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News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


South Andros Association Awarded International Grant
By Eric Rose, BIS
Apr 16, 2014 - 7:00:16 PM

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SOUTH ANDROS, The Bahamas – Stakeholders pose on the proposed site after the Official Launch for the South Andros Coastal Restoration, Land Degradation and Coconut Project, on April 10, 2014, in Long Bays Cays, South Andros. Pictured (from left) are Chief Councilor Mr. James Pratt, Representative of Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in The Bahamas Mr. Manuel Messina, Bahamas High Commissioner to CARICOM and Member of Parliament for South Andros His Excellency the Hon. Picewell Forbes, South Andros Handicraft and Manufacturing Association (SAHMA) President and Manager of the project Mrs. Emily Rahming, South Andros District Administrator Ms. Stephanie Rahming and Global Environment Facility (GEF) National Co- ordinator in The Bahamas Mr. Deon Stewart. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)

SOUTH ANDROS, The Bahamas – The South Andros Handicraft and Manufacturing Association (SAHMA) officially launched the South Andros Coastal Restoration and Coconut Project on April 10, 2014 at the South Andros Craft Centre in Motion Town, Long Bay Cays, South Andros.

The initiative is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded project for the community.

“We are very happy to be here today,” said GEF National Co-ordinator in The Bahamas Mr. Deon Stewart. “It didn’t go without a lot of hard work on behalf of SAHMA and the community of South Andros and also on behalf of the committee that actually reviews and improves projects here (in the Bahamas).”

“The GEF Small Grants Programme likes to work with communities like the South Andros community to produce what we intend to show as – more or less – demonstration projects; but demonstration projects that add to improving the environment, the type of demonstration projects that add to the sustainable livelihood of a community.”

Representative of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in The Bahamas, Mr. Manuel Messina said that ever since his organization came to South Andros, they saw the enthusiasm, determination and willingness to work together in the community.

“In many communities in the whole Bahamas we go and we find many people who want to do things; but many people want to do things on their own and sometimes it’s hard to get the community to work together,” Mr. Messina said. “I think that (unity) is the key and that is what I have seen so far here and I hope that continues.”

Also partnering in the initiative are The Bahamas National Trust, IICA, the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology South Andros High School, Ministry of Environment and Housing Forestry Department, South Andros Chamber of Commerce, South Andros Farmers Association, South Andros District Council of Local Government and Natures Hope for South Andros.

Bahamas High Commissioner to CARICOM and Member of Parliament for South Andros His Excellency the Hon. Picewell Forbes applauded the work of all involved in the implementation of the project, especially because of what any community development means for the area.

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SOUTH ANDROS, The Bahamas – Members of the South Andros Handicraft and Manufacturing Association (SAHMA) and stakeholders pose during the OfficialLaunch for the South Andros Coastal Restoration, Land Degradation and CoconutProject, on April 10, 2014, in Long Bays Cays, South Andros. (BIS Photo / EricRose)

“This coconut plant is a big effort for our community,” His Excellency said. “I want to encourage those who want to try and make our community a better one.”

South Andros District Administrator Ms. Stephanie Rahming said that she welcomes the opportunities that the project will bring to the community, especially “economic empowerment”.

“South Androsians, this is a community project,” Ms. Rahming said. “I appeal to you, South Andros, let us take ownership of this project. We must buy into this project. This is for us as South Androsians and the benefits are wide and far-reaching.”

According to GEF in officially released information, the project is for the “Restoration of Native Coconut Habitat through Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and improved community livelihoods through the production of coconut craft and products.”

SAHMA Public Relations representative, Mr. Edmund Rahming Sr. said the project will be implemented over a 15-month period and is intended to address the issue of coastal erosion and land degradation of 25,500 square feet of a coastal area in Long Bay Cays, South Andros, where harvesting of coconuts was once an economic contributor to the local community.

“The project will restore this coastal site by the removal of all invasive species (e.g. the casuarinas) and replanting native coastal-friendly plant species including coconut, to help stabilize the coastline and reestablish the coconut grove,” he said. “Resources from the restored area are expected to reinvigorate and enhance the local cottage industries of charcoal and agro-processing,resulting ultimately in sustainable livelihoods for community members.”

“The coal-making industry – by extension – is a very good thing for this community,” His Excellency commented. “You have all the trees (the casuarinas) here.

“I want to commend you all for your efforts here,” His Excellency said. “To GEF and your Small Grants Programme, I thank you for making our community all thebetter today.”

“I am very happy that we are a part of it,” Mr. Stewart added. “I am very impressed with your level of commitment and dedication to the project and I am really, really looking forward to see it be a tremendous success that we could replicate not only here, but also in other islands of The Bahamas – and then it will go global.”


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SOUTH ANDROS, The Bahamas – Stakeholders pose after the presentation of the Certificate of Grant Award 2014 to the South Andros Handicraft and Manufacturing Association (SAHMA) for the project officially titled “South Andros Coastal Restoration, Land Degradation and Coconut Project,” on April 10, 2014, at the South Andros Craft Centre, in Motion Town, Long Bays Cays, South Andros. Pictured (from left) are South Andros District Administrator Ms. Stephanie Rahming, Global Environment Facility (GEF) National Co-ordinator in The Bahamas Mr. Deon Stewart, SAHMA President and Manager of the project Mrs. Emily Rahming, Bahamas High Commissioner to CARICOM and Member of Parliament for South Andros His Excellency the Hon. Picewell Forbes and Representative of Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in The Bahamas Mr. Manuel Messina. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)


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