Caribbean Caribbean EncountersEncounters

Fostering Real Fostering Real Conversations in the Conversations in the

Caribbean and BeyondCaribbean and Beyond

presentspresents

St. Vincent St. Vincent and the and the

GrenadinesGrenadines

“Gem of the “Gem of the Antilles”Antilles”

andand“Land of the “Land of the

Blessed”Blessed”

DescriptionDescription • St. Vincent and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines is an archipelago Grenadines is an archipelago comprised of 32 islands comprised of 32 islands located in the Windward located in the Windward Islands of the Eastern Islands of the Eastern Caribbean.Caribbean.

• St. Vincent is the largest and St. Vincent is the largest and most populated island. most populated island. Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, Mustique, Union Island and Mustique, Union Island and many smaller cays make up many smaller cays make up the Grenadines.the Grenadines.

• St. Vincent is 18 miles long St. Vincent is 18 miles long and 11 miles wide with an and 11 miles wide with an area of 133 sq. miles.area of 133 sq. miles.

• The Grenadines extend for The Grenadines extend for 45 miles to the southwest 45 miles to the southwest and cover an area of only 17 and cover an area of only 17 square miles.square miles.

LocationLocation

• St. Vincent is bordered by Grenada, 75 St. Vincent is bordered by Grenada, 75 miles to the south; St. Lucia, 24 miles miles to the south; St. Lucia, 24 miles to the north; and Barbados, 150 miles to the north; and Barbados, 150 miles to the east.to the east.

• SVG is located in the Atlantic Standard SVG is located in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, 1 hour ahead of the Time Zone, 1 hour ahead of the Eastern Standard Time Zone.Eastern Standard Time Zone.

TheThe FlagFlag • The green diamonds are The green diamonds are shaped in a V for St. shaped in a V for St. Vincent, and reflect the Vincent, and reflect the plural nature of the many plural nature of the many islands of St. Vincent and islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. the Grenadines.

• The blue represents the The blue represents the sky and sea. The gold is sky and sea. The gold is for warmth, the bright for warmth, the bright spirit of the people and spirit of the people and the golden sands of the the golden sands of the Grenadines. The green Grenadines. The green represents the lush represents the lush vegetation of St. Vincent's vegetation of St. Vincent's agriculture and the agriculture and the enduring vitality of the enduring vitality of the people. people.

Topography of St. Topography of St. VincentVincent• St. Vincent is a St. Vincent is a

volcanic island of volcanic island of steep ridges, steep ridges, valleys, and valleys, and waterfalls. The waterfalls. The north is dominated north is dominated by the active La by the active La Soufriere volcano Soufriere volcano (4,040 ft.).(4,040 ft.).

ClimateClimate • SVG enjoys a steady SVG enjoys a steady tropical temperature tropical temperature all year long ranging all year long ranging from 18° - 32°C from 18° - 32°C (64°– 89° F).(64°– 89° F).

• NE trade winds blow NE trade winds blow from January to June.from January to June.

• The rainy season is The rainy season is from May to from May to November with up to November with up to 160 inches of rain 160 inches of rain falling yearly in the falling yearly in the mountainous mountainous interior.interior.

The PeopleThe People

• Population 109,200 (declining due to Population 109,200 (declining due to migration)migration)

• Language English, French PatoisLanguage English, French Patois• Ethnicity/Race: Black 66%, Mixed 19%, Ethnicity/Race: Black 66%, Mixed 19%,

East Indian 6%, Carib Amerindian 2%, East Indian 6%, Carib Amerindian 2%, Other 7%Other 7%

• Religions: Anglican 42%, Methodist 21%, Religions: Anglican 42%, Methodist 21%, Roman Catholic 12%, other 25% (Hindu, Roman Catholic 12%, other 25% (Hindu, Baha’i, Pentecostal)Baha’i, Pentecostal)

• Life expectancy 72.9 (76.2 US) UNDPLife expectancy 72.9 (76.2 US) UNDP• Infant mortality 23 per 1,000 live births Infant mortality 23 per 1,000 live births

(6.3 US) UNDP(6.3 US) UNDP• 83.1 adult literacy rate (99% US) UNDP83.1 adult literacy rate (99% US) UNDP

The EconomyThe Economy

• GDI per capita $3,650 US (In the US the GDI GDI per capita $3,650 US (In the US the GDI per capita is $41,400 US) World Bank 2005per capita is $41,400 US) World Bank 2005

• Minimum wage for industrial workers is Minimum wage for industrial workers is $7.49/day.$7.49/day.

• Unemployment 22% (US State Dept. Unemployment 22% (US State Dept. estimates are 25-40%)estimates are 25-40%)

• 26% live below national poverty line26% live below national poverty line

• ““One of the most disaster-affected nations in One of the most disaster-affected nations in the world. (IMF)” 10 major disasters have hit the world. (IMF)” 10 major disasters have hit the country since 1970.the country since 1970.

