SVG is an independent democratic country within the British Commonwealth. The country is comprised of the mountainous island of St. Vincent and a host of other Grenadine islands tossed onto the ocean like jewels on a tapestry of blue. These sun kissed islands stretch forty-five miles south from St. Vincent’s capital of Kingstown toward the islands of Grenada. Many of these jewels, like the Tobago Cays, are uninhabited, dollops of sand that support palm trees and a complex ecosystem. St. Vincent is the garden island. Its lush volcanic soil and hard working farmers produce fruits and vegetables that are shipped throughout the Caribbean.

The native population of the Grenadines is concentrated on Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau and Union Islands. The island of Mustique is primarily private. Locals who service the homes on Mustique work hard to support their small island elementary school; students go to St. Vincent for High School. Petit St. Vincent and Palm are private island resorts. Their workers are ferried back and forth to Union Island each day.

Bequia has a history steeped in whaling tradition. And although whaling today is not what it was, the whaling heritage is kept alive through the work of local scrimshaw artists and writers, and the tales and museum of the whaling men themselves. Admiralty Bay provides a splendid natural harbor for Bequia. Ferries from Bequia to and from Kingstown ply the often rough water between islands more than four times a day. Admiralty Bay provides refuge to charter boats and cruising boats alike. On Bequia, dedicated individuals like Brother King are working to save the Loggerhead turtle population; other locals struggle to support a school for the handicapped and a local library. Just off the waterfront, American born Vincentian Editor Sally Erdle publishes the monthly Caribbean Compass newspaper, the voice of these Caribbean islands. It is circulated free of charge from Trinidad to Puerto Rico.

Canouan, just north of the Tobago Cays, is no longer a quiet island of fishermen and farmers. It is on track to become a major resort destination. Mayreau is a tiny island squeezed between Union Island and the Tobago Cays. Its economy relies primarily on tourism, charter boats and cruising yachtsmen.

Union Island is the commercial hub of the southern Grenadines. Less than three miles from the Tobago Cays and Mayreau, Union’s Clifton Harbour bustles with activity most months of the year because it serves the commercial needs of the smaller surrounding islands. It is here that the charter boats are serviced, the bread baked, ice made, fruits and vegetables (from St. Vincent) sold and building materials received. At dawn every day, rain or shine, local “boat boys” from Clifton carry supplies to boats anchored in the Tobago Cays. They also carry fresh fish and supplies to and from Union Island to the nearby island resorts. These “boat boys” are an example of the work of many locals who are the backbone of the service industry in St. Vincent & The Grenadines. And while many of these locals can run an outboard motor, catch and clean lobster and utilize their muscle to build and repair, many have yet to learn how to read.

That is all about to change. The residents of Union Island, some of whom have moved there recently from North America, are altering the destiny of the Grenadines by investing in the literacy of its young people.

Union Island Establishes a Community Library

Senator Snagg talks about the library’s development. “ The library was a conversion of an old teacher residence belonging to the Ministry of Education. It was refurbished by the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing. Following discussions with the Taiwanese Charge D’Affairs, Mr. Roger Lou, a grant was made of five thousand U.S. dollars which was used to purchase some books. Mr. Victor Alexander and Mrs. Delta Alexander (no relation) of the U.S. made contributions of one barrel, and two barrels of books respectively. A contribution of six jumbo barrels was contributed by the Caribbean Association of Professional Scholars. Individual contributions by Ms. McIntosh and Father Andrew Roache were also received. Ms. Abigail Allert is the Librarian and is ably supported by Ms. Olivia Bentick, the Community Development Officer. Assistance also came from many other concerned citizens in the cleaning of the grounds and preparation of the building.” Despite these early contributions, Senator Snagg advises Boaters for Books that there is still a great need for children’s volumes.

Librarian Abigail Allert reports, “It was one of the best ideas that came to reality for this island’s society. The citizens here are starting to put reading into their daily lives. I knew that this would improve our lives for the better.” According to Allert, “ In addition to children’s books, there is a great need for reference books, an encyclopedia, sociology and science books and novels for young women in particular.”

Neighboring Mayreau is following in the footsteps of Union Island. Father Mark Dasilva of Mayreau reports that his island has organized a community library and is ready to accept books.

Boaters for Books Adopts the Grenadines

Heather Grant, owner of Erika’s Marine Services on Union Island is the project coordinator. She and husband Ian came to Union Island from their home in Canada and established a communications business catering to visiting yachtsmen. They were soon providing computer skills to the Unionists. Heather has been instrumental in promoting computer and reading skills among the young on Union Island. Now she is coordinating Boaters for Books in SVG with Senator Edwin Snagg. Initial recipients of books in SVG will be the outlying rural schools on the mainland of St. Vincent, the Mayreau and Union community libraries, the elementary schools on Canouan and Mustique and the library, elementary school and Sunshine School for the handicapped on Bequia.

Boaters in the region can drop off books at Heather’s business, Erika’s Marine Services in the Bougainvilla Complex on Clifton Harbour. Heather and her able employees will distribute the books to the Union island Community Library.

You can help the children of St. Vincent & The Grenadines to learn to read! Send your check or donation of new or used children’s books or reference books to Boaters for Books, Inc., P.O. Box 510685, Punta Gorda, FL. 33951-0685