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Virgin Gorda Youth at Caribbean Artisan Festival Virgin Gorda youth participated in the 5th Caribbean Artisan Festival with professional artisans from 15 Caribbean islands. Virgin Gorda Youth Leadership Initiative’s Project Coordinator Nakisha Warner traveled to Tortola with Bregado Flax High School students Shonnae Flax and Evamai Warner. For the last two months, VGYLI youth have been collecting shells, visiting local shops to see what tourists buy, reviewing catalogues, experimenting with designs before making their own jewelry. At the Festival, master artisan Elke Fontillo-Brady taught them to polish their designs and learn how to be entrepreneurs. Nakisha even modeled her own jewelry and Caribbean costumes at the Festival’s fashion show! VGYLI’s Eco-Tourism/Entrepreneurship Project evolved from the Youth Summit for Sustainable Development at the Bitter End Yacht Club in January. Tania Cruz shared how young people from the Vieques Youth Leadership Initiative made and sold handicrafts to local tourists. VGYLI youth leaders Adrianna Soverall and Feliza Fenty challenged them to create a special project. Lindon Andrews showed them how by championing VGYLI’s mural “Yes We Can Be the Change” by the high school. Latoya George wanted to combine her concern for the environment with her interests in cultural arts and business. In 2007 Latoya served as a youth delegate to the Caribbean Media Exchange Conference on Sustainable Development in St. Lucia. At VGYLI’s Youth Summit she shared her experience on a submarine trip in St. Thomas where she saw how overdevelopment has killed the coral reefs. “There’s still hope for Virgin Gorda,” she says. “We have to make it happen now. Let’s not wait for 5 years!” The Festival served as an intensive 3-day training for 18-year-old Project Coordinator Nakisha. VGYLI’s showcase attracted a very positive response from the Virgin Gorda community when the Festival traveled there. Police Chief Donovan was pleased to learn of VGYLI’s emphasis on entrepreneurship. Two shops in the Marina and Baths are interested in featuring VGYLI products -- tagged with their logo and "Made in Virgin Gorda." “The people of Virgin Gorda were impressed and proud these crafts were made by their own young people,” says Elka adding, “They commented that Virgin Gorda youth need help preparing for their future in tangible ways.” VGYLI’s mission is to inspire and assist young people to develop their full potential, broaden their horizons, strengthen their character and develop their leadership abilities so they can positively contribute to a better future for all people in Virgin Gorda. The Stone Soup Leadership Institute provides training and technical assistance to the VGYLI. Young artisan entrepreneurs from the Institute’s demonstration project in Vieques, Puerto Rico were the first youth to participate in the Caribbean Artisan Festival. VGYLI’s two-year investment is starting to pay off in benefits for the youth, community and the tourists. Plans for 2009 include monthly leadership trainings plus developing our first VGYLI business so Virgin Gorda youth can develop skills, work ethic, team work and funds to invest in their dreams and careers. Nakisha will share what she learned with younger students. “Thank you so much for teaching me and other VGYLI youth -- how to put on proper fastenings, create a beautiful display, set prices and deal with customers and encouraging us to invest some of our funds to buy new supplies,” says Nakisha Warner. “Thank you for giving us inspiration, being with us and giving us so many opportunities. It was a wonderful and enjoyable experience!” VGYLI is grateful to their sponsors for the Festival: Fly BVI, Kong Ming Asian Terrace, Lambert Beach Resort, L&S Car Rentals, North Sound Express, Pusser’s East and Tamerind Club. |