Life still difficult for Vincentians

They continue to need the most basic items to cope with the fall-out from the La Soufriere volcano eruption four months ago.

Rotary Club of Barbados South President George Connolly told Barbados TODAY one-third of the population of St Vincent and the Grenadines who were evacuated still remain away from their homes.

“The streets are still full of ash. Services have been disrupted. Nothing is back to normal. There are still people who live out of a bag in a shelter,” Connolly said.

Barbadian artists recently came together to support Vincentians.

For one month, artists, many of whom face challenges to sell their work, displayed more than 200 pieces to the public for sale at the Artsplash Gallery on Hastings, curator Lois Crawford said.

“There are very few artists in the Caribbean who can survive on their art alone,” noted Crawford.

Multimedia artist Martina Pile, under the banner, “One Heart Caribbean”, and curator Crawford, banded together with 52 other participating artists to display their work on the inside and outside of the art gallery.

Local musicians provided entertainment, including vocalist and guitarist Willie Kerr of the legendary Merrymen and saxophonist Ian Bishop as well as pianist Mexican.

“We chose St Vincent because of the impact of the volcano,” said Pile. In 2018, artists under the “One Heart Caribbean” banner raised funds after Dominica was devastated by Hurricane Maria the year before.

Rotary Club of Barbados South past President Hiranand Thani played a key role in engaging the service club to support the initiative which raised $6,400.

The club will arrange for goods, services or cash to be sent to St Vincent.
(HH)