film and produce the early pilot film reels. This project has now become a ‘documentary in the making’ and after several preliminary viewings it has generated a fair amount of interest leading to already securing initial funding as well as attracting the eyes and ears of a British Academy award winning TV Producer who has agreed to assist in further developing the documentary. Our goal is simple, to inspire greater social activism and more out-of-the box philanthropic thinking.
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Eco-tourism in Grenada gets a helping hand
21 November 2008This coming December 14 - 17 2008, Laluna luxury beachside resort hotel is opening its new stunning Balinese style yoga and spa facility located directly on the water’s edge. Laluna’s owner, himself socially responsible and active in the local community, has invited Yoga Master Neo Moreton (www.yogawithneo.com) to offer special ‘Eco Chic Yoga Weeks’ to the paying public to help promote Laluna’s new spa as of the Caribbean’s premier new and exciting eco-destinations.
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