And yet…And yet…

• The Grenadines has been described as “the The Grenadines has been described as “the best sailing ground anywhere in the world.” best sailing ground anywhere in the world.” Donald Trump recently partnered with Donald Trump recently partnered with Raffles to develop Canouan into a major Raffles to develop Canouan into a major multifaceted vacation destination and Mick multifaceted vacation destination and Mick Jagger, Raquel Welch and Princess Margaret Jagger, Raquel Welch and Princess Margaret have called Mustique “home.”have called Mustique “home.”

The History of The History of SVGSVG• St. Vincent was originally St. Vincent was originally inhabited by the Ciboney (5000 inhabited by the Ciboney (5000 B.C.), Arawak, and lastly, the B.C.), Arawak, and lastly, the Carib Indians who migrated Carib Indians who migrated from Venezuela in the 14from Venezuela in the 14thth century A.D.century A.D.

• When a Dutch slave ship sunk When a Dutch slave ship sunk off the shores of St. Vincent in off the shores of St. Vincent in 1635 the escaped Africans 1635 the escaped Africans settled on the island. The settled on the island. The slaves and Caribs intermarried slaves and Caribs intermarried and formed a new people called and formed a new people called the Garifuna, or Black Caribs. the Garifuna, or Black Caribs. The Yellow Caribs settled in the The Yellow Caribs settled in the West and the Black Caribs in West and the Black Caribs in the East after tensions the East after tensions developed between them. developed between them.

• The Caribs fiercely resisted colonization from the Europeans for two The Caribs fiercely resisted colonization from the Europeans for two centuries, but the Yellow Caribs allowed the French to establish centuries, but the Yellow Caribs allowed the French to establish settlements in the early 1700’ssettlements in the early 1700’s

• The Paris Treaty of 1763 ceded St. Vincent to the British and the French The Paris Treaty of 1763 ceded St. Vincent to the British and the French and the British competed for control of the island for the next twenty and the British competed for control of the island for the next twenty years. years.

• In 1779, with Carib assistance, the French forcibly seized the island, but in In 1779, with Carib assistance, the French forcibly seized the island, but in 1782, the Treaty of Versailles gave possession of St. Vincent back to the 1782, the Treaty of Versailles gave possession of St. Vincent back to the British. The French continued to encourage the Black Caribs to oppose British. The French continued to encourage the Black Caribs to oppose British settlement, but when the Caribs were defeated in 1797, to prevent British settlement, but when the Caribs were defeated in 1797, to prevent further resistance, the British banished 5,000 Caribs to the rocky island of further resistance, the British banished 5,000 Caribs to the rocky island of Balliceaux (seen in the picture above).Balliceaux (seen in the picture above).

• A few Caribs escaped A few Caribs escaped and scattered to the far and scattered to the far north of St. Vincent north of St. Vincent where their where their descendants can still descendants can still be found today.be found today.

• Those who survived Those who survived banishment were banishment were transported to transported to Honduras in February Honduras in February 1797.1797.

• During theDuring the 19th 19th century a plantation century a plantation economy, based on economy, based on slave labor, flourished slave labor, flourished and St. Vincent and St. Vincent produced sugar, cotton, produced sugar, cotton, coffee and cocoa.coffee and cocoa.

• Volcanic eruptions and Volcanic eruptions and economic depression economic depression produced cycles of produced cycles of instability as St. Vincent instability as St. Vincent progressed to becoming a progressed to becoming a self-governing state in self-governing state in 1969. 1969.

• Ten years later, on Ten years later, on October 27, 1979, St. October 27, 1979, St. Vincent became an Vincent became an independent state in the independent state in the British Commonwealth, British Commonwealth, the last of the Windward the last of the Windward Islands to gain Islands to gain independence.independence.

The Future of SVGThe Future of SVG• In January 2006 the In January 2006 the

banana quota system banana quota system that guaranteed that guaranteed Caribbean bananas a Caribbean bananas a sure market in Britain is sure market in Britain is to be swept aside. “If to be swept aside. “If this new banana regime this new banana regime goes ahead, we [could] goes ahead, we [could] be reduced to poverty be reduced to poverty overnight,’ explains overnight,’ explains Louis Straker, St Louis Straker, St Vincent’s deputy prime Vincent’s deputy prime minister.minister.

Further ProblemsFurther Problems• The Caribbean is second The Caribbean is second

only to Sub-Saharan only to Sub-Saharan Africa in the ratio of Africa in the ratio of persons infected with persons infected with HIV/AIDS. St. Vincent HIV/AIDS. St. Vincent accounts for 50% of the accounts for 50% of the new reported cases in new reported cases in the OECS.the OECS.

