Saint Lucian crochet enthusiasts, hobbyists, and entrepreneurs came together on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 September 2024 to create coral reef and sea animal replicas for the promotion of environmental awareness and marine conservation. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the “Crochet for a Cause: Ridge to Reef” project, provides the knowledge, resources, and tools to enable participants to use their skills and talent as a force for good.
During the Opening Ceremony, GEF SGP UNDP Saint Lucia National Steering Committee Member Mrs. Joan John-Norville noted “Our actions impact our marine resources, and this is why this project is so important to make that link that apart from the negative impacts, we can also have multiple positive impacts. You are all here to demonstrate and advocate for what can be done to help the environment and promote the craft across generations and countries. This is an excellent example of south-south cooperation, and we would like to see more examples of it.”
Present also was the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information, Mr. Calvin Lee, who commended the programme stating “The effort to bring greater or renewed awareness of crochet in Saint Lucia and the wider perspective of the project of joining the environment and sustainable aspects was an excellent initiative. One of the key things that struck a chord with us is that we also try to support initiatives and activities that enable Saint Lucians to express their creativity, but more so to use their creativity to build or contribute to their livelihoods.”
Participants were also treated to a comprehensive presentation from Ms. Makeba Felix, who is a Fisheries Biologist from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development. Ms. Felix presented on the coral reefs of Saint Lucia and provided guidance on conservation activities and initiatives. “There are many things that we can do to preserve our coral reefs,” she noted. “The introduction of environmental protection laws, policies and projects, as this Ridge to Reef event, shows the connection between the land and the sea.”
Craft Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) teacher and participant Mrs. Michelle Theobalds also indicated why this project caught her attention “At the Babonneau Secondary School,” she explained, “we have just started doing the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications and one of the qualifications we are looking at is fibers and textiles. I have always been involved in craft and I love to crochet so it is something I am passing on to the students.”
Elaine’s Caribbean Crochet Founder and Project Manager Nikisha Toppin expressed appreciation to the participants and organisations who would have helped to host the activities “We want to thank the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme United Nations Development Programme, Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia, the Babonneau Pentecostal Church, and Barbadian crochet artisans Karen Roberts and Evoyne Harewood for their assistance in the administration of the program on the island.”
The GEF SGP UNDP is conducting this project in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, and Ministry of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy Barbados. The project facilitated by Elaine’s Caribbean Crochet, in collaboration with BYBT, has been administered in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.