Crochet for a Cause

Crochet artisans have been using their talent and skill to highlight the impact of climate change and increase the conversation around environmental protection.

Under the Community Empowerment and Environmental Partnership (CEEP) Crochet for a Cause: Ridge to Reef Project, now in its second year, workshops facilitated by Elaine’s Caribbean Crochet, in collaboration with BYBT, were held here recently, ending last weekend.

The programme aims to bring together members of the community over the handicraft of crochet to create land and sea replicas for environmental awareness. It is being executed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF)-Small Grants Programme (SGP) in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, and Ministry of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy.

GEF Small Grants Programme National Coordinator Dr David Bynoe said the project “achieves the sustainable development goals of quality education, decent work and economic growth, climate action, and life below water helping men and women to become informed and empowered in a creatively relevant way”.

Founder of Elaine’s Caribbean Crochet Nikisha Toppin said hosting the workshops at Norman Centre placed crochet in the centre of Bridgetown and the centre of the community.

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue to use our love for this art form to encourage others to be more environmentally conscious,” she added.

Participant Sybil Fielder said she joined the Ridge to Reef project because “it brings out your creativity and brings awareness to the climate and the environment. You meet friendly people, you meet other artists and we learn from each other. It is a happy bunch.”

During this aspect of the project’s engagement, which ended last weekend, crochet artists and enthusiasts visited Norman Centre to learn to crochet, create crochet replicas and display their craft for sale. The Crochet for a Cause project will also be implemented in Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Lucia in keeping with the south-south cooperation of implementation.
(PR/BT)