• Hotel occupancy in SVG Hotel occupancy in SVG dropped to a 15 year dropped to a 15 year low after 9/11 and the low after 9/11 and the Caribbean’s market Caribbean’s market share of international share of international tourist arrivals has tourist arrivals has declined in recent years.declined in recent years.

On the Positive Side…On the Positive Side…• The GDP in SVG is on the rise and 3,500 new jobs The GDP in SVG is on the rise and 3,500 new jobs

have been created since 2001, according to have been created since 2001, according to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

• Vincentians are a proud people who resisted Vincentians are a proud people who resisted colonialism longer than any other island in the colonialism longer than any other island in the Caribbean and endured genocide and slavery to Caribbean and endured genocide and slavery to emerge as “a truly noble civilization.” (Louis emerge as “a truly noble civilization.” (Louis Straker)Straker)

• According to the Caribbean Group for Cooperation According to the Caribbean Group for Cooperation in Economic Development there are several in Economic Development there are several reasons for hope in the region: the recognition reasons for hope in the region: the recognition that changes have to be made, a stable political that changes have to be made, a stable political situation, the absence of immense social foment, situation, the absence of immense social foment, a history of economic growth, and the fact that a history of economic growth, and the fact that there are strong traditional links and synergies there are strong traditional links and synergies between the Caribbean and developed countries.between the Caribbean and developed countries.

The Purpose of The Purpose of Caribbean Encounters Caribbean Encounters is:is:• To foster real conversations between people of To foster real conversations between people of

different cultures, within individuals, and with different cultures, within individuals, and with God.God.

• To provide for material, educational, and/or To provide for material, educational, and/or spiritual needs, as allowed, to the people of St. spiritual needs, as allowed, to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and other Caribbean Vincent and the Grenadines and other Caribbean nations.nations.

• To educate and sensitize young people and adults To educate and sensitize young people and adults in the the US and the Caribbean to the changing in the the US and the Caribbean to the changing needs of people in less economically developed needs of people in less economically developed countries (LEDCs) and more economically countries (LEDCs) and more economically developed countries (MEDCs) in this global developed countries (MEDCs) in this global economy.economy.

July 16-23, 2006 Mission July 16-23, 2006 Mission TripTrip• On this trip we will help On this trip we will help

with the Kingstown with the Kingstown Evangelical Church Evangelical Church Vacation Bible School. 150-Vacation Bible School. 150-200 children are expected 200 children are expected to attend. In 2005 the to attend. In 2005 the Church was unable to hold Church was unable to hold the School because there the School because there were not enough adults to were not enough adults to help.help.

• In the evenings we will lead In the evenings we will lead volleyball games in Rose volleyball games in Rose Place, an area of outreach Place, an area of outreach for the Church. Rose Place for the Church. Rose Place is located near the Church is located near the Church and has an average and has an average monthly household income monthly household income for a family of 5 of $459.61 for a family of 5 of $459.61 US.US.

• We have been asked to We have been asked to supply and set-up a supply and set-up a Church library at KEC.Church library at KEC.

• A former Peace Corps A former Peace Corps Volunteer has also Volunteer has also requested that we help requested that we help supply a community supply a community library in the town of library in the town of Fancy, located in the Fancy, located in the north.north.

• Considering the typical Considering the typical wages of a laborer, the wages of a laborer, the cost of a single cost of a single paperback book can be paperback book can be an entire day’s wages.an entire day’s wages.

• Fancy is a primitive Fancy is a primitive village at the end of the village at the end of the eastern shore road and is eastern shore road and is the location of a Carib the location of a Carib community.community.

How you can helpHow you can help• Join us in St. Vincent! Contact Susan for Join us in St. Vincent! Contact Susan for

information on costs and logistics. information on costs and logistics. sdittman@adelphia.netsdittman@adelphia.net or 540-463-3488. or 540-463-3488.

• Donate Christian or secular books. Books will be Donate Christian or secular books. Books will be shipped from VA in mid-April or individuals can shipped from VA in mid-April or individuals can ship directly to the Church in SVG.ship directly to the Church in SVG.

• Donate money to Caribbean Encounters, Inc. We Donate money to Caribbean Encounters, Inc. We have filed to be a non-profit corporation in have filed to be a non-profit corporation in Virginia and will be applying for federal tax-Virginia and will be applying for federal tax-exempt status. Send checks to Caribbean exempt status. Send checks to Caribbean Encounters, 507 Borden Rd. Lexington, VA 24450 Encounters, 507 Borden Rd. Lexington, VA 24450

• Help with the Spring Volleyball Tournament to be Help with the Spring Volleyball Tournament to be held in Lexington on April 29/30 by playing, held in Lexington on April 29/30 by playing, sponsoring a court, or workingsponsoring a court, or working