Prime Minister Comes to MAREP

All staff (including me) were summoned to attend the MAREP RIF (Rural Investment Fund) cheque transfers to 9 rural micro-entrepreneurs.  The RIF program offers funding to local small businesses providing a business plan is submitted & then, reviewed & passed by a Steering Committee.  As part of this program MAREP coaches these entrepreneurs with proposal writing, business plans, & accounting training to help build sustainable (new) businesses.  A ceremony was held this past Thursday with an invitation extended to the Prime Minister - the Right Hounourable Keith Mitchell (in coral shirt).  The ceremony took place outside of the MAREP office in Sauteurs (see pictures).



Staff scrambled with last minute details to pull this event together.  Imagine printing and then gluing 24 sheets of paper like a jig-saw puzzle onto cardboard (from boxes) to create this poster & another one for the large cheque used in the photo above. 

 

 

This is Sabrina (left) who I am mentoring and Sheivlyn who finally told me to call her 'Boney' because I can never remember her name and it works.  Many Grenadians have nicknames and it can get very confusing.

 



Every Bit of Space is Precious

Whether it's the Conductor on the Public Bus packing in people or, Shopkeepers stocking goods in little stores... every ounce of space is utilized.  Here are pictures of Linda at her friend's Donna's Variety store in the market - no space wasted...

Donna popped over at the house one day while I was hanging laundry.  She was aghast at how much space I left between clothes.  So, I now pin clothes more efficiently - see no space wasted with my laundry hanging now! 

 

BTW... my sheets dry in 15 minutes (no kidding) and towels take 30 minutes!  It's faster than a Dryer!!

 



Life at the Office in St. Georges

There is little in the way of "art-work" on the office walls except for the odd banners like the one behind Sabrina (see pic below).

I work in an open office concept & often hear others say 'Bless You' but no sneezing.  Then I realized that's their way of saying goodbye on the phone.  That's me at my 1970's style desk... curiously there are few filing cabinets but then again, paper is very limited (& expensive).  O-oh wait until I have to put a request in for photo-copying (b&w only) 40 copies of a 15 page questionnaire! 

 

 

Paper is not the only thing that is rationed, so are pens, pencils, paper clips, staples, and yes.... toilet paper!  Most staff have their own pencil cases that they bring to meetings (that's mine below) & toilet paper is a must to have in your desk drawer because there are none in (any) washrooms.

 

 



Grenadian Nature & Generosity

We have 5 different trees & an herb garden in the backyard.  Learned that they are Soursop, Waxed Apple, Grapefruit, Coconut &, one other tree that bears grapes (forgot the name).  This is a picture of the grapefruit (peel is very think) & waxed apples just picked (tastes like a mix of apple & pear).  We now have a hand blender so made a soursop smoothie.  Very good and good for you!

Terry presented us with a breadfruit from his backyard (see pic below) and with this & other stuff in our fridge made "Oil Down" - the national dish of Grenada.  Veeeery filling & good. 

 



 

 



"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Wishing you all a wonderful, healthy 2015!  Rang the New Year in at the Port Louis Marina in St. Georges.  Ten seconds after midnight, the fireworks started and so did the rain.  This is a picture from under a tent with 500 other people last night and, Port Louis during a typical day.

 

 

It was 'standing' only to watch & dance with the series of reggae & soka bands.  The featured singer came on at 1:30am and ended at 3am.  The party continued but the tender feet had to retire.  These shoes saved me last night - the only comfy shoe I have. 

 

"Promote One's Self"

Well I'm back on the tennis court or, as the Grenadians say "yu playin' lawn tennis".  Thanks in part to my Wimbledon umbrella that sure gets conversation going & tennis connections.  Here's a picture of me & my umbrella that I could have actually used this morning when a "trick" rain washed out the game & across the road it was dry - go figure!

I was also told to visit Nikki's Shoe store in town because her husband Glyn is a tennis pro & coach to their son Yannick who is the #1 tennis player in Grenada.  And yes... he's named after Yannick Noah!  Connection made and Glyn is fixing my forehand topspin so look out you tennis players out there.  Here's pictures of Glyn in action & me on court...

 

 

Yannick is competing right now for a position at the PanAm games in Toronto.  I hope he represents Grenada & said I would be cheering for them and maybe even... line calling his game through Tennis Canada - although I don't want any challenges.  Too funny - what a small world!

 

Christmas Eve and Day

Woke up early on Christmas Eve (24th) to the honking of a donkey outside my bedroom window.  Usually it's roosters & goats.  Later found out that the donkey was going to be performing at a nativity pageant in town.  Here's a photo of the donkey with our little white house in the background.  The 2nd picture is the donkey performing on Christmas Eve.

 

Today, strolled down to Grand Anse beach for an early morning Christmas dip. Ahhhh... so refreshing & quiet at 8am. 

 

 

 

 Then went to Sara & Family's house (another Canadian volunteer) for Christmas lunch - a nice gathering with their neighbours - see photo below.  And while we were chatting, an open truck with musicians drove by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  These trucks have been driving up & down streets for the past few days singing Christmas carols a la reggae style (see 2nd photo)

 

 

The group of Canadians ended the day back at the beach.  Here's a picture of 3 of the 4 volunteers (Myriam, Sara, & I)